- The document summarizes Chapter 1 of an environmental science textbook. It introduces key concepts like sustainability, the scientific process, forms of energy and matter, and natural systems like the carbon and water cycles.
- The chapter is divided into sections that describe environmental problems, potential solutions like sustainable practices, and actions individuals can take to reduce their impact such as decreasing meat consumption, driving less, and using renewable energy.
- Key terms are defined, including ecology, ecosystem, biodiversity, and trophic levels. Figures are included to illustrate natural systems and flows of energy and matter.
Buildings produce half of all greenhouse gases and account for one-sixth of the world's
freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest and two fifths of its material and
energy flows. One in three buildings in this country, according to the USEPA, has less
than healthy indoor air quality. By several estimates, we will double the size of the built
environment over the next twenty to forty years. For these reasons there is a critical and
immediate need to shift thinking on how the built environment is designed. To reduce
environmental impact, protect public health and improve environmental equity and
justice, we must change principles for building practice. Designers in general and
architects in particular should play a high profile leadership role in this transformation.
The evolution of sustainable design and Construction Management over the past ten years has produced a lot of literature on environmental sustainability and development. But despite this progress in the last ten years it is still a big challenge to designers, architects, landscape designers, etc. and all other professions that are related to the field of environmental science. . The goal of this paper is to simply create a framework for more accurate approach towards sustainable planning, design and development. The Objective of this paper includes to architecturally defining energy sustainable design in our sustainable Buildings; it is also to stress the concept of green building through design guidelines. This paper outlines, recommend and also create architectural design for sustainability and eliminate unsustainable elements in our building.
Buildings produce half of all greenhouse gases and account for one-sixth of the world's
freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest and two fifths of its material and
energy flows. One in three buildings in this country, according to the USEPA, has less
than healthy indoor air quality. By several estimates, we will double the size of the built
environment over the next twenty to forty years. For these reasons there is a critical and
immediate need to shift thinking on how the built environment is designed. To reduce
environmental impact, protect public health and improve environmental equity and
justice, we must change principles for building practice. Designers in general and
architects in particular should play a high profile leadership role in this transformation.
The evolution of sustainable design and Construction Management over the past ten years has produced a lot of literature on environmental sustainability and development. But despite this progress in the last ten years it is still a big challenge to designers, architects, landscape designers, etc. and all other professions that are related to the field of environmental science. . The goal of this paper is to simply create a framework for more accurate approach towards sustainable planning, design and development. The Objective of this paper includes to architecturally defining energy sustainable design in our sustainable Buildings; it is also to stress the concept of green building through design guidelines. This paper outlines, recommend and also create architectural design for sustainability and eliminate unsustainable elements in our building.
A B S T R A C T
The evolution of sustainable design and Construction Management over the past ten years has produced a lot of literature on environmental sustainability and development. But despite this progress in the last ten years it is still a big challenge to designers, architects, landscape designers, etc. and all other professions that are related to the field of environmental science. . The goal of this paper is to simply create a framework for more accurate approach towards sustainable planning, design and development. The Objective of this paper includes to architecturally defining energy sustainable design in our sustainable Buildings; it is also to stress the concept of green building through design guidelines. This paper outlines, recommend and also create architectural design for sustainability and eliminate unsustainable elements in our building.
Environmental Studies NOW makes a plea to expand the domain of Environmental problem solving from the domain of the Sciences to include Humanities such Politics, History, Culture for solving problems in Nepal eg Community Forestry and Climate Change governance as well as that of the Earth, by making overdue changes in Environmental curriculum in Universities beginning with Nepal
IARU Global Challenges 2014 Cornell Governance gapsSarah Cornell
The Global Gap: discussing the science/policy/society governance landscape for climate, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution and nutrient (N&P) management.
What is actually ESS?
Environmental Systems and Societies is an introduction to environmental science, which overlaps significantly with the IB Geography syllabus. It is science applied to ideas presented in geography, economics, and TOK.
ESS syllabus covers eight major topics: foundations of the course and its major ideas, ecosystem structure and function, biodiversity, water resources, soil systems and food production, atmospheric science, climate change and energy production, and the interaction between human populations and resource use. We study plants, animals, energy, ecosystems, food systems, carbon and nutrient cycling, cultures…basically anything having anything to do with living organisms and the way they interact with people and the physical environment.
https://www.esstutor.net/ess/ess-syllabus/
A B S T R A C T
The evolution of sustainable design and Construction Management over the past ten years has produced a lot of literature on environmental sustainability and development. But despite this progress in the last ten years it is still a big challenge to designers, architects, landscape designers, etc. and all other professions that are related to the field of environmental science. . The goal of this paper is to simply create a framework for more accurate approach towards sustainable planning, design and development. The Objective of this paper includes to architecturally defining energy sustainable design in our sustainable Buildings; it is also to stress the concept of green building through design guidelines. This paper outlines, recommend and also create architectural design for sustainability and eliminate unsustainable elements in our building.
Environmental Studies NOW makes a plea to expand the domain of Environmental problem solving from the domain of the Sciences to include Humanities such Politics, History, Culture for solving problems in Nepal eg Community Forestry and Climate Change governance as well as that of the Earth, by making overdue changes in Environmental curriculum in Universities beginning with Nepal
IARU Global Challenges 2014 Cornell Governance gapsSarah Cornell
The Global Gap: discussing the science/policy/society governance landscape for climate, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution and nutrient (N&P) management.
What is actually ESS?
Environmental Systems and Societies is an introduction to environmental science, which overlaps significantly with the IB Geography syllabus. It is science applied to ideas presented in geography, economics, and TOK.
ESS syllabus covers eight major topics: foundations of the course and its major ideas, ecosystem structure and function, biodiversity, water resources, soil systems and food production, atmospheric science, climate change and energy production, and the interaction between human populations and resource use. We study plants, animals, energy, ecosystems, food systems, carbon and nutrient cycling, cultures…basically anything having anything to do with living organisms and the way they interact with people and the physical environment.
https://www.esstutor.net/ess/ess-syllabus/
In this exercise the student will define and expand the discussion o.docxvickeryr87
In this exercise the student will define and expand the discussion of the
“Key Questions”
that are listed for each chapter in the Study Guide. You are required to define, discuss these key questions, and relate them to other important concepts and ideas in the study of environmental science and sustainable development in your own words. You must also add relevant personal opinions and make connections to sustainable practice in the Mojave Desert whenever possible and describe how/what/when technology is being used appropriately.
One long or two short paragraphs (four to six sentences) with minimum 100 words
1-1 What are some of the scientific principles of sustainability?
Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, population control, and nutrient cycling –lessons from nature that we can apply to our lifestyles and economies
1-2 How are our ecological footprints affecting the earth?
Concept 1-2 As our ecological footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital
1-1 What is an environmentally sustainable society?
Concept 1-1A Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun (solar capital) and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth.
Concept 1-1B Living sustainably means living off the earth’s natural income without depleting or degrading the natural capital that supplies it.
1-2 How can environmentally sustainable societies grow economically?
Concept 1-2 Societies can become more environmentally sustainable through economic development dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone without degrading the earth’s life-support systems.
1-2 How are our ecological footprints affecting the earth?
Concept 1-2 As our ecological footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital.
1-3 Why do we have environmental problems?
Concept 1-4 Major causes of environmental problems are population growth, wasteful and unsustainable resource use, poverty, exclusion of environmental costs of resource use from the market prices of goods and services, and attempts to manage nature with insufficient knowledge.
1-4 What are some of the scientific principles of sustainability?
Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, population control, and nutrient cycling –lessons from nature that we can apply to our lifestyles and economies.
2-1 What is science?
Concept 2-1 Scientists collect data and develop theories, models, and laws about how nature works
2-2 What is the matter and how can matter change?
Concept 2-2A Matter consists of elements and compounds, which are in turn made up of atoms, ions, or molecules.
Concept 2-2B When matter undergoes a physical or chemical change, no atoms are created or destroyed (the law of conservation of matter).
2-3 What is energy and how can it be changed?
Concept 2-3A When ener.
QUESTIONS (A):
1. Describe why finding solutions to environmental problems is so difficult. Do you think it has always been as complicated?
2. Describe what is meant by an ecosystem approach to environmental problem solving. Is this the right approach?
3. List two key environmental issues for each of the following regions: the wilderness North, the agricultural middle, the forested West, the dry West, the Great Lakes and industrial Northeast and the South. How are the issues changing?
QUESTIONS (B):
4. Define environment and ecosystem and provide examples of these terms from your region.
5. Describe how environmental conflicts are resolved.
6. Select a local environmental issue and write a short essay presenting all sides of the question. Is there a solution to this problem.
Introduction to Permaculture - FELC February 8th 2014Vince Kirchner
Basic of permaculture provided to a group of Master Gardeners, and environmentally aware citizens. Key concepts were presented with a discussion around each topic. This is a precursor to a full PDC class starting in April. www.greatlakespermaculture.com
All around the world, every country, city and nation have the same.docxgalerussel59292
All around the world, every country, city and nation have the same recurring problem of waste. The main problem with our way of taking care of the waste we create is that we do not use that same waste and recycle it. The reason for this is that people are not being taught about waste disposal correctly. There are many plastic and metals that we throw away that can be recycled but many places, which are responsible for the recycling, don’t take them because there isn’t enough workers to do so. Futhermore waste like apple cores, banana peels all can be recycled and used as fertilizers or a way to create energy known as methane gas, however not enough recycling places do so. The biggest problem, however is that we live in a wasteful time. The idea that we just throw away our things or used products without being responsible for it is not good. We need to be using more recyclable objects and each person is charged on how much they throw away, rather than a flat rate for everyone. With all this waste earth is dying. Animals are losing their homes turning them into landfills. Man and animals cannot live in a world where the waste is just being dumped away. Problems such as pollution, global warming and other will make it harder and harder for us to live. That problem is that people out there don’t care enough to do something about it as they don’t have the knowledge to what this can lead to. I believe more education about waste should be taught and what the damages of poulltion can do to our earth. We see this today with temperatures rising, causing animals not being able to live as these temperatures destroy their habitats. In Cities like los angeles the air is polluted to a point where you can literally see the smog and such over the city. Something has to be done before its too late.
We have the ability to do something about this. And change our enoviroment before its too late and doesn’t just end up being a waste. In years time if we don’t do something about this the problem will be bigger and bigger to the point where we can no longer live on this earth. If we keep "air" pollution up for another 1000 years, we will be sufficated by carbon monoxide. If we keep "water" pollution up, we will die of thirst. If we keep "land" pollution up, we will be buried by our own waste.
Workshop Three Post-Reading Questions
1. Choose one question listed in the handout from each chapter.
2. Write a short essay to answer each question you selected. The essays are to be double spaced and approximately a half to a full page in length each. Many of the questions contain several parts; make sure that you have answered all parts of the question, as well as done any drawings requested.
Chapter 8: The Human Population (Environmental Science)
1. What are the environmental and social consequences of rapid population growth in rural developing areas? In urban developing areas?
2. Describe the negative and positive consequences of affluence on the environment.
.
WRI’s brand new “Food Service Playbook for Promoting Sustainable Food Choices” gives food service operators the very latest strategies for creating dining environments that empower consumers to choose sustainable, plant-rich dishes. This research builds off our first guide for food service, now with industry experience and insights from nearly 350 academic trials.
Characterization and the Kinetics of drying at the drying oven and with micro...Open Access Research Paper
The objective of this work is to contribute to valorization de Nephelium lappaceum by the characterization of kinetics of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum. The seeds were dehydrated until a constant mass respectively in a drying oven and a microwawe oven. The temperatures and the powers of drying are respectively: 50, 60 and 70°C and 140, 280 and 420 W. The results show that the curves of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum do not present a phase of constant kinetics. The coefficients of diffusion vary between 2.09.10-8 to 2.98. 10-8m-2/s in the interval of 50°C at 70°C and between 4.83×10-07 at 9.04×10-07 m-8/s for the powers going of 140 W with 420 W the relation between Arrhenius and a value of energy of activation of 16.49 kJ. mol-1 expressed the effect of the temperature on effective diffusivity.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GREEN WASHING IS!.pdfJulietMogola
Many companies today use green washing to lure the public into thinking they are conserving the environment but in real sense they are doing more harm. There have been such several cases from very big companies here in Kenya and also globally. This ranges from various sectors from manufacturing and goes to consumer products. Educating people on greenwashing will enable people to make better choices based on their analysis and not on what they see on marketing sites.
"Understanding the Carbon Cycle: Processes, Human Impacts, and Strategies for...MMariSelvam4
The carbon cycle is a critical component of Earth's environmental system, governing the movement and transformation of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This complex cycle involves several key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, each contributing to the regulation of carbon levels on the planet.
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and driving climate change. Understanding the intricacies of the carbon cycle is essential for assessing the impacts of these changes and developing effective mitigation strategies.
By studying the carbon cycle, scientists can identify carbon sources and sinks, measure carbon fluxes, and predict future trends. This knowledge is crucial for crafting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing carbon storage, and promoting sustainable practices. The carbon cycle's interplay with climate systems, ecosystems, and human activities underscores its importance in maintaining a stable and healthy planet.
In-depth exploration of the carbon cycle reveals the delicate balance required to sustain life and the urgent need to address anthropogenic influences. Through research, education, and policy, we can work towards restoring equilibrium in the carbon cycle and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Artificial Reefs by Kuddle Life Foundation - May 2024punit537210
Situated in Pondicherry, India, Kuddle Life Foundation is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the living standards of coastal communities and simultaneously placing a strong emphasis on the protection of marine ecosystems.
One of the key areas we work in is Artificial Reefs. This presentation captures our journey so far and our learnings. We hope you get as excited about marine conservation and artificial reefs as we are.
Please visit our website: https://kuddlelife.org
Our Instagram channel:
@kuddlelifefoundation
Our Linkedin Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kuddlelifefoundation/
and write to us if you have any questions:
info@kuddlelife.org
2. Chapter 1: Environmental
Science and Sustainability
For each of the text’s 15 chapters we’ll cover “big questions”
for that chapter, then cover several important topics of the
chapter, and eventually comes back to the big question.
We’ll start each chapter with a review of what will be
covered in that particular chapter. Chapter 1 is divided into
6 sections, including
1.1) Why Should You Care About Sustainability?
1.2) What Do You Need to Know?
1.3) What Are the Problems?
1.4) What Can Be Done?
1.5) A Look to the Future and
1.6) What Would You Do?
In some ways Chapter 1 is a mini-review of the entire book and
course, and an introduction into what we will cover in more detail
later.
3. About Chapter 1
“Environmental Science and Sustainability”
-Concept of sustainability is central to the
study of ES
-Many environmental problems associated with
lack of sustainability of resource use and
human cultural systems.
-In many cases, the use of resources can also
degrade other resources necessary to life, such
as air, water and land.
4. Why Should You Care About
Sustainability?
Definition of Sustainability
-Sustainability as a word can be defined in several way but in ES it is the
capacity of natural systems to maintain human Society by providing
natural resources needed to survive and ideally to flourish.
-Natural resources may be easily recognizable, such as food, or not so
much, such as the ability of the Earth’s ozone layer to protect us from
harmful radiation from the Sun.
-Natural resources can come from a variety of places, but primarily break
down into
- 1) sunlight energy from the sun, and
- 2) resources from Earth’s geosphere or biosphere (Figure 1.1).
-We assume we have no impact on the Sun as a provider of resources, but
we can have dramatic impacts on the sustainability of resources derived
from the Earth.
6. What Do You Need to
Know?
• Environment includes everything around us, energy from the sun
and all organisms, minerals, living and nonliving in the air, water,
and soil with which we can interact (Figure 1.2).
• Environment creates a complex web of interrelationships that we
depend on for our own survival.
• Our environment is part of the human experience, whether or not
we recognize that.
• Three basic goals of the course, which are also outlined in Chapter
1 of the text:
- Learn how the natural world works,
- Understand the major environmental issues we face, and
- Find ways to deal with these environmental issues.
• You can apply these principles to a variety of college majors
8. What Do You Need to Know?
There are several terms important in ES that should be introduced
now.
•Ecology is the biological science that studies how living things interact
with one another and with their environment, which is an important
component of environmental science.
•Scientists refer to living things as organisms and they classify
organisms into species, or groups of organisms
•with distinctive traits.
•An ecosystem consists of one or more groups of organisms interacting
among themselves and with the nonliving matter and energy in their
physical environment within a specified place.
9. Key Terms to learn and
remember at this point
in the course.
10. The Scientific Process
- Science may seem complicated, the basic process is not
- Steps include:
1) a question is asked that will be investigated
2) get hold of knowledge that is already known
3) gather scientific data
4) ask a scientific hypothesis
5) test the hypothesis
6) evaluate the results
potential
7) makeup up a new hypothesis
8) repeat the process as many times as it takes to answer your basic
question. New questions almost certainly come up, and you sometimes
discover things you did not expect, called “Serendipity”.
- Four factors dictate the success of the scientific process:
- Curiosity
- Skepticism
- Reproducibility
- Peer review
12. Components of Matter
- Matter is anything that has mass and takes up
space
- Matter also exists in two major chemical forms:
• elements
• compounds and molecules
- Exchange of electrons between atoms and elements
are chemical reactions. This exchange can create
• ions, or atoms or molecules with electrical
charge
14. Numbers in Environmental Science
Numbers are also important in ES and a source of frustration for
many. It is important to distinguish between extremely large and very
small numbers in ES
15. The Law of Conservation of Matter
It is important to understand some basic laws of conservation
of matter an energy to understand how resources and waste
apply to Environmental Science.
-We can never create or destroy matter
-Compounds can be changed into other compounds (i.e. by
burning or synthesis)
-Atoms in those compounds are mostly permanent
17. Types of Energy
- Energy is capacity to do work or transfer heat
- Two major types of energy
-Kinetic energy
-Energy of movement
-Electromagnetic radiation
-Potential energy
-Can be converted to kinetic, and kinetic can
be used to create potential energy
18. Energy Quality
- Determines usefulness
- High-quality energy
- Concentrated with high capacity to do useful
work
- Low-quality energy has low capacity for useful
work.
19. Two Laws of Thermodynamics
- Conversion of energy from one form to another
doesn’t create it or destroy it
- No perpetual motion machines
- Energy converted from one form to another is
degraded to a lower-quality, less useful form of
energy
- Second law is obvious in the amount of biomass
supported at different tropic levels
20. Natural Capital
A major component of sustainability
- Resources are anything we take from the
environment to meet our needs
- Matter
- Energy
- Natural or ecosystem services
- Renewable
- Nonrenewable
22. Life-Sustaining Solar Energy
- Energy from sun provides the natural capital
(Figure 1.15)
- High-quality (very useful) energy flows from the
sun
- incoming solar energy changes, is degraded into
lower-quality (less useful) waste heat
23. Life-Sustaining Biodiversity
Biodiversity is:
- variety of species
- genetic makeup
- natural ecosystems
Biodiversity plays vital
roles
Interacts with
- other biodiversity
- soil
- water
- air
- Provides
- food
- wood
- fibers
- energy
25. Energy Flow in Ecosystems
- Trophic levels
- Producers
- Plants on land
- Phytoplankton, algae, plants in water
- Consumers
- Decomposers
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- More biomass at lower tropic level
- 10% rule
- Food webs
- Complex interrelationships of matter and energy
- Chemical cycling
28. The Water Cycle
Water supply
- Does not grow or shrink
- Constantly recycled (Figure 1.20)
- Supplied from
• surface water
streams
rivers
lakes
• groundwater
Water cycle:
- Collects
- Purifies
- Recycles
- Distributes water
30. Carbon Cycle
-Circulates carbon
-Photosynthesis removes from atmosphere into
complex C molecules
-Respiration returns CO2 to atmosphere, provides
energy
-Carbon dioxide
-Greenhouse gas
-Increased CO2 warmer atmosphere
-Major environmental problem caused by humans
32. What Are the Problems?
Economic Growth, Pollution, and Wastes
- Advanced industrialized countries have
- high-consumption, high-waste economies
- high use of matter and energy resources (Figure 1.22)
- high use of matter and energy resources
- high production of heat, wastes, and pollution
- high degradion and depletion of natural resources and services
- can exceed the capacity of the environment
Environmental Degradation and Ecological Footprints
- Evidence we are damaging environment’s capacity to provide resources
- Pollution of renewable resources
- Use and depletion of nonrenewable resources
- Ecological is use of resources, usually per-capita
34. What Can Be Done?
Three Scientific Principles of Sustainability
- Solar energy
- Chemical cycling
- Biodiversity
35. A Look to the Future
Our environmental future?
- New and surprising events and changes
- We influence futures
- Current path, rapid degradation
- More sustainable living limits degradation
36. What Would You Do?
Largest harmful effects:
- Food production and consumption
- Transportation
- Home energy use
- Overall resource use
Ideas for reduction in impact
- Food Production and Consumption
- Reducing meat consumption
- Buying or growing organic food
- Buying locally grown food
- Transportation
- Driving energy-efficient vehicles
- Reducing car use
- Working at home
38. What Would You Do?
Ideas for reduction in impact (continued)
- Home Energy Use
- Insulating living spaces
- Plugging air leaks
- Installing energy-efficient windows
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling
- Energy-efficient lights, and appliances
- Using renewable energy sources
- Resource Use
- Reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and sharing
- Focusing on prevention of pollution and waste
- Using renewable energy
FIGURE 1.1 This diagram, like the opening photo of this module, shows the major components of the earth’s life-support system.
FIGURE 1.2 The plant and peacock shown here are two living components of our life-support system.
1.2 What Do You Need to Know? (continued)
There are several terms important in ES that should be introduced now.
Ecology is the biological science that studies how living things interact with one another and with their environment, which is an important component of environmental science.
Scientists refer to living things as organisms and they classify organisms into species, or groups of organisms
with distinctive traits.
An ecosystem consists of one or more groups of organisms interacting among themselves and with the nonliving matter and energy in their physical environment within a specified place.
FIGURE 1.4 These are the key steps for using the scientific process to solve a problem.
FIGURE 1.5 Carbon in the form of coal (a) and diamond (b), mercury (c), and copper (d) are chemical elements.
FIGURE 1.8 We can never really throw anything away because of the law of conservation of matter.
FIGURE 1.13 Natural capital consists of natural resources (blue boxes) and natural services (yellow boxes) that support and sustain the earth’s life and our economies.
FIGURE 1.16 Two centers of the earth’s biodiversity are (a) tropical rain forests and (b) coral reefs.
FIGURE 1.17 This diagram illustrates a food chain. See an animation based on this figure at www.cengagebrain.com.
FIGURE 1.17 This diagram illustrates a food chain. See an animation based on this figure at www.cengagebrain.com.
FIGURE 1.20 This diagram illustrates the water cycle (blue arrows) and human impacts on this cycle (red arrows). See an animation based on this figure at www.cengagebrain.com.
FIGURE 1.21 This is the carbon cycle, shown by the blue arrows; the red arrows show the human impacts on this cycle. See an animation based on this figure at www.cengagebrain.com.
FIGURE 1.22 Industrialized countries have high-consumption, high-waste economies. See an animation based on this figure at www.cengagebrain.com.
FIGURE 1.25 These students at Connecticut College are dumping food scraps into a large composter that will convert this waste to a useful fertilizer for use in growing crops.
FIGURE 1.28 These three social science principles of sustainability could help us make a transition to a more environmentally and economically sustainable future.