1. humansandenvironmentppt

HUMANS & THE ENVIRONMENTSocSci1

In this presentation... Natural environment Humans vis-a-vis the Environment

Human impact on ecosystems Consequences of human

modification of the environment Effect of natural hazards to

humans Environmental challenges

Advocacy/Call to action Perspectives on the Environment

The Natural Environment comprises all living and non-living

things that occur naturally on Earth or some part of it

The Natural EnvironmentKey components:

landscape units/natural systems without massive human intervention [includes all plants, animals, rocks, etc. and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries]

natural resources and physical phenomena [air, water, and climate, as well as energy, radiation, electric charge, and magnetism, not originating from human activity]

Natural features which occur within areas heavily influenced by man (such as wild birds in urban gardens).

4 basic components of Earths physical systems

Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere

Natural Environment vs Built Environment

built environment comprises the areas and components that are heavily influenced by man

natural environment (with an indefinite article), if the human impact on it is kept under a certain limited level

wilderness refers to areas without any human intervention whatsoever (or almost so).

The Natural Environment

ECOSYSTEM: COMPLEX WEB LINKING ANIMALS,

PLANTS, AIR, WATER AND EVERY OTHER LIFEFORM IN THE BIOSPHERE

STEADY STATE OF DYNAMIC BALANCE; BY ALTERING ANY ONE PART YOU AFFECT ALL THE OTHERS...

HUMAN SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON PRESERVING THE ECOSYSTEM

The Natural Environment Ecology (from Greek: , oikos,

"household"; and , logos, "knowledge") is

.the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of living organisms

.and how the distribution and abundance are affected by interactions between the organisms and their environment.

The Natural EnvironmentThe environment of an organism includes

both .physical properties, which can be

described as the sum of local abiotic factors such as insolation (sunlight), climate, and geology,

.and biotic factors, which are other organisms that share its habitat.

The Natural Environment Ecology or oekologie was coined by the

German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866, when he defined it as "the comprehensive science of the relationship of the organism to the environment

The Natural Environment

COMMONERS LAW OF ECOLOGY 1. EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED WITH

EVERYTHING ELSE... 2. EVERYTHING MUST GO SOMEWHERE... 3. NATURE KNOWS BEST.... 4. THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS FREE

LUNCH....

FOOD

CLOTHING

SHELTER

LIVELIHOOD RECREATION

HUMAN

ENVIRONMENT

INTERACTION

Human Impact on EcosystemsArguments:1. Population growth2. Human modification of the physical

environment2.1. Domino effect of human

modification2.2. Role of technology3. Human response to natural hazards

Human Impact on EcosystemsArguments:1. Population: As the human population grows, the

demand for Earths resources increases.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

1.1 Earths human carrying capacity is unknown.

Human Impact on Ecosystems1. 2. Technology has helped to increase

Earths carrying capacity.a. gas-powered farm equipmentb. medical advancements


1.3. The growing human population exerts pressure on Earths natural resources.

1.3.1 Nonrenewable resources are used faster than they form.a. coalb. oil

Human Impact on Ecosystems1.3.2 Renewable resources cannot be used up or can replenish themselves over time.

a. windb. waterc. sunlight

1.3.3. Growing use of nonrenewable resources may lead to a crisis.1.3.4. Resources must be properly managed


1.5. Ecological footprint helps assess humans impact on the environmenta. An ecological footprint is the amount of land needed to support a person.b. The land must produce and maintain enough

1. food and water2. shelter3. energy4. waste


c. Several factors affect the size of the ecological footprint.1. amount and efficiency of resource use2. amount and toxicity of waste produced


1.6. Effective management of Earths resources will help meet the needs of the future.a. Earths resources must be used responsibly.b. Careless use of resources makes them unavailable to future generations.c. Easter Island is an example of irresponsible resource use.

Human Impact on Ecosystems 2. The consequences of human modification

of the physical environment the atmosphere (e.g., effects of ozone

depletion, climate change, changes in urban microclimates)

the biosphere (e.g., the effects of deforestation, expansion of the savanna, reduction in biodiversity)

the lithosphere (e.g., the effects of land degradation, soil salinization and acidification, gully erosion, weathering by polluted air and water)

and the hydrosphere (e.g., the effects of ocean pollution, groundwater-quality decline)

Human Impact on Ecosystems2.1. Domino Effect of human modification modifications in one place often lead to

changes in other places the effect of a factorys airborne emissions

on air quality in communities located downwind

effect of acid rain, on ecosystems located downwind

effect of pesticides washed into river systems on water quality in communities located downstream


construction of dams and levees on river systems in one region affects places downstream limits the availability of water for human

use, enables electricity to be generated, controls flooding improves river transportation leads to changes in ecosystems


environmental change in one part of the world can affect places in other parts of the world examples, industrial activity and acid rain

in North America the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

accident and radioactive fallout in Europe and Asia

Human Impact on Ecosystems 2.2. The role of technology in the human

modification of the physical environment

unintended and intended outcomes of major technological changes in human history the effects of automobiles using fossil fuels nuclear power plants creating the problem of

nuclear-waste storage the use of steel-tipped plows or the expansion

of the amount of land brought into agriculture

Human Impact on Ecosystems effects of using chemical fertilizers and

pesticides, using modern tilling equipment and techniques, and the hybridization of crops on biodiversity

effects of energy-capturing technologies: the introduction of fire, steam power, diesel machinery, electricity, work animals, explosives

Human Impact on Ecosystems 3. how natural hazards affect human

activities in different regions of the world

effect of drought on populations in Ethiopia compared with populations in Australia or the southern part of the United States

on their severity of impact on humans by length of event, total loss of life, total

economic impact, social effects, long-term impacts, incidence of associated hazards

Human Impact on Ecosystems ways humans prepare for natural hazards

earthquake preparedness, constructing houses on stilts in flood-prone

areas, designation of hurricane shelters and

evacuation routes in hurricane-prone areas

Environmental Challenges of the Day Call to action/Advocacy: Reduction and clean up of man-made

pollution, with future goals of zero pollution;

Reducing societal consumption of non-renewable fuels;

Development of alternative, green, low-carbon or renewable energy sources; conservation and sustainable use of scarce resources such as water, land, and air;

Protection of representative or unique or pristine ecosystems;

Environmental Challenges of the Day Preservation and expansion of threatened

or endangered species or ecosystems from extinction;

The establishment of nature and biosphere reserves under various types of protection;

The protection of biodiversity and ecosystems upon which all human and other life on earth depends.

Environmental Challenges of the Day Strong concern about climate change

global warming caused by anthropogenic releases of greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide, and their interactions with humans and the natural environment

focused on the mitigation of greenhouse gases that are causing climatic changes:

(e.g. through the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol)

on developing adaptative strategies to assist species, ecosystems, humans, regions and nations in adjusting to the effects of global warming

Environmental Challenges of the Day Perspectives on human-environment relations: Environmentalism

Environmentalism is a concern for the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural environment, such as the conservation of natural resources, prevention of pollution, and certain land use actions

Supports the struggles of indigenous peoples against the spread of globalization to their way of life, which is seen as less harmful to the environment

Environmental Challenges of the Day Perspectives on human-environment

relations: The study of practical environmentalism is

split into two positions: the mainstream anthropocentric or

hierarchic, the more radical ecocentric or

egalitarian

2 clashing knowledge systems

Indigenous Knowledge SystemsHolistic (way of life)Culture-bound (diverse)Ecocentric (communing with nature)Protects biodiversityInvokes land is sacred, land is lifeProtects non-renewable energiesDisappearing knowledge systemsAdvocates traditional medicine or ethnomedicine

Western Knowledge SytemsHegemonic (way of control)Class-based (elitist);pro-WestAnthropocentric (humans 1st)Destroys biodiversityInvokes land could be exploited and owned, land is capitalExploits non-renewable energiesDominant knowledge systemsAdvocates biomedicine

Environmental Challenges of the Day Anthropocentric way of life: Land is capital philosophy (profit-driven,

urbanization, technologization, private ownership, convenience..)

Monoculture (agro-industrialization, HYV technology, plantation economy)

Biotechnology (GMO) May lead biodiversity loss and extinction of

species including humans

Environmental Challenges of the Day Monoculture: Advantages:

Increases the productivity of farmland by growing only the best variety of crop

Allows more than one crop per year Simplifies sowing and harvesting of the

crop Reduces labour costs

Environmental Challenges of the Day Monoculture: Disadvantages:

Reduces genetic diversity and renders all crops in a region susceptible to disease

Fertilisers required to maintain soil fertility

Pesticides are required to keep crops healthy

Monoculture reduces species diversity Less attractive countryside

Bahay-Kubo Technology vs HYV Technology

Bahay-Kubo TechnologyKatutubong binhiDiversified farmingBayanihan system of farmingUse of traditional technologies like carabaos & natural fertilizersPreserves agridiversityImpoverish farmers and farming communities

HYV TechnologyIRRI Hybrid RiceMonocropping systemBayaran system of farmingUse of modern farming systems like tractor, fertilizers and pesticidesDestroys agridiversityEnriches agrochemical and agribusiness companies

Environmental Challenges of the Day Ecocentrism as a way of life: Respects/protects biodiversity Egalitarian May lead to biodiversity conservation

and speciation Sustainable development (diversified

farming, bahay kubo technology) Land is life philosophy

Philosophical and Theoretical Framework of IKSP

Land is sacred, land is life philosophyPara sa aming mga Ayta, sagrado ang lupa. Ang lupa ang

siyang ina kung saan sumususo ang lahat at siyang bumubuhay sa lahat ng nilikha-isda, hayop, tanim at tao Hindi basta-basta sinasaling o pinuputol ang mga halaman at kahoy dahil ito ay buhay na representasyon ng mga ninuno, ng mga ninunong namatay at naging abo o lupa na nagbigay sustansya sa mga kahoy at halaman kaya dapat sila igalang (Bagat, 1995 in Estacio, 1996:74)

Ecocentrism/Sustainable Ecosystems Approach Ang tao at ang kalikasan ay iisa [humans and nature are one]

Environmental Challenges of the Day Biodiversity preservation Biodiversity variation of taxonomic life forms within a

given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth

used as a measure of the health of biological systems variation of life at all levels of biological

organization a measure of the relative diversity

among organisms present in different ecosystems

Environmental Challenges of the Day The 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de

Janeiro defined "biodiversity" as "the variability among living organisms from

all sources, including, 'inter alia', terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic

ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems

This is, in fact, the closest thing to a single legally accepted definition of biodiversity, since it is the definition adopted by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

Environmental Challenges of the Day "totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a

region present a unified view of the traditional three

levels at which biodiversity has been identified; genetic diversity - diversity of genes within a

species species diversity - diversity among species in an

ecosystem. "Biodiversity hotspots" are excellent examples of species diversity.

ecosystem diversity - diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem

Environmental Challenges of the Day

2 views on Biodoversity If the gene is the fundamental unit of natural

selection, according to E. O. Wilson, the real biodiversity is genetic diversity For geneticists, biodiversity is the diversity of

genes and organisms They study processes such as mutations, gene

exchanges, and genome dynamics that occur at the DNA level and generate evolution

Leads to biotechnology (genetically modified organisms)

Environmental Challenges of the Day

For ecologists, biodiversity is also the diversity of durable interactions among species. It not only applies to species, but also

to their immediate environment (biotope) and their larger ecoregion.

In each ecosystem, living organisms are part of a whole, interacting with not only other organisms, but also with the air, water, and soil that surround them.

Environmental Challenges of the Day There are three indices which are commonly

used by ecologists: Alpha diversity refers to diversity within a

particular area, community or ecosystem, and is measured by counting the number of taxa within the ecosystem (usually species)

Beta diversity is species diversity between ecosystems; this involves comparing the number of taxa that are unique to each of the ecosystems.

Gamma diversity is a measure of the overall diversity for different ecosystems within a region.

Environmental Challenges of the Day Benefits Of Biodiversity: 1. Resistance to Catastrophe 2. Food and drink 3. Medicines 4. Industrial materials 5. Intellectual value (mental health) 6. Better crop-varieties 7. Leisure, cultural and aesthetic value

Environmental Challenges of the Day Threats to Biodiversity:1.Habitat destruction2.Pollution3.Species Introductions4.Global Climate Change5.Exploitation

Environmental Challenges of the Day The Environmental movement (a term that

sometimes includes the conservation and green movements) is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement

In general terms, environmentalists advocate the sustainable management of resources, and the protection (and restoration, when necessary) of the natural environment through changes in public policy and individual behavior.

Environmental Challenges of the Day In its recognition of humanity as a

participant in ecosystems, the movement is centered around ecology, health, and human rights

Additionally, throughout history, the movement has been incorporated into religion.

The movement is represented by a range of organizations, from the large to grassroots, but a younger demographic than is common in other social movements

Environmental Challenges of the Day Environmentalists are sometimes split up into two

groups: Dark and Light Greens. Light Greens are the more popular and more

visible part of the environmental movement, which includes the more famous and public environmental groups such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club.

Light Greens do not follow environmentalism as a distinct political ideology, but rather seek greater environmental emphasis within existing ideologies such as Conservatism, Socialism or Liberalism

Environmental Challenges of the Day Dark Greens are much more radical than light greens; they tend to believe that all the current political

ideologies (that are referred to as industrialism) are corrupt and naturally lead to environmental degradation

they do not view mankind as part of the environment but rather as a higher form of life with the right to take what it wants from the environment.

Dark Greens claim that this is caused by the emphasis on growth that exists within all existing ideologies referred to a growth mania.

The dark green brand of environmentalism is associated with ideas of Deep Ecology, Post-materialism, Holism, the Gaia Theory of James Lovelock

Environmental Challenges of the Day Gaia Hypothesis: Gaia is a complex entity involving the

Earths biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil; the totality constituting a feedback of cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet -James Lovelock

How Does Gaia work? Life regulates the climate and atmosphere

at an optimum for itself Homeostasis [ Like a thermostat]

Environmental Challenges of the Day Deep Ecology Taking its name and approach from

Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess' 1972 article on "The Shallow and the Deep, Long-Range Ecology Movement," deep ecology holds that the reform environmentalism of the 1970s and 1980s dealt only with legal and institutional fixes for pollution and resource depletion, rather than fundamental changes in human relations with nonhuman nature

Environmental Challenges of the Day Deep Ecology Deep ecology requires a new metaphysics

of humans-in-nature not above it. This cosmic/ecological metaphysics stresses an 1/thou relationship between humans and nonhuman nature and the integrity of person/planet

The principle of biospheric equality places humans on an equal level with all other living things in an organismic democracy.

Environmental Challenges of the Day Deep ecology describes itself as "deep"

because it is concerned with fundamental philosophical questions about the role of human life as one part of the ecosphere, rather than with a narrow view of ecology as a branch of biological science,

Environmental Challenges of the Day Arne Naess' Principles of Deep Ecology1. Rejection of the man-in-environment

image in favor of the relational, total-field image.

2. Biospherical egalitarianism.3. Principles of diversity and of symbiosis.4. Anti-class posture.5. Fight against pollution and resource

depletion.6. Complexity, not complication.7. Local autonomy and decentralization.

Environmental Challenges of the Day Ecocentrism is a philosophy that recognizes that the ecosphere,

rather than any individual organism, is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and eco-centric approach to government, industry, and individual

The root of "eco" is "home," and the ecosphere is the home-sphere.

Ecocentrism puts the ecosphere first. It recognizes the importance of the environment and the web of life and realizes that no single organism is more important than another

Ecocentrism does not even distinguish between animate life and inanimate matter or process. The entire "sphere" of life is important

Environmental Challenges of the Day Critique of technology is a theory which criticizes

technology for alleged negative impact under capitalist conditions

Proponents of this theory argue that that under capitalist conditions technology is or becomes a means of domination, control and exploitation, or more generally something which threatens the survival of humanity

In a wider sense a sceptical attitude towards technology which is not necessarily fully theoretically developed can also be related to the critique of technology.

Cultural ecology

Four schools of thought developed by geographers on cultural ecology Environmental determinism Possibilism Environmental perception Humans as modifiers of the earth

Environmental determinism

Developed during the first quarter of the 20th century.

Physical environment provided a dominant force in shaping cultures

Humans were clay to be molded by nature Believed mountain people, because they

lived in rugged terrain were: Backward Conservative Unimaginative Freedom loving

Environmental determinism

Believed desert dwellers were: Likely to believe in one god Lived under the rule of tyrants

Temperate climates produced: Inventiveness Industriousness Democracy

Coastlands with fjords produced navigators and fishers

Overestimated the role of environment

Possibilism

Took the place of determinism in the 1920s

Cultural heritage at least as important as physical environment in affecting human behavior

Believe people are the primary architects of culture

Possibilism

Physical environment offers numerous ways for a culture to develop.

People make culture trait choices from the possibilities offered by their environment to satisfy their needs.

High technology societies are less influenced by physical environment.

Geographer Jim Norwin warns control over environment may be an illusion because of possible future climatic changes.

Environmental perception

Each persons or cultural groups mental images of the physical environment are shaped by knowledge, ignorance, experience, values, and emotions

Environmental perceptionists declare-choices people make will depend more on how they perceive the lands character than its actual character

People make decisions based on distortion of reality with regard to their surrounding physical environment

Environmental perception

Geomancya traditional system of land-use planning dictating that certain environmental settings, perceived by the sages as auspicious, should be chosen as the sites for houses, villages, temples, and graves (feng-shui) an East Asian world view and art affected the location and morphology of urban

places in countries such as China and Korea diffused (look up feng-shui on internet)

Natural hazards

Humans perceptions of natural hazards Flooding, hurricanes, volcanic eruption,

earthquakes, insect infestations, and droughts Some cultures consider them as unavoidable

acts of the gods sent down as punishments because of the peoples shortcomings

During times of natural disasters, some cultures feel the government should take care of them

Western cultures feel technology should be able to solve the problems created by natural hazards

Natural hazards

In virtually all cultures, people knowingly inhabit hazard zones Especially floodplains, exposed coastal

sites, drought-prone regions, and active volcanic areas

More Americans than ever live in hurricane- and earthquake-prone areas of the United States

Natural hazards

Migrants tend to imagine new homelands as being more similar to their old homelands than is actually the case

Humans perceptions of natural resources Hunting and gathering cultures Agricultural groups Industrial societies

Humans as modifiers of the earth

Another facet of cultural ecology In a sense, the opposite of environmental

determinism Human modification varies from one culture to

another Ecologists seek alternative, less destructive

modes of environmental modification Humans of the Judeo-Christian tradition tend to

regard environmental modification as divinely approved

Other more cautious groups take care not to offend the forces of nature

Biodiversity: Biodiversity:

Who cares?Who cares?

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

A B

A B

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

What do you think biodiversity What do you think biodiversity means?means?

Bio =

BioBiodiversitydiversity

What does Bio mean?

BioBiodiversitydiversity

Diversity = Variety

What does Diversity mean?

BiodiversityBiodiversity is the is the variety of lifevariety of life on on Earth and the Earth and the essential essential

interdependence of all living thingsinterdependence of all living things

Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown

The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.

There are 3 components of There are 3 components of biodiversity biodiversity

1.1. Diversity of genesDiversity of genesChihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogsbut Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogsbut they're not the same because their genes are different.they're not the same because their genes are different.

ChihuahuaChihuahua BeagleBeagle

RottweilersRottweilers

Diversity of speciesDiversity of speciesFor example, monkeys, dragonflies, and For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. meadow beauties are all different species.

Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty


Variety of ecosystemsVariety of ecosystemsPrairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.species living in it.

Paines Prairie

Hoh Rain Forest

Florida Sand hill Pond


Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

A B

A B

Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

A B

Which has more cultural Which has more cultural diversity?diversity?

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself

Biodiversity also has utilitarian Biodiversity also has utilitarian ValueValue

Utilitarian Value = the value something has as Utilitarian Value = the value something has as a means to anothers end.a means to anothers end.

Utilitarian values include: Goods Services Information

What do we get from What do we get from biodiversity?biodiversity?

OxygenOxygenFoodFood

Clean WaterClean WaterMedicineMedicine

AestheticsAestheticsIdeasIdeas

Should we be concerned about Should we be concerned about biodiversity?biodiversity?

What we know:What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rateThe Earth is losing species at an alarming rate

Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur

each year.each year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many when species of plants and animals go extinct, many

other species are affectedother species are affected. .

Threats to biodiversityThreats to biodiversity

Habitat destructionHabitat destructionPollutionPollution

Species IntroductionsSpecies IntroductionsGlobal Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

ExploitationExploitation

What gives?What gives?

Are you pro-diversity or anti-diversity?Are you pro-diversity or anti-diversity?

ReferencesEstacio notes (IKSP etc.)www.spice.centers.ufl.edu(Biodiversity: Who cares?)

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1. humansandenvironmentppt

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