What is Environmental Science? (module 1)

Question 1

Define Environmental Science

Answer 1

Study of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and how human activities impact natural systems

Question 2

List the spheres of the Earth system and describe their components

Answer 2

• Lithosphere - realm of rock ex. minerals, fossil fuels, plate tectonics
• Hydrosphere - realm of water ex. ocean, freshwater, water movement/storage
• Cryosphere - water in all frozen forms: glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice
• Atmosphere - realm of air
• Biosphere - realm of life

Question 3

Describe the main characteristic of the Anthropocene

Answer 3

Concept that humans are the primary driver of environmental change

Question 4

Give evidence that suggests we are in the Anthropocene

Answer 4

• increase in human population (consuming lots of resources)
• Deforestation
• Altered more than 50% of earths land by clearing forests/fields, building cities, damming rivers, removing mountain tops
• CO2 production is still warming the earth
• Affected plant and animal species
• Rise of fossil fuels
• Industrialization of Agriculture
• Urbanization