Environmental Science: review questions 1
What is science? What are 3 assumptions of science?
-A systematic process for learning about the world and testing our understanding of it -A dynamic process of observation, testing, and discovery And the accumulated body of knowledge that results from this process
theory vs hypothesis
-In science, a theory is a well-substantiated, unifying explanation for a set of verified, proven hypotheses. -Hypothesis is usually based on a very specific observation and is limited to that instance.
Scientific method
A step-by-step method for testing ideas with observations
What is Environmental Science? Name several disciplines involved in environmental science
Environmental science is the study of how the natural world works and how humans and the environment interact. It is an interdisciplinary field, drawing on many diverse disciplines(Ecology, biology, geology).
What does environmental sustainability mean?
Environmental sustainability is about making responsible decisions that will reduce your business' negative impact on the environment.
What are 3 assumptions of science?
Fixed natural laws govern how the universe works. All events arise from causes, and cause other events. We can use our senses and reason to detect and describe nature's laws.
In general terms, what is the state of the world in terms of human population growth, agriculture, pollution, Climate, and biodiversity.
Human pressures on the environment
Renewable Resources
a natural resource that can be replaced as it is being used and example would be a forest if new trees are growing at the same rate ones are being used Ex:Sunlight, Wind, Wave energy, Geothermal Energy IN between: Resources like timber and clean water are renewable only if we do not overuse them.
Nonrenewable
a source that cannot be replaced once it is used -natural gas -Oil -Coal
What is "the tragedy of the commons" ?
the self interest of individuals results in the destruction of a common or shared resource
What kind of information do ecological footprints give us?
A measure of the impact humans have on the environment is called an ecological footprint. A country's ecological footprint is the sum of all the cropland, grazing land, forest and fishing grounds required to produce the food, fibre and timber it consumes, to absorb the wastes emitted when it uses energy and to provide space for infrastructure.
Explain the difference between a manipulative experiment and a natural experiment
Manipulative experiments are strongest. Natural or correlational ones are often necessary.
Name a couple applications of science.
Policy decisions and management practices are applications of science(Prescribed burning, used to restore forest ecosystems altered by human suppression of fire.) . Technology is another application of science(energy efficient cars).