Foundations
What is environmental science the study of?
The interaction of humans with the environment
List 2 resources early humans relied on from the environment
Food, water, shelter, tools
What kind of system is Earth, what does that mean?
Closed system, matter doesn't enter or leave in large amounts
What is environmental ethics?
The moral relationship between humans and the environment
What does sustainability mean?
Meeting present needs without compromising the ability to meet those needs in the future, being able to meet your needs indefinitely
Name 2 fields of study that contribute to environmental science.
Biology, geology, hydrology, chemistry, engineering, social science, earth science
What practice helped hunter-gatherers hunt sustainably?
Using every part of the animal, setting quotas
What is the Tragedy of the Commons?
Resources owned by nobody will be depleted faster
Give one modern day example of anthropocentrism
Prioritizing money over conservation, Deforestation for profit, etc.
Which type of resource can be replaced naturally, but may take a little time?
Renewable Resources
What does it mean that environmental science is interdisciplinary?
That it covers multiple fields of study
What was one major consequence of the Agricultural Revolution?
Soil erosion, flooding, water shortages
What is is it called when you weigh the pros and cons of a decision to decide if it's worth it?
Cost-Benefit Analysis
What does an ecocentrist value? How is this different from anthropocentrism?
Ecocentrist - Cares for the environment regardless of how it can benefit humans.
Anthropocentrist - Uses the environment to maximize benefits for humans
What is the impact one person has on the environment?
Ecological Footprint
Which branch of science studies plants?
Botany
What major change happened during the Industrial Revolution?
Mechanization, mass production, fossil fuels
Give one example of each of each of these resources: Inexhaustible, Renewable, Nonrenewable, Recyclable
Inexhaustible - Sunlight
Renewable - Timber
Nonrenewable - Coal, oil, natural gas
Recyclable - Copper, aluminum
What's the difference between the planetary management worldview & the stewardship worldview?
Planetary Management - Humans regulate the environment for maximum benefit
Stewardship - Humans regulate the environment to ethically and in a sustainable way
Why is soil erosion a sustainability issue?
You won't be able to farm crops long term
Why is environmental science important for decision making in society?
It helps understand human impacts and provides a guide for sustainable choices
What is one benefit & one drawback of the Industrial Revolution
Benefit: higher standard of living, more people could be supported
Drawback: pollution, loss of biodiversity, climate change
Explain Supply & Demand
The cost of a product may change depending on how many people want it. When demand is high, supply is low, and costs are high. When demand is low, supply is high, and costs are low.
How would someone with the environmental worldview handle global challenges like climate change or biodiversity?
Laws would prioritize protecting ecosystems above human gain
When is a society considered sustainable?
When resources replenish faster than they disappear