How the natural world works and how the environment affects humans and vice versa
Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources
Renewable natural resources: can be replenished
-Perpetually renewed: sunlight and wind
-Renew themselves over short periods: timber
-These can be destroyed
Nonrenewable natural resources: unavailable after depletion-Oil, coal, minerals
What is a carbon footprint? How does the United States footprint relate to other countries
the cumulative amount of carbon that a person emits, and is indirectly responsible for emitting, into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change
Explain the tragedy of the commons. Who was responsible for this idea?
unregulated exploitation of public resources leads to depletion and damage
–Soil, air, water
Garret Hardin
What are ecosystem services? How are they degraded?
Earth’s natural resources provide “services” to us
arise from the normal functioning of natural services
Examples:
Purify air and water
cycle nutrients
regulate climate
Pollinate plants
receive and recycle wastes
-By depleting resources
destroying habitat
generating pollution
Increased human affluence has intensified degradation
Define sustainability and biodiversity.
we must live within our planet’s means so the Earth and its resources can sustain us and all life for the future
involves conserving resources
Define biodiversity.
the cumulative number and diversity of living things