Key Environmental Science Concepts Explained

Environmental Science Terminology

1. Core Ecological Concepts

• Albedo: The reflection of sunlight.
• Carrying Capacity: Maximum number of individuals of a species that can be sustained by an environment.
• Steady State Equilibrium: Condition of an open system in which there are no changes over the long term; stability remains despite potential fluctuations.
• R Strategist: Species that grow quickly and produce many offspring. They are highly adaptable and colonize quickly.

2. Atmospheric Processes and Warming

• Greenhouse Effect: Natural and necessary process in which gases allow infrared radiation to pass and trap heat, warming the Earth and allowing life.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Man-made accelerated effect. An increase of greenhouse gases leads to global warming.

3. Ozone Layer Dynamics

Stratospheric Ozone (Good Ozone)

• Protects living systems from UV radiation from the sun.
• Is formed when UV radiation breaks oxygen molecules.

Tropospheric Ozone (Pollutant Ozone)

• Formed by carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides, etc.
• It damages plants and causes respiratory illnesses.

Ozone Hole: Area in the stratosphere with reduced ozone concentration.

4. Acid Rain and Deposition

Acid Rain: Occurs when sulfur dioxide, produced by the burning of fossil fuels, creates secondary pollutants.

Acid Deposition: Acid rain is rain or any other type of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning it contains high levels of hydrogen ions.

6. Environmental Philosophies: Ecocentric vs. Technocentric

These philosophies contrast humanity's approach to environmental challenges.

Cases Illustrating Philosophies

Regarding the use of fossil fuels:

• Ecocentric: Calls for the reduction of greenhouse gases through closing gas-emitting industries, even if it restricts economic growth.
• Technocentric: Seeks to replace this energy source with an alternative that damages less, using technology to reduce the output of carbon dioxide.

Water Resources Management

• Ecocentric: Encourages the conservation and recycling of water, highlighting overuse.
• Technocentric: Focuses on using technology to remove fresh water from seawater (desalination).

Reducing Acid Rain

• Ecocentric: Advocates reducing energy produced by coal and fossil fuels, promoting less driving (e.g., riding bikes).
• Technocentric: Encourages economic growth while using technology to adopt alternative energy sources.

7. Energy Resources Comparison

Non-renewable Resources

Includes the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil.

• Advantages: High energy production; cheap; easy to transport.
• Disadvantages: Can run out; extraction can become difficult; risk of oil spillages; coal extraction affects the surface.

Renewable Resources

Examples include hydroelectric power, solar energy, and nuclear power.

• Advantage: Not pollutants; do not contribute chemicals that cause acid rain.
• Disadvantage: Technologies are not yet available on a large scale; fossil fuels are often cheaper currently.