Environmental Geology -- Philosophy• General Introduction to EnvironmentalGeology• Environmental Ethics• The Environmental Crisis• Fundamental Concepts ofthe Environmental Sciences http://wapi.isu.edu/envgeo/index.htmEnvironmental Geology -- PhilosophyEnvironmental Geology = Applied Science• Evaluate Natural Hazards-floods, landslides, volcanic activity-earthquakes, weather events• Environmental Impact Analysis-site selection, land-use planning• Assess Earth Materials-minerals, rocks, soil, WATER-analysis of chemical properties-analysis of physical propertiesEnvironment = “everything” (surroundings, habitats, etc.)• Physical Conditions: air, water, gases, landforms• Social and Cultural: ethics, economics, aesthetics,politics, religionENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS“Quiet Crisis” - Stewart Udall-crisis of survival, new awareness, belief?Evolution of EthicsLand Ethic -- Assumes Responsibility for:-other individuals-society-total environment (plants, animals, soil, water,atmosphere, etc.)Environmental Geology -- PhilosophyIn the early 1950’s, Aldo Leopold, a forester andprofessor of wildlife management at the Universityof Wisconsin, urged Americans to embrace a"land ethic," a new concept which enlarged oursphere of concern to include the entire physicalenvironment including animals, plants, andlandforms. This sense of responsibility has beenstrengthened by photographs of Earth taken fromspace. Such images strongly suggest the earthis a single, whole biological/physical systemsurrounded by vast empty space.Environmental Geology -- Philosophy"A land ethic of course cannot prevent the alteration, management, and use of these 'resources,' but it does affirm their right to continued existence, and, at least in spots, their continued existence in a natural state."Roderick Nash - Inverted Ethics Triangle:ENVIRONMENTPlantsAnimalsHumankindRace NationTribeFamilySelfEnvironmental Geology -- PhilosophyProblems in America:• Early colonists brought-new technology-organizational plan-concept of LAND OWNERSHIP• Myth of Superabundance (the LAND MYTH)-Inexhaustible Resources-Management Unnecessary(farmland wasted, hydraulic mining, deforestation, soil erosion)-Effects still visible (fur seal, Am. bison, passengerpigeon, dust bowl of 1930’s)Problems in China?Environmental Geology -- PhilosophyENVIRONMENTAL CRISISConvergence of three entities:RESOURCESNEEDSCRISISCRISISWASTEEnvironmental Geology -- Philosophy• Present Condition - no quick solutions1. Absence of moral direction in treatment of NaturalResources2. Inability for social institutions to adjust to reduceenvironmental stress3. Abiding faith in technology• Immediate Cause for Crisis:-overpopulation, urbanization, industrialization• Cause for Optimism:-increased awareness, changes in political andsocial systemsEnvironmental Geology -- PhilosophyAesthetics (Impact of Personal Preference)Three basic criteria:• Unity -- quality of wholeness• Vividness -- visually striking scene• Variety -- diversity and uniquenessPhilosophy: Regardless of personal feelings, it is important to study concepts and processes.Environmental Geology -- PhilosophyFundamental ConceptsI. The NUMBER ONEEnvironmental Problemis the Increase inHuman Population.Fundamental ConceptsExponential growth:growth rate = measured as percentagedoubling time = time for quantity to doubleGrowth Rates:Start with Decay Equation: N = Noe -λtwhere λ = ln 2/half-life, t = timeNo= initial numberthen Growth Equation: N = Noe λtwhere λ = ln (1 + rate)/∆t unitsor λ = rate/∆t units (approximately)(if t = years then ∆t units = 1 year)Fundamental ConceptsExample: 7% growth rate per yearλ = ln (1 + 0.07)/1 = 0.06766year: 1 10 30 50 100 200number:100 197 761 2,946 86,772 75x106(after 1000 years, number = 2.4 x 1031)WORLD POPULATIONWHAT IS THE ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE?Assume 1.36% per year: If 6.2 billion people in 2000,24.1 billion (2.4 x 1010) people in 21008.3 trillion (8.3 x 1012) people in 2200407 quadrillion (4.1 x 1017) people in 2500Fundamental ConceptsII. SUSTAINABILITY is the environmental objective:How to define? - resources, economy, lifestyles?• population - multiple organisms in ecosystem, inharmony• energy policy - minimize pollution• utilize renewable resources - need plan• utilize nonrenewable resources - need plan• social, legal, political system Î sustainable globaleconomy (with balance of nature approach)Fundamental ConceptsTo Achieve a Sustainable Global Economy• develop effective population control strategy(education)• completely restructure energy programs• institute economic planning, financial aid and tax incentives• institute social, legal, political, and educational changes with goal to maintain environmental qualityFundamental ConceptsIII. SYSTEMS: Earth is a System (actually an open system made up of sub-systems)• Mutual Interaction of:1. atmosphere2. hydrosphere3. biosphere4. lithosphere• Earth is NOT STATICmatter energy (constant interaction)• FEEDBACK: Positive vs. Negative(vicious cycle vs. self-regulation)Fundamental ConceptsChanges in Systems -- Steady State vs. non-S.S.A) Input = Output (Managed System)B) Input < Output (e.g. Depletion)C) Input > Output (e.g. Pollution)Evaluate Rates -- Residence Time• Average Residence Time (A.R.T.) = time for total stock orsupply to be cycled through the poolA.R.T. = total size of pool/average rate of transfer*SEE TABLES 1.1 and 1.2 in TEXTFundamental ConceptsFundamental ConceptsIV. LIMITATION OF RESOURCES:Earth is the only suitable habitat we have, and the resources are limited.• some resources renewable, others not• need large-scale recycling of many materialsRecycling: Pollutants = Resources out of placeTwo Opposing Viewpoints1. Finding resources is less problematic than finding waysto use existing ones -- technology and ingenuity willovercome lack of resources.2. Resources are finite, so the above reasoning isfallacious -- population increase with a finite resourcebase cannot be sustained.Fundamental ConceptsV. UNIFORMITARIANISM:A fundamental concept in geology -- today’s physicalprocesses of modifying the landscape have operated through time.Natural vs. Artificially-induced changes in the MAGNITUDE and FREQUENCY of processes• floods• landslides•erosion• subsidenceFundamental ConceptsVI. HAZARDOUS EARTH PROCESSES:There have always been Earth processes that are hazardous to people.•