chapter 1: environmental problems, their causes and sustainability

Chapter 1: Environmental

Problems, Their Causes and Sustainability

Introductory definitions Know all bold and italicized words in the

book, especially ones in your vocab packet.

Environmental Science is…

Make a concept map.

Sustainability is the central theme of this book Natural capital:

1) Natural resources○ Ex: ______________

2) Natural services○ Ex: ______________

Natural capital is supported by Solar capital

What causes degradation of natural capital?_____________________

Fig. 1-3, p. 8

Air

Air purification

Climate control

Water

Water purification

Waste treatment

Nonrenewableminerals

iron, sand)Natural gas

Oil

Soil

Soil renewal

Nonrenewableenergy

(fossil fuels)

Solarcapital

Land

Food production

Nutrientrecycling

Coal seam

Life(biodiversity)

Populationcontrol

Pestcontrol

Renewableenergy

(sun, wind,water flows)UV protection

(ozone layer)

Natural resourcesNatural services

NATURAL CAPITAL

Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services

Fig. 1-3, p. 8

Human activities can degrade natural capital  By using renewable resources faster than

can be replenished (ie fish, trees) (TOTC lab) And by using nonrenewable resources up

Solutions Solutions to problems must be

scientific + politicalOften trade-offs are required because

solutions may require economic lossesShort term vs. long term

Economic Gap There is a wide economic gap between

rich and poor countries Economic growth is measured by

Changes in growth Changes in economic growth: measured

by per capita GDP (why does PER CAPITA matter?) _______________

What is per capita GDP PPP? _______________________________

Comparison of Developed and Developing Countries, 2008

Which kind of growth is good?

1-3 How Are Our Ecological Footprints Affecting the Earth? Concept 1-3 As our ecological

footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital.

Some Sources Are Renewable Renewable resource

E.g., forests, grasslands, fresh air, fertile soilcan be replenished fairly quickly (hours up to

hundred years) Sustainable yield

highest rate @ which renewable resources can be used indefinitely w/out reducing available supply

Environmental degradationwhen available supply begins to shrink

Some Resources Are Not Renewable Nonrenewable resources exist in a fixed quantity; can be renewed

in million to billion yrs (maybe) Energy resourcesMetallic mineral resourcesNonmetallic mineral resources –salt, sand

Reuse- Recycle-

Our Ecological Footprints Are Growing

Ecological footprint concept Biological capacityEcological footprint

Natural Capital Use and Degradation

If everyone used resources the way we do in the US, the planet could only support 1.3 billion humans. (Currently the population is above 7 billion and rising. Uh oh. )

Cultural Changes Have Increased Our Ecological Footprints Until 12,000 years ago: hunters and

gatherers Three major cultural events

Agricultural revolutionIndustrial-medical revolutionInformation-globalization revolution

China - By 2020, will have leading economy in terms of GDP PPP. Pop will be 1.5 bil by 2033.

1-4 What Is Pollution and What Can We Do about It?

Concept 1-4 Preventing pollution is more effective and less costly than cleaning up pollution.

Pollution Comes from a Number of Sources Sources of pollution

Point○ E.g., smokestack

Nonpoint○ E.g., pesticides blown into the air

Main type of pollutantsBiodegradableNondegradable

Biodegradable? Biodegradable pollutants - can break

down naturally over time. Nondegradable are harmful for long

periods of time. Lead, mercury, arsenic, plastics -

nondegradable. Fertilizers, sewage, newspaper -

biodegradable.

We Can Clean Up Pollution or Prevent It Pollution cleanup (output pollution

control)

Pollution prevention (input pollution control)

Problems with cleanup only (rather than output control)

Experts Have Identified Five Basic Causes of Environmental Problems Population growth

Wasteful and unsustainable resource use

Poverty

Failure to include the harmful environmental costs of goods and services in their market prices

Insufficient knowledge of how nature works

Some Harmful Results of Poverty

Affluence Has Harmful and Beneficial Environmental Effects

Harmful environmental impact due toHigh levels of consumptionUnnecessary waste of resources

Affluence can provide funding for:Developing technologies to reduce pollution,

environmental degradation, resource waste

In the US, air and water quality have improved since 1970, and some endangered species are coming back from the brink of extinction.

Prices Do Not Include the Value of Natural Capital Companies do not pay the environmental

cost of resource use

Goods and services do not include the harmful environmental costs

Companies receive tax breaks and subsidies

Economy may be stimulated but there may be a degradation of natural capital

Different Views about Environmental Problems and Their Solutions

Planetary management: Stewardship: Environmental wisdom:

1-6 What Are Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability?

Concept 1- 6 Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, population control, and nutrient cycling—lessons from nature that we can apply to our lifestyles and economies.

It seems we have 50-100 years to make crucial changes.

Studying Nature Reveals 4 Scientific Principles of Sustainability