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Questions and Answers
What is the main focus of environmental science?
What is the main focus of environmental science?
Which of the following best describes natural resources?
Which of the following best describes natural resources?
What does the term 'Tragedy of Commons' refer to?
What does the term 'Tragedy of Commons' refer to?
What are the characteristics of a balancing loop in a systems dynamic model?
What are the characteristics of a balancing loop in a systems dynamic model?
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Which of the following statements about the conservation of matter is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the conservation of matter is accurate?
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What is the definition of potential energy?
What is the definition of potential energy?
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What does the principle of conservation of energy state?
What does the principle of conservation of energy state?
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What is Citizen Science?
What is Citizen Science?
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Study Notes
Environmental Science Defined
- The study of living organisms and how they interact with their environment.
- Focuses on nature, technology, and culture
Key Terms
- Organisms: Living things
- Natural Resources: Materials found in nature that are useful to humans
- Applied Sciences: Fields of study that use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
- Anthropology: The study of human societies
- Built Environment: What humans have made, such as roads and buildings
- Culture: Languages, religions, customs, and arts of people
- Natural Environment: All living and nonliving things found in nature.
First Fossil Discovery
- Found in East Africa (Ethiopia)
- Fossil named “omo1”
Agricultural Revolution
- Occurred in the 18th century
- Lasted for 100 years
- Sumeria relied heavily on irrigation for crop growth
- Irrigation brought salt (salinization) which negatively impacted the environment.
Law of Unintended Consequences
- Main reason for resource depletion
Tragedy of the Commons
- Commons are resources that are shared and not owned.
- Examples include stocks and flows
- The commons can be depleted due to overuse, a concept known as the "Tragedy of the Commons".
Citizen Science
- Public participation and collaboration in scientific research.
- Increases scientific knowledge.
- People contribute to data monitoring and collection programs.
Systems of Thinking
- A language used to discuss problems in society as a whole.
- Encourages a “Big Picture” approach to complex issues.
System Dynamic Model
- Encourages thinking about the bigger picture rather than focusing on a single solution.
Causal Loop Diagram
- Used to understand and identify problems and find solutions
- Composed of variables, arrows, links, polarities (s+, o-), and loop types.
Reinforcing Loop
- A compound loop that begins and ends at the same point.
- Amplifies change.
Balancing Loop
- Starts and ends at different points
- Dampens change.
Conservation of Matter
- Matter can change form and be combined in different ways, but it cannot disappear.
- Explains the physical principle of conservation of matter: “Everything goes somewhere”.
Energy Defined
- Defined as the ability to produce change or do work.
Forms of Energy
- Potential Energy: Stored energy
- Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion
The Principle of Conservation of Energy
- Energy can be changed from one form into another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
- Total energy is always conserved.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts and key terms of Environmental Science, including the interaction between organisms and their environment. Delve into significant historical aspects, such as the first fossil discovery and the Agricultural Revolution, while considering the implications of human activities on nature. This quiz will test your understanding of how culture and technology intertwine with our natural world.
