Download Exploring Environmental Sciences: Understanding Environmental Issues and Scale and more Slides Biology in PDF only on Docsity! 1 International Experiences • Exploration Seminars http://depts.washington.edu/ explore/ • UW Worldwide http://depts.washington.edu/ uwww/ Introduction to Environmental Science Today’s Class goals: 1. Begin Regular use of clickers 2. Define Environment 3. List & Compare Environmental Issues 4. Understand Scale 5. Understand borders Assigned Readings & Questions - 1 • (A) National Research Council’s Committee on Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. 2001. Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (pdf). What are the environmental challenges listed in this summary? Assigned Readings & Questions - 2 • (B) http://www.metrokc.gov/environ.htm (examine & answer: – (1) What major environmental issues, in your opinion, that are highlighted on this page are similar to the grand challenges cited by the NRC paper (see 1 above), select no more than six, – (2) what is meant by stewardship, – (3) what is a ‘green’ building?, – (4) what are biosolids?, – (5) what is a watershed and what is the Cedar River Watershed? National Academies • National Academy of Sciences is an honorific society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. – The NAS was signed into being by President Abraham Lincoln on March 3, 1863, …to keep pace with the growing roles that science and technology would play in public life. – National Research Council in 1916. – National Academy of Engineering in 1964. – Institute of Medicine in 1970. – Main floor of Suzzallo library Reading question: National Research Council listed 8 environmental issues 1. “Loss of biodiversity” 2. “Biological diversity & ecosystem functioning” Which of these two was one of them? Docsity.com 2 Highest Priority for Study 1. Biological Diversity & Ecosystem Functioning 2. Hydrologic forecasting 3. Infectious disease and the environment 4. Land-use dynamics Evaluate King County’s Environmental Web Page Environmental Issues - NRC vs. KC Biosolids, recyclingReinventing the use of materials8 Stewardship, dumps, regional planning, zoning atlas Land use dynamics7 Environmental services in King County Institutions and resource use6 Noxious weeds, wastewater Separate webpage Infectious diseases & the environment 5 Floods, stormwaterHydrological forecasting4 Shorelines, wetlands, forests, salmon Biological diversity & ecosystem functioning 3 Floods, global warming info. KC Climate Plan Climate variability2 Water and watersheds,lawns, energy Biogeochemical cycles1 King CountyNational Research CouncilIssue Two Relatively New Local Initiatives • Snohomish County - Biodiesel proposal • Washington State - – Cut greenhouse gases emissions from 2005 by 15% by 2020 – 7 States, 4 Canadian Provinces – Gregoire’s goal (1990 emissions by 50% by 2050). • References – http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm – http://www.cted.wa.gov/energy/archive//papers/wa- ghg99.pdf Questions • What were levels in 2005, 1990? • Which greenhouse gases, all, or just CO2? • Why isn’t Alberta part of the Canadian group? Definition of Environment • “The combination of all things and factors external to the individual or population of organisms in question.” • Example bald eagle Docsity.com
