Ch 1 Key Issue 4 Why Are Some

What is a RESOURCE? �Substance in the environment that is useful to people and

Until we decide it has value, a resource is just a part of nature

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Renewable – a resource produced in nature more rapidly than it

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable – a resource depleted by man faster than it can be

Two major misuses of resources: � 1. ) Humans deplete nonrenewable resources.

Depleted oil field near Baku, Azerbaijan

Two major misuses of resources: 2. ) Humans destroy otherwise renewable resources through pollution

The ARAL SEA was once the 4 th biggest inland body in the world.

Three Pillars of Sustainability �Environment Pillar �Conservation must be embraced in general, preservation where

Earth’s Physical Systems �Four Interrelated Systems: �Atmosphere: thin layer of gas surrounding Earth �Hydrosphere:

Earth’s Physical Systems A Biotic system is one composed of living organisms An Abiotic

WEATHER vs. CLIMATE is long-term and varies little year-to-year WEATHER is the atmospheric condition

�Environmental determinism the belief that the physical environment CAUSES social development

Possibilism has replaced determinism. People can react to and master their surroundings, no matter

� Few ecosystems have been as thoroughly modified as those of the Netherlands and

Netherlands • Much of the Netherlands would be underwater, if it weren’t for polders-

�Florida �Highly unsustainable modifications made to ecosystem of the Everglades

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Ch 1 Key Issue 4 Why Are Some Human Actions Not Sustainable?

What is a RESOURCE? �Substance in the environment that is useful to people and feasible to access.

Until we decide it has value, a resource is just a part of nature

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Renewable – a resource produced in nature more rapidly than it is consumed by humans

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable – a resource depleted by man faster than it can be replenished by nature

Two major misuses of resources: � 1. ) Humans deplete nonrenewable resources.

Depleted oil field near Baku, Azerbaijan

Two major misuses of resources: 2. ) Humans destroy otherwise renewable resources through pollution and mismanagement.

The ARAL SEA was once the 4 th biggest inland body in the world. In the 1960 s, the Soviet Union dammed the sources of the river to sue the water for cotton irrigation Its inflow blocked, the Aral has withered- and by 2014, had nearly ceased to exist.

Desiccation of ARAL SEA in Central Asia

2014

FISHING SHIPS ON FORMER ARAL SEABED

Three Pillars of Sustainability �Environment Pillar �Conservation must be embraced in general, preservation where possible � Economy Pillar � Prices of resources should reflect true environmental costs � Society Pillar �Modifying the wants of society to reward sustainable production

Earth’s Physical Systems �Four Interrelated Systems: �Atmosphere: thin layer of gas surrounding Earth �Hydrosphere: all water on and near Earth’s surface �Lithosphere: Earth’s crust and layer just below the crust �Biosphere: all living organisms on Earth

Earth’s Physical Systems A Biotic system is one composed of living organisms An Abiotic system is one composed of nonliving or inorganic matter

WEATHER vs. CLIMATE is long-term and varies little year-to-year WEATHER is the atmospheric condition at any given time, changing regularly

Koppen’s Biomes

�Environmental determinism the belief that the physical environment CAUSES social development

Possibilism has replaced determinism. People can react to and master their surroundings, no matter the challenges

� Few ecosystems have been as thoroughly modified as those of the Netherlands and Florida.

Netherlands • Much of the Netherlands would be underwater, if it weren’t for polders- a piece of land that is created by draining water from an area. • Dutch have become world leaders in reducing the causes of global warming and industrial

�Florida �Highly unsustainable modifications made to ecosystem of the Everglades