Understanding Our Environment What is Environmental Science Environmental

  • Slides: 12
Download presentation
Understanding Our Environment

Understanding Our Environment

What is Environmental Science? • Environmental Science is the study of the air, water,

What is Environmental Science? • Environmental Science is the study of the air, water, and land surrounding an organism or a community

Goals of Environmental Science • Understand solve environmental problems • To do this scientist

Goals of Environmental Science • Understand solve environmental problems • To do this scientist must study • How our actions alter our environment • The use of natural resources

Many Fields of Study • Environmental science is an interdisciplinary science, which means it

Many Fields of Study • Environmental science is an interdisciplinary science, which means it involves many fields of study • Ecology, the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and their environment, is important to the foundation of environmental science

Hunter-Gatherers • Humans have changed the environment by hunting, growing food, and settling •

Hunter-Gatherers • Humans have changed the environment by hunting, growing food, and settling • Hunter gathers are people that obtain food by collecting plants and hunting wild animals or scavenging the remains. • Hunter gathers have affected their environment by: • Native American tribes hunted bison • Native Americans set fires to burn the prairies and prevent growth of trees

Agricultural Revolution • Agriculture is the raising of crops and livestock for food or

Agricultural Revolution • Agriculture is the raising of crops and livestock for food or other products. • Started in many areas over 10, 000 years ago • Allowed populations to grow at unprecedented rate • Changed the food we eat • Many habitats were destroyed as grasslands, forest, and wetlands were replaced with farmland • Caused soil loss, floods, and water shortages

Industrial Revolution • Involved a shift from energy sources such as animals and running

Industrial Revolution • Involved a shift from energy sources such as animals and running water to fossil fuels such as coal and oil • Increased efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation • Quality of life was improved • Increased sanitation, nutrition, and medical care • Introduced new environmental problems • Pollution and habitat loss • 1900 s, societies began using artificial substances • We now have plastics, artificial pesticides, and fertilizers • Many of these made life easier, but caused environmental problems

Population Growth • The industrial revolution, modern medicine, and sanitation allowed the human population

Population Growth • The industrial revolution, modern medicine, and sanitation allowed the human population to grow faster than it ever had before • Producing enough food for large populations has environmental consequences • Habitat destruction • Pesticide pollution • Scientist think the population will double in the 21 st century

What are the Main Environmental Problems? • Resource Depletion • Pollution • Loss of

What are the Main Environmental Problems? • Resource Depletion • Pollution • Loss of Biodiversity

Supply and Demand • The Law of Supply and Demand is a law of

Supply and Demand • The Law of Supply and Demand is a law of economics that states as the demand for a good or service increases, the value of the food or service also increases.

Ecological Footprints • Ecological footprints are calculations that show the productive area of Earth

Ecological Footprints • Ecological footprints are calculations that show the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country. • Estimates: • Land used for crops, grazing, forest products, and housing • Ocean area used to harvest seafood • Forest area needed to absorb the air pollution by fossil fuels

Ecological Footprint

Ecological Footprint