Chapter 1 Interreationship Lecture2
Transcript of Chapter 1 Interreationship Lecture2
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LY SOPHANNAM.Sc. Environmental Management
BA / Foundation Year Course
Academic Year 2012/2013 2nd Semester
Lecture 2 Environmental Interrelationships
Curricular Unit Introduction to Environmental
Science
Faculty of Mathematics, Sciences, and EngineeringPannasastra University of Cambodia
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The Field of Environmental Science
Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, andincludes applied and theoretical aspects of human
impacts on the world.
A mixture of traditional science, individual andsocietal values, and political awareness.
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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems
Environmentis everything that affects an organismduring its lifetime.
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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd
Most social and political decisions are made withrespect to political jurisdictions.
Environmental problems do not necessarilycoincide with artificial boundaries.
vForest fires in Mexico affecting air quality inTexas;
vAir pollutants from U.S. causing acid rain inCanada.
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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd
International agencies such as the InternationalJoint Commission have major bearing on
environmental quality over broad regions.
Established in 1909, in part, to protect boundarywaters between the U.S. and Canada.
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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd
First worldwide meeting on Environment: the EarthSummit (United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development) in Rio de Janeiro
in 1992.
Most countries have also signed agreements onsustainable development and biodiversity.
In 1997, representatives from 125 nations met inKyoto, Japan for the Third Conference of the
United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange.
Kyoto protocol is viewed as one of the mostimportant steps to date in environmentalprotection and diplomatic diplomacy.
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An Ecosystem Approach
v Ecosystem-Region in which the organisms andthe physical environment form an interacting unit.
Demarcation of ecosystem is made in the purposeof ecosystem-based management projects.
Ecosystem: discrete and indistinct boundary.v Ecosystem approach requires a look at the way the
natural world is organized.
Environmental scientists task is to recognize andunderstand the interactions and integration of
humans with the natural world.
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Regional Environmental Concerns
Regions of North America
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Wilderness North
v Wilderness- areas with minimal human influence.i.e. much of Alaska and Northern Canada land
v Economic values: trees, animals, scenery, andother natural resources.
v Much land owned by government.
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Wilderness North Contd
vCause to Environmental problems
o Serve climate of wilderness with unwiseexploitation;
o Short-term political and economic decisions
failed to view at long-term environmentalimplications.
v Solutionso View at the scientific, recreational and
economics values of wilderness from Politicians;
o Increasingly sophisticated in negotiation;
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Concern from citizens, business interests, andenvironmental activists;
Compromised made by government to ensure wisedecisions taking into account the balance
economic benefits with social and cultural benefits.
Wilderness North Contd
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Agricultural Middle
Middle of North America is dominated by intensiveagriculture.
Original, natural ecosystems have been replacedby managed agriculture.
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Agricultural Middle Contd
Tremendous economic value due to rich soilresources.o Mostly private land - large economic risks;o Farm failure: drought, disease, lack of markets,
increasing labor shortage, and fuel and
equipment costs.
v Cause to Environmental problems Major non-point pollution source; Tilling the land for agriculture; Using fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture
chemicals.
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vEnvironmental problems Air pollution, Soil erosion, Siltation, water and
groundwater contamination;
Effecting on wild animal, human exposure.v Solutions Sustainable agriculture:
- Food choices, organic agriculture/foods;
- Land stewardship encouragement;
- Farmers stay tuned to the use of modern
technology.
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Agricultural Middle Contd
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Dry West
Areas where rainfall is inadequate, but adequate toallow livestock production.
Because land in Western U.S. is of low economicvalue, most is still controlled by the U.S.
government. Encourage uses by providing cheap water for
livestock and irrigation, cheap grazing fees, andaccess for industrial development.
Water is an extremely valuable resources in thisregion.
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Dry West Contd
As cities grow, conflict arises between urbandwellers and ranchers and farmers in terms of
water use.
Increased demand will result in shortages andresulting trade-off decisions.
However, much land has low population densitytending towards wilderness character.
Economic livestock vs. wilderness preservation.
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Forested West
Coastal and mountainous regions of westernUnited States and Canada receive sufficient rainfall
to allow coniferous forests.
Most of areas are not suitable for farmland. Government and commercial timber companies
own large sections of land.
Historically, much of this timber has been sold ata loss.
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Forested West Contd
In 1993, USFS was directed to stop below-costtimber sales.
Timber officials claim access to public land isnecessary to remain in business and support the
economy; Conservationists argue ecological and intangible
values outweigh economic values.
vNorthern Spotted Owl in Oregon has becomea symbol of conflict between logging and
preservation.
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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast
Dominated by large metropolitan complexes withlarge, complex resource demands.
Previously formed around by industries whichhave declined, leaving behind abandoned sites
and environmental problems.
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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd
One of the greatest problems is watercontamination from toxic materials.
- Accidental spillage or leakage due to
transportation;
Bioaccumulation in food chain.v Fish Consumption Advisories to problems Prohibited fishing in contaminated areas; Warn against eating certain fish.
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vPublic Concerns economic value of recreational use is extremelyhigh due to overpopulation;
contaminated areas do not enhance tourism orquality of life;
lack of opportunity to interact with nature/wilderness;
Conflicts: Water for industry/shipping vs. Waterfor recreation
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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd
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The Diverse South
Microcosm of all other regions. Extremely rapid population growth in some
areas such as coastal regions.
vPockets of extreme poverty;vIndustrial development acceptance.
Environmental Problems:o Groundwater, transportation;o Natural ecosystem;o Loss of wetlands.