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What is environmental science?
Objective study of how humans interact with the environment.
What does an ecological footprint measure?
The total amount of land and water required to: provide the raw materials an individual or population consumes, and dispose of or recycle the waste an individual or population consumes
How do most scientific investigations begin?
Observation of a phenomenon that the scientist wishes to explain.
What must happen before a hypothesis is accepted?
Hypotheses should be tested several times, in several ways.
What is Anthropocentrism?
Humans and human well being are the most important and above all other living things
What is the first step to solving environmental problems?
Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment
What is science?
An organized way of studying the natural world, and the knowledge gained from such studies.
What is a prediction?
The expected observation if the hypothesis is true.
What does science constantly do as knowledge accumulates?
Constantly refines and improves itself (changes in response to new info).
What is Biocentrism?
All living things have value; some may be more important than others.
Example: Some animals like horses are more important than the lives of grasshoppers.
What is environmentalism?
Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world
What is the main assumption of science?
That the natural world functions in accordance with rules that do not change.
How are predictions tested?
By gathering evidence in the form of data
What is a theory in science?
A broader explanation for a wider range of observations.
What is Ecocentrism?
Well-being of a species or community is more important than that of an individual
Describe how the Agricultural Revolution led to tremendous human population growth
Farming and raising animals & living in villages helped humans live longer, and have more surviving children
What does science rely on?
Evidence from measurements and observations.
What are three things that scientists do after completing their studies?
-Present their work and get feedback from other researchers at conferences
-Write papers about their study
-Submit papers for publication in a journal
What must happen in order for a theory to be accepted by the scientific community?
Theories must be testable, supported by multiple lines of evidence, and replicated to be accepted by the scientific community.
What does the environmental justice movement recognize?
That quality of life is connected to environmental quality.
Example: That taking care of the air quality and water will benefit all living things.
Describe how the Industrial Revolution contributed to human population growth.
Driven by fossil fuels and technological advances; Led to advancements in medicine, food production, transportation, and other technology that improved quality of life
What steps are involved in the process of science?
Science involves asking questions, making observations, seeking evidence, sharing ideas, and analyzing results.
Briefly describe the peer-review process.
Scientists review papers submitted for publication, recommend changes, and reject or accept the paper for publication.
What are environmental ethics?
The application of ethical standards to the relationship between humans and the environment.
Name 3 renewable energy resources.
Solar, wind, wave, geothermal