Visualizing Environmental Science

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Guided Chapter Tour

Scientific Literacy and Data Analysis

Students are given an overview of the basics of environmental science and presented with many

opportunities to interact with real-world data and real-world situations. As students learn about

environmental science in this context, they are developing the critical thinking skills they can use to apply

in making daily environmentally conscious decisions for the rest of their lives.

Chapter Openers are visually appealing,

and include graphs which help students link

real-world data to the photos presented.

Case Studies use a critical-

thinking approach to walk

students through the particular

characteristics defining a real-life

environmental challenge. The case

studies present a problem and in

some cases describe attempted

solutions. Students then explore

the information necessary to

appreciate the significance of the

featured example.

Global-Local questions help

students apply environmental

science conditions in distant

locations to the places where

they live.

A study in the United Kingdom found that producing food requires nearly five times as much energy as is contained in the food. This chart shows

how much energy is used for each 1000 Calories (4.184 megajoules) of food consumed.

Food supply9.74 MJ

Packaging2.12 MJ

and cooking 5.96 MJHome storage

Based on data from “What it takes to make that meal” Science, vol. 237, p. 809, 12 February 2010.Transportationand retailing1.55 MJ

2

Sustainability

and Human

Values

A SUSTAINABILITY ETHIC

Iapplications of pesticides and fertilizers on the world’s n 1962, Rachel Carson’s book questioned the wisdom of the rapidly increasing Silent Spring^

crops. She envisioned a world in which incautious application of chemicals to increase crop yields in

the short term would undermine Earth’s capacity to provide resources essential to human well-being—clean

air, fresh water, and fertile soil. Carson’s compelling description of the environment as a network of complex

and interrelated systems is credited as a foundation of the modern environmental movement.

between short-term gains and long-term Carson’s idea that we need to consider trade-offs sustainability

continues to resonate as we face the challenge of feeding a human population that exceeds

7 billion and continues to grow. Humans consume an increasing fraction of the world’s

land and ocean food resources, and rely on technology-intensive methods to do so. In

addition to chemical inputs, diets in developed countries use great amounts of energy (see

inset). For example, the photograph shows an entire shoal of tuna caught in a purse seine and

surrounded by a towing cage that will take them to a tuna farm for fattening and harvest.

chemicals, food, and the environment requires Making effective decisions about energy,

that we account for ethics and values, the subjects of this chapter. As you read, keep in

mind these words from the Earth Charter, formulated in 1992 by representatives from 178 countries: “Let

ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve

sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.”

enerprA study ioducing fgy as s cgy as is cssn the Un the Uthe Unitfood oodood rhe Uoe Unitontaineontaineeota eontainedUnitta errta etaineequiraineequirequiraeequirted Kingdomed Kined Kinnedededed id KingdomirrKingdomKingdoes nearlyes nearly Kingdomes nearly s nearly s nearlys nearngdomnthnthn the fn the fn the fgdomnearly gdomnearly nehe fthetehe fthe ftethe fdeeomeeeee feemmooood. Thisood. Thiood. This ood. This f ffivffivfivfiffffivfivound thatound that ooe time times ase times asThistimes ashhatthat hatcharcharcharches ashatharaat aharhharttaaaaaaarat shot shot sho much mucucchooowwswswwwwwwwwws

h(4.184 megow much eneh eneh eneenajoules) oajoules) oajoules) ooules) ogy is rgy isgyrrres) oes) oes) oy is uys) ois used) of fff ff ff fusedffff ssedood consood consood consumood consumedddod conod conood consd consumf f ffff ffor each 10or each 10or each 10consumor each 10onneach 10hhed.ed.ed.ed.00 Calorie.00 Calo.00 Calorie00 Cal0 Calorie0 CalorieCalorielss ss

Food supply9.74 MJ

Pa2.12 MJckaging

andHome stora cooking 5.96 MJge

Based on data fmeal” Sciencee, vol. 237, pf, vol. 237, prom “Wvol. 237, pm “What it takm “What it taWhat it takWhat it tak7, p. p. at it takpp. p. at it tait ta809, 12 Feb809, 12 809, 12 Feb 880 aktak9, 12 Febru 09 a, 12 Februaes toes es to make thatees to make 2 Fe 2 s to make t2 Februaebruamake thatke tryyh2010. 2010. (^) 010. 10 Traanspor 1 n.55 d retaMJtiliatngion
nability
uman
s
ETHIC
Iappquestioned the wisdom on^1962 lications of , Rachpelesticides and^ Carson’sb^ oo the ffek^ rtilizerSirapilent Sprindls on they incrgeasin wooorld’gs
crappoplication of chemicals to incs. She envisioned a world in whirease ccrh inop yields incautious (^)
prthoe svidhore rt term wouesources essential to ld underminehuman Earth’ws capacell-beinity g——clean —ttton
airdescrir, frepshtion of the envir waterr, andfertionment ale soil. Cars a netwson’s compelork of clinnomplex noogx x
anthe modern environmental mod interrelated systems is credited as a vement.oundatiof oon of
betwCareen shoson’s idea trt-term hat gains and lonwe need to consig-termdesustainr trade-aaaobooffbilitys
continueof feedings to r a human population that exesonate as we face the challenceedsge
(^7) consume billion anan incrd continues easing to grfraction oow. Hfumans the world’s
land andtechnolo ocean fgy-intensivood re mesethods to do so. In ources, and rely on
acddition to chemical inountries use great amounts oputs, diets in def energy (see veloped
ientirnsete shoal o). For example, tf tuna caught in a puhe photograprse seineh shows anan (^) d
to a tsurrounded buna farm fyo a tor fawinttening cagg and harve that will taest.ke them
chemicalMaking es, food, andffective tdecisions ahe environment rbout enerequirgyyy, es
tsubhajtects of this chapteweaccount for ethirc. As s and vyou aluesread, , tkeep in he
mind tin 1992 hbese wy reprords esentatfrom tivhes efrEaorm 178 countriesth Charterr, formula: “Latedaeeet
ounew rs bree a tvereime nce froememr life,b thered fe firm ror the awakesolveto aeninchieg of veaaa
sustainabilitand peace, and tyyy, the quickhe joyfeul celebning of the strration ofuggle f life.”or juustice
policies. In 1997 representatives from 160 countries determined timetables for reductions at a meeting in Kyoto, Japan. By 2005
enough countries had ratified the Kyoto Protocol for it to come into force. Political and economic concerns prevented the United States from joining the Kyoto Protocol, and those countries that
have signed on have had limited success in meeting its provisions. Current international negotiations acknowledge that stopping climate change is not an option. Instead, conversation focuses
on limiting the amount of change. It appears that the global community may set a maximum global temperature increase of 2°C (3.8°F) between now and 2100 as an achievable target.
International Implications of Global Climate Change
Various social, economic, and political factors complicate international efforts to deal with global climate change. Although
highly developed countries have historically been the major producers of greenhouse gases, many developing countries are
rapidly increasing production as they industrialize. But because developing countries have less technical expertise and fewer economic resources, they are often less able to respond to the
challenges of global climate change.the per person emissions from that country creates tensions The difference between total emissions from a country and
among nations, especially between highly developed and developing countries. Most developing countries view fossil fuels as their route to industrial development and resist pressure from
highly developed nations to decrease fossil fuel consumption.Developing countries argue that it would be most fair to
limit COsuch as the United States, France, and Japan emit several times as much CO 2 on a per person basis, since highly developed countries
China, India, and Kenya (see figure). Hand per person energy use increase in developing countries,^2 per person than do developing countries such as owever, as both population
their total COperson in the United States is responsible for more than five 2 emissions are increasing rapidly. The average
times as much COhas surpassed the United States as the largest total emitter. 2 as the average person in China, but China
stabilize and decrease COThe international community recognizes that it must 2 emissions, but progress is slow. At
least 174 nations, including the United States, signed the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change developed at the 1992 Earth Summit, which established goals for future international (^01) StatesUnitedJapanFranceChinaIndiaKenya
2
34
56
Per person CO
2 emissions as metric
tons of carbon equivalent, 1990 and 2008
(^19902008)
Courtesy of the U. S. Department of Energy CarbonDioxide Information Analysis Center
Per person carbon dioxide (CO) emission
Currently, industrialized nations produce a disproportionate share of CO 2 emissions. As developing nations such as China and India
industrialize, however, their per person CO 2 emissions increase.
CASE STUDY THE PLANNER
ptimetaolicies. In 1997 rbles for reductions at a meeting in Kyepresentatives from 160 cooto, Japan. By 2untries determined 005
enougiStates ntoofrfrh countries ce. Pom joining tolitical anhahde Kyd rati economic concerns oto fied the KyProtocol, anoto Prdo tprtocoheose countries tventel fordi t to come the Unitehadt
hcClimate caurrveent international nesigned on hahange is not an opve had limited success in meeting its prgotiations action. Insteaknowled, condgvere tsation hat stoppinfocorruvisesgions s.
o2°C (3.8°community may set a maximum n limiting the amount oF) between now an change. Itfd 2100 as an aglobal tempe appearchsie thrvable taratat ture incrhe glogeease ofbtal.
Internationaof Global Climate Changl Implications e
Vinternational earious social, economic, and politicfforts to deal with global fal climactorate changs complicatee. Although
hprigoducerhly devs of grelopeed countries enhouse gases, mahave historically ny developing cbeen thountries are majore
recdapieonomiveloping countries dly incc rreasing presources, theodhauction as tvey ar less tece ofthehn ley innical expertise aness abldustrialize. But e to respond to the dbfeecause wer
cthe per phallenges oThe difersfon efr global climate change.enemissions fce between total rom that emissions fcountry crreom a ates tcountensions ry and
amonas tdevelopinheir g nations, especially broute to ing countries.dustrial Most devdeetwveelopinlopment een higg countries view hly devand resist preloped and essurfossil fuee from ls
highly deDevevlopineloped nations to decg countries argue that it wreasef ossil fuel consumould be most fair tption.o
limit COasucs much h as t 2 ohCe UniteOn a per ped States, rson bFrasis, since ance, andhig Japan emit shly developeevedr countriesal times
aChnd per perina, India, anson ener^2 per perd Kenygson ty use a (see han incfigudo devrease in dre). Heoloping countries sucweveveeoping countries, lr,as both^ popuh asation l
tpehreir total COson in the Unite 2 emidss States isions are ir ncresponsible easing rapifodr mly. Torhe than e avearfivgee
thimes as mucas surpassehd C thOe Unite 2 as the averd States as tage pehe larrson in Cgest totahina, lb emitterut China.
stabilize and deThe international community rcrease CO 2 emissions, ecognizes tbut progrhat it musess is slotw. At
lEFarth east 174amrewSummio nations,rk Convt, which establishe incluention on Climate Cding the United goals fhange d States, signeor fduevturelopee intedrna td athe U.N the 1992tional.^10 UStatenitedsJapanFranceChinaIndiaKenya
2
34
56
Per person
CO^2 em
issions as met
ric
tons of
carbon equiv
alent, 199
0 and^200
8
(^19920008)
Courtesy of the U. S. Department of Ener
gy Carbo
n
Dioxide Inform
ation Analysis
Center
Per person carbon dioxide (CO) emission
Cofur COrent 2 emissions. As lyyy, industrialized nations prdeveloping nations sucoduce a disprh as Coporhina antionate sd Inhardiae
industrialize, however, their per person CO 2 emissions increase.
CASESTUDY THE PLANNETHE PLANNERR
Think Critically questions let
students analyze the material
and develop insights into
essential concepts.
(^) movement of energy in a food web to explain why Use what you know about the
there are so many more organisms at the bottom of this pyramid than at the top.
What natural resources are extracted in yourregion? How are issues related to these Think Critically
resources similar to or different from those
involved in offshore energy and mineral extraction?
GLOBAL
LOCAL
Interpreting Data
questions help
students evaluate
graphs, figures, and
data sets.
For several years, climate scientists have noticed that © Frank Lukasseck/Corbis
mountainous areas in the western United States are receiving less precipitation than usual. The effect has been particularly pronounced in mountains located downwind
from cities, leading scientists to speculate that air pollution may be altering precipitation patterns. However, long-term
data to support this hypothesis were not available until recently.In 2007 climate scientists evaluated weather data taken
atop Mount Hua, a sacred mountain in China that overlooks a
EnviroDiscovery
Air Pollution May Affect Precipitation
A Taoist Temple on Mount Hua in China. Note the proximity of the mountain to the plain where air pollution is produced.
plain where several cities (which are a source of air pollution) are located. The data, which include precipitation, visibility, and humidity data, have been measured since 1954. By subtracting
the effect of humidity on visibility, scientists have been able to estimate the amount of air pollution suspended in the air.
The scientists have correlated high visibility—that is, low air pollution—with substantially more precipitation than when air pollution levels were high. They caution, however, that the link
between air pollution and precipitation patterns is still tentative and will require more research.
© Frank Lukasseck
/Corbis
Fmreceivinountaor seveignous ar less pral yearres,eas in tci climate scientistpitation than usual. The efhe western Unites haved States anoticfeced that has beere tn
pfrom cities, leadinarticularly pronoung scientists to speculate that air pollutionced in mountains located downwind
mrdata to suecentay be altering ply.pport this hyrecipitatpothesision patterns. Hwere not availoweveable untilr,long-term
atopI Mount Hua, a sacn 200^7 climate scieed mountain in rntists evaluated China thatweather data takoverlooks aen
EnviroDiscoveryy
Air Pollution May Afyfffect Precipitationp
Athe mountathe mounta TTe mountaTaoist TTTemple on Mount Hua iin to the in to theplain wherain whern we air polle air polle air polln China. Note the prir pollpution is pution is pution is uu rodrrduced.duced.oximity of
pharlain wherumie located. The data, which include dity data, e sevhaevrael cities been meas(which arureed since 1954. By su a soprecipitation, visibilityucre of air pollution) btraycty, anding
the effto estimate the amount oect of humidity on vfisibility air pollution suspended in the aiyy, scientists havebeen abler.
Tpphollution—with substantially mollution le scientists evelhasweve (^) recohirgrh. They caution, helated higoreh visi prebcipility—titation than when air owehveat is, lor, that thw ae linkir
betand will rween air equirpeollution and more reseprarcecih.pitation patterns is still tentative
EnviroDiscovery essays
explore an area or topic
of relevance. Students
synthesize the material for
greater understanding.
Year
Million metric tons of seafood
0
50
100
150
200
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Aquaculture production
Wild catch
FAO State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (2012).
a. increase, while fishing (wild catch) has leveled off.In recent years, fish harvest by aquaculture has continued to
Interpreting DataDuring which time periods did aquaculture experience
its most dramatic change?
Year
Million m
etric
ton
s of
sea
food
0
50
100
150
200
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Aquaculture productionulture produ
Wild catcht
FFFAO State of WWWorld Fisheries and Aquaculturee (2012).
aincr. Inease, while recent yearfsis,hing fish ha(wild catch) has lervest by aquacultuveled ore has ff.continued to
IDurinnterpreting which time periods did aquacg Data ulture experience
its most dramatic change?