Environmental Problems, Their Causes,

and Sustainability

Environmental Science: Study of Connections in Nature

“The environment is everything that isn’t me.“

Interdisciplinary science connecting information and ideas fromNatural sciences: ecology, biology, geology,

chemistry…Social sciences: geography, politics, economicsHumanities: ethics, philosophy

Environmental biology: emphasizing the living aspects of environmental science

Study of Connections in NatureHow nature works

How the environment affects us

How we affect the environment

How to deal with environmental problems

How to live more sustainably

Principles of Sustainability

Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.

Our lives and economies depend on these same principles.

From Simple Cell to Homo Sapiens

Fig. 1-2, p. 7

What is sustainability?Environmental Protection Agency

Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.

North Carolina State UniversityThe concept of sustainability centers on a balance of society, economy and environment for current and future health.  Responsible resource management in all three areas ensures that future generations will have the resources they need to survive and thrive.

Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability

1. Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels

photosynthesis

2. Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural

systems and species

3. Chemical cycling (nutrient cycling) Circulation of chemicals from the environment to

organisms and then back to the environment

Three Principles of Sustainability

Natural CapitalNatural capital includes

Natural resources—useful materials and energy in nature

Natural services—important nature processes such as renewal of air, water, and soil

Humans degrade natural capital

Scientific solutions needed for sustaining natural capital

Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services

Fig. 1-4, p. 9

Natural Capital Degradation

Fig. 1-6, p. 10

What is the problem?What is the solution?What tools do we need?

Our Ecological Footprints Affect the Earth

As our ecological footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital.

Environmental degradation (natural capital degradation) is the wasting, depleting, and degrading of the earth’s natural capital

Fig. 1-9, p. 13