Our Changing EnvironmentChapter 1 Review

True or False1. One of the major concerns in

environmental science is how to successfully integrate the natural world and the socio-cultural-technological world of our own creation.

2. Human actions now impact natural systems in ways that threaten earth’s life-support systems on which we depend.

3. Earth has the capacity to support about ten billion people on a sustainable basis.

4. The world population is increasing at a rate comparable to adding four new Californias of people every year.

True or False

5. The vast majority of global villagers dwell in urban centers as opposed to the countryside.

6. About one in four residents in the global village is a child under 15

7. Illiteracy among adults in the global village is about 20%.

Solar Capital vs. Earth’s Capital

Energy from the Sun Our planet’s air,

water, soil, wildlife, minerals, and natural purification, recycling, and pest control processes

Interdependent andInterconnected

Click on the Earth above to see a video about Ecological Footprints of different countries.

Living sustainably means living off of income and not depleting the capital that supplies the income.

Inherit $1 million dollars Invest this capital at 10% interest Sustainable income of $100,000 You can spend $100,000 each year without touching your capital

Example

If you choose to spend $200,000 – your million will be gone in the 7th year!

If you choose to spend $110,000 – your million will be gone in the 18th year

Deplete your capital and you move from a

sustainable to an unsustainable lifestyle.

During the last 40 years the U.S. alone has used more resources than the rest

of humanity in all previous years.

BUT….

Population Growth60,000 years to reach 1 billion people

130 years to add the 2nd billion people

30 years for the 3rd billion (1960)

17 years for the 4th billion (1977)

12 years for the 5th billion (1989)

10 years for the 6th billion (1999)

Expected Growth 2012 7th billion 2025 8th billion 2050 11th billion

We will have grown from 5.9 billion to 8 billion between 1998 and 2025 (Just…16 years)

Ecological Footprint

What year did we reach 100% Biocapacity?

Biocapacity represents the ability of ecosystems to produce useful biological materials and to absorb CO2 generated by humans, using current management and extraction technologies. Useful biological materials are defined as those materials that the human economy actually demanded in a given year. The Ecological Footprint measures demand on this productive capacity.

Sustainable SocietyManages it’s economy and

population size without exceeding all or part of the planet’s ability to absorb environmental insults, replenish its resources, and sustain human and other forms of life over a specified period (usually hundreds to thousands of years)

Intergenerational EquitySustainable Development

Components of Sustainability

Society•How are people’s live affected?•How are cultures affected?•Do some people benefit at the expense of others?

Environment•How are plants and animals affected?•How are air, water, and soil affected?•What is the long-term impact on the environment?

Economy•How are local, national, and international economies affected?•Are meaningful job opportunities provided?•Is there a long-term economic gain for people and communities?

http://pulitzercenter.org/video/congos-bloody-coltan

Exponential vs. Linear Growth

The red line shows linear growth

Exponential Population Growth

Green Architecture

Human Disturbance of Land73% of the habitable area of the

planet has been altered by human activities.

1992 U.N. Conference on Environment and Development

◦Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil◦Agenda 21 - a complex plan for

sustainable development for the 21st century Particularly in developing countries Goal is to improve living condition

for all people while maintaining a healthy environment in which natural resource are not overused and excessive pollution is not generated.

The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development

Johannesburg, South AfricaAssess the progress and failure of the

1992 summit.Progress?Goals?3 factors necessary for achieving

sustainable development Environmentally Sound Decisions Socially Equitable Decisions Economically Viable Decisions

If there were 100 people….

Click on the Lorax to see the demographics if there were 100 people!

Environmental Degradation

When the available supply of a renewable resource

begin to shrink because a resource’s natural replacement rate is exceeded.

Tragedy of the Commons

If I don’t use this resource someone else will… the little bit I use or pollute is

not enough to matter!

Three Key Factors – P x A x T = I

Model developed in the early 1970’s by

Paul Ehrlich (biologist)

John Holdren (physicist)

P x A x T = I

P = PopulationA = Affluence (resource use)T = Technology (environmental

degradation and pollution per unit of resource used)

Number of People

Number of units of resource use

per person

Environmental impact unit of resource useX X

What is meant by an environmental value system (EVS)?

Environmental World Views

Commonly shared perspectives based on a collection of our basic values that help us make sense of the world.

Western Worldview – Frontier Worldview Preservationist – Use Resources

Sustainably Deep Ecology Worldview – Earth Wisdom

Important Key Words

Ecocentric Life centered, respects the rights of nature and the dependence of humans on nature. Has a holistic view of life with is earth-centered:◦ The Earth is here for all species◦ Resources are limited◦ We should manage growth so that only

beneficial forms occur◦ We must work with the Earth not against it◦ We need the Earth more than it needs us.

Important Key WordsTechnocentric/AnthropocentricHuman-centered, humans are dependent on nature but nature is there to benefit humankind. Within this view, humans are viewed as the dominant species on earth and we can manage the environment to suit our own needs. Other species can only therefore have value if they are useful to us.◦ We are the most important species◦ There will always be more resources to exploit◦ We will control and manage these resources and be

successful◦ We can solve any pollution problem that we cause◦ Economic growth is a good thing and we can

always keep the economy growing

Environmental Philosophies

Ecocentrism(nature

centered)

Anthropocentrism

(people centered)

Technocentrism (technology

centered)

Holistic worldview. Minimum disturbance of natural view. processes. Integration of spiritual, social and environmental dimensions. Sustainability for the whole Earth. Self-reliant communities within a framework of global citizenship. Self-imposed restraint on resource use.

People as environmental managers of sustainable global systems. Population control given equal weight to resource use. Strong regulation by independent authorities required.

Technology can keep pace with and provide solutions to environmental problems. Resource replacement saves resource depletion. Need to understand natural processes in order to control them. Importance of market and economic growth

Ecological FootprintCarbon FootprintGreenhouse Gases