Introduction to Environmental Science (1).pdf
- 1. Introduction to Environmental Science 1 In every deliberation, we must consider our impact on the next seven generations. - The Confederacy
- 2. Environment: Definition , Basic concepts Nazish Iftikhar Lecturer Environmental Sciences NUML E-mail niftikhar.phdiese@student.nust.edu.pk 2
- 3. Environmental Science • Environmental science is the study of the interaction of humans with the natural environment. • The environment includes all conditions that surround living organisms: • Climate • Air and water quality • Soil and landforms • Presence of other living organisms 3
- 4. Environmental Science Cont’d • Environmental science and the issues that it studies are complex and interdisciplinary. • Includes concepts and ideas from multiple fields of study. • Decisions have impacts in all these fields of study. 4 Source: Principles of Environmental Science, Cunningham, 2005.
- 5. • A community decides to use coal for electricity, as it is the cheapest source available. (Economics) • The coal must be mined from under the soil. (Geology) • The coal must be transported to the population center by road or rail. (Engineering) • When it is burned at a power plant, air pollution is released. Some of that pollution is converted to acid in the atmosphere. (Chemistry) • This falls as acid rain somewhere downwind. (Meteorology) • The acid stresses plants by affecting their nutrient absorption. (Ecology) • Laws are passed requiring the plant to install pollution scrubbers. (Politics) 5
- 6. Major Environmental Problems • Resource Depletion • A great deal of resources are needed to support the human population (~7 billion). • Renewable resources can be replenished within a human lifetime. • Timber, water. • The supply of nonrenewable resources is replenished extremely slowly, if at all. These can be used up. • Coal, oil, minerals. 6
- 7. Major Environmental Problems • Pollution • Pollution is a degradation or an undesired change in air, water, or soil that affects the health of living things. • Biodegradable pollution will break down naturally over time. • Nondegradable pollution does not break down. • Pollution, whether in air or water, can move and affect ecosystems far away from the source. 7
- 9. Loss of Biodiversity • Assuming no catastrophic events occur, extinctions normally occur at a pretty slow rate, called the background rate. • Normal background extinction rate for mammals is 1 every 200 years. • Scientists believe we may be in the midst of the next major extinction event, due to human influences. • Australia has experienced 27 mammal extinctions since 1788, primarily due to the influence of European settlers. 9 The short-tailed hopping mouse, now extinct in Australia.
- 10. Environmental Ethics • Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings to the environment. • What is the value of the environment? • What moral responsibility do we have in dealing with the major environmental problems that result from our resource consumption? • Which needs should be given the highest priority in our decision making? • Two main categories of ethics have emerged in human culture in modern history. 10
- 11. • Anthropocentrism literally means “human-centered”. • This set of ethics protects and promotes of human interests or well-being at the expense of all other factors. • Often places an emphasis on short-term benefits while disregarding long-term consequences. 11
- 12. • Ecocentrists believe that nature deserves to exist for its own sake regardless of degree of usefulness to humans. • The preservation of ecosystems or other living things takes priority over human needs. 12
- 13. Modern Environmentalism • Rachel Carson published a book in 1962 entitled Silent Spring about the effects of pesticides on large predatory birds, particularly the bald eagle. • This began a public awakening to threats of pollution and toxic chemicals to humans as well as other species. • This movement is called Modern Environmentalism. 13
- 14. Global Environmentalism • Increased travel and communication enables people to know about daily events in places unknown in previous generations. • Global environmentalism explores issues and problems over the entire world, not just within the local community. 14 Live streaming footage of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 was watched worldwide.
- 15. The Tragedy of the Commons • A great deal of progress has been made since the birth of modern environmentalism, but many debates still rage on. • An ecologist named Garrett Hardin wrote an essay called “The Tragedy of the Commons”, describing the source of environmental problems as a conflict: • Short-term interests of individuals versus… Long-term interests of civilization and the Earth itself 15
- 16. •A small village consists mostly of farmers that raise and sell sheep at a nearby city. •The only place for the sheep to graze is a commons in the center of the village. • A commons is an area that belongs to no individual; it is shared by the entire society. •Likely outcome: Villagers obtain as many sheep as possible, allow to graze in the commons. • Maximize short-term financial gain. 16
- 17. •What if the commons was instead divided into sections that was owned by each villager? •Because the land is owned, individuals are much more likely to plan and use it for the long-term. 17
- 18. • The Tragedy of the Commons describes the likeliness of a commons area being exploited for short-term economic gain. • Modern examples include the atmosphere and oceans. 18 Norilsk, Russia Source: ecojunk.wordpress.com Zadar, Croatia Source: Agence France-Presse
- 19. Economics and the Environment •Economics has a huge influence in environmental decision-making. •One of the most basic principles of economics is supply and demand. • The greater the demand for a limited resource, the higher the price. 19
- 20. Case Study: Bhopal Pesticide Plant • In December of 1984, a pesticide factory located near the town of Bhopal, India leaked a large amount of toxic chemicals into the air. • The chemicals resulted in an immediate death toll of about 3,000 people, with 8,000 more dying of long-term health ailments. • A total of 558,125 injuries were reported to the Indian government. • A settlement of $470 million was reached by Union Carbide and the Indian government. 20
- 21. Ethics and Economics • The settlement was not sufficient to treat all of the long-term health issues stemming from the disaster. • The site itself was also not remediated. • In 1999, Union Carbide was purchased by Dow Chemical. • To properly compensate and treat all individuals affected by this disaster, Dow Chemical would have to pay billions of dollars in settlements. • Dow Chemical has a yearly profit of over $2 billion, with total assets worth nearly $70 billion. 21
- 22. Developed and Developing Countries • One of the factors that led to the Bhopal disaster and lack of cleanup is that at the time, India was a developing country. • Developing countries have lower incomes, shorter life spans, and rapid population growth. • Developing countries, overpopulated and desperate for economic gain, tend to have less regulations on their industries and fewer environmental protections. • Developed countries on average have higher incomes, longer life spans, and slower growth rate. • These countries are more economically stable, educated, and have more environmental protections. 22
- 23. Population and Consumption • Developed countries, while smaller in size and growth, consume resources at a greater rate. • About 20% of the world’s population uses 75% of its resources. 23
- 24. Ecological Footprint • An ecological footprint is one measurement of a person’s resource use. • Includes the amount of space needed to support each person in a nation, including forests, farms, cities, etc. • Developed countries have a much larger footprint, reflecting a much larger use of resources. 24
- 25. The Goal: A Sustainable World •Sustainability is when human needs are met so that the population can survive indefinitely. •“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” • Brundtland Commission, 1987 25
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