NATS 1510 Final Flashcards
What is the environmental movement?
to protect and preserve the natural environment
What is environmentalism
Broad movement that includes:
Preservations: Defend the wilderness
Conservation: Maintaining resource for long term
Pastoralism: living a simple, or back to nature lifestyle
Pragmatic view
Nature is used for our benefit
Essentialist view
Nature is valuable in and of itself
Past concerns for the environment
Philosophical or aesthetic reasons
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
the dangers of pesticides and chemicals, backed up by statistics and quantitative analysis
Would allow the environmental movement to challenge the industry and government
What happneded to Ecologists
Became technicians for nature to make sure it was managed properly
Worked on behalf of the state
Evernden’s view
Should protect and/or wisely manage natural resources
Can compromise our standard of living
self interest dominates environmental concerns
What is Environmental impact assessments
A tool for developers
They develop and build while minimizing environmental costs
Analogy for the environment
Compared to cutting the vocal cords of experimental animals
Scientist must be emotionally detached from the subject of study
Resourcism
Science concerned with predicting and controlling , not experiencing or appreciating
Treating nature as a resource to be used
Analysis of Science and Industry
By the late 19th/early 20th century, science gave potential advantages with new products and efficiencies
19th-century interest in theoretical science, less in applied science
why did Capitalists invest in science at universities and R+D laboratories
Goal was profit and increased efficiency
Started with chemistry and physics
Downside of R+D laboratories
Long and Expensive, requires excess capital: Traditional manufacturing profits
Financial speculation
Industrial consolidation (vertical integration)
what happened to family-owned industries
Gone, large corporate organizations appeared due to
1920s: 500+ mergers in chemical and electrical industries
and Small number of large companies emerged as dominant
Engineers and scientists
From electrical and chemical industries went to different industries
The chemical industry in the US
industrial revolution high demand met by batch production and artificial substances
Chemical industries supplied manufactures with generic chemicals:
Acids
Alkalis
Inorganic salts
Chemical were in high demand
Dyes
Popular in textile and printing industries
Before WWI, german companies dominated chemical dye market
Due to initial lead, production at low cost, university science R+D network and ownership of patents
Germany and USA’s relationship
German patents put national trust in US and sold to individual companies to develop processes in US
Tariff barriers put up protect domestic industry
US industry developed different processes
Electrolytic process
Used to produce salts, soda, chlorine and bromine
The Reciprocal Relationship between science and industry
Science provided new processes and products for industry, reinforced monopolies, and allowed patent control
Scientific research changed towards applications and improvements of application
Corporate interest shaped educational curriculum
Industrial Momentum and the Electrical industry
US electrical industry dominated by a few large companies
Electrical power generation, lighting, transportation and communications all developed into industries in late 1800’s
Engineers and scientists from electrical industry moved to other industries
Patents
Lasted 17 years before reverted to public domain
allowed mergers to gain control patents allowing large companies to thrive
Idea of protection
Maintenance and pursuit became expensive and time consuming
Companies decided to pool access to patents to share costs
Innovation
Technological systems sufficiently complex to require a network of innovations
Vertical integration
A company accuires another at a different point of its supply chain
Industrial processes became more scientific and capital intensive
Vertical integration used to reduce transaction costs and to guarantee supply at fixed prices
Automobile today
Pervasive and Integrated in North America
Pervasive:
Millions of automobiles owned, thousands being produced
Integrated:
Birth and death occur inside and outside the car
Cars in NA
Linked with pop culture, music, movies and etc
Indicators of individual freedom, economic prosperity and signs of adulthood
Motor vehicle shaped patterns of urbanization and suburbanization
Allowed personal mobility and increase in distribution of goods
Problem with internal combustion engines
Burns gasoline, producing greenhouse gasses
Individual cars don’t pollute much, but millions of cars pollute a lot
Possible fixes
Technological fixes:
Designing a car that emits fewer emission like hybrid or electric cars
Difficult to achieve
Social fixes:
Encourage the use of public transit or carpool
Difficult to arrange do to people being habitual
History of the Electric Car
Been put forward as a possible solution to our problems
In 1898 a stated there may be cars propelled by five different methods of propulsion: steam, cable, underground trolley, battery and horses
Before 19th century
First electric car on the road
1885 Daimler and Benz built car engines that run on liquid benzene
1887 Diesel added compressed fuel injection
First electric car in 1894, electric cabs in 1897
Horses vs automobiles
Horses:
Lots of shit
Automobiles:
Expensive
Brought as technological fix
Further and faster
Won out after WW2
Steam cars
Pros:
Lighter than electric
High pressure and temperature for efficiency
Flexible on fuel, gasoline, kerosene, wood or coal
Cons:
Steam boiler explosions caused bad stigma
Water had to be pure or would clog
Electric cars
Pros:
More flexible than gasoline
Worked up to 2-3x rated power, where gasoline engines would stall
In 1909, the US had over 4000 charging stations
Cons:
Stopped and restarted easily
Fueling presented challenges
Technology not standardized
Charging unreliable
Required frequent small adjustments by experts
Limited capacity and different charge times
Internal Combustion
Pros:
Lighter and higher speeds
Simpler to fix
Fuel availability
Infrastructure investments not needed
Cons:
Sensitive to fuel impurities
High speeds cause accidents, wear, tear and fags
Initially less reliable, less efficient and prone to breakdowns
Automobile Industry Innovation
The automobile industry has been slow to innovate.
Small-Bore IC Engine Innovation
Considerable innovation in IC engine applications, development of small-bore IC engine.
Applications of Small-Bore IC Engines
Small-bore IC engines used in snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s, motorboats, leaf blowers, lawnmowers.
Two Varieties of Small-Bore IC Engines
Two varieties: two-stroke and four-stroke. Two-stroke engines pollute more, expelling unburnt fuel with oil, causing environmental concerns.
Environmental Impact of Two-Stroke Engines
Two-stroke engines emit pollutants, including carcinogens, contributing to air and water pollution.
Noise Pollution from Small-Bore Engines
In addition to air pollution, small-bore engines create significant noise pollution, affecting operators’ hearing. (85-100 dB)
Evolution of Snowmobiles
Snowmobiles evolved from “power sleds” in the late nineteenth century, gained popularity in the 1970s with ski-steering design.
Impact of Snowmobiles
Snowmobiles, while initially practical, have had significant impacts on northern communities, disrupting economies and causing environmental damage.
Environmental Impacts of Snowmobiles
Snowmobiles contribute to noise pollution, late thawing of snow, reduced moisture in soil, and damage to plant and animal life.
Snowmobile Industry and Economy
The snowmobile industry contributes to the economy, with millions of users spending on recreation, creating jobs and economic support.
Safety and Risks of Snowmobiling
Snowmobiles, known for their speed and danger, can lead to accidents. There are estimated deaths and emergency room visits annually.
Environmental Regulation and Resistance
The industry resisted environmental regulations due to job concerns. Recreational groups favored self-regulation, influencing regulation and policy.
Tension between Environment and Personal Freedom
Snowmobiles highlight the tension between environmental damage and the right to personal freedom facilitated by IC engines and smaller vehicles.
Chlorinated Compounds and Public Awareness
Chlorinated compounds lack obvious characteristics, making them overlooked. Exposure consequences, such as cancer, are delayed.
Uses of Chlorinated Compounds
Chlorinated compounds used as degreasers and in CFC refrigerants. Common in machinery, lubrication, refrigeration, and food preservation.
Delayed Environmental Action on Chlorinated Solvents
Lack of scientific consensus delayed environmental action on chlorinated solvents due to uncertainties in contaminant pathways, processes, measurement, and biomedical effects.
Groundwater Contamination Issues
US groundwater contamination of aquifers became a national problem by 1981. Delayed discovery attributed to being perceived as a workplace issue, testing limitations, and absence of a scientific model.
Degreasing Process
Materials undergo degreasing before processes like painting or welding. Vapor degreasing, where solvent vaporizes, was widely used, especially during the growth of the automobile industry in the 1930s and WWII demand.
Environmental Legislation on Solvent Emissions
Emissions from organic solvents led to environmental legislation in the 1960s. CFCs linked to ozone depletion resulted in strict regulations. Chlorinated compounds identified as groundwater contaminants 20 years before CFCs.
Discovery of Groundwater Contamination
Chlorinated compounds identified in groundwater contamination as early as 1945 in the US and 1949 in the UK. Scientific models for migrating compounds developed in the 1980s.
Recognition of National Problems
Chlorinated pesticide pollution recognized as a national problem by the 1980s. Groundwater contamination by chlorinated solvents not predicted due to a lack of suitable testing instruments.
Developments in Detection Technology
Laws in the 1970s restricted allowable amounts of chlorinated compounds in drinking water. Technical improvements in detection technology in the mid-1970s led to the discovery of degreasing solvents.
Environmental Testing and Computer Models
The Safe Drinking Water Act prompted widespread testing for chlorinated compounds. Computer models for spilled solvent migration developed in the 1980s revealed ‘plumes’ of hydrocarbons migrating into water supplies.
Industry Practices
In the 1970s, insurance companies advised dumping chlorinated compounds on dry ground. Environmental tests in the 1980s found hydrocarbon ‘plumes’ trapped under soil, leading to new insights.
Advancements in Hydrology
Computer models of trapped and migrating solvents were developed in the 1980s in Germany. The understanding of the “migration, trapping, and dissolution” of chlorinated compounds expanded outside the scope of hydrology during this time.
Alligator Characteristics
Alligators are large, heavily armored reptiles with powerful jaws. They have historical value for hunting.
Regulation and Conservation of Alligator Hunting
Alligator hunting was regulated and restricted by states for conservation. Measures included restrictions on size and sex, closed seasons, nationwide bans, and creating protected areas.
Commodification of the Alligator
Alligator products, including meat, skin, skeletons, teeth, and fat, were commodified. This had economic impacts on states like Louisiana, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Florida.
Demand and Impact on Hunting
Alligator hunting had high demand, with shortages increasing during the Civil War. Rifles intensified hunting impact, leading to estimates of 2.5 million alligators hunted in Florida from 1881 to 1891.
Legal Restrictions and Labeling
Alligator hunting faced legal restrictions, labeled as “poaching.” States viewed alligators as both natural objects and commodities. Conservation was linked to profit, and regulations were established in the 1930s.
Conservation Shift in the 1930s
Conservation became popular in the 1930s, not initially linked to the hide economy but later tied to the tourist industry. Population increase, reclamation, and industrial needs impacted the Everglades, leading to declining alligator numbers.
Enforcement and Game Wardens
Game wardens enforced hunting laws. Legal restrictions led to the criminalization of hunters, transforming their self-image and practices. Strategies to evade the law included night hunting, camouflage, and hiding alligator skins.
Underground Practices
Hunting became secretive, with hunters adopting new territorial practices and strategies to hide their activities. Criminalization led to evasion tactics, exploiting regional differences in legislation, and engaging in “poaching.”
Rebound of Alligator Populations
Alligator populations rebounded after being classified as endangered. Reclamation projects contributed to population increase.
Alligators as Property
Alligators were considered common property for hunting. Poaching laws tended to support the interests of powerful classes. The state encouraged reclamation projects, contributing to the increase in alligator populations.
Modern Agriculture Transformation
Agriculture transformed significantly after the turn of the century with the introduction of gas-powered tractors, electrification, and crossbreeding of plants.
Pesticide Industry Overview
The pesticide industry heavily invests in research and development, contributing to the 2.5 million tons of pesticides used annually worldwide.
Costs of Pesticide Use - Human Health
Pesticide use poses health risks, with an estimated 1 million human pesticide poisonings and 20,000 deaths per year. Chronic effects on health are unclear, and exposure levels may be higher than estimated.
Costs of Pesticide Use - Destruction of Non-Pest Species
Pesticides harm non-target species, impacting biodiversity and leading to unintended consequences. Bees are vulnerable, and their decline affects pollination and crop losses.
Pesticide Resistance
Insects can develop resistance to pesticides through natural mutations, leading to increased pest populations. Resistance can also be problematic when pests are disease vectors.
Other Forms of Contamination
Pesticides can contaminate soil and water, posing public health issues and killing aquatic species. The costs of regulating the industry and addressing contamination are significant.
Costs and Controls
Regulating and monitoring the pesticide industry costs the government hundreds of millions per year. While pesticides save roughly 16 billion in crops annually, indirect costs to human health and the environment are estimated at 8 billion.
Environmental Impact and Recommendations
Pesticides can destroy ecosystems, and the authors recommend reducing pesticide use, favoring natural pest control systems. The authors emphasize the need for a full accounting of human health and environmental costs.
Unintended Consequences of Control
Control of nature for profit can lead to unintended consequences and ecosystem collapses. Pesticides, despite their return on investment, pose risks to ecosystems and biodiversity.
Critique of Crop Production Sustainability
The authors suggest that the high percentage (37%) of crops destroyed by pests may indicate an issue of sustainability in large-scale farming, and smaller-scale farming might be less vulnerable.
Impact of Biodiversity Loss
The reduction in biodiversity weakens crops, and the catastrophic impact of biodiversity loss is not adequately measured. The authors advocate for a cautious approach to pesticide use.
Evolution of European Settlement in Canada
In the 19th century, European settlement in Canada shifted from direct resource extraction to resource management, focusing on creating homestead farms for European settlers. Water became a crucial element in mining, agriculture, and industrial developments in western British North America.
Shaping of Water Rights in Canada and the US
Water rights in Canada and the US have been shaped by diverse inputs, including lawyers, judges, native elders, anthropologists, and historians. The process has not been unidirectional, and Matsui emphasizes the multidimensional nature of this shaping.
Influence of European Ideals on Colonial Beliefs
European beliefs about colonialism were influenced by Christian ideals, viewing indigenous land use as “inefficient” and “uncivilized.” The vast “unsettled” land was seen as “empty” and suitable for colonization for more “useful” purposes.
Paradigm Shift in Native History Narratives
Traditional narratives of Native history often portrayed them as victims, reinforcing the power of colonizers. Since the 1970s, scholars have contested these narratives, emphasizing interdependency and agency among Native communities.
Complexities in Indigenous Water Rights
Indigenous water rights in Canada faced complexities due to Federal/Provincial rivalries, disputes over indigenous/non-indigenous water use, and varying degrees of cooperation and conflict between settlers and indigenous groups.
The Stoney Nakoda Case
The Stoney Nakoda case exemplifies the historical distribution and enforcement of water rights. They engaged in negotiations regarding hydroelectric power development, highlighting the undefined state of water rights for this new technology.
New Technologies in Hydroelectric Power
The late 19th-century innovations, including hydraulic turbines and electric generators, paved the way for hydroelectric power. The development of hydroelectric facilities, like the one at Niagara Falls, became a focal point for financiers and industrial growth.
Horseshoe Falls Development
Initial surveys for hydroelectric use at Horseshoe Falls were conducted without indigenous permission. Negotiations involved varying agreements, but the Stoney Nakoda’s influence and payments were delayed by the government and private companies.
Kananaskis Falls
Attempts to build a power station at Kananaskis Falls faced resistance and negotiation. The Stoney Nakoda negotiated with the Department of Indian Affairs and Calgary Power, emphasizing water rental and riparian rights.
The Ghost Development
The Dominion Water Power Act of 1919 granted federal control over water power. The Ghost Development at the confluence of the Bow and Ghost rivers involved negotiations, land exchanges, and administrative delays.
Conclusions and Indigenous Rights
Despite challenges, Matsui believes the Stoney Nakoda did well in negotiating for their rights. The adoption of the language of riparian rights established a precedent for indigenous ownership of land and water rights, showcasing an interactive, two-way process in colonial development.
Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions
Before the agricultural revolution, human populations existed in steady-state conditions. The agricultural revolution led to increased populations and wealth accumulation. The industrial revolution further boosted population and wealth by introducing new energy sources and machinery, leading to consistent GDP growth.
Challenges of Economic Growth
Economic growth, while beneficial for individual countries, poses challenges to the environment. The continuous increase in production and population has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability and potential contributions to societal collapse.
Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability, as defined by business and government, combines economic growth with environmental protection. Eco-efficiency, a technological approach, aims to increase growth while minimizing resource use and pollution. However, technological fixes may have limitations.
Limits to Technological Contribution
Limits to technology’s contribution to sustainability include minimal room for energy conversion efficiencies to grow, essential material inputs for production, and the absence of industrial processes with zero environmental impact. Efficiency gains often do not outpace growth, leading to significant environmental impact.
Unsustainability of Industrialized Economies
Industrialized economies are unsustainable due to reliance on non-renewable energy sources, depletion of non-renewable raw materials, and the production of waste at a rate exceeding the environment’s capacity to assimilate it. Large-scale industrialization makes processes unsustainable.
Conditions of Sustainability
Conditions for sustainable economies include generating all energy from renewable sources, obtaining raw materials from renewable sources, and discharging waste at a rate the environment can absorb without damage. Meeting these conditions would reduce waste and promote the use of biodegradable materials.
Challenges to Sustainability
Challenges to sustainability include environmental impacts of large-scale renewable energy generation. While renewable sources like solar power are considered environmentally friendly, scaling them up can disrupt natural processes. Alternatives like biomass, hydroelectric, solar, and wind power face land use, resource competition, and public resistance issues.
Replacing Non-renewables with Renewables
Replacing non-renewables with renewables is an option, but at current consumption rates, it could surpass the environment’s regenerative capacity. Challenges include environmental damage and resource depletion.
Recycling Non-Renewables
Recycling non-renewables is crucial but faces challenges such as inefficiency, impracticality for certain materials, and the lack of natural recycling processes. Artificial materials lack natural recycling mechanisms, contributing to environmental concerns.
Limits to Economic Growth and Environmental Protection
Due to limitations and challenges, it’s not feasible to sustain economic growth while protecting the environment. Current trends in resource use and pollution exceed environmental limits, and further growth exacerbates these issues.
Conditions for Environmental and Social Collapse
Conditions leading to environmental and social collapse include rapid growth in resource use and pollution, limited availability of resources and waste absorption capacity, and delayed political responses to encountered limits. Sustainable changes must be driven by political and ideological factors rather than relying solely on technological fixes.
Current concerns for the environment
For ecologists to manage the environment
