LECTURE 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental science is a field that deals with the study of interaction between human systems and natural systems.
• Natural systems involve the earth itself and life.
• Human systems are primarily the populations of the earth.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental studies are the study of social sciences to understand human interactions with the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Environmental engineering is the focus on analyzing and deducing problems with the environment and the effect of man-made programs
on the environment, and for finding solutions to help protect and preserve the environment by disposing of pollution in the air, water, and
land.

• CLIMATE CHANGE • POLLUTION

• BIODIVERSITY • NATURAL RESOURCES
• ENERGY • ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

• ECOLOGY – Study of organisms and the environment interacting with one another.
• GEOSCIENCE – Concerns the study of geology, soil science, volcanoes, and the Earth’s crust as they relate to the environment.
• ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE – Study of the Earth’s atmosphere. It analyzes the relation of the Earth’s atmosphere to the
atmospheres of other systems.
• ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY – Study of the changes in the chemical make-up of the environment, such as contamination
of the soil, pollution of the water, degradation of chemicals, and the transport of chemicals upon the plants and animals of the
immediate environment.

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

• To realize that environmental problems are global.
• To understand the impacts of development on the environment.
• To discover sustainable ways of living.
• To utilize natural resources efficiently.
• To shed light on contemporary concepts such as how to conserve biodiversity.
• To learn and create awareness about environmental problems at local, national and international levels.

EARTH 1970
• Voting rights were strengthened
• Civil rights were outlined
• Women were demanding equal treatment

“Our Earth, Our Future” Earth Day – April 22 “Protect Our Species” – Earth Day 2019
1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill
“End Plastic Pollution” – 2018 91% of plastic goes unrecycled

9 REASONS TO REFUSE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC

1. Made from fossil fuels 6. Causes hormone disruption and cancers
2. Huge carbon footprint 7. Pollutes our oceans
3. Will still be here in hundreds of years 8. Kills marine animals and birds
4. Only a tiny percentage is recycled 9. Enters our food chain
5. Leaches toxins into food and drink

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. No poverty 10. Reduced inequalities
2. Zero hunger 11. Sustainable cities and communities
3. Good health and well-being 12. Responsible consumption and production
4. Quality education 13. Climate action
5. Gender equality 14. Life below water
6. Clean water and sanitation 15. Life on land
7. Affordable and clean energy 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
8. Decent work and economic growth 17. Partnerships for the goals
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic…and act as if the house was on fire.”
- Greta Thunberg (Environmental Activist)