This document provides an overview of environmental science as an interdisciplinary field that studies human interactions with other organisms and the abiotic environment. It discusses key concepts like ecosystems, population dynamics, pollution, and resource management. It introduces the scientific method as an approach using experiments, hypotheses, and peer review. It also briefly outlines topics that will be covered in the course, including major ecosystems, natural succession, carrying capacity, and conservation. The document emphasizes that environmental science draws on many disciplines and seeks to understand complex natural systems and solve environmental problems.

13. Chapter 1 Introducing Environmental Science and Sustainability

17. Population grows exponentially

18. Source: http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/human_pop.html

19. Source: http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/human_pop.html

27. Ecological Footprint Amount of productive land and water needed to sustain a person. One person in developing world needs 1 hectare. 1 hectare = ~2.5 acres

38. Five Steps for Addressing Environmental Problems (ideal situation) Scientific Assessment Scientific Method Formulation of Models Probability of Harm – do nothing or intervene? Remediation options Explain Problem Present Alternatives Report Costs Elected officials look at the Scientific, Economic, Political and Social considerations of a particular Course of action Post-implementation follow-up. Risk Analysis Public education and involvement Political action Evaluation

42. Case in Point: Lake Washington The lake is now back to normal however with the population in the area still growing, the service must be expanded Evaluation

43. Environmental Laws, Economics, and Ethics Chapter 2

45. Environmental History of U.S. 1600 1700 1800 1900 Dominated by the frontier attitude – by 1900, an area the size of Europe had been deforested Conquer Exploit

46. Environmental History of U.S. 1750 1800 1900 Some conservationists were influential in raising environmental concerns later in this period. Artist: generated interest in wildlife through his painting of birds Writer: wrote Man and Nature, man as an agent of environmental change Writer: wrote Walden, man in harmony with natural world, simplicity John James Audubon Henry David Thoreau George Perkins Marsh

47. Environmental History of U.S. 1850 1900 1950 Several presidents, particularly Theodore Roosevelt , used this Act to establish 43 million acres of forest reserves. In 1907 he designated 21 new national parks as a response to congressional opposition General Revision Act (1891) 1 st National Park: Yellowstone (1872) Yosemite and Sequoia (1890) National Parks American Forestry Association formed(1875)

48. Environmental History of U.S. 1850 1900 1950 Different Worldviews John Muir (founded the Sierra Club) • Biocentric Preservationist -protect nature (pristine state) -respect all life forms Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot (1 st head of Forest Service) • Utilitarian Conservationist -viewed forests in terms of their usefulness to people

49. Environmental History of U.S. 1900 1950 2000 Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac published posthumously Man’s relationship with nature and need to conserve Franklin Roosevelt Civilian Conservation Corps Soil Conservation Service in response to The American Dust Bowl National Park Service Founded (1916) in response to Hetch Hetchy

50. Environmental History of U.S. 1900 1950 2000 Rachel Carson published Silent Spring Pesticide DDT. Heralded beginning of the environmental movement.

51. Environmental History of U.S. 1900 1950 2000 Paul Ehrlich published The Population Bomb (1968) -Raised awareness of the environmental damage caused by humans -3.5 billion people, 1968 Wilderness Act of 1964, spurred on by Wallace Stegner and signed by President Johnson (1964) – set aside land that cannot be trampled on by humans - no roads, permanent structures etc. First Earth Day (1970) -widespread environmental movement begins -Global warming -Alternative energy Environmental Protection agency is formed (1970)

52. Since The First Earth Day...

59. Economics and the Environment Economies depend on the natural environment • Sources for raw materials • Sinks to receive waste Sources + Sinks = Natural Capitol Economic future threatened by resource degradation and pollution • Overuse of resources • Overuse of Sinks Source Raw Materials Economy Production Consumption Products Money Sinks Waste