ENVI- 1 introduction
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This document provides an introduction to environmental science and environmental education. It discusses how humans now have the power to impact the environment through resource extraction, waste production, and modification of the natural world in ways that threaten both human and other species' existence. It also notes that while solutions to environmental problems are understood, implementing them faces social, economic, and political challenges. The document defines key terms like environment, environmental science, ecology, and sustainable civilization. It also outlines the scientific method and different levels of ecological organization.
ENVI- 1 introduction
- 2. We inhabit in two worlds One is the natural world of plants, animals, soils, air and water. The other is the world of social institutions and artifacts that we create for ourselves using science, technology, and political organizations. Both worlds are essential to our lives, integrating them successfully causes enduring tensions.
- 3. Where earlier people had limited ability to alter their surroundings, we now have power to extract and consume resources, produce wastes, and modify our world in ways that threaten both our continued existence and that of many organisms with which we share our planet.
- 4. “ ” Remedies are now well understood; the problem is to make them socially, economically and politically acceptable. Barbara Ward, Economist “Foresters know how to plant trees, but not how to establish conditions under which villagers in developing countries can manage plantations for themselves. Engineers know how to control pollution, but not know how to persuade factories to install the necessary equipment. City planners know how to design urban areas, but not know how to make them affordable to the poorest members of society. The solutions to these problems increasingly involve human social systems as well as natural science.”
- 5. To ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations, we need to understand something about how our world works, what we are doing to it, and what we can do to protect and improve it.
- 6. What is Environmental Education? A process by which people develop awareness, concern and knowledge of the environment and learn to use this understanding to preserve, conserve and utilize the environment in a sustainable manner for the benefit of present and future generations It is intended for all types of learners, students, out-of- school youth, community leaders, policy makers and general public to develop appropriate environment-related skills It aims to provide different groups of people as well as graduates in a variety of professional fields with the knowledge needed to develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the rational utilization of its riches
- 8. WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE CIVILIZATION?
- 9. WE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS QUESTION FROM SEVERAL VIEWPOINTS: • The environment and human health • A stable economy that uses energy and resources efficiently • Social and political systems that lead to a just society
- 10. IN A SUSTAINABLE CIVILIZATION… • Technologies used for production of needed goods are not harmful to the environment or to human health. • Renewable resources (such as plant- based substances or solar energy) are used rather than those, like fossil fuels, that will eventually run out.
- 11. IN A SUSTAINABLE CIVILIZATION… • Materials are recycled at the end of their use if they are not biodegradable (easily broken down into harmless substances in the environment).
- 12. IN A SUSTAINABLE CIVILIZATION… • Manufacturing processes are either designed so as not to produce waste products, – OR – • Waste products are recycled or biodegradable.
- 13. WHILE WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING THESE GOALS, WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO… • Mountains of solid waste are piling up— particularly in industrialized nations. • Air and water pollution continue to be problems in many places.
- 14. What Is Environment? Can be defined as the circumstances and conditions that surround an organism or group of organism The social and cultural conditions that affect an individual or community 14 Ecology and Environmental Science Ecology and environmental science are closely related disciplines, and familiarity with the principles of one is essential to fully understanding another.
- 15. What is Environmental Science? A systematic study of our environment and our place in it A relatively new field, environmental science is a highly interdisciplinary, which means that it involves many fields of study One important foundation of environmental science is ecology. What is Ecology? the study of how living things interact with each other For example, an ecologist might study the relationship between bees and the plants bees pollinate. However, an environmental scientist might investigate how the nesting behavior of bees is influenced by human activities such as the planting of suburban landscaping.
- 17. Levels of Organization in Ecology Organism is an individual living thing. A species is a group of organisms that are closely related with the same genetic characteristics and that can mate to produce fertile offspring. Population is all the members of the same species that live in the same place at the same time. Community is a group of various populations that live in the same place and interact with each other. Ecosystem is different communities working as a unit, interacting with both its physical and biological environment Biosphere is the region of the earth, which is made up of interacting ecosystems and where all possible life exists
- 19. The Scientific Method Define or State a Problem Formulate Hypothesis Collect Data Test the Hypothesis Formulate a Conclusion or Generalization