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Chapter 1 The Environment

Chapter 1 The Environment. Defining the Environment. How long have humans been on the planet? Humans increasingly impact the environment: how? We can’t ignore environmental problems. Human Population. Overpopulation: how many people live on Earth? Nearly 1 in 4 live in

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Chapter 1 The Environment

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  1. Chapter 1 The Environment

  2. Defining the Environment • How long have humans been on the planet? • Humans increasingly impact the environment: how? • We can’t ignore environmental problems

  3. Human Population • Overpopulation: how many people live on Earth? • Nearly 1 in 4 live in extreme poverty • How big will our population get? • How big can our population get? • Consumption & economic growth

  4. Rich & Poor • Highly developed countries: ≈ 20% of world’s population • Poor countries • Moderately developed • Less developed (LDCs)

  5. Characteristics of LDCs • Cheap, unskilled labor • Economy agriculturally based • Hunger, disease, illiteracy common

  6. Rich vs. Poor • Developing countries • Rapid population growth is overwhelming • Natural resource depletion • Developed countries • Slower population growth • Higher rate of consumption

  7. Types of Resources • Nonrenewable • Limited supply • Once they’re gone, they’re gone • Examples? • Renewable • Virtually unlimited • Replenished over relatively short periods • Examples? • Easy to overexploit  nonrenewable

  8. Population & Resources • Economic growth tied to exploiting natural resources • Developed countries have utilized many of their resources • Use of natural resources tied to poverty

  9. Population & Consumption • People overpopulation • Environment getting worse • Too many people • Consumption overpopulation • Environment getting worse • Use far more than necessary: why?

  10. Too Much Stuff! • Highly developed countries • 20% world’s population consume: • 86% aluminum • 76% harvested timber • 68% energy • 61% meat eaten • 42% fresh water • Developing countries are starting to consume more: why?

  11. Ecological Footprints • Productive land and ocean needed to supply person with her/his needs • What if we all had the same footprint?

  12. Population, Consumption, & Environmental Impact • I = P x A x T • I: Environmental impact • P: Population • A: Affluence per person • T: Technology used • Interpret results with care! • Ultimate goal: make consumption sustainable

  13. NIMBY & NIMTOO • Not in my backyard • Not in my term of office • What situations cause people to say these? • How practical are these?

  14. Environmental Sustainability • Sustainability: environment will function indefinitely • Based on: • Effects of our actions on the environment • Earth’s resources are finite • Understanding impact of consumption • Shared responsibility

  15. Does This Sound Sustainable? • Nonrenewable resources being rapidly depleted • Many renewable resources being used in a nonrenewable way

  16. Does This Sound Sustainable? • Environment is being polluted • Human population is increasing

  17. Sustainable Development • Economic growth that: - Meets needs of the present - Does not compromise future • Meets needs of world’s poor • Can occur only within limits of the environment

  18. Global Environmental Issues Global Warming Deforestation

  19. Global Environmental Issues Threatened Oceans Ozone depletion

  20. Sustainable Development

  21. Sustainable Consumption • Requires eradication of poverty • Poor will need to increase consumption: why? • Will require major lifestyle changes

  22. Sustainable Consumption • Using goods and services for our needs • Minimizes use of resources • Eliminate consumption overpopulation

  23. Economics • Study of how we decide to use scarce resources to provide goods & services • Free market • Supply & demand determine price • Canadian economy

  24. How Are The Economy & Environment Related? • Environment is the source of materials • Environment serves as a sink for wastes • Sources & sinks contribute to natural capital • Resource degradation: overuse of sources • Pollution: overuse of sinks

  25. Economy & Environment

  26. National Income Accounts • Total income in a nation in one year • GDP & NDP provide estimates • Two problems with current system • Natural resource depletion • Cost & benefits of pollution control

  27. Pollution Control • Currently, cost of polluting not deducted from GDP • Estimates of environmental damage should be subtracted from GDP

  28. What is Environmental Science? • Interdisciplinary • Broad field • Ecology is a basic tool • Goals • Establish general principles about how the natural world functions • Identifying, understanding, andsolving problems

  29. What is Science? • Not just a body of knowledge • Dynamic process • Requires collection of data • An ongoing enterprise • Requires reevaluation

  30. The Scientific Method

  31. The Process of Science • A good hypothesis makes a prediction • Experiment • Variable: factor that influences a process • Control group: variable isn’t altered • Theory • Integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses • Solid ground of science • Accepted as true

  32. Eco Canada Career Focus • Eco Canada develops programs, educates and provides resources for employees • Have you though of a career as an environmental communications officer?

  33. Case Study:The Flood of the Century • Red River was used as a principle transport route • Human activities altered the environment • Red River Flood covered 2000 square kilometers • How could the devastation been reduced?

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