CHAPTER 1 PPT

• Environmental Science


  An interdisciplinary field that includes both scientific and social aspects of human impact on the world
• Environmental science is a field of study that is evolving and is rooted in the early history of civilization
• Aspects of environmental science

  • Politics
  • Social organization
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Philosophy
• Environment


  Usually understood to mean the surrounding conditions that affect an organism, but broader definition is everything that affects an organism during its lifetime
• Science


  An approach to studying the natural world that involves formulating hypotheses and then testing them to see if the hypotheses are supported or refuted
• First Earth Day


  April 22, 1970
• Environmental science incorporates the scientific aspects of these courses with input from the social sciences, such as economics, sociology, and political science, creating a new interdisciplinary field
• Environmental science and engineering

  Closely interconnected as they both focus on solving environmental problems and promoting sustainability
• Water Treatment


  • Environmental scientists study the contaminants and their effects on ecosystems, while engineers design treatment plants that purify water for safe consumption
• Interrelatedness


  A core concept of environmental science that emphasizes that all components of the environment—living organisms, ecosystems, climate, and human activities—are interconnected
• Changes or disturbances in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout the entire system
• Ecosystem


  A region in which the organisms and the physical environment form an interacting unit
• Within an ecosystem there is a complex network of interrelationships
• Environmental problems often cross political boundaries, unlike most social and political decisions
• Air pollution can affect multiple local governments, states, provinces, and nations
• Environmental challenges transcend borders, impacting health, economies, and policies
• Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


  1992
• Agenda 21


  Policy statements on sustainable development that were a key outcome of the Earth Summit
• Follow-up conferences to the Earth Summit to assess progress

  1997 and 2002
• Kyoto Conference on Climate Change

  1997
• Commitments from participating nations at the Kyoto Conference


  • Reduce overall emissions of six greenhouse gases by at least 5% below 1990 levels
  • Timeframe: Between 2008 and 2012
• The Kyoto Protocol was viewed as a significant step in environmental protection and international diplomacy
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment initiated by the United Nations

  2005
• Ecosystem services evaluated in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

  • Supporting services: Photosynthesis, soil formation, nutrient cycling, water cycling
  • Provisioning services: Food, fiber, genetic resources, natural medicines, freshwater
  • Regulating services: Air quality, water flow, erosion control, water purification, climate control, disease regulation, pest regulation, pollination, natural hazards
  • Cultural services: Spiritual, religious, aesthetic values, recreation
• The overall report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found a negative impact due to human population growth, soil loss, and overconsumption of water resources
• Early civilization waste management practices

  • Hunter-Gatherer Era: Nomads left waste where convenient, relying on natural decomposition
  • Settled Society: Traditional waste disposal near settlements, which attracted disease-carrying pests and led to food scarcity
  • Resource Conservation: Societies needed to use resources wisely for long-term survival, but unsustainable practices led to downfall
• Early civilization water management practices


  • Importance of Surface Water: Essential for drinking, cooking, and transportation
  • Historical Practices: Mesopotamia relied on rivers (Tigris and Euphrates)
  • Advanced Techniques: China used deep wells and possibly water treatment, Rome built aqueducts, dams, and sewers for public health, Egypt practiced water disinfection as early as 3000 BCE
• Early civilization air quality issues

  • Natural Sources of Air Pollution: Volcanic eruptions and wildfires predated human impact
  • Human Contributions: Fire harnessing, metalworking, and smelting released pollutants, burning wood, tanning, and urban decay also affected air quality
  • Historical Perspective: Ancient Rome faced poor air quality due to kitchen smoke and soot
• Middle Ages (500-1500) challenges

  • Urbanization: Feudalism led to city population surges, especially among the poor
  • Pollution: Rapid growth caused waste, water, and air pollution
  • Health Crisis: The Bubonic Plague affected 30-60% of Europe's population
• Middle Ages solid waste management challenges

  • Urbanization: Cities struggled with garbage disposal due to limited space
  • Disposal Methods: Trash was burned, buried, or left in streets, leading to pollution and pests
  • Public Health: The Black Death emphasized the need for change
• Middle Ages water management challenges

  • Decline of Roman Infrastructure: Water supply systems deteriorated after Rome's fall
  • Contaminated Water Sources: Overused wells and surface water were often polluted
• Middle Ages water management early improvements

  • Inventions: Sir John Harrington's water closet (1589)
  • Legislation: English Parliament prohibited garbage disposal into waterways (1388)
  • Sewer Systems: Paris built extensive sewers in the 1690s
• Middle Ages air quality challenges

  • Common Practices: Burning wood, coal, and garbage polluted indoor and outdoor air
  • Industrialization: England's reliance on sulfur-rich sea-coal increased
• Middle Ages air quality early awareness and solutions

  • John Evelyn's "Fumifugium" (1661) advocated cleaner fuel sources
  • Leadership: James I ordered cleaner-burning coal from Scotland
• Middle Ages public health challenges


  • Lack of Modern Practices: No efficient waste management systems
  • Occupational Health Concerns: Industry raised health issues
• Middle Ages public health early efforts

  • Legislation: Restrictions on dumping waste into waterways
  • Pamphlets on Occupational Health: Ulrich Ellenbog (1473) - first pamphlet on occupational diseases and injuries, focusing on goldsmiths and Agricola (1556) - published a treatise outlining the hazards and techniques associated with assaying, mining, and smelting metals
• The Age of Enlightenment (1560-1800) saw humanitarian efforts and advocacy for applying scientific discoveries to improve hygiene and combat diseases
• During the Age of Enlightenment, urban growth led to inconsistent waste management practices, which Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia and Jonathan Swift in London highlighted the need to address
• The Age of Enlightenment saw scientific and technological advances in soil conservation, environmental activism, and the promotion of sustainable practices
• During the Age of Enlightenment, filtration techniques and public water supply initiatives improved water quality and sanitation