Earth's Natural Systems: Energy, Matter, and Human Impact
Classified in Geology
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Earth's Position in Space
- Earth orbits the Sun at 67,000 mph, maintaining a delicate balance between gravity and velocity.
- Life exists due to Earth's stable distance from the Sun, allowing liquid water and habitable temperatures.
Earth as an Energy and Matter System
- All changes on Earth result from energy: inputs, storage, transformation, or outputs.
Two Primary Energy Sources:
- Solar Energy: Drives photosynthesis, weather, and food webs.
- Internal Earth Energy: Causes tectonic activity, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
Solar Energy Pathways
- Photosynthesis: Converts sunlight into chemically bonded energy (food, fossil fuels).
- Heat Energy: Drives weather systems (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes).
Energy Flow
- Energy flows into, through, and out of Earth's system.
- Laws of Thermodynamics: Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed.
Matter in the Earth System
- Earth is a closed matter system: Matter is recycled (e.g., water, carbon).
Examples:
- Carbon Cycle: Plants absorb CO₂, animals exhale it.
- Water Cycle: Rain → reservoirs → consumption → treatment → reuse.
Human Impact on Earth's Energy and Matter Systems
- Humans alter energy and matter flows through technology and resource extraction.
Examples:
- Overuse of the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation.
- Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
The Dynamic Earth System
- Earth's systems are interconnected and constantly changing.
Examples:
- Tectonic activity reshapes continents and oceans.
- Climate change alters ecosystems and landscapes.
Cultural Landscapes
- Human activity transforms natural landscapes into cultural landscapes (e.g., cities, farms).
- High-tech societies create more modified landscapes than low-tech societies.
The Human-Environment Relationship
- Environmental Determinism: Environment shapes culture (outdated).
- Cultural Determinism: Culture overcomes environment (also outdated).
- Cultural Ecology: Two-way relationship between environment and culture.
Population Growth and Resource Use
Global Population Growth:
- 1 billion (1830) → 2 billion (1930) → 8 billion (2023).
- Carrying capacity depends on technology and resource availability.
Future Challenges for Earth Systems
- Resource depletion (soil, water, energy).
- Climate change and pollution threaten ecosystems.
Key Debates:
- Technological Fix: Optimism about solving problems with innovation.
- Resource Pessimism: Advocates for conservation and sustainable practices.