ENS 11. Environmental Science Lecture Notes PDF

ENS 11. Environmental Science JULIE ROSE DEGAMO-APDOHAN Course Overview This course presents the connections and relations between individual spheres of the environment, namely natural science, engineering and humanities and there covers the fields of chemistry, biology, ecology, meteorolo...

ENS 11. Environmental Science JULIE ROSE DEGAMO-APDOHAN Course Overview This course presents the connections and relations between individual spheres of the environment, namely natural science, engineering and humanities and there covers the fields of chemistry, biology, ecology, meteorology, hydrology, economics, sociology and also toxicology and health ecology. Particularly, it will highlight the contemporary issues resulted from the activities of human system towards the environment Course Requirement Lecture Percentage 2 Long Examinations 30% Quizzes/assignments 30% Class Activity (Individual/group) 30% Class Participation 10% TOTAL 100% UNDERSTANDING OUR ENVIRONMENT LECTURE 1 Learning Objectives 1. Define the term environment and identify some important environmental concerns that we face today. 2. Discuss the history of conservation and the different attitudes toward nature revealed by utilitarian conservation and biocentric preservation 3. Briefly describe some major environmental dilemmas and issues that shape our current environmental agenda 4. Understand the connection between poverty and environmental degradation 5. Recognize some of the reasons for feeling both optimistic and pessimistic about our environment  What do you think Environmental Science means? What does the word environment mean? Site some environmental problems that we are experiencing. What do you think are the factors contributing to these environmental problems? How we may possibly solve these problems? The Nature of Environmental Science Environment – everything that affects an organism during its lifetime, both living and non-living - People exist within the environment and are part of nature Science – an approach to studying the natural world that involves formulating hyphotheses and testing them The Nature of Environmental Science Environmental science – an interdisciplinary field that includes both scientific and social aspects of human impact on the world. ✓ must also deal with politics, social organization, economies, ethics and philosophy A field of research that is used to understand the natural world and our relationship to it (Houtmam et al., 2013) Environmental science is an empirical science and applied science Source: Enger, ED. & BF Smith. 2006. 10th ed. McGraw Hill.476pp.  Trade-off – the imperfect and sometimes problematic responses that we must at times choose between when addressing complex problems Wicked problems – difficult to address because, in many cases, each stakeholder hopes for a different solution (usually involved trade-off). Some wicked problems… Some of the Cause Some of the Possible actions (and potential Consequences trade-off) include: Burning fossil fuels Sea level rise Alternative energy sources (less pollution but can be costly) Deforestation Habitat loss and Irrigation (increase crop yields but species can cause water shortages and soil endangerment problems Methane from Spread of tropical Reforestation projects (lessen CO2 agriculture disease in atmosphere and increase habitats but may take land needed for agriculture and other use Brief history of conservation and environmental though Conservation history and environmental activism can be divided into at least four distinct stages: 1. Pragmatic resource conservation: utilitarian conservation 2. Moral and aesthetic nature preservation: biocentric preservation, the fundamental right other organism to exist 3. A growing concern about health and ecological damaged caused by pollution: environmentalism 4. Global environmental citizenship: our modern human activities rival those of geological forces, e.g. atmospheric changes Some notable names in conservation (U.S.A) Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt - First director of the Forest Service, 1905 - Resources should be used “for the greatest good, for the greatest number for the longest time”. This is called a policy of utilitarian conservation. - With the cooperation of Theodore Roosevelt, he established the framework of our national park, forest and wildlife refuge system. - Multiple use policies of the Forest Service reflect this pragmatic utilitarian conservation  John Muir: altruistic preservation. - Opposed Pinchot's policies. - Nature deserves to exist for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to us. - Aesthetic and spiritual values formed the core of his philosophy of nature protection. - Emphasis on the fundamental right of other organisms to exist; this point of view is called biocentric preservation  Rachel Carson: Silent Spring, 1962: environmentalism - Environmentalism was brought to consciousness by Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962). - Pointed out the threats of pollution and toxic waste to humans and other organisms. - Environmentalism includes resources and pollution problems. - Pioneers of this movement were David Brower and Barry Commoner. - Activism: litigation, mass media for campaigns, books, intervention in regulatory hearings. - Research and activism are characteristic of the movement. International environmental convention Environmental agenda has expanded to include global concerns: human population growth, atomic weapons, recycling, fossil fuel dependency, biodiversity, etc. Current conditions of the natural world A unique, hospitable world, different from any other planet we know. Rich diversity of life. Interrelated communities of living organisms in balance with the non-living environment. Dilemmas: Environmental problems: population growth, food shortage, energy supplies. Elimination of biodiversity. Pollution, toxic waste, waste disposal. Human dimensions of environmental science - political economies According to the World Bank, one fifth of the world peoples live in acute poverty. -lack of adequate diet, housing, clean water, basic sanitation, health care, education, medical care, and other essentials for a humane existence The poor of the world have become the victims and the agents of environmental degradation and destruction. Elimination of poverty and protection of the environment are interlinked. The cycle of poverty, illness, and limited opportunities can become a self- sustaining proves that passes from one generation to another. Rich countries tend to be in the north and are industrialized. Poor countries tend to be in the tropics and are agricultural. Sustainable Development "…meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Development/Intro.asp - Our Common Future, the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. - Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norwegian Prime Minister and Chair of the Commission. Improving people's lives over many generations rather than just a few years. Political stability, democracy and equitable economic distribution are needed to minimize poverty. Many see economic growth as the only solution to poverty. Can development be truly sustainable? Limitations: 1. Fixed nonrenewable resources. 2. Capacity of the biosphere to absorb waste. Many ecologists consider sustainable growth impossible in the long run because of the limits imposed by nonrenewable resources and the capacity of the biosphere to absorb our wastes. Economic growth makes life more comfortable but it doesn't necessarily result in a cleaner environment 1995 United Nations Summit for Human Development 1995 United Nations Summit for Human Development 1. Primary education for both boys and girls. 2. Adult illiteracy rates to be cut in half with female illiteracy rate to be no higher than the male one. 3. Elimination of severe malnutrition. 4. Family planning services for all who wish them. 5. Safe drinking water and sanitation for all. 6. Credit for all to ensure self-employment opportunities. Environmental Perspectives Pessimism based on views of competition and scarce resources Many people fight for very few resources. Neo-Malthusian point of view: overpopulation leads to misery, vice, crime, starvation and war. Optimism based on... Technology: technological optimism is based on the believe that technology will find a solution to present environmental problems. The world is one of abundance and opportunity. Criticism: business as usual, denial of real issues, apathy. Also called "cornucopian fallacy" by critics: wishful thinking or denial.  ACTIVITY 1 THE LORAX by DR. SEUSS