Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment Flashcards
What is Environmental Science?
The systematic study of our environment and our place in it. It integrates natural science, social science, and humanities
What are some environmental problems we face?
- clean water – we need fresh drinking water to survive
- food supply – the number of farmers are decreasing
- while the number of consumers are increasing
- energy – fossil fuels are nonrenewable
- climate change – it has occurred throughout history
- air pollution – increases as populations increase
- biodiversity loss – habitat loss leads to extinction
What are some signs of hope that we have?
- health – populations in many areas of the world are stabilizing (avg. # of children has dropped from 6.1 to 2.7 per woman worldwide). World population should stabilize at about 9 billion. Infectious disease rates have dropped dramatically.
- habitat conservation – deforestation has dropped
- renewable energy – we are using more alternate sources such as solar, wind, etc.
- freedom of information – political freedoms are increasing worldwide along with international cooperation.
What are the four stages of conservation history and environmentalism?
- pragmatic resource conservation
- moral and aesthetic nature preservation
- concern about health and ecological damage due to pollution
- global environmental citizenship
What is early conservation?
environmental damage observed in the past included rapid soil loss, drying wells, deforestation and results of over-hunting leading to biodiversity loss
Utilitarian Conservation
resources should be used for the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the greatest time. (Roosevelt and Pinchot policy)
Biocentric Preservation
fundamental right of organisms to exist and pursue their own interests. Emphasis on the beauty and spirit of nature (Muir). Includes concept of stewardship of land (Leopold).
What modern movement did rising pollution levels cause?
- Rachel Carson – author of Silent Spring, 1962. Awakened the public to concerns of pollution and toxic chemicals on life
- David Brower, Barry Commoner and Wangari Maathai were also leaders in the modern environmental movement
Sustainable Development
The idea that economic development, even for the poorest countries, is possible without devastating the environment. Popularized at Earth Summit, 1992, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Global Environmentalism
We all share a common environment on a global scale. Earth Day was established in 1970. Earth Day 2012 is on April 22nd.
Extreme Poverty
an income of less that $1 per day. Estimated to be one-fifth of the world’s population
*U.S. poverty is a much higher standard. By U.S. standard, 4/5 of the world’s population lives in poverty. ($10,830 for one person)
*China is the fastest growing “out of poverty” country in the world.
In the past 50 years, what is some recent progress we have had?
- World’s GDP (gross domestic product) has increased 10 times.
- Malnutrition has declined by 1/3.
- Infant mortality has declined by 2/3.
- Average life expectancy has increased by 30%.
- Poverty has decreased more in the past 50 years than the prior 500 years.
- However, the gap between rich and poor is growing
What is the G-8?
G-8 is an organization of the 8 wealthiest countries. Extreme poverty could end by 2025 with a contribution from the wealthiest nations which include: Canada, France, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, and Germany
Ethics
the sense of right and wrong
Moral Value
establishing who or what should have rights
