Chapter 1Chapter 1
Environmental Environmental Problems, Their Causes, Problems, Their Causes,
and Sustainabilityand Sustainability
Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions
What are the main themes of this book?What are the main themes of this book?
What keeps us alive? What is an What keeps us alive? What is an environmentally sustainable society?environmentally sustainable society?
How fast is the human population growing?How fast is the human population growing?
What is the difference between economic What is the difference between economic growth, economic development, and growth, economic development, and environmentally sustainable economic environmentally sustainable economic development?development?
Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)
What are the harmful environmental effects What are the harmful environmental effects of poverty and affluence?of poverty and affluence?
What three major human cultural changes What three major human cultural changes have taken place since humans arrived?have taken place since humans arrived?
What are the four scientific principles of What are the four scientific principles of sustainability and how can we use them and sustainability and how can we use them and shared visions to build more environmentally shared visions to build more environmentally sustainable and just societies during this sustainable and just societies during this century?century?
Updates OnlineUpdates Online
The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles. www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles.
InfoTrac: Rescuing a planet under stress. Lester R. Brown. InfoTrac: Rescuing a planet under stress. Lester R. Brown. The FuturistThe Futurist, July-August 2006 v40 i4 p18(12). , July-August 2006 v40 i4 p18(12).
InfoTrac: Save the planet. Tod Goldberg. InfoTrac: Save the planet. Tod Goldberg. Better NutritionBetter Nutrition, , April 2006 v68 i4 p56(1).April 2006 v68 i4 p56(1).
InfoTrac: Redefining American Beauty, by the Yard. Patricia InfoTrac: Redefining American Beauty, by the Yard. Patricia Leigh Brown. Leigh Brown. The New York TimesThe New York Times, July 13, 2006 pF1(L)., July 13, 2006 pF1(L).
Ideal BiteIdeal Bite TreehuggerTreehugger Earth Day NetworkEarth Day Network
Core Case Study: Core Case Study: Living in an Exponential AgeLiving in an Exponential Age
Human population growth: Human population growth: JJ-shaped curve-shaped curve
Figure 1-1Figure 1-1
Fig. 1-1, p. 6
IndustrialRevolution
?
Agricultural revolutionHunting andGathering
Billio
ns o
f peo
ple
Time
Black Death—the Plague
LIVING MORE SUSTAINABLYLIVING MORE SUSTAINABLY
… … the study of how the earth works, how we the study of how the earth works, how we interact with the earth and how to deal with interact with the earth and how to deal with environmental problems.environmental problems.
Figure 1-2Figure 1-2
Fig. 1-2, p. 7
Air(atmosphere)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Human CulturesphereEarth's Life-Support System
Politics
PopulationSize
Worldviewsand ethics
EconomicsLife
(biosphere)
Soil and rocks
(lithosphere)
Water(hydrosphere)
What is Environmental Science?What is Environmental Science?
The goals of environmental science are to The goals of environmental science are to learn:learn: how nature works.how nature works. how the environment effects us.how the environment effects us. how we effect the environment.how we effect the environment. how we can live more sustainably without how we can live more sustainably without
degrading our life-support system.degrading our life-support system.
Sustainability, is the ability of earth’s various Sustainability, is the ability of earth’s various systems to survive and adapt to systems to survive and adapt to environmental conditions indefinitely.environmental conditions indefinitely.
The steps to sustainability must be The steps to sustainability must be supported by sound science.supported by sound science.
Figure 1-3Figure 1-3
Sustainability: The Integrative ThemeSustainability: The Integrative Theme
Fig. 1-3, p. 8
Sound Science
A Path to SustainabilityIndividuals
MatterTrade-OffsSolutionsNatural Capital
DegradationNatural Capital
Environmentally Sustainable SocietiesEnvironmentally Sustainable Societies
… … meets basic needs of its people in a just meets basic needs of its people in a just and equitable manner without degrading the and equitable manner without degrading the natural capital that supplies these resources.natural capital that supplies these resources.
Figure 1-4Figure 1-4
Fig. 1-4, p. 9
+=NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES
NATURAL CAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES
Air Air purification
Water purification
Water storage
Soil renewal
Nutrient recycling
Food productionConservation of biodiversity
Wildlife habitatGrassland and forest renewal
Waste treatment
Climate controlPopulation control(species interactions
Pest Control
NATURAL CAPITAL = +
Water
Soil
Land
Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)
Life (Biodiversity)
Renewable energysun, wind, water flows
Nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels, nuclear power)
NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES
NATURAL CAPITAL
NATURAL CAPITAL
NATURAL RESOURCES
NATURAL RESOURCES
Air
Water
Soil
Land
Life (biodiversity)
Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)
Renewable energy(sun, wind, water flows)
Nonrenewable energy(fossil fuels, nuclear power)
NATURAL SERVICES
NATURAL CAPITAL
Air purification
Water purification
Soil renewal
Nutrient recycling
Food production
Pollination
Grassland renewal
Forest renewal
Waste treatment
Climate Control
Population control(species interactions)
Pest control
Stepped Art
=
=
+
+
Fig. 1-4, p. 9
POPULATION GROWTH, POPULATION GROWTH, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic growth provides people with more Economic growth provides people with more goods and services.goods and services. Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and
purchasing power parity (PPP).purchasing power parity (PPP). Economic development uses economic Economic development uses economic
growth to improve living standards.growth to improve living standards. The world’s countries economic status The world’s countries economic status
(developed vs. developing) are based on their (developed vs. developing) are based on their degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP.degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP.
Global OutlookGlobal Outlook
Comparison of Comparison of developed and developed and developing countries.developing countries.
Figures 1-5 and 1-6Figures 1-5 and 1-6
Fig. 1-5, p. 11
Percentage of World's
Population
Developing countriesDeveloped countries
Pollutionand waste
Resourceuse
Wealth andIncome
PopulationGrowth
18
82
0.1
1.5
85
15
12
75
25
88
Fig. 1-6, p. 11
RESOURCESRESOURCES
PerpetualPerpetual: : On a human time scale are On a human time scale are continuous.continuous.
RenewableRenewable:: On a human time scale can be On a human time scale can be replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several decades).decades).
NonrenewableNonrenewable: : On a human time scale are On a human time scale are in fixed supply.in fixed supply.
Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources
Exist as fixed quantityExist as fixed quantity Becomes economically Becomes economically
depleted.depleted. Recycling and reusing Recycling and reusing
extends supplyextends supply Recycling processes waste Recycling processes waste
material into new material.material into new material. Reuse is using a resource Reuse is using a resource
over again in the same form.over again in the same form.
Figure 1-8Figure 1-8
Our Ecological FootprintOur Ecological Footprint
Humanity’s ecological Humanity’s ecological footprint has exceeded footprint has exceeded earths ecological earths ecological capacity.capacity. Figure 1-7Figure 1-7
Fig. 1-7a, p. 13
Total Footprint (million hectares) andShare of Global Ecological Capacity (%)
United States2,810 (25%)
European Union2,160 (19%)
China2,050 (18%)
India 780 (7%)
Japan 540 (5%)
Fig. 1-7b, p. 13
Footprint Per Person(hectares per person)
United States 9.7
4.7European Union
1.6China
India
Japan
0.8
4.8
Fig. 1-7c, p. 13
Nu
mb
er o
f E
arth
s
Humanity's Ecological Footprint
Earth’s Ecological Capacity
Year
POLLUTIONPOLLUTION
Found at high enough Found at high enough levels in the levels in the environment to cause environment to cause harm to organisms.harm to organisms. Point sourcePoint source Nonpoint sourceNonpoint source
Figure 1-9Figure 1-9
PollutionPollution Pollutants can have three types of unwanted Pollutants can have three types of unwanted
effects:effects: Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems.Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems. Can damage health and property.Can damage health and property. Can create nuisances such as noise and Can create nuisances such as noise and
unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: CAUSES AND CONNECTIONSCAUSES AND CONNECTIONS
The major causes of environmental The major causes of environmental problems are:problems are: Population growthPopulation growth Wasteful resource useWasteful resource use PovertyPoverty Poor environmental accountingPoor environmental accounting Ecological ignoranceEcological ignorance
Fig. 1-10, p. 17
Depletion of nonrenewable resources
SOLAR CAPITAL
Human Capital Human Economic
and Cultural Systems
Pollution and waste
Degradation of renewable resources
Heat
Goods and services
Natural Capital
EARTH
Natural capital degradationNatural capital degradation
The exponential increasing flow of material The exponential increasing flow of material resources through the world’s economic resources through the world’s economic systems depletes, degrades and pollutes the systems depletes, degrades and pollutes the environment.environment.
Figure 1-11Figure 1-11
Fig. 1-11, p. 17
Causes of Environmental Problems
Trying to manage and simplify nature
with too little knowledge about
how it works
Not including theenvironmental costsof economic goodsand services in theirmarket prices
PovertyUnsustainableresource use
Populationgrowth
Solutions: Prevention vs. CleanupSolutions: Prevention vs. Cleanup
Problems with relying on cleanup:Problems with relying on cleanup: Temporary bandage without improvements in Temporary bandage without improvements in
control technology.control technology. Often removes a pollutant from one part of the Often removes a pollutant from one part of the
environment to cause problems in another.environment to cause problems in another. Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to
reduce them to acceptable levels.reduce them to acceptable levels.
Poverty and Environmental ProblemsPoverty and Environmental Problems
1 of 3 children 1 of 3 children under 5, suffer under 5, suffer from severe from severe malnutrition.malnutrition.
Figure 1-12 and 1-13Figure 1-12 and 1-13
Fig. 1-12, p. 18
1.1 billion (17%)
1.1 billion (17%)
1.1 billion (17%)
Enough foodfor good health
Adequatehealth care
Clean drinkingWater
Enough fuel forheating and
cooking
Electricity
AdequateSanitation
Number of people(% of world's population)
Lack ofaccess to
1.6 billion (25%)
2 billion (31%)
2.4 billion (37%)
Resource Consumption and Resource Consumption and Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems
UnderconsumptionUnderconsumption OverconsumptionOverconsumption
Affluenza: unsustainable addiction to Affluenza: unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism.overconsumption and materialism.
Connections between Environmental Connections between Environmental Problems and Their CausesProblems and Their Causes
Figure 1-14Figure 1-14
Fig. 1-14, p. 20
Developing Countries
Population (P)Consumption
per person(affluence, A)
Technological impact per unit of
consumption (T)
Environmentalimpact of
population (I)
Developed Countries
CULTURAL CHANGES AND THE CULTURAL CHANGES AND THE ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT
Agricultural revolutionAgricultural revolution Allowed people to stay in one place.Allowed people to stay in one place.
Industrial-medical revolutionIndustrial-medical revolution Led shift from rural villages to urban society.Led shift from rural villages to urban society. Science improved sanitation and disease control.Science improved sanitation and disease control.
Information-globalization revolutionInformation-globalization revolution Rapid access to information.Rapid access to information.
Which single Which single advantage and advantage and disadvantage are disadvantage are the most important?the most important?
Figure 1-15Figure 1-15
Fig. 1-15, p. 23
Trade-Offs
Industrial-Medical Revolution
Advantages DIsadvantages
Mass production of useful and affordable products
Higher standard of living for many
Greatly increased agricultural production
Lower infant mortality
Longer life expectancy
Increased urbanization
Lower rate of population growth
Increased air pollution
Increased waste pollution
Soil depletion and degradation
Groundwater depletion
Habitat destruction and degradation
Biodiversity depletion
Increased water pollution
SUSTAINABILITY ANDSUSTAINABILITY ANDENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWSENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS
Technological optimists:Technological optimists: suggest that human ingenuity will keep the suggest that human ingenuity will keep the
environment sustainable.environment sustainable. Environmental pessimists:Environmental pessimists:
overstate the problems where our environmental overstate the problems where our environmental situation seems hopeless. situation seems hopeless.
How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?
To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. menu for Living in the Environment.
Is the society you live in on an unsustainable Is the society you live in on an unsustainable path?path? a. Yes: Without readily available green products a. Yes: Without readily available green products
and services, converting to a sustainable society and services, converting to a sustainable society is unrealistic.is unrealistic.
b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve sustainability, including recycling and using less sustainability, including recycling and using less energy. energy.
Four Scientific Principles of Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability: Copy NatureSustainability: Copy Nature
Reliance on Solar Reliance on Solar EnergyEnergy
BiodiversityBiodiversity Population ControlPopulation Control Nutrient RecyclingNutrient Recycling
Figure 1-16Figure 1-16
Fig. 1-16, p. 24
Reliance onSolar Energy
Population ControlNutrient Recycling
Biodiversity
Aldo Leopold’s Environmental EthicsAldo Leopold’s Environmental Ethics
Individuals matter.Individuals matter. … … land is to be loved land is to be loved
and respected is an and respected is an extension of ethics.extension of ethics.
We abuse land We abuse land because we regard it because we regard it as a commodity…as a commodity…
Figure 1-AFigure 1-A
Implications of the Four Scientific Implications of the Four Scientific Principles of SustainabilityPrinciples of Sustainability
Figures 1-17 and 1-18Figures 1-17 and 1-18
Fig. 1-17, p. 25
Reduce human births and wasteful resourceuse to prevent environmental overload and depletion and degradation of resources.
Controls a species’population size and resource use by interactions with its environment and other species.
Runs on renewablesolar energy.
Rely mostly on renewable solar energy.
Recycles nutrients and wastes. There is little waste in nature.
Uses biodiversity to maintain itself and adapt to new environ-mental conditions.
Prevent and reducepollution and recycleand reuse resources.
Preserve biodiversity by protecting ecosystem services and habitats and preventing premature extinction of species.
Solutions
Principles of Sustainability
How Nature Works Lessons for Us
Fig. 1-18, p. 25
CurrentEmphasis
Pollution cleanup
Waste disposal (bury or burn)
Protecting species
Environmental degradation
Increased resource use
Population growth
Depleting and degrading natural capital
SustainabilityEmphasis
Pollution prevention (cleaner production)
Waste prevention and reduction
Protecting where species live (habitat protection)
Environmental restoration
Less wasteful (more efficient) resource use
Population stabilization by decreasing birth rates
Protecting natural capital and living off the biological interest it provides
Fig. 1-18, p. 25
Stepped Art