Environmental Agency and Risk Management PDF

Created by Turbolearn AI Environmental Agency and Risk Management Understanding the Inner and Outer Operating Environment The concept of environmental agency is centered around control and the ability to affect change or respond to threats. To understand this, we need to examine the inner and oute...

Created by Turbolearn AI Environmental Agency and Risk Management Understanding the Inner and Outer Operating Environment The concept of environmental agency is centered around control and the ability to affect change or respond to threats. To understand this, we need to examine the inner and outer operating environment. Inner Operating Environment: The immediate surroundings that an individual has control over. Outer Operating Environment: The external factors that can impact the inner operating environment, including natural and human-made elements. Inner Operating Environment Outer Operating Environment Control High Low Scope Immediate surroundings External factors Impact Direct Indirect The Importance of Models in Environmental Agency Models of the environment are essential for understanding and managing risk. They provide a platform for scientific exploration and the addition of new elements. "A model is a simplified representation of a complex system, used to understand and predict its behavior." The Role of Knowledge in Environmental Agency Knowledge is crucial for environmental agency, as it allows us to anticipate and manage risk. By creating a structure or scaffolding of knowledge domains, we can better understand the outer operating environment and respond to threats. Knowledge Domains: Disciplines or areas of study that provide insight into the outer operating environment, such as anthropology, sociology, biology, and ecology. Page 1  Created by Turbolearn AI Prioritizing Risks When faced with multiple risks, it's essential to prioritize them. The most fundamental risk is risk to life, including risk to individual life, societal life, and the life of the species. Risk Description Priority Risk to Life Threats to individual or collective life High Risk to Society Threats to societal stability and well-being Medium Risk to the Environment Threats to the natural environment Low Case Study: Bennu Bennu is an asteroid with a high score on the Palermo technical impact hazard scale, indicating a significant risk of impact. Understanding this risk allows us to mitigate or anticipate it. Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale: A scale used to measure the potential impact of an asteroid on Earth. Risk Assessment: The process of evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of a risk, such as the risk of Bennu impacting Earth.## The Search for Life Beyond Earth The search for life beyond Earth is an ongoing and intriguing topic in the fields of astrobiology and environmental science. This search is not just driven by curiosity, but also by the potential to gain a deeper understanding of life on our own planet. The Goldilocks Zone The Goldilocks Zone is a region around a star where temperatures are just right for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface. This zone is considered essential for life as we know it. Planet Distance from Star Temperature Range Earth 93 million miles -17°C to 57°C Mars 142 million miles -125°C to 20°C Venus 67 million miles 462°C to 482°C Page 2  Created by Turbolearn AI The Trappist-1 System The Trappist-1 System is a planetary system located 39 light-years from Earth. It consists of seven rocky planets, three of which are thought to be within the Goldilocks Zone. Planet Size relativetoEarth Surface Temperature Trappist-1e 0.91 -12°C to 30°C Trappist-1f 1.04 -10°C to 20°C Trappist-1g 1.13 -5°C to 15°C The Search for Life The search for life beyond Earth is an ongoing effort, with scientists using a variety of methods to detect biosignatures. "Biosignatures are signs of life, such as the presence of oxygen, methane, or other biomarkers, that can be detected in the atmospheres of exoplanets." - NASA The Value of Looking Out There The search for life beyond Earth may seem like a curiosity-driven endeavor, but it has significant implications for our understanding of life on our own planet. It expands our view of the possible and helps us understand the conditions necessary for life to exist. It reinforces our understanding of ecology and the importance of considering the broader universe in our discussions of environmental systems. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of life and our place in the universe. Big Questions The search for life beyond Earth raises big questions about the nature of life and our place in the universe. Page 3  Created by Turbolearn AI What is life? What are the conditions necessary for life to exist? How does the search for life beyond Earth inform our understanding of life on our own planet? Key Takeaways The search for life beyond Earth is an ongoing effort with significant implications for our understanding of life on our own planet. The Goldilocks Zone is a critical region around a star where temperatures are just right for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface. The Trappist-1 System is a planetary system with seven rocky planets, three of which are thought to be within the Goldilocks Zone. The search for life beyond Earth raises fundamental questions about the nature of life and our place in the universe.## Conditions for Life Life is the foundation of environmental agency. Understanding the conditions for life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe is crucial for environmental science. Classification of Life The classification of life is based on the morphology, or shape, of organisms. This method was first developed by Aristotle in his work "Historia Animalium" and later expanded upon by Carl Linnaeus in his binomial method. Binomial Method The binomial method is a system of classification that uses a two-part name consisting of a generic name and a specific epithet. Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Plantae Animalia Fungi Protista Eukaryotes Page 4  Created by Turbolearn AI Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes and membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes can be multicellular, including organisms consisting of many cell types forming different kinds of tissue. Characteristics of Eukaryotes Cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes Cells have membrane-bound organelles Can be multicellular Include organisms consisting of many cell types forming different kinds of tissue Extremophiles Extremophiles are organisms that can survive in extreme environments, such as high temperatures, high pressures, and high salinity. Examples of Extremophiles Giant tube worms Methane ice worms Chemosynthesis Chemosynthesis is the process by which certain organisms, such as bacteria, convert chemical energy into organic molecules. Chemosynthesis is an alternative to photosynthesis, which requires energy from the sun. Instead, chemosynthesis uses chemical energy from the environment to produce organic molecules. Biases in Understanding Life Our understanding of life is often biased towards what we are familiar with, such as large animals and plants. However, the discovery of extremophiles and other unusual organisms has expanded our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. Page 5  Created by Turbolearn AI Old Ideas of Life Scala Natura: a hierarchical view of life, with humans at the top Aristotle's concept of life: a combination of matter and form, with a soul Modern Understanding of Life Life is more complex and diverse than previously thought Life can exist in extreme environments Life can use alternative energy sources, such as chemosynthesis## Extremophiles and the Limits of Life Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environments, challenging our understanding of the limits of life. The table below highlights some examples of extremophiles and their environments: Environment Temperature Range pH Range Examples High Temperature 110-121°C - Thermococcus kodakarensis Low Temperature -20°C - Psychrobacter arcticus High pH - 11 Natronobacterium gregoryi Low pH - 0.06-1 Ferroplasma acidarmanus High Pressure - - Piezophilic bacteria High Salinity - - Halobacterium salinarum Desiccation - - Deinococcus radiodurans Prokaryotes and Their Importance Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus. They are smaller than eukaryotes and have a rigid cell wall. Prokaryote: A unicellular organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus, mitochondria, or any other membrane-bound organelle. Prokaryotes are ingenious chemists that have developed ways of harvesting virtually every worthwhile corner of chemical energy, including both organic and inorganic energy sources. Metabolic Specialization of Prokaryotes Page 6  Created by Turbolearn AI Prokaryotes have developed various metabolic specializations, including: Oxygen respiration Organic and inorganic energy sources Alternative oxygen sources Light, organics, and inorganics as energy sources Archaea: A Third Domain of Life Archaea are a domain of single-celled organisms that are prokaryotes, meaning they have no cell nucleus. They were initially classified as bacteria but are now recognized as a distinct domain. Archaea: A domain of single-celled organisms that are prokaryotes, characterized by unique properties separating them from the other two domains of life. Archaea are further divided into multiple recognized phyla, and their classification is difficult due to the majority not being isolated in the laboratory. The Discovery of Archaea The discovery of archaea was announced by Carl Woese in the 1970s, revolutionizing our understanding of the tree of life. The Tree of Life: A Complex Network The tree of life is a complex network that cannot be represented by a simple tree. The diagram below shows how the environment has changed over time, and how life has adapted to these changes. Time Period Environment 4,000,000,000 - 2,500,000,000 years ago Anoxic, reducing environment 2,500,000,000 - 800,000,000 years ago Oxygen-rich environment Viruses: Not Life, but Not Not Life Either Viruses are not bacteria, archaea, or eukaryotes. They are not considered living organisms, but they play a crucial role in ecosystems and have fueled evolution for millions of years. Page 7  Created by Turbolearn AI Virus: A particle that encases its genome in a protein-based shell and relies on a host to reproduce itself. Viruses have two things in common: Each encases its genome in a protein-based shell Each relies on a host to reproduce itself Diversity of Viruses Viruses exhibit endless variation, with some having only 2-3 genes, while others have hundreds of genes. They can store their genes as DNA or RNA, and some even use alternate genetic alphabets. Type of Virus Characteristics Circovirus Small, 2-3 genes Mimivirus Large, hundreds of genes Phage Infects bacteria COVID-19 Spiky, RNA-based genome The traditional view of life as a single, individual organism is being challenged by the realization that ecosystems themselves are highly reliant on viruses. This demands an environmental view, rather than a single biological view. The Importance of Viruses in Ecosystems Viruses can affect host behavior directly They can alter birth and death ratios, leading to changes in predator-prey interactions This can have flow-on effects to host communities, leading to top-down or bottom-up trophic cascades and shifts The Complexity of Life "Life is not just a single organism, but a complex community of organisms that interact with each other and their environment." Page 8  Created by Turbolearn AI The human microbiome is a prime example of this complexity. The diversity of life within the human body is staggering, with the genes in the microbiome amounting to perhaps 150 times the number in the human genome alone. The Impact of Viruses on Ecosystems Effect Description Altering birth and death Viruses can change the balance of populations within an ratios ecosystem Changing predator-prey Viruses can affect the way predators and prey interact, interactions leading to changes in the food chain Viruses can have a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem, Top-down or bottom- leading to changes in the way energy and nutrients are up trophic cascades transferred The Search for Life Beyond Earth Astrobiologists are aware that extraterrestrial life may differ completely from our own. However, very little attention has been paid to the possibility that our own planet may host communities of "weird life" that are so different from our own that we haven't looked for them. The Concept of a "Shadow Biosphere" A shadow biosphere refers to a community of life that exists alongside our own, but is not yet recognized or understood. There are three types of shadow biosphere: Weird life that moves into places that are familiar, but that familiar life might not be able to inhabit Life that lives within an actual community of extremophiles, an ecological sphere integrated into our own Life that is integrated into our own microbial community symbiotically, as with mitochondria The Definition of Life Page 9  Created by Turbolearn AI "Life is a complex and multifaceted concept that is difficult to define." There are over 100 definitions of life in the scientific literature. One approach is to use a ladder of life, which places life on a pathway using a heuristic. Another approach is to use the 7 pillars of life, which were proposed by Koshland. Pillar Description Program Life has a program or set of instructions that guide its behavior Life has the ability to improvise and adapt to changing Improvisation circumstances Life is organized into compartments or cells that separate it Compartmentalization from its environment Energy Life requires energy to function and maintain itself Autonomy Life has a degree of autonomy and can function independently Life is regulated by a set of rules or laws that govern its Regulation behavior Evolution Life evolves over time through the process of natural selection The Complexity of Defining Life The definition of life is complex and multifaceted. It is difficult to come up with a single definition that encompasses all of the different forms of life that exist. However, by using a combination of approaches, such as the ladder of life and the 7 pillars of life, we can gain a deeper understanding of what life is and how it functions.## The 7 Pillars of Life The 7 pillars of life are a set of characteristics that define life. They are: Page 10  Created by Turbolearn AI Organization: An organized plan that describes both the ingredients themselves and the kinetics of the interactions among the ingredients. Improvisation: The living system's ability to change its program, such as through mutation or sexual reproduction. Compartmentalization: The separation of spaces in the living system that allow for separate environments for necessary chemical processes. Energy: The need for energy to build and maintain the living system. Regeneration: Compensation for loss and degradation. Adaptability: The ability of a living system to respond to the outer operating environment. Seclusion: The separation of chemical pathways and the specificity of the effects of molecules so processes can function separately. Life Detection Life detection is the process of searching for evidence of life, either on Earth or elsewhere in the universe. It involves: Biosignatures: Features characteristic of life, such as the presence of oxygen or methane. Establishing context: Determining the properties and processes inherent to the environment being investigated. Criteria for Life Detection In order to convince the majority of the scientific community that life has been detected, the following criteria must be met: Page 11  Created by Turbolearn AI Criteria Description The measurement must be quantifiable and not based on Quantifiable subjective interpretation. Contamination- The sample must be free from contamination that could affect the free results. Repeatable The measurement must be repeatable and consistent. The measurement must be detectable and not based on indirect Detectable evidence. The measurement must be survivable and not affected by Survivable external factors. Reliable The measurement must be reliable and not prone to errors. The measurement must be compatible with the environment Compatible being investigated. The Ladder of Life Detection The ladder of life detection is a set of decision rules that determine whether the null hypothesis thatthefeaturesareabiotic is disproved. The ladder consists of several rungs, each representing a different level of evidence for life. Biofabrics: The most trivial examples of life, such as cells coming together to form a fabric. Darwinian evolution: The ultimate definition of life, which includes the ability to maintain itself within the environment through a Darwinian process. Definition of Life "Life is a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution."## Compatibility Compatibility is a practical consideration in the search for life beyond Earth. It requires that the features of evidence not be excessively different from what is known of life on Earth. "Compatibility simply means that for practical reasons, the features of evidence are known of life on Earth." Page 12  Created by Turbolearn AI This criteria is necessary because our current understanding of life is based on Earth- like conditions. While it is possible that life could exist in forms that are vastly different from what we know, our current methods for detecting life are limited to what we can test and verify. Target Features The following features are considered to be indicative of life: DNA RNA Non-aqueous solvents Non-carbon based biochemistry Proteins Lipids These features are considered to be the building blocks of life as we know it. However, it is possible that life could exist in forms that do not rely on these features. The Ladder of Life Detection The ladder of life detection is a framework for evaluating the evidence for life. It consists of several rungs, each representing a different level of evidence. Rung Description The ability to inherit changes in genetic traits leading to the Darwinian Evolution persistence of traits that confer an advantage. Growth and The ability to grow and reproduce, but not unique to life. Reproduction The ability to sustain itself through energy production and Metabolism waste removal. Functional Molecules The presence of molecules and structures that are used by and Structures life forms for specific biochemical pathways. The presence of byproducts that are produced by metabolic Metabolic Byproducts processes. The presence of complex organic molecules that are Biofabrics indicative of life. Page 13  Created by Turbolearn AI Examples of Life Detection Several examples of life detection are presented in the table below. Example Description Viking Mars The Viking mission detected signs of life on Mars, but the results Mission were inconclusive. Oldest The discovery of microfossils in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks in Western Microfossils Australia provided evidence of early life on Earth. The Galileo spacecraft detected signs of life on Earth during a flyby, Galileo Flyby including abundant atmospheric oxygen and methane. The Galileo Flyby The Galileo flyby was a unique opportunity to test the methods for detecting life on Earth. The spacecraft detected several signs of life, including: Abundant atmospheric oxygen Methane in thermodynamic disequilibrium Water A globally distributed biological pigment, chlorophyll These signs of life were detected using a combination of spectroscopy and imaging techniques. The results of the Galileo flyby provided a new perspective on the search for life beyond Earth.## The Search for Life Beyond Earth The Ladder of Life The Ladder of Life is a framework used to detect life in the universe. It involves a series of steps to determine if a planet or celestial body has the conditions necessary to support life. Examples of Life Detection Page 14  Created by Turbolearn AI ALH 84001: A meteorite that originated from Mars and was found to contain evidence of microbial life. Lake Vostok: A subglacial lake in Antarctica that was found to contain life despite being isolated for 15 million years. Methane in the Martian Atmosphere: The presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere suggests that there may be biological processes occurring on the planet. The Importance of Life Detection "The search for life beyond Earth is important because it helps us understand the conditions necessary for life to exist. By studying the conditions on other planets and celestial bodies, we can gain a better understanding of the risks to life on our own planet." The Fundamental Building Blocks of Life The fundamental building blocks of life are the basic components that make up living organisms. These include: Building Description Block DNA The molecule that contains the genetic instructions for life The basic units of heredity that are passed from one generation to the Genes next Cells The basic structural and functional units of living organisms Genetic Engineering and the Creation of Life Genetic Engineering: The process of manipulating an organism's genes to create a desired trait or characteristic. "Genetic engineering is a powerful tool that allows us to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of life. However, it also raises important ethical questions about the creation of life and the potential consequences of our actions." Page 15  Created by Turbolearn AI The Creation of Synthetic Life In 2010, Craig Venter and his team created a synthetic cell by inserting artificial genetic material into a bacterial cell. This raised important questions about the definition of life and the potential consequences of creating synthetic life forms. Synthetic Description Life A living organism that has been created through genetic engineering Definition or other means Raises important questions about the definition of life and the Implications potential consequences of creating synthetic life forms The Future of Life Detection and Genetic Engineering The search for life beyond Earth and the development of genetic engineering technologies are rapidly advancing fields that hold great promise for our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Sequencing All Genomes: A effort to sequence the genomes of all living organisms on Earth, which could provide important insights into the diversity of life and the potential for life to exist elsewhere in the universe. The Search for Life on Mars: Ongoing and future missions to Mars, such as the Mars 2020 rover, which are designed to search for signs of life on the Red Planet.## The Tree of Life and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life The concept of the tree of life represents the interconnectedness of all living organisms on Earth. Our planet is just one of many in the universe, and the search for extraterrestrial life is an ongoing area of research. Requirements for Life "The minimum requirements for life, as proposed by Koechlin, include the presence of liquid water, organic molecules, and a stable energy source." Page 16  Created by Turbolearn AI Requirement Description Essential for life as we know it, liquid water is necessary for Liquid Water chemical reactions and the transport of nutrients. The building blocks of life, organic molecules such as carbon, Organic hydrogen, and oxygen are necessary for the formation of cells and Molecules other biological structures. Stable Energy A stable energy source, such as sunlight or chemical reactions, is Source necessary to power the metabolic processes of living organisms. The Ladder of Life The ladder of life represents the diversity of life on Earth, from simple organisms such as prokaryotes and archaea to complex organisms such as eukaryotes and extremophiles. Prokaryotes: Simple, single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus. Archaea: Microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as hot springs and salt lakes. Eukaryotes: Complex, single-celled organisms that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Extremophiles: Organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as high temperatures, high pressures, and high salinity. Genetic Engineering and Ecological Complexity Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of an organism's genetic material to produce desired traits or characteristics. This can be used to study the ecological complexity of living systems and the interactions between organisms and their environment. Environmental Agency and Risk Environmental agency refers to the ability of individuals and organizations to take action to protect the environment and mitigate environmental risks. Page 17  Created by Turbolearn AI "Risk is the possibility of harm or loss, and environmental risk refers to the potential harm or loss caused by human activities to the environment and human health." Existential Risk Existential risk refers to the possibility of human extinction or the collapse of human civilization. Existential Risk: The possibility of human extinction or the collapse of human civilization. Extinction Event: A catastrophic event that causes the extinction of a species or group of species. Theories of Existential Risk There are several theories of existential risk, including: Asteroid Impact: The possibility of a large asteroid impacting Earth and causing a mass extinction event. Supervolcanic Eruption: The possibility of a massive volcanic eruption that could cause a global cooling event and lead to the collapse of human civilization. Gamma-Ray Burst: The possibility of a massive explosion of energy from a distant star that could cause a mass extinction event. Culpability and Environmental Risk Culpability refers to the responsibility of individuals and organizations for environmental harm or risk. "We are culpable for the circumstances of our own demise, and we must take responsibility for our actions to mitigate environmental risk and prevent existential risk." The 6th Extinction Event Page 18  Created by Turbolearn AI According to Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin, we are currently experiencing the 6th extinction event, caused by human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Extinction Description Event 1st Extinction The Ordovician-Silurian extinction event, which occurred 443 million Event years ago. 2nd Extinction The Late Devonian extinction event, which occurred 375 million years Event ago. 3rd Extinction The End-Permian extinction event, which occurred 252 million years Event ago. 4th Extinction The Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, which occurred 201 million Event years ago. 5th Extinction The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which occurred 65 Event million years ago. The current extinction event, caused by human activities such as 6th Extinction habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.## Environmental Event Risks and Existential Risk Existential Risk is the possibility of an event or situation that could lead to the extinction of a species, including humans. "Existential risk refers to the possibility of an event or situation that could lead to the extinction of a species, including humans. This concept is often discussed in the context of environmental science and studies." Historical Examples of Existential Risk Megafauna extinctions occurred when humans arrived on islands or continents, such as in the case of Australia. Theories suggest that humans may have caused major extinction events in the past, such as the extinction of the woolly mammoth. Understanding Existential Risk Page 19  Created by Turbolearn AI Nick Bostrom's diagram illustrates the concept of existential risk and its relationship to other types of risks. Risk Type Description Existential The possibility of an event or situation that could lead to the extinction Risk of a species, including humans. Global Risk A risk that affects the entire planet, such as climate change. A risk that affects a specific region or community, such as a natural Local Risk disaster. Scope and Severity of Environmental Risks Risk Scope Severity Climate Change Global High Deforestation Regional Medium Overexploitation of Species Local Low Examples of Environmental Agencies Responding to Existential Risk The World Wildlife Fund W W F is an international organization that works to conserve wildlife and ecosystems on a global scale. Buying a stuffed animal from the WWF can be seen as a way of responding to existential risk, as the money goes towards conservation efforts. Causal Pathways and Linked Solutions Environmental Position Existential Risk Linked Solution Buy a stuffed animal from the Conservation of Wildlife 6th Extinction WWF Climate Change Runaway Global Reduce carbon emissions Mitigation Warming Page 20  Created by Turbolearn AI Framework for Understanding Existential Risk Bostrom's framework provides a way to understand and contextualize existential risk, allowing us to place risks on a spectrum of scope and severity. Page 21