ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE- CHAPTER I
How Did it Begin;Basic Concepts & Chapter 1
1. ECLECTIC SCIENCE –[example of inter-relationship]
Regional Environmental Concerns [North America-Resource 2 Power Points]
Important]
2. Wilderness North [Governmental Ownership; Mining; Cultural Conflicts ANWR]
3. Dry West [Water Needs; Ranching/Rangelands; Population Shift]
4. Forested West [Timber Based Economy; Endangered Species; Land Use, Human
Impact, Neem- hint “old trees”]
5. Agricultural Middle [Non-Point Source Pollution; Rachel Carson & Birth of
Modern Environmental Science; Dead Zone [lack of oxygen] is caused by thisWhy]
6. Industrial North/Great Lakes [Industrial –Point Source Pollution; Water
Transport; Bio-accumulation; Advisories; Urban Life]
7. Diverse South [Industry Domination; Poverty; Exploitation; Population shift;
Loss of Wetlands]
SEE RESOURCE 2> Power Points Ch 1 for above
UNDERSTANDING TEXT-BOOK & CHAPTER DISTRIBUTION
A. TWO BROAD DIVISIONS> 1. BIOLOGICAL/ECOLOGICAL BASE [Biodiversity/
Biotic/Inter-relationship/ De-Forestation/Wetlands/Invasive
Species/Population/Community [Chs 1 to 11> with focus primarily on Ecology &
Ecosystems] example in class – the snake head fish- another excellent example –
CHINESE TALLOW in Harris County & local extinction-wetland development]
2. POLLUTION?CONTAMINATION BASED > LAND- AIR & WATER
includes Land Use/Soils/Agriculture/Air/Water/ENV REGS/EPA/NEPA>CHs 12
on to 20> Key Concept> Affecting the Health viaa. Ingestion; b: Absorption;
c. Inhalation-Driving the Environmental Industry Currently- [
REGULATIONS PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN “SMOOTH
RUNNING” OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN BOTH DIVISIONS
[some bold letter words refer to material not directly covered in class]
Below are some mix & match-terms/concepts in preparation for Quiz 1
a. EPA & EARTH DAY
b. RACHEL CARSON
c. LOVE CANAL
d. CITES
e. SPOTTED OWL
f. WETLANDS
g. EXTINCTION [Local vs Mass Extinction]
h. POPULATION FLUCTUATIONS [Yellowstone Wolves- Predators vs
Preys***
i. RCRA
j. CERCLA & SUPERFUND
k. SARA [not covered but closely related to CERCLA- why- insert]
l. NEPA
m. SALMON UNDER STRESS [involves both 1 & 2]> the 4 “H” PREFIXED
TERMS> PP SLIDE
n. OZONE
o. GREENHOUSE GASES
p.RENEWABLE RESOURCES vs NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES [use
these terms to explain Sustainability]
q.NIMBY SYNDROME
r. ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE [insert a good example]
B. GLOBAL CONCERNS ARE ADRESSED VIA INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION:
1. RIO CONFERENCE- Bio-Diversity via Deforestation plus ------------------[insert]
2. KYOTO PROTOCOL- Green House Gas Emissions—current understanding-----------------------[insert]
3. MONTREAL CONFERENCE [1987]- subject OZONE HOLE- culprit CFC’sgradual phase out- Results ---------------Insert
4. SUSTAINABILITY> ---------------Read & Understand
5. GLOBAL WARMING ----- Know the Cause(s)
6. CLIMATE CHANGE [Global vs Local Imprint------Insert Examples]
C. -SOME EXAMPLES OF COMPLEXITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
a. US & MEXICO [labor/pollution]
b. US & CANADA [acid rain]
c. India & Bangla-Desh
d. Building New Dams
e. THREE GORGES DAM BY CHINA [tied to d]
f. NAFTA [Treaty Between US, Mexico & Canada]> what is the “sore point or
“fear”
You can “add-on” at least 3 more
Home Work Announced in Class is due on February 1 about 1-2 pages single spaced