ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDAMENTALS

Environmental Fundamentals

Environmental Fundamentals

Environmental Science

Environmental science is the study of how humans and nonhumans work together with the environment. An important element of environmental science is that it views this relationship and interaction as interconnected—a gigantic system. Based on this perspective, environmental science is an interdisciplinary science that integrates concepts from other disciplines, including biology, chemistry, ecology, economics, engineering, ethics, geology, physics, policy science, sociology, and toxicology. (Wright, 2008)

Environmental science examines the impact of humans on the natural environment and as such covers a wide range of topics including agronomy, soils, demography, agriculture, energy, and hydrology, to name but a few. Environmental science issues focus on the impact that humans have on the environment, how people can resolve past actions and change the affect on the environment, and what future effects these actions will have. Environmental science incorporates research from biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, engineering, and physics as well as economics, political science, anthropology, law, history, and sociology to approach environmental problems.

Science & Technology an Environmental Problems

Human-induced climate change represents an example in which solving an environmental problem requires a broader systems perspective. Virtually all human activities, from food production to transportation, require energy in one form or another. It is tough to imagine a world in which we no longer use fossil fuels, but that world may be just around the corner. The good news is that human can develop and implement more appropriate technologies—including wind, solar, and perhaps nuclear energy—and reduce our reliance on energy through conservation and efficiency. With these changes, we can slow or stop climate change, while at the same time maintaining or improving standards of living around the world. In time, technological advances may provide substitutes for nonrenewable resources. Slowing the rate of population growth and consumption will buy time to develop such ...