What is Environmental Science? (Chapter I.1)

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'environment' encompass?

Cultural conditions alone

Only social conditions affecting an individual

Only natural surroundings of organisms since environmental science is only concerned with the natural world

Both natural, and the culturally and socially built environments affecting organisms, an individual, or a community (correct)

What is a primary focus of environmental science?

Promoting technological advancements in industry

Understanding and solving problems in the natural environment (correct)

Studying historical events in human civilization

Focusing solely on agriculture and plant science

Which of the following best describes sustainable development?

A focus on technological innovation only

A strategy to limit population growth

Growth without any regard for natural resources

Meeting human needs while protecting resources and biodiversity (correct)

Why is addressing climate change considered a complex issue?

Due to the difficulty in reaching social and political agreement Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of environmental science requires interdisciplinary input?

Understanding resource consumption and waste disposal Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do foresters face in environmental science?

Creating conditions for forests to mature successfully Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key theme in environmental science related to climate change?

Need for climate action and its urgency Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does not typically fall under the realm of environmental science?

Theoretical physics and its principles Signup and view all the answers

Which country currently leads the world in solar energy production?

China Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed significantly to the reduction of solar panel prices in the United States?

Advancement in photovoltaic production Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the United Kingdom concerning carbon dioxide emissions?

Cut emissions by 60 percent Signup and view all the answers

What is a major health concern linked to air pollution in developing areas?

Diseases triggered by air pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a significant resource challenge that the world may face in the coming decades?

Decreasing water supplies Signup and view all the answers

What is estimated to cause illness in over a billion people annually?

Polluted water and inadequate sanitation Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is particularly influenced by education to help manage family size and health?

Girls and women Signup and view all the answers

How has life expectancy changed since 1990 in relation to improved water supplies?

It has nearly doubled, on average. Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to improved air quality in many cities in Europe and North America?

Better pollution controls Signup and view all the answers

What worldwide projection does the UN make regarding water demand by 2025?

One-fourth of the population will face excessive water demand. Signup and view all the answers

What is the projected global mean temperature increase by 2100 if current trends continue?

2° to 6°C Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has NOT contributed to the decline in chronic hunger despite population growth?

Enhanced food distribution networks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following species are particularly rare and endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting?

Top predators like big cats Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's population is projected to be born in high-birth rate countries that are low-income?

100% Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant cause of climate refugees growing in number?

Climate change impacting farms Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of food consumed worldwide is produced by small-scale farms?

80% Signup and view all the answers

How much has habitat loss contributed to species decline in the past century?

Most declines are due to habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following energy sources is NOT considered renewable?

Natural gas Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of rising resource consumption per person?

More harm to ecological systems Signup and view all the answers

Which factors have stabilized population growth in industrialized countries?

Social security and democracy Signup and view all the answers

By what rate is the global population projected to reach between 9 to 10 billion by 2050?

80 million more annually Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major strategy for enhancing the protection of biodiversity?

Creation of nature preserves Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical environmental concern associated with fossil fuel usage?

Air and water pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which of these areas has seen a significant increase in protected land from 1990 to 2018?

Marine environments Signup and view all the answers

Two major themes in environmental science

<ol> <li>Sustainable development</li> <li>Climate action</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of environmental science is highlighted as integral for developing solutions to environmental problems?

Integrating social sciences and humanities Signup and view all the answers

What does the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science help to address?

The ways humans consume resources and impact waste disposal Signup and view all the answers

How does environmental science contribute to our understanding of individual and community well-being?

By integrating knowledge across various disciplines affecting both individuals and communities Signup and view all the answers

From which French word meaning "to surround" does the term "environment" derive?

environner Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmental Science Overview

Environment encompasses the circumstances surrounding organisms and the social/cultural conditions affecting individuals/communities.
Environmental science integrates natural, social, and human sciences to study the environment and our interactions.
The study often focuses on issues like pollution and biodiversity loss

Major Themes in Environmental Science

Sustainable Development: Balancing human needs with population growth, resource usage, and environmental factors (like water quality, air quality, and food systems.)
Climate Change and Climate Action: A critical issue impacting health, economies, poverty, conflict, and the environment (water resources, weather patterns, food production, and biodiversity). Atmospheric CO2 has increased by ~50% in the last 200 years, and global temperatures are projected to rise 2-6°C by 2100.

Population and Resource Consumption

Global human population is ~8 billion, growing by ~80 million annually.
Average family size has decreased from ~5 children per family 60 years ago to ~2 children today. Demographers estimate a population of 9-10 billion by 2050.
Population growth is linked to low-income and conflict-affected areas, with Africa accounting for most of those with high birth rates.
Population growth in developed countries and in many others has stabilized.
Resource consumption varies greatly by wealth; wealthier populations consume more energy and goods.
Increased consumption as wealth rises is a significant environmental concern.
Worldwide, the average number of children born per woman has decreased from 6.1 to 2.3 over the last 25 years.

Hunger

Despite population growth, the prevalence of chronic hunger has decreased due to increased food production.
800 million people still suffer from chronic hunger.
Conflicts, unequal resource access, and climate change (climate refugees) are key elements in maintaining this issue.

Biodiversity Loss and Conservation

Habitat destruction, exploitation, and pollution are driving species loss, with rates similar to the dinosaur extinction event.
Over 800 species have disappeared, and ~10,000 are threatened.
Habitat loss is the leading cause, although hunting plays a role. Top predators are particularly at risk.
Forests have significantly decreased, with more diverse old-growth forests being replaced by plantations.
Conservation efforts exist, such as habitat conservation and species monitoring/recovery.
Restoration ecology and pledges to end deforestation (e.g., by 2030) are important steps.
The number of nature preserves and protected areas has increased since 1990.

Energy

Fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) provide ~80% of energy in industrialized countries.
Their usage has major drawbacks (pollution, mining damage, political conflict).
Fossil fuels are non-renewable, creating sustainability problems.
Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass) offer cleaner alternatives, although usage requires investment.
Developing world and certain countries are making significant steps towards renewable energy.

Pollution and Environmental Health

Air pollution, particularly in developing regions (a "brown cloud" over Southern Asia), contributes to health problems and deaths. At least 3 million die annually from polluted air.
Air pollution includes acidic aerosols, dust and photochemical smog from various sources.
Long-lasting pollutants (mercury, pesticides, perfluorocarbons) can accumulate in ecosystems and humans.
Pollution control technology exists, but equitable implementation is key.

Water Resources

Water is a crucial resource, becoming more critical in the coming decades.
Climate change is impacting water availability for agriculture.
~600 million lack safe drinking water and ~2.4 billion lack safe sanitation.
Access has improved in some regions, but water quality and sanitation problems still have major negative health effects.
Water shortage can contribute to migration.
Access to improved water sources increased by over 800 million people since 1990.

Information and Education

Education, especially for women, is essential for slowing population growth and reducing child mortality.
Access to education often empowers women to make choices about family sizes.
The increasing flow of information globally facilitates the sharing of knowledge and sustainable technologies.
Developing countries can learn from industrialized nations and adopt new and environmentally sustainable approaches.

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