Chapter 1 Flashcards
Environment
the biological and physical surroundings in which any given living organism exists.
environmental science
an interdisciplinary field of research that draws on the natural and social sciences and the humanities in order to understand the natural world and our relationship to it.
empirical science
a scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation.
applied science
research whose findings are used to help solve practical problems
environmental literacy
a basic understanding of how ecosystems function and of the impact of our choices on the environment.
trade-offs
the imperfect and sometimes problematic responses that we must at times choose between when addressing complex problems.
triple bottom line
the combination of the environmental, social, and economic impact of our choices.
sustainable development
development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
carrying capacity
the population size that a particular environment can support indefinitely.
ecological footprint
the land needed to provide the resources and assimilate the waste of a person or population.
anthropogenic
caused by or related to human action.
sustainable
a method of using resources in such a way that we can continue to use them indefinitely
renewable energy
energy that comes from an infinitely available or easily replenished source
biodiversity
the variety of species on earth
nonrenewable resources
resources whose supply is finite or not replenished in a timely fashion.
social traps
decisions by individuals or groups that seem good at the time and produce a short-term benefit, but that hurt society in the long run.
tragedy of the commons
the tendency of an individual to abuse commonly held resources in order to maximize his or her own personal interest.
time delay
actions that produce a benefit today set into motion events that cause problems later on.
sliding reinforcer
actions that are beneficial at first but that change conditions such that their benefit declines over time.
worldviews
the window through which one views one’s world and existence.
environmental ethic
the personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with his or her natural environment and thus affects how one responds to environmental problems.
anthropocentric worldview
a human-centered view that assigns intrinsic value only to humans
instrumental value
the value or worth of an object, organism, or species is based on its usefulness to humans
biocentric worldview
a life-centered approach that views all life as having intrinsic value, regardless of its usefulness to humans.
intrinsic value
the value or worth of an object, organism, or species is based on its mere existence
ecocentric worldview
a system-centered view that values intact ecosystems, not just the individual parts
