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Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Scienceand Sustainabilityand Sustainability
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Sustainability, is the ability of earths variousSustainability, is the ability of earths varioussystems to survive and adapt tosystems to survive and adapt toenvironmental conditions indefinitely.environmental conditions indefinitely.
The steps to sustainability must beThe steps to sustainability must be
supported by sound science.supported by sound science.
Sustainability: The Integrative ThemeSustainability: The Integrative Theme
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Sustainability and Natural CapitalSustainability and Natural Capital
Natural Capital is aNatural Capital is a
Key component ofKey component of
SustainabilitySustainability
Natural resources andNatural resources and
Natural Services thatNatural Services that
keep us and other lifekeep us and other life
forms alive andforms alive and
support our economiessupport our economies
Natural Capital isNatural Capital is
supported by solarsupported by solar
capital (energy fromcapital (energy from
sun)sun)
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Environmental Impact The environmental
impact of our use ofNatural Capital is
commonly referred to
an ecological footprint.Ecological footprints
determine the amount
of land needed tosustain an individual.
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Our Ecological Footprint
Humanitys ecological
footprint has exceeded
earths ecological
capacity. Figure 1-7Figure 1-7
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SolutionsSolutions
Solutions are needed to live sustainably.Solutions are needed to live sustainably.
Some solutions are not ideal and result inSome solutions are not ideal and result in
trade-offstrade-offs
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Environmental Worldviews
People have different views about
Environmental Problems and Their Solution
Planetary management worldview:Humans are the most important and dominant
beings and so therefore we should manage theplanet to our benefit (Use resources til they are
gone and find replacements)
Environmental Wisdom Worldview:We are part of the earth, we need the earth it
doesnt need us. Discourage waste, encourage
environmental sustainability.
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In making a shift toward sustainabilityIn making a shift toward sustainabilitydepends on the actions of individuals thatdepends on the actions of individuals that
live within that society.live within that society.
Sustainability and Natural CapitalSustainability and Natural Capital
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Aldo Leopold a leader inAldo Leopold a leader inthe conservation andthe conservation and
environmental movementsenvironmental movements
of the 20of the 20thth century believedcentury believed
that the human speciesthat the human species
should protect nature notshould protect nature not
conquer it.conquer it.
The individual is a memberThe individual is a member
of a community ofof a community of
interdependent partsinterdependent parts A Sand county AlmanacA Sand county Almanac
Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics
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Four Scientific Principles ofFour Scientific Principles of
Sustainability: Copy NatureSustainability: Copy Nature
To live sustainablyTo live sustainably
we should copywe should copy
naturenature Reliance on SolarReliance on Solar
EnergyEnergy
BiodiversityBiodiversity Population ControlPopulation Control
Nutrient RecyclingNutrient Recycling
Figure 1-16Figure 1-16
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