Science and the Environment What is Environmental Science

Science and the Environment

What is Environmental Science? • The study of how humans interact with the environment • Environment = the natural world plus anything produced by humans

Goals of Environmental Science • To understand environmental problems. • To solve environmental problems. • How we use our natural resources ex: water, plants, oil, gas… • How our actions change the environment ex: drilling for oil in deep ocean waters

Environmental Science is Interdisciplinary Many fields of science contribute to environmental science. 1. Ecology: Interactions of living (biotic) biotic and nonliving (abiotic) abiotic things in the environment. 2. Chemistry, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Paleontology • Social sciences, Economics, Law, Politics, Geography • Scientists as citizens and citizens as scientists.

Activity 1) Create a concept map: Environmental science in the center Other fields of study as branches 2) Use the chart on page 7 Environmental Science

Our Environment Through Time 1. Hunter-Gatherers affected the environment • They were people who hunted for food (bison, deer, fish) or collected food (fruit, grain, nuts). • May have caused extinction of certain species.

Hunter-Gatherers

2. The Agricultural Revolution • Farms appeared • Caused human populations to grow. • More food can be produced on farms • Over-farming results in ⁻ poor soil ⁻ soil loss ⁻ water shortages

3. The Industrial Revolution • Sources of energy were changed. • animal and water power were substituted by fossil fuels (coal, oil) • Society changed. • greatly increased efficiency of agriculture, industry, transportation • Benefits: Quality of life improved. • Problems: pollution, habitat loss

Child Labor

Child Labor Cotton Gin

Trains Replace Horses

Pollution

Habitat Loss – Amazon