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
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Environment includes all the living
and nonliving things with which
organisms interact.
Environment
ecosystem
abiotic
biotic
Hypothesis, prediction, independent
population
variable, dependent variable,
ecological footprint
controlled study, data
sustainable
fossil fuels
Theory, peer review, ethics,
natural resources
environmental ethics
renewable/nonrenewable resources
Environmental Science Connections
Indicator: understand ES as interactions between different
branches of science
Assignment! Sheet available!
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Brainstorm a list of branches of
science that you know of (list 7, use
phones if necessary) – (7 marks).
Environmental
Science
Summarize/define each of these
branches (7 marks).
Justify how they may be connected
to environmental science and
another science they are similar to Then make one of
(14 marks).
these, fill it in (12
marks)
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?
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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)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdsAp8p1O30
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 (Lithosphere) Biosphere –
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How might one affect another?
Place-Based Learning
Indicator:
discuss importance of place-based learning through
living with and in the environment
.
Environmental Stewardship – what does
this mean and how does it relate to
place-based learning?
One does not simply
Imagine you’re from a Place-Based Background
Think and Answer:
In School What might you find difficult?
What might you prefer?
walk into Environmental Stewardship
Personal Connections to Environment
Indicator: - examine how one’s connection to the environment is influenced by personal
experiences and cultural understandings
- examine diverse worldviews and how they influence interactions with the environment.
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What are your beliefs (which centric are you)?
Ecocentric – organisms and enviro important
regardless of their usefulness.
Biocentric - considering all forms of life having of
intrinsic value.
How might your background influence you into
thinking this way?
Environmental Worldviews (complete vocabulary
prior to discussion):
anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric,
technocentric and ecofeminist.
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
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Where do you stand – what does each mean
and which do you identify with most? Why?
- Anthropocentric
- biocentric
- ecocentric
- technocentric
- ecofeminist
Break into numbered groups – role play how you
would respond to waking up in the morning…
and there is a spider on your dresser - according
to your given belief
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“Green Politics” – how do these ways of thinking
influence decision making.
How might this influence your decision-making on a
daily basis?
Sustainability, Economics and Environmental Policy
vocabulary/self-assess
*=more important
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*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
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Environmental Science – is it a public
concern yet? Even if you’re Anthropocentric…
How has the view on sustainability changed over time?
Was it considered 100 years ago?
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Sustainability – what does it mean and involve?
How is it viewed? Is it currently an issue?
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What might the relationship be between
environmental issues and economics?
Environmental Science History
Indicator: outline key events, including the industrial revolution, medical
revolution, green revolution (agriculture), and the environmental revolution
which contributed to the development of environmental science as a discipline.
What do these involve? What did it lead to?
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Agricultural Revolution
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Industrial Revolution
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Medical Revolution
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Green Revolution
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Environmental Revolution and Sustainability
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How are these tied to the world’s economy?
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How does this tie into the development of ES as a broad discipline?
Increasing Survival --> Become Superior to and
Manipulate --> Stewardship (protect it)
Environmental Systems
Indicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its
boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations,
feedback loops, and synergistic nature.
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What is a system? Example
Inputs, outputs
TYPE
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Positive Feedback Loop
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Negative Feedback Loop
A system is a network of
relationships among parts,
elements, or components
that interact with and
influence one another
through the exchange of
energy, matter or
information.
Feedback Loop Examples
What is feedback?
Positive Feedback Loops – AMP/Mic
A produces more of B which in turn makes more A.
Negative Feedback Loops – Sweating!
A leads to B which helps stabilize/cancel out A.
Examples in nature?
Characteristics of Systems
Indicator: Provide an example of a specific environmental system – its boundaries,
inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, and feedback loops
EXAMPLE:
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In and Out Flow -
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Storage -
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Transfers and Transformations of Energy -
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Positive and Negative Feedbacks -
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Synergistic Properties -
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Feedback Loops -
Environmental Systems - Cycles
Indicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its
boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations,
feedback loops, and synergistic nature.
Co-Op Learning Group – your group is
assigned to a cycle, provide 5 points regarding
how it may work and its importance.
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Carbon Cycle (connect to humans with loops)
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Phosphorus Cycle
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Water Cycle
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Food Chain/Energy Transfers
Note the connections between a certain area to a greater system
Why? Maintenance, organisms
need water. Transports
nutrients and energy
Why? Amino acids – proteincreation.
Cycles/Systems
Why? Essential
limiting nutrient in
DNA/RNA
Why? All organic compounds
have/need carbon.
Nitrogen continued
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
Square Activity – two groups
- be prepared for Petlak to “add
things” – try to fit people into a
small square… ecosystems have
and need…
Steady-State Equilibrium - balance
Carrying capacity – limit
How do these relate to a natural
ecosystem’s survival?
A system is a network of
relationships among parts,
elements, or components
that interact with and
influence one another
through the exchange of
energy, matter or
information.
Environmental System Analysis
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.
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.
Environmental Policy
Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important
information that can be used for setting environmental policy and
informing economic decision making.
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When doing research remember the scientific
method.
Controlled experiments with independent and
dependent variables.
Hypothesize, predict, and get your work
reviewed by peers – make it repeatable.
All of this increases credibility. “Studies
show”
Environmental Policy
Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important
information that can be used for setting environmental policy and
informing economic decision making.
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Economics
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Cost-benefit Analysis → Supply and Demand
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Non-market value for ecosystems
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market failure (markets do not reflect
full costs and benefits)
Economics is the study of
how resources are
converted into goods and
services and how these
goods and services are
distributed and used.
Ecolabeling – being eco-safe helps place value.
Environmental Policy
Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important
information that can be used for setting environmental policy and
informing economic decision making.
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Environmental Policy
– setting rules for companies
Command and control approach
- government makes a command and
attempts to control it through laws
Subsidies – bonuses, cash back
green taxes – pay more for products that hurt enviro
cap-and-trade (companies have a cap, but can trade
it to others if they don’t hit it). Square activity – sell
excess space to the other group (company).
Environmental Policy
Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important
information that can be used for setting environmental policy and
informing economic decision making.
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STEPS FOR MAKING CHANGE and CREATING
POLICIES
1. Identify the problem
2. Research the causes
3. Solution – envision one
4. Organized – get organized
5. Access politicians (people who can make change)
6. Policy – create and introduce a bill.
Unit 1 - Assessment
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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
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Focus on indicators!