Introduction to Environmental Science

Study Notes

The environment encompasses all living and non-living things, including energy from the sun, essential for life on Earth.
Environmental science studies the interactions within natural systems, addressing human-environment relationships and promoting sustainable living.

Solar Energy: The sun's energy is vital for warming the planet and supporting life.
Biodiversity: Refers to the variety of species and ecosystems, crucial for ecosystem services and adaptation to environmental changes.
Chemical Cycling: Nutrients cycle through ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of waste decomposition and nutrient recycling.

Natural Capital: Encompasses natural resources and ecosystem services vital for human survival and economic support.
- Inexhaustible Resources: Resources like solar energy expected to last billions of years.
- Renewable Resources: Naturally replenished such as forests and clean air.
- Nonrenewable Resources: Finite resources like fossil fuels that take millions of years to form.
Ecosystem Services: Natural processes supporting life, e.g., forests purifying air and regulating climates.
Human Activities and Degradation: Pollution from human activity disrupts natural processes and can lead to environmental harm.
Finding Solutions: Collaborative efforts can protect natural capital and promote sustainable practices, e.g., reforesting degraded areas.
Trade-Offs: Environmental protection can conflict with economic interests, requiring compromises to balance both sides.
Individual Impact: Each person plays a role in promoting sustainability through education and responsible actions.

Full-Cost Pricing: Advocates for including environmental and health costs in the pricing of goods and services, informing consumers of their impacts.
Win-Win Solutions: Emphasizes cooperation to find solutions that benefit both humanity and the environment.
Responsibility to Future Generations: Ethical consideration to maintain the planet's life-support systems for future inhabitants.

Population Growth: Rapid population growth leads to increased resource demand, necessitating poverty reduction and sustainable practices for future stability.
Affluence and Resource Use: Rising affluence results in higher per capita resource consumption, contributing to environmental degradation and pollution.
Poverty: Greater poverty correlates with environmental harm as individuals prioritize immediate survival over sustainability.
Hidden Environmental Costs: Economic models often overlook the harmful environmental costs of goods, leading to unsustainable practices.
Isolation from Nature: Increasing urbanization and technology usage disconnect individuals from nature, potentially increasing stress and environmental ignorance.

A sustainable society prioritizes the protection of natural capital while relying on renewable resource income.
Emphasis on living sustainably reduces ecological footprints and enhances positive environmental impacts while maintaining essential resources for future generations.

Introduction to Environmental Science - Chapter 1