Science

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Empirical science

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a scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation.

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applied science

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research whose findings are used to help solve practical problems.

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environmental literacy

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a basic understanding of how ecosystems function and of the impact of our choices on the environment.

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trade-offs

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the imperfect and sometimes problematic responses that we must at times choose between when addressing complex problems.

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triple bottom line

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the combination of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our choices.

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CAUSES of wicked problems...

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burning fossil fuels
deforestation
methane from agriculture
affluence and consumption

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CONSEQUENCES of wicked problems...

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sea levels rise
habitat loss
species endangerment
spread of tropical disease
agriculture; worse in some areas and better than others.

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ACTIONS against wicked problems...

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alternative energy sources (less pollution but can be costly)

irrigation (increases crop yields but can cause water shortages and soil problems)

reforestation projects (lessen CO2 in atmosphere and increase habitats but may take land needed for agriculture or other uses)

protecting flood-prone areas with levees or sea walls (may protect cities and farms but may fragment aquatic habitats and isolate species populations)

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When the Vikings first arrived in Greenland, the climate was...

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uncharacteristically warm

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sustainable development

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development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

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environment

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the biological and physical surroundings in which any given living organism exists.

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environmental science

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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.

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how did vikings self-impose environmental destruction?

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-overgrazing
-soil erosion

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carrying capacity

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the population size that a particular environment can support indefinitely

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ecological footprint

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the land needed to provide the resources and assimilate the waste of a person or population

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anthropogenic

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caused by or related to human action

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sustainable

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a method of using resources in such a way that we can continue to use them indefinitely

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renewable energy

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energy that comes from an infinitely available or easily replenished source

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biodiversity

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the variety of species on earth

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the united nations millennium ecosystem assessment...

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looks at how environmental problems affect humans and makes recommendations about addressing those problems.

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unlike energy, matter...

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can be recycled and reused indefinitely.

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lately, sustainable ecosystems depend on...

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local biodiversity

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ecocide

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willful destruction of the natural environment

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social traps

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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.

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tragedy of the commons

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the tendency of an individual to abuse commonly held resources in order to maximize his or her own personal interest.

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time delay

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actions that produce a benefit today set into motion events that cause problems later on.

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sliding reinforcer

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actions that are beneficial at first but that change conditions such that their benefit declines over time.

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worldviews

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the window through which one views one's world and existence

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environmental ethic

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the personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with his or her natural environment and thus affects how one responds to environmental problems.

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anthropogenic worldview

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a human centered view that assigns intrinsic value only to humans

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instrumental value

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the value or worth of an object, organism, or species is based on its usefulness to humans

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biocentric worldview

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a life centered approach that views all life as having intrinsic value, regardless of its usefulness to humans.

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intrinsic value

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the value or worth of an object, organism, or species is based on its mere existence.

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ecocentric worldview

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a system centered view that values intact ecosystems, not just the individual parts.

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inferences

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conclusions we draw based on observations

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stratosphere

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region of the atmosphere that starts at the top of the troposphere and extends up to about 31miles; contains the ozone layer.

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UV radiation

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short wavelength electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun

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empirical evidence

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info gathered via observation of physical phenomena.

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falsifiable

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an idea or prediction that can be proved wrong by evidence.

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Montreal protocol

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international treaty that laid out plans to phase out ozone depleting chemicals like CFC