Introduction to Environmental Science, History of Environmentalism & Environmental Ethics PDF

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM OBJECTIVES: Identify the nature and scope of environmental science Explain environmental ethics and the basic concepts and principles, theories of environmental science Definition of ENVIRONMENT circ...

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM OBJECTIVES: Identify the nature and scope of environmental science Explain environmental ethics and the basic concepts and principles, theories of environmental science Definition of ENVIRONMENT circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms or the complex social or cultural conditions affecting each organism in the given biotic and abiotic community.  Definition of Science - simply an anglicized version of the Latin “Scientia," which means knowledge Environmental Science systematic study of our environment and our proper place in it highly interdisciplinary, integrating natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in a broad, holistic study of the world around us foundation is ecology and is more concerned with human impact on the environment. FIELDS INVOLVED IN THE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Ecology. How does energy production affects populations? Chemistry. How can we make better batteries? Urban Planning. What urban designs can reduce energy use?  FIELDS INVOLVED IN THE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Sociology. How do people adopt new ideas? Political Science. Which policies lead to sustainable solutions? Engineering. Can we design better vehicles? Economics. What are the benefits and costs of energy sources?  SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT ATMOSPHERE - atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth HYDROSPHERE - comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoir, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water LITHOSPHERE - outer mantle of the solid earth BIOSPHERE - indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with environment Element of Environment (1) Physical elements Physical elements are as space, landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks and minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations. (2) Biological elements Biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms and men constitute the biosphere. (3) Cultural elements Cultural elements such as economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features, which make cultural society. WHY STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE? Environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation Environment Issues Being of International Importance Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development Explosively Increase in Human Pollution Need for An Alternative Solution Need For Wise Planning of Development NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS Growing Population Poverty Agricultural Growth Need to Solve Air and Water pollution Degradation of Land Reorientation of Infrastructure Reduction of Genetic Diversity Consequences of Urbanization Environmentalism encompasses environmental health and protection depicted as an ideology, philosophy, and social movement, including all aspects covering the changing environment of the Earth TIMELINE Increase in smoke pollution & chemical discharge after the onset of industrial revolution Increase in smoke pollution & chemical discharge after the onset of industrial revolution Environmental laws were created Britain’s Alkali Acts (1863) - combat air pollution Coal Smoke Abatement Society (1898) - response to coal combustion  TIMELINE Increase in smoke pollution & chemical discharge after the onset of industrial After WWII, revolution industrializati on expansion brought nature degradation After WWII, industrialization expansion brought nature degradation International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (1948) –created to protect and preserve nature in its original form The Clean Air Act (1956) – formed following the London Smog Episode (Great Smog of London) 1952  TIMELINE Increase in smoke pollution & chemical discharge after the onset of industrial After WWII, revolution industrializati on expansion brought 1960-1970 marks the nature beginning of Modern degradation Environmental Movement  1960-1970 marks the beginning of Modern Environmental Movement Establishment of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Green Revolution in Agriculture 1966 - negative impacts of uncontrolled and unregulated use of pesticides and fertilizers NEPA (1969) aimed to ensure environmental health by negotiation policies and acts  1960-1970 marks the beginning of Modern Environmental Movement US EPA (1970) to monitor human activities that are negatively impacting the environment of the Earth Greenpeace (1971) - campaign of committed individuals who tried to stop the American Nuclear Weapon test.  TIMELINE Increase in smoke pollution & chemical After WWII, discharge after the industrializatio onset of industrial n expansion revolution brought nature degradation 1960-1970 marks the beginning of Modern Environmental 1970-1990 creation Movement of environmental conferences and international movement  1970-1990 creation of environmental conferences and international movement Environmental Justice Movement (1980) – an international movement that aims to encourage social, economic, & environmental justice in response to the unjust treatment of low-income communities that were exposed to environmental pollution Stockholm conference in 1972 (United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972) Montreal protocol in 1987 (Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,)  1970-1990 creation of environmental conferences and international movement Kyoto protocol in 1997 (greenhouse gas emission, climate change), etc. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 brought about Brundtland Report in 1987 (Our Common Future, 1987) Earth Summit (1992) - discussed the socio-economic development along with ways to solve problems concerning environmental protection.  TIMELINE Increase in smoke pollution & chemical After WWII, discharge after the industrialization onset of industrial expansion revolution brought nature degradation 1960-1970 marks the beginning of Modern Environmental 1970-1990 creation Movement of environmental conferences and international movement Environmentalism in the new millennium Environmentalism in the new millennium Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2000 was based on 8 goals to be achieved before 2015 Reinforced with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in 2015 as set during the UN General Assembly to be achieved before 2030 that aims for sustainable approaches. The 2nd Earth Summit World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in 2002 to discuss and organize sustainable development approaches. Environmentalism in the new millennium The key focus was solving problems of the growing population along with increasing demand for energy, water, and food resources. International environmental treaties were also established Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001 which aimed to reduce or limit the production, manufacturing, and utilization of persistent organic pollutants Paris Agreement in 2015 that aimed to limit the global emission of greenhouse gases. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS studies the ethical basis of the environment or discussion of the ethical basis of environmental protection deals with the moral relationship of human beings to and the value and moral status of the environment and its nonhuman content ethical extensions – an idea that over time we gradually extended our sense of moral value to a broader circle - ought to be extended to things (animals, plants, species, the earth) that traditionally are not thought of as having moral standing How we treat other people, animals, or things, can also depend on……. INHERENT VALUE INSTRUMENTAL VALUE - intrinsic right to exist - One has value because it is useful to someone who matters Environmental Ethics and Principles: 1. Profound respect for nature 2. Maintain a harmonious relationship with other species 3. Take responsibility for the impact on nature 4. Local and indigenous environmental knowledge should be respected 5. Plan for the long term REVIEW Identify the nature and scope of environmental science Explain environmental ethics and the basic concepts and principles, theories of environmental science