Unit 1 – What is Environmental Science?

Outcome: Understand the interdisciplinary nature, and applications, of environmental science.

Environmental Science – study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment.

Review/Self-Assess Vocabulary

Environment includes all the living and nonliving things with which organisms interact.

Environment ecosystem abiotic biotic population ecological footprintsustainable fossil fuels natural resourcesrenewable/nonrenewable resources

Hypothesis, prediction, independent variable, dependent variable, controlled study, data

Theory, peer review, ethics, environmental ethics

Environmental Science ConnectionsIndicator: understand ES as interactions between different

branches of science

Brainstorm a list of branches of science that you know of (list at least 5, use phones if necessary) – (5 marks).

Summarize/define each of these branches (5 marks).

Justify how they may be connected to environmental science (5 marks).

Submit (Total /15 marks)

Environmental Science

Biology – Ecology (organisms and environment), Biotechnology, Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), Microbiology (bacteria, viruses, etc), Soil Biology (soil composition), Mycology (fungi)Chemistry - characteristics of matterPhysics – energy, motion, space and timeGeology – of solid earth Mineralogy – chemistry and structure of mineralsOceanography – of marine ecosystemsGeography – of earth its land, features, and inhabitants Economics?

Environmental Science ConnectionsIndicator: understand ES as interactions between different

branches of science

Environmental Science ConnectionsIndicator: use an issue to relate other disciplines to ES and describe interactions between different branches of science

Think of an environmental issue/crisis, summarize what happened (5) and come up with how at least four different branches of science could be involved (4), and justify if it was natural or human-caused (1):

Floods in Alberta (2013)Gulf of Mexico - BP Oil Spill (2010)Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans (2005)Chernobyl disaster (1986)Dutch Elm Disease (1920s-2013-ongoing)Salinization of Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia) – 5000 BCE

Remembering your environmental issue – how might it affect the…

Atmosphere -Hydrosphere – Cryosphere - Geosphere -Biosphere –

How might one affect another?

Environmental Science ConnectionsIndicator: use an issue to consider the impact on Earth’s spheres

and how ES involves the interaction between all of Earth’s spheres

Place-Based LearningIndicator: discuss importance of place-based learning through

living with and in the environment .

What are your beliefs?

Environmental Worldviews:anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric, technocentric and ecofeminist.

Personal Connections to EnvironmentIndicator: - examine how one’s connection to the environment is influenced by personal

experiences and cultural understandings- examine diverse worldviews and how they influence interactions with the environment.

Environmental Science WorldviewsIndicator: compare and contrast how different worldviews (anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric, technocentric, ecofeminist, etc.) and associated ethics

influence individual decision making with respect to the environment Where do you stand – what does each

mean and which do you identify with most? Why?- Anthropocentric- biocentric- ecocentric- technocentric- ecofeminist

“Green Politics”

How might this influence your decision-making on a daily basis?Does it actually? Should it? Do you follow through on these beliefs?

Sustainability, Economics and Environmental Policyvocabulary/self-assess

*=more important

*Economicssupplydemandsustainable*cost-benefit analysis*ecological economics*environment economicsnon-market valuemarket failure*ecolabelling*policy*environment policyEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS)command-and-control approach*subsidy*green taxescap and trade systemlobbying

Sustainability & Environmental ScienceIndicator: Investigate the contemporary and historical social context of

environmental science and notions of sustainability. Industrial Revolution Sustainability

Understand the relationship between environmental issues and economics

Environmental Science – is it a public concern? (Polleverywhere.com)How has the view on sustainability changed over time?

Sustainability – what does it mean and involve? How is it viewed? Is it currently an issue?

What might the relationship be between environmental issues and economics?

Agricultural Revolution Industrial Revolution Medical Revolution Green Revolution Environmental Revolution and Sustainability

How are these tied to economy?

Environmental Science HistoryIndicator: outline key events, including the industrial revolution, medical revolution, green revolution (agriculture), and the environmental revolution

which contributed to the development of environmental science as a discipline.

What is a system?

Inputs, outputs Positive Feedback Loop Negative Feedback Loop

Environmental SystemsIndicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its

boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, feedback loops, and synergistic nature.

Characteristics of SystemsIndicator: Describe general characteristics (in and out flow, storage, transfers and transformations of energy, positive and negative feedbacks, synergistic properties) of

systems.

In and Out Flow

Storage

Transfers and Transformations of Energy

Positive and Negative Feedbacks

Synergistic Properties

Feedback Loops

Characteristics of SystemsIndicator: Provide an example of a specific environmental system – its boundaries,

inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, and feedback loops

EXAMPLE:

In and Out Flow -

Storage -

Transfers and Transformations of Energy -

Positive and Negative Feedbacks -

Synergistic Properties -

Feedback Loops -

Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle Water Cycle Food Chain/Energy Transfers

Environmental Systems - CyclesIndicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its

boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, feedback loops, and synergistic nature.

Environmental SystemsIndicator: recognize how environmental science implements system analysis and modeling in order to make sense of complex interactions

Environmental science utilizes the observation of all different systems of life to make decisions for change:- Earth’s spheres

- human activity (sustainability and abuse);

- general characteristics of the natural environment This leads to the creation of models that simulate environmental response to events.

Characteristics of Natural EcosystemsIndicators: understand that the resilience of a natural ecosystem depends

on its ability to maintain steady-state equilibrium around its carrying capacity

Steady-State Equilibrium -

Carrying capacity –

How do these relate to a natural ecosystem’s survival?

Environmental Science Regulations through LegislationIndicator: understand the important role of environmental science in gathering data to develop legislation and then regulate environmental practices or make

environmental decisions.

Fields of environmental science collect data on issues (animal population declines, habitat destruction, temperature patterns)

Government needs data to see issues and therefore adjust legislation to regulate environmental practices.

Developing legislation requires popular support.

Problems? Being 'Environmentally-Friendly' costs money. People like money.

Economics Cost-benefit Analysis → Supply and Demand Non-market values and market failure. Ecolabeling

Environmental PolicyIndicator: recognize that environmental science produces important

information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

Environmental Policy Command and control approach Subsidies, green taxes, cap-and-trade.

Environmental PolicyIndicator: recognize that environmental science produces important

information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

STEPS FOR MAKING CHANGE and CREATING POLICIES

1. Identify the problem 2. Research the causes3. Solution – envision one4. Organized – get organized5. Access politicians (people who can make change)6. Policy – create and introduce a bill.

Environmental PolicyIndicator: recognize that environmental science produces important

information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

When doing research remember the scientific method.

Controlled experiments with independent and dependent variables.

Hypothesize, predict, and get your work reviewed by peers – make it repeatable.

Environmental PolicyIndicator: recognize that environmental science produces important

information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

Unit 1 - Assessment

Verbal – exam questions are asked in interview format – by appointment and/or recommendation

Written – standard exam write-up Definitions Mult. Choice True/False Short/Long Answer Visual/Charts/Compare&Contrast

Focus on indicators!