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
THERE IS NO REASON TO CELEBRATE TODAY THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOTHER EARTH.pdfFaga1939
This article shows that humanity is losing the battle against the forces of evil that promote the devastation of the environment of planet Earth with the exhaustion of its natural resources, the pollution of the air, seas, rivers and lakes, the emergence of new pandemics and global warming resulting from the emission of greenhouse gases to the highest layers of the Earth's atmosphere that tends to produce catastrophic climate change on our planet. It is because of all this that there is no reason to celebrate International Earth Day.
Consultative Session on the Natural Resource Charter
Precept 6: Resource projects may have serious environmental and social effects which must be accounted for and mitigated at all stages of the project cycle.
Miguel Magalang, Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns, Philippines
Biomes and their OrganismsXIyu ShenArgosy University.docxhartrobert670
Biomes and their Organisms
XIyu Shen
Argosy University
A biome is a geographically defined area with distinct plants and animals groupBiomes are defined by geography and climateUnderstanding biomes requires good understanding of the location and adaptation of the climatic conditions of a particular regionThe survival and well being of a biome and its organisms depends on ecological relationships throughout the world
TundraTaigaGrasslandsDeciduousDesertDesert Scrub
Cold temperatures and precipitation is more of snow It spreads across the northern hemisphere regions of the worldThe regions have brief
Summers with Tempe
ratures slightly above
Freezing point
Polar bearCaribouMusk OxArictic FoxSnow owl
LichenCottonArctic WillowMoss
Caribou herds feed on the lichensThere is predators in this biome for example polar bears, arctic foxes, and wolves. The smaller animals the smaller mammals are lemmings and snowshoe rabbits. at predators eat include The plants also relate with the soil in the sense that the heights and root depth depend on the soil
The polar bears and owls have developed thick fur that enables them to survive in the cold climateThe caribous have developed hoofs that enable them to walk on the snowIn rocky areas, plants have roots that are modified to support the plant without going too deepAnimals like reindeers have antlers for defense
If the temperatures rose by 10 degree, the possible effects will be;
Animals will die because their bodies can not adopt immediately
The snow will melt and the habitats will be destroyed
Organisms will have to migrate to other places to find suitable climate
The changes may also prompt new organisms to move in or some of the others may adopt to the new conditionsThose organisms that remain will have to modify their characteristics over timeThe migratory species will face the challenges of food and survivalThe biome may be completely destroyed for a new one to develop
When the biome adapts to the changes in the temperature, the following will happen;
The animals that will live in this biome will remain the same because of adaptation
The animals may need a little time top adjust than if only the temperatures change
The organisms will have different chacteristics as compared to the earlier ones
Proper environmental management would ensure the conservation of the biome.Conservation would help in sustaining the biome, hence the organisms will continue with propagationPoor management will lead to poor polices that can lead to the destruction of biomes
Where there is poor management ,effects can be felt like global warming Global warming would lead to the melting of ice and the biome will be destroyedProper management of environment is an important factor when it biomes to preserving biomes Environmental management ensures that proper policies have been made.
Drastic changes in the biome will affect the society because the members have learnt t ...
ENVIRONMENTALISM ITS ARTICLES OF FAITHNorthwest Environmental J.docxkhanpaulita
ENVIRONMENTALISM: ITS ARTICLES OF FAITH
Northwest Environmental Journal Vol. 5:1, (1989) p. 100
Victor Scheffer
Here I offer an interpretation of environmentalism, a body of principles and practices so recently manifest in national thought that its meanings are still disputed. It is called, for example, "a theology of the earth," "a religion of self restraint," and "a science rooted in resource management and ecology." I define it broadly as "a movement toward understanding humankind's natural bases of support while continuously applying what is learned toward perpetuating those bases."
The word environmentalism entered the American vernacular during the 1960s. An editorial in Science (Klopsteg 1966) noted that "one of the newest fads in Washington-and elsewhere-is 'environmental science.' The term has political potency even if its meaning is vague and questionable." Environmentalism was at first perceived by the public as merely a response to a crisis, but it quickly proved more than that. As Lord Ashby (1978:3) explained to a Stanford University group:
A crisis is a situation that will pass; it can be resolved by temporary hardship, temporary adjustment, technological and political expedients. What we are experiencing is not a crisis, it is a climacteric. For the rest of man's history on earth. . . he will have to live with problems of population, of resources, of pollution.
The vision of environmentalism is to preserve those things in nature which will allow the human enterprise, or civilization, to endure and improve. (I use the word nature for the world without humans, a concept which-like the square root of minus one-is unreal, but useful.) Because civilization depends absolutely on surroundings that are healthful and stimulating, environmentalism aims to protect both material and spiritual values. At the risk of oversimplifying, 1 review five articles of faith which support and energize the environmental movement. They reflect ideas developed by "earthkeepers" from the time of George Perkins Marsh (1801-1882) down to the present.
1) All things are connected. The cosmos is a set of dependencies so complex that its boundaries lie forever beyond understanding. Simply lifting a spadeful of garden soil disturbs a trillion protistan lives, impinges on the lifter's muscles and mind, and changes the landscape. The poet who mused, "Thou canst not stir a flower without troubling of a star," was struck by the unitary connectedness of all matter (Thompson 1966 [1897]:19). He was an environmentalist before his time. Now we technological beings have Spun a web of change around the whole earth and nearby space. Our artifacts range in scale from radiations and molecules to mountains and lakes. Yet never will we understand completely the spinoff effects of the environmental changes that we create, nor will we measure Our own,' independent influence in their creation. Consider the mysterious decline in the numbers of fur seals breeding on A.
Originally published on: https://issuu.com/netlz/docs/the_past_present_and_future_of_the_environment.ppt
A complete guide on the environment and environmentalism, including facts, statistics, and much more.
"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.
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.
THERE IS NO REASON TO CELEBRATE TODAY THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOTHER EARTH.pdfFaga1939
This article shows that humanity is losing the battle against the forces of evil that promote the devastation of the environment of planet Earth with the exhaustion of its natural resources, the pollution of the air, seas, rivers and lakes, the emergence of new pandemics and global warming resulting from the emission of greenhouse gases to the highest layers of the Earth's atmosphere that tends to produce catastrophic climate change on our planet. It is because of all this that there is no reason to celebrate International Earth Day.
Consultative Session on the Natural Resource Charter
Precept 6: Resource projects may have serious environmental and social effects which must be accounted for and mitigated at all stages of the project cycle.
Miguel Magalang, Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns, Philippines
Biomes and their OrganismsXIyu ShenArgosy University.docxhartrobert670
Biomes and their Organisms
XIyu Shen
Argosy University
A biome is a geographically defined area with distinct plants and animals groupBiomes are defined by geography and climateUnderstanding biomes requires good understanding of the location and adaptation of the climatic conditions of a particular regionThe survival and well being of a biome and its organisms depends on ecological relationships throughout the world
TundraTaigaGrasslandsDeciduousDesertDesert Scrub
Cold temperatures and precipitation is more of snow It spreads across the northern hemisphere regions of the worldThe regions have brief
Summers with Tempe
ratures slightly above
Freezing point
Polar bearCaribouMusk OxArictic FoxSnow owl
LichenCottonArctic WillowMoss
Caribou herds feed on the lichensThere is predators in this biome for example polar bears, arctic foxes, and wolves. The smaller animals the smaller mammals are lemmings and snowshoe rabbits. at predators eat include The plants also relate with the soil in the sense that the heights and root depth depend on the soil
The polar bears and owls have developed thick fur that enables them to survive in the cold climateThe caribous have developed hoofs that enable them to walk on the snowIn rocky areas, plants have roots that are modified to support the plant without going too deepAnimals like reindeers have antlers for defense
If the temperatures rose by 10 degree, the possible effects will be;
Animals will die because their bodies can not adopt immediately
The snow will melt and the habitats will be destroyed
Organisms will have to migrate to other places to find suitable climate
The changes may also prompt new organisms to move in or some of the others may adopt to the new conditionsThose organisms that remain will have to modify their characteristics over timeThe migratory species will face the challenges of food and survivalThe biome may be completely destroyed for a new one to develop
When the biome adapts to the changes in the temperature, the following will happen;
The animals that will live in this biome will remain the same because of adaptation
The animals may need a little time top adjust than if only the temperatures change
The organisms will have different chacteristics as compared to the earlier ones
Proper environmental management would ensure the conservation of the biome.Conservation would help in sustaining the biome, hence the organisms will continue with propagationPoor management will lead to poor polices that can lead to the destruction of biomes
Where there is poor management ,effects can be felt like global warming Global warming would lead to the melting of ice and the biome will be destroyedProper management of environment is an important factor when it biomes to preserving biomes Environmental management ensures that proper policies have been made.
Drastic changes in the biome will affect the society because the members have learnt t ...
ENVIRONMENTALISM ITS ARTICLES OF FAITHNorthwest Environmental J.docxkhanpaulita
ENVIRONMENTALISM: ITS ARTICLES OF FAITH
Northwest Environmental Journal Vol. 5:1, (1989) p. 100
Victor Scheffer
Here I offer an interpretation of environmentalism, a body of principles and practices so recently manifest in national thought that its meanings are still disputed. It is called, for example, "a theology of the earth," "a religion of self restraint," and "a science rooted in resource management and ecology." I define it broadly as "a movement toward understanding humankind's natural bases of support while continuously applying what is learned toward perpetuating those bases."
The word environmentalism entered the American vernacular during the 1960s. An editorial in Science (Klopsteg 1966) noted that "one of the newest fads in Washington-and elsewhere-is 'environmental science.' The term has political potency even if its meaning is vague and questionable." Environmentalism was at first perceived by the public as merely a response to a crisis, but it quickly proved more than that. As Lord Ashby (1978:3) explained to a Stanford University group:
A crisis is a situation that will pass; it can be resolved by temporary hardship, temporary adjustment, technological and political expedients. What we are experiencing is not a crisis, it is a climacteric. For the rest of man's history on earth. . . he will have to live with problems of population, of resources, of pollution.
The vision of environmentalism is to preserve those things in nature which will allow the human enterprise, or civilization, to endure and improve. (I use the word nature for the world without humans, a concept which-like the square root of minus one-is unreal, but useful.) Because civilization depends absolutely on surroundings that are healthful and stimulating, environmentalism aims to protect both material and spiritual values. At the risk of oversimplifying, 1 review five articles of faith which support and energize the environmental movement. They reflect ideas developed by "earthkeepers" from the time of George Perkins Marsh (1801-1882) down to the present.
1) All things are connected. The cosmos is a set of dependencies so complex that its boundaries lie forever beyond understanding. Simply lifting a spadeful of garden soil disturbs a trillion protistan lives, impinges on the lifter's muscles and mind, and changes the landscape. The poet who mused, "Thou canst not stir a flower without troubling of a star," was struck by the unitary connectedness of all matter (Thompson 1966 [1897]:19). He was an environmentalist before his time. Now we technological beings have Spun a web of change around the whole earth and nearby space. Our artifacts range in scale from radiations and molecules to mountains and lakes. Yet never will we understand completely the spinoff effects of the environmental changes that we create, nor will we measure Our own,' independent influence in their creation. Consider the mysterious decline in the numbers of fur seals breeding on A.
Originally published on: https://issuu.com/netlz/docs/the_past_present_and_future_of_the_environment.ppt
A complete guide on the environment and environmentalism, including facts, statistics, and much more.
Similar to Introduction to Environmental Science.pptx (16)
"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.
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.
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
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.
Willie Nelson Net Worth: A Journey Through Music, Movies, and Business Venturesgreendigital
Willie Nelson is a name that resonates within the world of music and entertainment. Known for his unique voice, and masterful guitar skills. and an extraordinary career spanning several decades. Nelson has become a legend in the country music scene. But, his influence extends far beyond the realm of music. with ventures in acting, writing, activism, and business. This comprehensive article delves into Willie Nelson net worth. exploring the various facets of his career that have contributed to his large fortune.
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Introduction
Willie Nelson net worth is a testament to his enduring influence and success in many fields. Born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Nelson's journey from a humble beginning to becoming one of the most iconic figures in American music is nothing short of inspirational. His net worth, which estimated to be around $25 million as of 2024. reflects a career that is as diverse as it is prolific.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Humble Origins
Willie Hugh Nelson was born during the Great Depression. a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. Raised by his grandparents. Nelson found solace and inspiration in music from an early age. His grandmother taught him to play the guitar. setting the stage for what would become an illustrious career.
First Steps in Music
Nelson's initial foray into the music industry was fraught with challenges. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his dreams, but success did not come . Working as a songwriter, Nelson penned hits for other artists. which helped him gain a foothold in the competitive music scene. His songwriting skills contributed to his early earnings. laying the foundation for his net worth.
Rise to Stardom
Breakthrough Albums
The 1970s marked a turning point in Willie Nelson's career. His albums "Shotgun Willie" (1973), "Red Headed Stranger" (1975). and "Stardust" (1978) received critical acclaim and commercial success. These albums not only solidified his position in the country music genre. but also introduced his music to a broader audience. The success of these albums played a crucial role in boosting Willie Nelson net worth.
Iconic Songs
Willie Nelson net worth is also attributed to his extensive catalog of hit songs. Tracks like "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "On the Road Again," and "Always on My Mind" have become timeless classics. These songs have not only earned Nelson large royalties but have also ensured his continued relevance in the music industry.
Acting and Film Career
Hollywood Ventures
In addition to his music career, Willie Nelson has also made a mark in Hollywood. His distinctive personality and on-screen presence have landed him roles in several films and television shows. Notable appearances include roles in "The Electric Horseman" (1979), "Honeysuckle Rose" (1980), and "Barbarosa" (1982). These acting gigs have added a significant amount to Willie Nelson net worth.
Television Appearances
Nelson's char
Willie Nelson Net Worth: A Journey Through Music, Movies, and Business Ventures
Introduction to Environmental Science.pptx
1. 1
In every deliberation, we must consider our impact on the next seven generations.
- The Iroqouis Confederacy
2. Yosemite National Park is a national park directly east
of San Francisco that was created in 1890.
3
Source: http://www.nps.gov
3. The city of San Francisco experienced a tremendous
population boom in the 19th century due to the gold rush.
A powerful earthquake struck the city in 1906, followed by
a devastating fire.
The city’s water pipes were so damaged by the earthquake,
that firefighters were not able to tap fire hydrants.
4
Source: California State Library
4. As the city rebuilt, planners began looking for ways to
address some of the issues with the city’s
infrastructure, including the water supply.
5
5. The city applied to the federal government to construct a
reservoir in the Hetch Hetchy valley of Yosemite National
Park.
An act of Congress and President Woodrow Wilson’s approval
were needed for the dam and reservoir to be constructed.
6
Source:
http://sierranevadaphotos.com
6. 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
7
7. 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.
8
Source: Principles of
Environmental Science,
Cunningham, 2005.
8. 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)
9
9. 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.
10
10. 11
Coal is a nonrenewable resource. Over time, it will become
more difficult and expensive to extract.
This graph represents world coal reserves as of 2008. It is
estimated we have about 250 years of the resource remaining
at current rates of use.
11. 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.
12
12. Pollution, whether in air or water, can move and affect
ecosystems far away from the source.
This map shows the areas with the highest
concentrations of air pollution.
13
13. Loss of Biodiversity
The number of species on the Earth is unknown, but
estimated to be in the tens of millions.
Biodiversity is the number of different species present in
one specific ecosystem.
Extinction, or the complete loss of a species, is a natural
event that can be accelerated by human actions.
14
14. There are five known major extinction events in
Earth’s history.
The most recent major extinction, about 65 million
years ago, caused 75% of all species to disappear from
the Earth.
Believed to have been caused by a meteor impact.
15
15. 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.
The short-tailed hopping
mouse, now extinct in
Australia.
16
16. 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.
17
17. 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.
18
18. 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.
19
19. The debate about whether to build a dam in the Hetch
Hetchy valley was one of the first big debates between
these two philosophies.
20
Anthropocentrists
argued that San
Francisco needed
the water, and this
was by far the
most viable
option.
Ecocentrists
argued that
this violated
the very
purpose of the
Federal Parks
were to be
preserved
ecosystems –
untouched by
human hands.
20. The dam was eventually constructed.
The justification for building it was
best stated by Gifford Pinochet, the
first man in charge of the U.S. Forest
Service.
"Where conflicting interests must be
reconciled, the question shall always be
answered from the standpoint of the
greatest good of the greatest number in
the long run.“
This philosophy, called resource
conservationism, was also advocated
by Teddy Roosevelt.
21
22. The focus of the resource conservationists was to protect
open land.
The National Parks system, and the National Forest
system were both created during this time.
23
23. In 1952, the Cuyahoga river in Ohio
caught fire due to all the pollution that
had accumulated in it.
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.
24
24. 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.
25
Live streaming footage of
the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill in 2010 was watched
worldwide.
25. 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
26
26. 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.
27
27. 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.
28
28. 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.
29
Norilsk, Russia
Source: ecojunk.wordpress.com
Zadar, Croatia
Source: Agence France-Presse
29. 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.
30
30. Another important economic idea is the cost/benefit
analysis. This questions whether the benefit of doing
something justifies the economic cost.
Waukegan Harbor cleanup efforts, starting in 2010, will cost
over $30 million.
Monitoring of fish, water, and sediment.
Dredging the
bottom to remove
accumulated
pollution.
31
31. 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.
32
32. 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.
33
33. 34
The Yes Men Fix the World. Dir Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno. Charny/Bacharach Entertainment, 2009.
34. 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.
35
35. 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.
36
36. 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.
37
37. 38
Source: Holt Environmental Science, Arms, 2007
U.S. Japan Mexico Indonesia
Life Expectancy 77 81 71.5 68
Population Growth
Rate
0.8% 0.2% 1.7% 1.8%
Gross National
Product Per Person
$29,240 $32,350 $3,840 $640
Energy Use Per Person
(Millions of BTUs)
351 168 59 18
Carbon Dioxide
Produced Annually
Per Person
20.4 9.3 3.5 2.2
Garbage Produced
Annually Per Person
720 400 300 43
38. Many products used in developed countries are produced
in developing countries.
Working conditions and pay in these countries is often at
levels that would be unacceptable elsewhere.
39
A collapsed garment factory in Savar, Bangladesh. Source: AP
39. StarKist brand chunk light tuna in water
Price at Jewel-Osco grocery: $0.99
American Tuna brand wild albacore tuna
in water
Price at Whole Foods market: $4.99
What are the hidden costs behind that
$4.00 price difference?
40
40. 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.
41
41. 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
42
42. The Earth is a closed system,
meaning nothing enters or
leaves the Earth in large
quantities is heat.
Resources are limited, but the
population continues to
increase.
Wastes do not go away.
“We travel together, passengers
on a little ship, dependent on its
vulnerable reserves of air and
soil.”
- Adlai Stevenson
43
“Earthrise” taken by
Apollo 8 crew, 1968.