Curricular Unit Introduction to Environmental Science

LY SOPHANNA
M.Sc. Environmental Management

BA / Foundation Year Course Academic Year 2012/2013 2nd Semester Lecture 2 Environmental Interrelationships

Faculty of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Pannasastra University of Cambodia

The Field of Environmental Science

Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, and includes applied and theoretical aspects of human impacts on the world. A mixture of traditional science, individual and societal values, and political awareness.

Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems

Environment is everything that affects an organism during its lifetime.

Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd

Most social and political decisions are made with respect to political jurisdictions. Environmental problems do not necessarily coincide with artificial boundaries. v Forest fires in Mexico affecting air quality in Texas; v Air pollutants from U.S. causing acid rain in Canada.

Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd

International agencies such as the International Joint Commission have major bearing on environmental quality over broad regions.

Established in 1909, in part, to protect boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada.

Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd

First worldwide meeting on Environment: the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Most countries have also signed agreements on sustainable development and biodiversity. In 1997, representatives from 125 nations met in Kyoto, Japan for the Third Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Kyoto protocol is viewed as one of the most important steps to date in environmental protection and diplomatic diplomacy.

An Ecosystem Approach
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Ecosystem - Region in which the organisms and the physical environment form an interacting unit. Demarcation of ecosystem is made in the purpose of ecosystem-based management projects. Ecosystem: discrete and indistinct boundary. Ecosystem approach requires a look at the way the natural world is organized. Environmental scientists task is to recognize and understand the interactions and integration of humans with the natural world.
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Regional Environmental Concerns

Regions of North America

Wilderness North
Wilderness - areas with minimal human influence. i.e. much of Alaska and Northern Canada land v Economic values: trees, animals, scenery, and other natural resources. v Much land owned by government.
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Wilderness North Contd

v o

Cause to Environmental problems Serve climate of wilderness with unwise exploitation; Short-term political and economic decisions failed to view at long-term environmental implications. Solutions View at the scientific, recreational and economics values of wilderness from Politicians; Increasingly sophisticated in negotiation;
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v o

Wilderness North Contd

Concern from citizens, business interests, and environmental activists; Compromised made by government to ensure wise decisions taking into account the balance economic benefits with social and cultural benefits.

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Agricultural Middle

Middle of North America is dominated by intensive agriculture. Original, natural ecosystems have been replaced by managed agriculture.

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Agricultural Middle Contd

Tremendous economic value due to rich soil resources. o Mostly private land - large economic risks; o Farm failure: drought, disease, lack of markets, increasing labor shortage, and fuel and equipment costs. Cause to Environmental problems Major non-point pollution source; Tilling the land for agriculture; Using fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture chemicals.
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Agricultural Middle Contd

Environmental problems Air pollution, Soil erosion, Siltation, water and groundwater contamination; Effecting on wild animal, human exposure. v Solutions Sustainable agriculture: - Food choices, organic agriculture/foods; - Land stewardship encouragement; - Farmers stay tuned to the use of modern technology.
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Dry West

Areas where rainfall is inadequate, but adequate to allow livestock production. Because land in Western U.S. is of low economic value, most is still controlled by the U.S. government. Encourage uses by providing cheap water for livestock and irrigation, cheap grazing fees, and access for industrial development. Water is an extremely valuable resources in this region.

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Dry West Contd

As cities grow, conflict arises between urban dwellers and ranchers and farmers in terms of water use. Increased demand will result in shortages and resulting trade-off decisions. However, much land has low population density tending towards wilderness character. Economic livestock vs. wilderness preservation.

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Forested West

Coastal and mountainous regions of western United States and Canada receive sufficient rainfall to allow coniferous forests. Most of areas are not suitable for farmland. Government and commercial timber companies own large sections of land. Historically, much of this timber has been sold at a loss.

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Forested West Contd

In 1993, USFS was directed to stop below-cost timber sales. Timber officials claim access to public land is necessary to remain in business and support the economy; Conservationists argue ecological and intangible values outweigh economic values.
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Northern Spotted Owl in Oregon has become a symbol of conflict between logging and preservation.
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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast

Dominated by large metropolitan complexes with large, complex resource demands. Previously formed around by industries which have declined, leaving behind abandoned sites and environmental problems.

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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd

One of the greatest problems is water contamination from toxic materials. - Accidental spillage or leakage due to transportation; Bioaccumulation in food chain. Fish Consumption Advisories to problems Prohibited fishing in contaminated areas; Warn against eating certain fish.

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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd

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Public Concerns economic value of recreational use is extremely high due to overpopulation; contaminated areas do not enhance tourism or quality of life; lack of opportunity to interact with nature/ wilderness; Conflicts: Water for industry/shipping vs. Water for recreation

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The Diverse South

Microcosm of all other regions. Extremely rapid population growth in some areas such as coastal regions. v Pockets of extreme poverty; v Industrial development acceptance. Environmental Problems: o Groundwater, transportation; o Natural ecosystem; o Loss of wetlands.
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