CSU1429 Climate Crisis Lecture 2

Questions and Answers

What was the main contribution of Wangari Maathai that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004?

Innovating sustainable agricultural practices.

Creating protected areas for wildlife in Africa.

Linking environmental issues to development and peace. (correct)

Her advocacy for economic development in Kenya.

What does the term 'environment' encompass?

All biotic and abiotic factors affecting living organisms. (correct)

Only physical elements such as water and air.

Chemical and biological attributes only.

Exclusively the surrounding conditions of multicellular organisms.

What is an example of a built environment?

A remote mountain landscape.

A community park with native plants.

An urban city with infrastructure. (correct)

A dense rainforest ecosystem.

Which of the following describes the internal environment of an organism?

The homeostasis maintenance within its body. Signup and view all the answers

Which environment is characterized by high salt content and is the largest known environment on Earth?

Marine environment Signup and view all the answers

How can environments be classified internally?

As internal and external. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of extensive human intervention in natural environments?

Reduction of biodiversity in built environments. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a natural environment?

Naturally occurring living and nonliving things. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant threat to the marine environment caused by human activities?

Marine pollution Signup and view all the answers

What are the six terrestrial ecosystems mentioned?

Taiga, rainforests, temperate forests, tundra, deserts, grassland Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes terrestrial environments?

They include islands and continents with varying water availability. Signup and view all the answers

Which scale does the term 'environment' encompass?

Micro scale to large global scale. Signup and view all the answers

Which component significantly influences the survival of organisms in the atmospheric environment?

Solar radiation Signup and view all the answers

What defines the biotic components of the biosphere?

All living organisms on Earth, including bacteria and plants Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of marine environments?

High salt concentration in water Signup and view all the answers

What key aspect distinguishes terrestrial environments from aquatic environments?

Availability of water Signup and view all the answers

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

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.
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

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.
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.
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.