Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Environmental Science
Class Introduction and
Induction
Introduction
• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• Ability to explain natural phenomenon and environmental problems caused by human activities
• Ability to predict population growth, natural resource demands, waste generations in future
• Ability to suggest simple sustainable strategies to mitigate the impact of human activities on the
environment and
“One natural
thing resource.
I have learned in a long life: That all our science, measured against reality, is
primitive and childlike - and yet it is the most precious thing we have.”
Rules and Policies
• Class starts at 8:00M every Friday
• With at least one 15-minute break.
• Exception provided if
• I am notified beforehand
• Medical emergency: must have valid doctor’s note, subject to follow-up inspection by me or Dept. of Academic
Affairs
• Family emergency: family member’s medical emergency, bereavement, celebrations… according to my discretion
Attendance Tracker
• Attendance will be checked in every lecture via QR codes
• Students must have a Google account and a smartphone with QR scanner app
installed
• Scan the QR code provided to each one student with your mobile phone and
follow the link
• Each student can only scan their own code, no exceptions
Rules and Policies
• Taking part in classroom discussion/debate/Q&A results in bonus points or other benefits
at my discretion
• Benefits includes but are not limited to exam prohibition revoked, quiz waived or bonus points
• English only in class. Questions and Answers in any other languages will not be considered.
• Final Exam:40%
11
Group Presentation Topics
• Your options:
• 7 environmental issues
• 12 topics
• Details available on Blackboard
• Each topic has a list guiding questions which are to help with your
presentation
•They are NOT presentation content
15
Group Presentation Topics
• Your options:
• 7 environmental issues
• 12 topics
• Details available on Blackboard
Issue: 1
Topic: 1
Group Member’s Name Contribution Percentage Description
Lê Thị C 20%
Lê Thị C 20% 65
• Section 1-2: How are our ecological footprints affecting the earth?
Physical
Lithosphere
• Environment includes all Environment
• Sustainability: the capacity of the Earth’s natural systems and human cultural systems to survive,
flourish and adapt to changing environmental conditions into the very long-term future
• Key components:
Human
Sustainability
Life depends activities can Solutions can
begins at
on natural degrade be found and
personal and
capital natural implemented
local levels
capital
Natural Capital
Solar Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services
energy
Air
Renewable
energy
Air purification
Climate control
Life UV protection
(biodiversity)
(ozone layer)
Nonrenewable
minerals Population
control
Water purification
Pest
Water control
Waste treatment
Soil
Soil renewal Food production
Nonrenewable Nutrient
energy recycling
Land
Natural resources
Natural services Fig. 1-3, p. 9
Renewable vs. Non-renewable
Renewable Non-renewable
• They can form and replenish fairly • They do not form or replenish in a
easily in a short period of time short period of time
• Typically need much longer than a human
life-time
• Requires
sustainable yield
• Def: the highest
rate at which we
can use a
renewable resource
eliminate its supply
Sustainable Yield
Climate Shrinking
change forests
Decreased
Air pollution wildlife
habitats
Species
Soil erosion extinction
Water
pollution
Declining
Aquifer ocean fisheries
depletion
Aquifer (n.): a body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater.
Fig. 1-5, p. 11
Pollution
• Pollution (n.): introduction of harmful materials (pollutants) into the environment. (National Geography)
• Pollute (v.): contaminate (water, the air, etc.) with harmful substances (Oxford Dictionary)
• Pollutant (n.): chemical or other substance that harms a natural resource. (National Geography)
Source: National Geography Source: Suston Magazine Source: Hindustan Times Source: South China Morning Post
Light Pollution
• Cleanup
• After pollutants already in the environment
• Temporary
• Can results in different pollution
• E.g. burning garbage
• Dispersed pollutants can be too costly to cleanup
bit.ly/ESHwk1Sem3
• Use the information in the link above to
answer questions on Blackboard