Unit 1 – What is Environmental
Science?
Outcome: Understand the
interdisciplinary nature, and
applications, of environmental science.
Environmental Science – study of
how the natural world works, how our
environment affects us, and how we
affect our environment.
Review/Self-Assess Vocabulary

Environment includes all the living
and nonliving things with which
organisms interact.
Environment
ecosystem
abiotic
biotic
population
ecological footprint
sustainable
fossil fuels
natural resources
renewable/nonrenewable resources
Hypothesis, prediction, independent
variable, dependent variable,
controlled study, data
Theory, peer review, ethics,
environmental ethics
Environmental Science Connections
Indicator: understand ES as interactions between different
branches of science




Brainstorm a list of branches
of science that you know of
(list at least 5, use phones if
necessary) – (5 marks).
Summarize/define each of
these branches (5 marks).
Justify how they may be
connected to environmental
science
(5 marks).
Submit (Total /15 marks)
Environmental
Science
Environmental Science Connections
Indicator: understand ES as interactions between different
branches of science

Biology – Ecology (organisms and
environment), Biotechnology, Botany (plants),
Zoology (animals), Microbiology (bacteria,
viruses, etc), Soil Biology (soil composition),
Mycology (fungi)
Chemistry characteristics of matter
Physics – energy, motion, space and time
Geology – of solid earth
Mineralogy – chemistry and structure of
minerals
Oceanography – of marine ecosystems
Geography – of earth its land, features, and
inhabitants
Economics?

Environmental Science Connections
Indicator: use an issue to relate other disciplines to ES and
describe interactions between different branches of science
Think of an environmental issue/crisis,
summarize what happened (5) and come
up with how at least four different
branches of science could be involved
(4), and justify if it was natural or
human-caused (1):
Floods in Alberta (2013)
Gulf of Mexico - BP Oil Spill (2010)
Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans (2005)
Chernobyl disaster (1986)
Dutch Elm Disease (1920s-2013ongoing)
Salinization of Fertile Crescent
(Mesopotamia) – 5000 BCE
Environmental Science Connections
Indicator: use an issue to consider the impact on Earth’s spheres
and how ES involves the interaction between all of Earth’s spheres

Remembering your environmental
issue – how might it affect the…
Atmosphere Hydrosphere –
Cryosphere Geosphere Biosphere –

How might one affect another?
Place-Based Learning
Personal Experience
Environmental Science Worldviews
Indicator: compare and contrast how different worldviews (anthropocentric,
biocentric, ecocentric, technocentric, ecofeminist, etc.) and associated ethics
influence individual decision making with respect to the environment

Where do you stand – what does each
mean and which do you identify with
most? Why?
- Anthropocentric
- biocentric
- ecocentric
- technocentric
- ecofeminist
“Green Politics”

How might this influence your decisionmaking on a daily basis?
Does it actually? Should it? Do you follow
through on these beliefs?
Sustainability, Economics and Environmental Policy
vocabulary/self-assess
*=more important

*Economics
supply
demand
sustainable
*cost-benefit analysis
*ecological economics
*environment economics
non-market value
market failure
*ecolabelling
*policy
*environment policy
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
command-and-control approach
*subsidy
*green taxes
cap and trade system
lobbying
Sustainability & Environmental Science
Indicator: Investigate the contemporary and historical social context of environmental
science and notions of sustainability. Industrial Revolution  Sustainability
Understand the relationship between environmental issues and economics

Environmental Science – is it a public concern?
(Polleverywhere.com)
How has the view on sustainability changed over time?

Sustainability – what does it mean and involve? How is it
viewed? Is it currently an issue?

What might the relationship be between environmental
issues and economics?
Sustainability & Environmental Science
Indicator: Investigate the contemporary and historical social context of environmental
science and notions of sustainability. Industrial Revolution  Sustainability
Understand the relationship between environmental issues and economics

Industrial Revolution


Green Revolution
Characteristics of Systems
Indicator: Describe general characteristics (in and out flow, storage, transfers and
transformations of energy, positive and negative feedbacks, synergistic properties) of
systems.

In and Out Flow

Storage

Transfers and Transformations of Energy

Positive and Negative Feedbacks

Synergistic Properties

Feedback Loops
Characteristics of Systems
Indicator: Provide an example of a specific environmental system – its boundaries,
inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, and feedback loops
EXAMPLE:

In and Out Flow -

Storage -

Transfers and Transformations of Energy -

Positive and Negative Feedbacks -

Synergistic Properties -

Feedback Loops -
Environmental Systems
Indicator: recognize how environmental science implements system
analysis and modeling in order to make sense of complex interactions
Environmental science utilizes the observation
of all different systems of life to make decisions
for change:
- Earth’s spheres
- human activity (sustainability and abuse);
- general characteristics of the natural
environment
This leads to the creation of models that simulate
environmental response to events.
Characteristics of Natural Ecosystems
Indicators: understand that the resilience of a natural ecosystem depends
on its ability to maintain steady-state equilibrium around its carrying
capacity
Steady-State Equilibrium -
Carrying capacity –
How do these relate to a natural ecosystem’s survival?
Environmental Science Regulations through Legislation
Indicator: understand the important role of environmental science in gathering
data to develop legislation and then regulate environmental practices or make
environmental decisions.

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Fields of environmental science collect data on
issues (animal population declines, habitat
destruction, temperature patterns)
Government needs data to see issues and
therefore adjust legislation to regulate
environmental practices.
Developing legislation requires popular
support.
Problems? Being 'Environmentally-Friendly'
costs money. People like money.
Unit 1 - Assessment


Verbal – exam questions are asked in
interview format – by appointment and/or
recommendation
Written – standard exam write-up
Definitions
Mult. Choice
True/False
Short/Long Answer
Visual/Charts/Compare&Contrast