Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main contribution of Wangari Maathai that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004?
What was the main contribution of Wangari Maathai that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004?
What does the term 'environment' encompass?
What does the term 'environment' encompass?
What is an example of a built environment?
What is an example of a built environment?
Which of the following describes the internal environment of an organism?
Which of the following describes the internal environment of an organism?
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Which environment is characterized by high salt content and is the largest known environment on Earth?
Which environment is characterized by high salt content and is the largest known environment on Earth?
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How can environments be classified internally?
How can environments be classified internally?
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What is a consequence of extensive human intervention in natural environments?
What is a consequence of extensive human intervention in natural environments?
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What defines a natural environment?
What defines a natural environment?
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What is a significant threat to the marine environment caused by human activities?
What is a significant threat to the marine environment caused by human activities?
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What are the six terrestrial ecosystems mentioned?
What are the six terrestrial ecosystems mentioned?
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Which statement best describes terrestrial environments?
Which statement best describes terrestrial environments?
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Which scale does the term 'environment' encompass?
Which scale does the term 'environment' encompass?
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Which component significantly influences the survival of organisms in the atmospheric environment?
Which component significantly influences the survival of organisms in the atmospheric environment?
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What defines the biotic components of the biosphere?
What defines the biotic components of the biosphere?
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What is a primary characteristic of marine environments?
What is a primary characteristic of marine environments?
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What key aspect distinguishes terrestrial environments from aquatic environments?
What key aspect distinguishes terrestrial environments from aquatic environments?
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Study Notes
Environment and Development
- Environment and development are interconnected; actions impacting the environment directly affect societal development and peace.
- Wangari Maathai, a prominent Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2004, emphasized this link by addressing environmental degradation as a major issue.
- Maathai highlighted human activities that lead to the destruction of ecosystems, which in turn affect societies.
Definition of Environment
- The term "environ" means "to surround" or "to enclose", indicating the varying scopes of the environment.
- Physical environment comprises the surrounding conditions and elements an organism interacts with.
- Environments also include chemical and biological aspects vital for organism survival, evolution, and development.
- Environments consist of all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
Types of Environments
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Internal vs. External
- Internal environments refer to the internal conditions within a multicellular organism, essential for homeostasis.
- External environments pertain to the outside conditions affecting living organisms.
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Natural vs. Built
- Natural environments consist of all occurrences in nature, including living and non-living components, and their interrelationships.
- Built environments are human-made, including urban and agricultural areas, altering natural spaces.
Classification by Components
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Aquatic Environment
- Divided into marine (high salt) and freshwater (low salt); oceans and seas dominate, representing roughly 97% of Earth's water.
- Vital for food and resources, but vulnerable to threats like pollution, acidification, and climate change.
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Terrestrial Environment
- Encompasses land-based ecosystems, including continents and islands, where water presence is critical.
- Characterized by seasonal temperature fluctuations; includes six ecosystems: taiga, rainforests, temperate forests, tundra, deserts, and grasslands.
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Atmospheric Environment
- Comprises air elements, crucial for the survival of living organisms.
- Key factors include solar radiation, air composition, climate, and pollutants, all impacting environmental conditions.
Biosphere
- Represents all biotic components on Earth, encompassing bacteria, protists, algae, fungi, plants, and animals.
- Life has existed for over 3.7 billion years, characterized by functions such as metabolism, growth, adaptation, response, and reproduction.
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Description
In this lecture, we explore the fundamental relationship between the environment and development, emphasizing how they are interconnected. We will also discuss notable figures like Wangari Maathai, who highlighted the significance of environmental issues in the global context of peace and development. Join us to understand the impacts of human activities on our environment.
