Module 1.pdf

Module 1 Introduction to Environmental Science Lesson 1.1 The Environment and Basic Concepts of Environmental Science Learning Outcomes: To determine the importance of the environment To learn the basic concepts of environmental science To learn the seven environmental principles Wha...

Module 1 Introduction to Environmental Science Lesson 1.1 The Environment and Basic Concepts of Environmental Science Learning Outcomes: To determine the importance of the environment To learn the basic concepts of environmental science To learn the seven environmental principles What is environment? From the French word: environner (v) - to surround or encircle What is environment? The physical, living, and non-living, surrounding of a society with which it has a reciprocal relationship  What is the importance of the environment? 1. Functions of the Environment Source of resource inputs Source of amenity services Provides life support Receptacle for waste 2. Ecosystem Services The direct and indirect contributions of nature for human wellbeing and quality of life Provisioning Services Ecosystem Cultural Services the community of organisms along with non-living Regulating Services components where the living Supporting Services and non-living components are in continuous interaction with one another  Provisioning Services The tangible goods that people can harvest from the environment such as food, wood, water, and fuel.  Regulating Services These are regulating services that occur in the ecosystem that lead to benefits such as climate regulation, flood management, and water filtration.  Cultural Services The ways in which nature improves people’s health and wellbeing through recreational and educational benefits as well as improving mental health and building spiritual connections.  Supporting Services Indirect services that are necessary for the production of provisioning, regulating or cultural services, such as the nutrient cycle, soil formation and habitat provision. Ecosystem Services in Mangrove s 3. Resources Provided by the Environment Renewable resources can be replenished in a short period of time solar energy wind water 3. Resources Provided by the Environment Nonrenewabl e resources cannot be remade or regrown at a rate comparable to its consumption coal petroleum  The Seven Environmental Principles  The Seven Environmental Principles 1. Nature knows best 2. All forms of life are important 3. Everything is connected to everything else 4. Everything changes  The Seven Environmental Principles 5. Everything must go somewhere 6. Ours is the finite Earth 7. Nature is beautiful and that humans are the stewards of God’s creation  What is environmental The use of scientific approaches to understand science? the complex systems in which we live. The systematic study of our environment and our place in it. Environmental Science is Integrative The field draws upon a wide range of disciplines and skills from the sciences and social sciences Environmental Science is Global We are dependent on resources and people from faraway places Environmental Science is Informative It helps us understand our remarkable planet  The Main Goals of Environmental Science 1. Learn how the natural world works 2. Understand how humans interact with the environment 3. Determine how we affect the environment including ways to deal with these effects. Lesson 1.2 Global Environmentalism and Persistent Environmental Challenges Learning Outcomes: To learn what is environmentalism To know and understand the significant contributions of some personalities that promote the ideas of resource conservation and preservation; and To describe significant and essential environmental problems facing our world.  Environmentalism A social movement or an ideology focused on the welfare of the environment Historical Roots of Global Environmentalism Reasons for Global Environmentalism  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 1. Resource Waste 2. Ethical and Aesthetic Concerns 3. Rising Pollution Levels 4. Social Progress  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 1. Resource Waste Triggered Pragmatic Resource Conservation Pragmatic resource Resource waste the conservation inefficient or emphasizes the excessive use of efficient and natural resources, sustainable use of leading to depletion natural resources to and environmental meet human needs degradation while minimizing Gifford Pinchot Theodore waste Roosevelt  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 1. Resource Waste Triggered Pragmatic Resource Conservation Pinchot advocated for the efficient and sustainable management of forests and other natural resources. Gifford Pinchot  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 1. Resource Waste Triggered Pragmatic Resource Conservation Roosevelt established numerous national parks and forests, and his administration took significant steps to protect natural resources. Theodore Roosevelt  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 2. Ethical and Aesthetic Concerns Triggered the Preservation Movement Preservation movement seeks to protect natural areas from human development John Muir Aldo Leopold  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 2. Ethical and Aesthetic Concerns Triggered the Preservation Movement Believed in the intrinsic value of nature. Ethical concerns were often expressed in terms of the beauty and grandeur of the natural world = aesthetics Believed that wilderness experiences could inspire a sense of awe and wonder Argued that wilderness areas should be protected not only for their utilitarian benefits but also for their own John Muir sake  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 2. Ethical and Aesthetic Concerns Triggered the Preservation Movement Ethical concerns were often expressed in terms of land ethic Believed that we have a moral obligation to treat the land with respect and avoid actions that degrade ecosystems Argued that humans are part of the natural world and that their actions have significant consequences for the Aldo Leopold health of ecosystems  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 3. Rising Pollution Levels Led to the Modern Environmental Movement Rachel Carson David Brower  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 3. Rising Pollution Levels Led to the Modern Environmental Movement Wrote about the harmful effects of pollutants on the environment and human health. Writings ignited a public outcry against the use of pesticides. Led to increased scrutiny of chemical pollutants Rachel Carson  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 3. Rising Pollution Levels Led to the Modern Environmental Movement Executive Director of the Sierra Club His leadership transformed the club from a wilderness preservation group into an activist organization focused on addressing a broader range of environmental issues Instrumental in raising awareness of environmental problems such as air and water pollution, and in David Brower advocating for government policy  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 4. Environmental Quality is Tied to Social Progress Social Progress the capacity of a society to meet the basic human needs of its citizens Barry Commoner Wangari Maathai  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 4. Environmental Quality is Tied to Social Progress Proposed the 4 Laws of Ecology to explain the interconnectedness of environmental and social systems Everything is connected to everything else Everything must go somewhere Nature knows best There is no such thing as free lunch Barry Commoner  Reasons for Global Environmentalism 4. Environmental Quality is Tied to Social Progress Recognized the connection between environmental degradation, poverty, and social injustice Founded the Green Belt Movement Focused on empowering women to plant trees and restore degraded lands Has had a significant impact on environmental conservation and social development in Kenya By planting trees women were able to improve Wangari Maathai their livelihoods, reduce soil erosion, and enhance biodiversity.  What persistent challenges do we face? Persistent Environmental Challenges Clean Water – At least 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water Persistent Environmental Challenges Air Quality – UN estimates that more than 2 billion metric tons of air pollutants are released each year Persistent Environmental Challenges Human Population and Wellbeing – Currently, more than 850 million people are undernourished and at least 60 million face acute food shortages due to weather, politics or war Persistent Environmental Challenges Biodiversity Loss – 800 species have disappeared and 10,000 are now considered threatened. Also, at least half of the forests existing before the introduction of agriculture have been cleared Persistent Environmental Challenges Marine Resources – According to the World Resources Institute, more than ¾ of the 441 fish stocks for which information is available are severely depleted Why do you think such problems persist? The Tragedy of the Commons Garrett Hardin, 1968 How can we overcome such problems? The 3 Pillars of Sustainability 1. Environmental Sustainability 2. Economic Sustainability 3. Social Sustainability Sustainability Meeting our own needs without negatively affecting the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs The 3 Pillars of Sustainability 1. Environmental Sustainability – Focuses on preserving the natural environment for future generations. It involves: Resource Conservation – Using natural resources wisely and efficiently to minimize waste and depletion. Pollution Reduction - Reducing harmful emissions and waste to protect air, water, and land. Climate Change Mitigation – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming.  The 3 Pillars of Sustainability 2. Economic Sustainability – Ensures that economic activities are conducted in a way that supports long-term prosperity. It involves: Sustainable Economic Growth – Economic development that is environmentally friendly and socially equitable. Job Creation – Creating employment opportunities that contribute to economic stability. Fair Trade – Supporting trade practices that promote equity for producers and consumers. Innovation and Technological Advancement – Encouraging innovation to develop sustainable solutions and improve efficiency.  The 3 Pillars of Sustainability 3. Social Sustainability – Focuses on the well-being of people, communities, and society as a whole. It involves: Equity – Ensuring fair and just treatment for all individuals and groups. Inclusion – Promoting the participation and involvement of diverse people in society Health and Well-being – Supporting physical, mental, and emotional health Education and Skills Development – Investing in education and training to enhance human capital. Community Development – Strengthening communities through social cohesion, infrastructure, and services. Human Rights – Respecting and protecting human rights for all Living by the 3 Pillars of Sustainability enables Sustainable Development