Understanding Our

Environment

What Is Environmental
Science?

Current Conditions
We Live On A Marvelous Planet
No other known planet is remotely
habitable

We Face Many Serious Environmental

Problems
There Are Also Many Signs of Hope
Calculating Your Ecological Footprint
We are using more than one Earth
Need 4 Earths to sustain U.S. Standard
for everyone

A Brief History of Conservation

and Environmentalism
Nature Protection Has Historic Roots
Resource Waste Inspired Pragmatic,
Utilitarian Conservation
Ethical And Aesthetic Concerns
Inspired The Preservation Movement
1890-1910: John Muir, Sierra Club,
Teddy Roosevelt
1930s: Dust Bowl, CCC, New Deal

A Brief History of Conservation

and Environmentalism
Rising Pollution Levels Led To the
Modem Environmental Movement
1970s: Earth Day
1990s: Kyoto Accords, Global
warming
Environmental Quality Is Tied To
Social Progress

Human Dimensions Of
Environmental Science
We Live In An Inequitable World
Is There Enough For Everyone?
You cant get an infinite amount of
anything (like people) into a finite world
You cant get an infinite amount of
anything (like petroleum) out of a finite
world

Recent Progress Is Encouraging

Life Expectancy-1930

Life Expectancy-1960

Life Expectancy-1990

Global Corruption

Human Rights Index

Religious Freedom

Sustainable Development
Can Development Be Truly
Sustainable?
Can Freedom Exist in a No-Growth
World?
What Is The Role Of International
Aid?
Indigenous People Are Important
Guardians Of Nature

Environmental Ethics
We Can Extend Moral Value To People
And Things
Faith, Conservation, And Justice
Many Faiths Support Environmental
Conservation
Environmental Justice Combines Civil
Rights and Environmental Protection
Environmental Racism Distributes
Hazards Inequitably