Understanding Our Environment
Most of today’s environmental problems began during which period in human history?
Industrial Revolution
characterized by low population growth rate, high life expectancy, and diverse industrial economies
Developed Country
law describing the relationship between an item’s availability and its value.
Supply & Demand
Any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals
Natural Resources
Renewable
Name two ways that hunter-gatherers altered the environment
- over hunting of large mammals
- burn prairie to maintain grassland
- introduce new plants to new regions
What represents Earth’s “modern commons”?
Shared natural resources
A science focused on interactions between organisms and the environment
Ecology
field of study involving the physical, biological, and social sciences
Environmental Science
Nonrenewable
During the period of human history known as the ________, human populations grew rapidly because of advances in farming methods.
Agricultural Revolution
Why is sustainability a goal of environmental science?
- So humans can survive indefinitely
-Stable resource consumption
human needs may be met indefinitely
Sustainability
The practice of growing, breeding, and caring for plants and animals used for a variety of purposes
Agriculture
During the period of human history known as the _____________, there was fossil fuel consumption, technological efficiency, and environmental pollution increased.
Industrial Revolution
Developed nations make up about ____________ percent of the world’s population and consume about ___________ percent of its resources.
20%, 75%
A calculation that shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country
Ecological Footprint
The variety of species in a community, or the variety of communities in an ecosystem
Biodiversity
Sunlight & Forests
Renewable
What are the five sciences that contribute to the field of environmental science?
- Biology
- Earth Science
- Chemistry
- Social Sciences
- Physics
The conflict between short-term interests of individuals and long-term welfare of society
Tragedy of the Commons
Excessive wastes, heat, noise, or radiation
Pollution
An undesirable change in the natural environment that is caused by the introduction of substances that are harmful to living organisms
Pollution
Soil