Evir. Science Exam #1 Flashcards
Environmental Literacy
a basic understanding of how ecosystems function and of the impact of our choices on the environment (ability to understand environmental problems)
Environmentalism
a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements
Ecocentric Worldview
System Centered: value is given to the importance of the ecosystem as a whole, including interactions between species as well as natural processes
If the ice caps melt in Greenland and Antarctica the water level would rise
70 meters
What is Environmental Science?
the study of the intersection of human society and the natural world
Wicked Problems
large, complex social problems where there is no clear solution
People, planet, and profit need to be looked at for
sustainability
How we view the would and our existence is influenced by
cultural, religious, and personal experiences
Anthropocentric Worldview
Human-centered: only humans have intrinsic value and resources are here to meet human needs and wants
Biocentric Worldview
Life Centered: Humans and other species have a right to exist and are worthy of protection equal to all other species (all species are equal)
Sustainable Development
meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same
17 Sustainable Development Goals
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-Being
- Quality Education
- Gender equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life Below water
- Life on Land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals
Anthropocene
a new geologic epoch marked by human impact
4 Characteristics of a Sustainable Ecosystem
rely on renewable energy, recycle matter, have population control, depend on local biodiversity
What epoch do we live in?
Holocene Epoch which began 12,000 years ago
Which characteristic of sustainable ecosystems is the most important?
Depending on the local biodiversity
Population Control is kept in check by
predators, disease, and competition
Social Traps
Decisions produce short-term benefits, but hurt society in the long run
Social trap Example
Tragedy of the Commons: each person acts in a way to maximize his/her own benfit
Ways to stop social traps are?
education, privatization, and regulation
Science is NOT
subjective, ethical, or spiritual questions
Observation
information gathered with our senses or equipment that extends our senses
Inference
conclusions drawn based on those obersvations
Scientific Method is used to
propose hypotheses, systematically test predictions, base conclusions on evidence
Steps of the Scientific Method
make observations, form hypothesis, and share information
Hypothesis
a possible explantation fo an observation based on previous knowledge
Experimental Prediction
a statement that identifies what is expected to happen if the hypothesis being tested is correct
Hypothesis must be
testable and falsifiable
Hypotheses can NEVER
be proven correct
Theory
a widely accepted explanation for a natural phenomenon that has been extensively and rigorously scientifically tested
Correlation
when 2 things occur together, but 1 doesn’t necessarily cause the other
Observational Studies
no manipulation of subjects and data collected in the real world which only correlations
Experimental Studies
Uses test and control groups and data is collected by manipulating variables that can show cause and effect
Cause and Effect
when 2 things occur together, but 1 directly occurs (the effect) in response to, or as a result of the other (the cause)
Test group
groups exposed to different levels of the independent variable
Control group
provides the standard of comparison for the test group (the “baseline”)
independent variable
the factor being manipulated/changed
dependent variable
the response of an organism or the characteristic measured (observed)
Control variable
]all other things which should be held constant during the experiment
p-value
certainty is expressed as probability value
If the P-value is less than or equal to .05
there is a significant difference
If the P-value is greater than .05
there is not a significant difference
When analyzing information
watch for author bias, evaluate the evidence, be skeptical, and be open minded
Hasty Generalization
draws a broad conclusion on too little evidence
Red Herring
presents extra information to distract from the topic
Ad Hominem
attacks the person/group presenting the opposite view
Appeal to authority
makes the case an “expert” agrees, so the claim must be true
Appeal to complexity
States the issue is too complicated to understand
False Dichotomy
sets up an “either/or choice”
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 problem
Applied science knowledge is used to
address problems or needs
Empirical science is used to
investigate the natural world
The Greenland Vikings mad mistakes of
overgrazing, harvesting renewable sources to fast (timber), land could not recover from planting
Triple Bottom Line
Solutions must be good for the environment, good for society, and affordable.
What was the relationship between the Greenland Vikings and the Inuits?
the Vikings had a disdain for the Inuit and developed no meaningful contact or information sharing
What is the UN’s sustainable development goal called?
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
By 2100 human will
strain the Earth’s resources like never before
The Planetary Boundaries framework has
3 boundaries: below (safe), in the zone of uncertainty (increasing risk), and beyond the zone of uncertainty (high risk)
Below Boundary
Stratospheric, ocean acidification, and freshwater use
Zone of uncertainty
climate change, land system change
Beyond Zone of Uncertainty
biogeochemical flows, species extinctions, functional diversity
Why is environmental literacy important?
to understand the complexities of environmental problems and the impact our choices have on the environment
Examples of wicked problems
sustainable energy, climate change, biodiversity, world hunger
environmental ethics
The personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with their natural environment and how one responds to environmental problems
Anthropocentric Worldview Example
Thinking that all the animals and plants in the world are on the Earth for humans to enjoy
Biocentric Worldview Example
A tree’s life is just as important as a human’s life
Ecocentric Worldview
Strip mining because it harms the environment but it makes natural resources for the human population that needs them
Example of relying on renewable energy
using solar panels
Example of using matter sustainably
purchasing products in packaging that can be recycled
Example of having population control
limiting commercial fishing
Example of depending on local biodiversity
planting more trees, protecting natural areasplanting more trees, protecting natural areas
The best approach to social traps is
regulation because managing a common resource than can’t be owned
Example of Ad Hominem
Environmental groups called for a reduction in CO2 emissions, suggesting that financial interest from ff companies who profit oil production cause them to suppress data that might show CO2 emissions contribute to climate change
Example of Appeal to Complexity
When claiming there is no way to know the effect of lead since humans are exposed to so many toxins thus w e should do nothing about the use of lead
