Environmental Science Overview

Study Notes

Environmental Science

Definition

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the natural world and the impact of human activity on the environment.

Branches of Environmental Science

Ecology: studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment
Environmental chemistry: studies the chemical processes that occur in the environment
Environmental physics: studies the physical processes that occur in the environment
Conservation biology: focuses on preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species and ecosystems
Sustainability: focuses on finding ways to maintain or restore the health of the environment while meeting human needs

Environmental Issues

Climate Change: global warming and associated changes in weather patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events
- Causes: greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, burning fossil fuels
- Effects: melting of polar ice caps, sea level rise, changes in weather patterns
Pollution: release of harmful substances into the environment
- Types: air, water, soil, noise pollution
- Sources: industrial activities, agricultural runoff, vehicle emissions
Biodiversity Loss: decline or extinction of species and ecosystems
- Causes: habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation of resources
- Effects: loss of ecosystem services, decreased resilience to environmental changes
Water Scarcity: lack of access to clean water
- Causes: climate change, population growth, inefficient use of water resources
- Effects: decreased food production, increased risk of water-borne diseases

Environmental Conservation Techniques

Renewable Energy: energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished over time
- Examples: solar power, wind power, hydro power
Sustainable Agriculture: practices that minimize environmental impact while maintaining crop yields
- Examples: organic farming, permaculture, agroforestry
Waste Management: strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste
- Examples: recycling programs, composting, landfill waste-to-energy conversion
Conservation Biology: techniques for preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species and ecosystems
- Examples: habitat restoration, species reintroduction, genetic conservation

Environmental Science

Definition

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the natural world and the impact of human activity on the environment.

Branches of Environmental Science

Ecology: studies relationships between living organisms and their environment.
Environmental chemistry: studies chemical processes that occur in the environment.
Environmental physics: studies physical processes that occur in the environment.
Conservation biology: focuses on preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species and ecosystems.
Sustainability: focuses on finding ways to maintain or restore the health of the environment while meeting human needs.

Environmental Issues

Climate Change

Global warming and associated changes in weather patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events.
Causes: greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, burning fossil fuels.
Effects: melting of polar ice caps, sea level rise, changes in weather patterns.

Pollution

Release of harmful substances into the environment.
Types: air, water, soil, noise pollution.
Sources: industrial activities, agricultural runoff, vehicle emissions.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline or extinction of species and ecosystems.
Causes: habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation of resources.
Effects: loss of ecosystem services, decreased resilience to environmental changes.

Water Scarcity

Lack of access to clean water.
Causes: climate change, population growth, inefficient use of water resources.
Effects: decreased food production, increased risk of water-borne diseases.

Environmental Conservation Techniques

Renewable Energy

Energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished over time.
Examples: solar power, wind power, hydro power.

Sustainable Agriculture

Practices that minimize environmental impact while maintaining crop yields.
Examples: organic farming, permaculture, agroforestry.

Waste Management

Strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.
Examples: recycling programs, composting, landfill waste-to-energy conversion.

Conservation Biology

Techniques for preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species and ecosystems.
Examples: habitat restoration, species reintroduction, genetic conservation.

Description

Test your knowledge of environmental science, an interdisciplinary field that studies the natural world and human impact on the environment. Covers branches like ecology, environmental chemistry, and more.