what is environmental science essay

Environmental Science Essay

Environmental Fundamentals Laura Jackson Env/100 April 8, 2013 JOHN ENSWORTH Environmental Fundamentals Introduction Environmental science is defined as the study of the environment and the interconnecting systems it contains, furthermore, the way people interact with their natural surroundings and use natural resources (wise geek, 2013). Scientist in this field is highly interdisciplinary and extremely diverse, for example, a scientist might study volcanoes or climate change. This essay will cover the following; the definition of environmental science, the relationship between science and technology and how it affects environmental problems; the concept of environmental sustainability and why it should be studied; how human …show more content…

Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability is the process of making sure current processes of interaction with the environment are pursued with the idea of keeping the environment as pristine as naturally possible based on ideal-seeking behavior (Wikipedia, 2010). What makes environmental sustainability so important is that it demands that society designs activities to meet human needs while indefinitely preserving the life support systems of the planet (Wikipedia, 2010). Human consumption can only use the nature’s resources at a rate that can be replenished naturally. Human Values affecting Society The most devastating environmental change of all is the loss of biodiversity . The rate of species extinction has remained at one species per million per year, furthermore, the accelerating destruction of habitats throughout the world leads to projections of the loss of two-thirds of all species on earth by the end of this century, and millions of years to recover from the Cretaceous period (mindfully.org, 2013). As individuals, we obtain our food, directly or indirectly from plants, for example, plant our primary use of medicines. Biodiversity also determines the properties of communities and ecosystems, which capture energy from the sun. The world is less resilient, more homogeneous, less interesting, and with fewer opportunities for our descendants and ourselves: where the process reaches

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1.1: What is Environmental Science?

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• Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger
• Yuba College & Butte College via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental science is the dynamic, interdisciplinary study of the interaction of living and non-living parts of the environment, with special focus on the impact of humans on the environment. The study of environmental science includes circumstances, objects, or conditions by which an organism or community is surrounded and the complex ways in which they interact.

Environmental Science is Interdisciplinary

Environmental science includes disciplines in the physical sciences (like geology, soil science, physical geography, chemistry, and atmospheric sciences), life sciences (like ecology, conservation biology, restoration biology, and population biology), social sciences (like human geography, economics, law, political science, and anthropology), and humanities (philosophy, ethics). As such, environmental scientists are a diverse bunch. However, they all come together for the focus of studying and identifying past, current, and future environmental issues while also exploring solutions to the environmental issues and also considering practical needs.

Why Study Environmental Science?

The need for equitable, ethical, and sustainable use of Earth’s resources by a global population that nears the carrying capacity of the planet requires us not only to understand how human behaviors affect the environment, but also the scientific principles that govern interactions between the living and non-living. Our future depends on our ability to understand and evaluate evidence-based arguments about the environmental consequences of human actions and technologies, and to make informed decisions based on those arguments.

From global climate change to habitat loss driven by human population growth and development, Earth is becoming a different planet—right before our eyes. The global scale and rate of environmental change are beyond anything in recorded human history. Our challenge is to acquire an improved understanding of Earth’s complex environmental systems; systems characterized by interactions within and among their natural and human components that link local to global and short-term to long-term phenomena, and individual behavior to collective action. The complexity of environmental challenges demands that we all participate in finding and implementing solutions leading to long-term environmental sustainability.

The Tragedy of the Commons

In his essay, The Tragedy of the Commons, Garrett Hardin (1968) looked at what happens when humans do not limit their actions by including the land as part of their ethic. The tragedy of the commons develops in the following way: Imagine a pasture open to all (the ‘commons’). It is to be expected that each herdsman will try to keep as many cattle as possible on the commons. As rational beings, each herdsman seeks to maximize their gain. Adding more cattle increases their profit, and they do not suffer any immediate negative consequence because the commons are shared by all. The rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course is to add another animal to their herd, and then another, and so forth. However, this same conclusion is reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing the commons. Therein lies the tragedy: each person is locked into a system that compels them to increase their herd, without limit, in a world that is limited. Eventually this leads to the ruination of the commons. In a society that believes in the freedom of the commons, freedom brings ruin to all because each person acts selfishly.

Hardin went on to apply the situation to modern commons: overgrazing of public lands, overuse of public forests and parks, depletion of fish populations in the ocean, use of rivers as a common dumping ground for sewage, and fouling the air with pollution.

The “Tragedy of the Commons” is applicable to what is arguably the most consequential environmental problem: global climate change. The atmosphere is a commons into which countries are dumping carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. Although we know that the generation of greenhouse gases will have damaging effects upon the entire globe, we continue to burn fossil fuels. As a country, the immediate benefit from the continued use of fossil fuels is seen as a positive component (because of economic growth). All countries, however, will share the negative long-term effects.

Some Indicators of Global Environmental Stress

• Forests — Deforestation remains a main issue. 1 million hectares of forest were lost every year in the decade 1980-1990. The largest losses of forest area are taking place in the tropical moist deciduous forests, the zone best suited to human settlement and agriculture. Recent estimates suggest that nearly two-thirds of tropical deforestation is due to farmers clearing land for agriculture. There is increasing concern about the decline in forest quality associated with intensive use of forests and unregulated access.
• Soil — As much as 10% of the earth’s vegetated surface is now at least moderately degraded. Trends in soil quality and management of irrigated land raise serious questions about longer-term sustainability. It is estimated that about 20% of the world’s 250 million hectares of irrigated land are already degraded to the point where crop production is seriously reduced.
• Fresh water — Some 20% of the world’s population lacks access to safe water and 50% lacks access to safe sanitation. If current trends in water use persist, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living in countries experiencing moderate or high water stress by 2025.
• Marine fisheries — 25% of the world’s marine fisheries are being fished at their maximum level of productivity and 35% are overfished (yields are declining). In order to maintain current per capita consumption of fish, global fish harvests must be increased; much of the increase might come through aquaculture which is a known source of water pollution, wetland loss and mangrove swamp destruction.
• Biodiversity — Biodiversity is increasingly coming under threat from development, which destroys or degrades natural habitats, and from pollution from a variety of sources. The first comprehensive global assessment of biodiversity put the total number of species at close to 14 million and found that between 1% and 11% of the world’s species may be threatened by extinction every decade. Coastal ecosystems, which host a very large proportion of marine species, are at great risk with perhaps one-third of the world’s coasts at high potential risk of degradation and another 17% at moderate risk.
• Atmosphere — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has established that human activities are having a discernible influence on global climate. CO 2 emissions in most industrialized countries have risen during the past few years and countries generally failed to stabilize their greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2000 as required by the Climate Change convention.
• Toxic chemicals — About 100,000 chemicals are now in commercial use and their potential impacts on human health and ecological function represent largely unknown risks. Persistent organic pollutants are now so widely distributed by air and ocean currents that they are found in the tissues of people and wildlife everywhere; they are of particular concern because of their high levels of toxicity and persistence in the environment.
• Hazardous wastes — Pollution from heavy metals, especially from their use in industry and mining, is also creating serious health consequences in many parts of the world. Incidents and accidents involving uncontrolled radioactive sources continue to increase, and particular risks are posed by the legacy of contaminated areas left from military activities involving nuclear materials.
• Waste — Domestic and industrial waste production continues to increase in both absolute and per capita terms, worldwide. In the developed world, per capita waste generation has increased threefold over the past 20 years; in developing countries, it is highly likely that waste generation will double during the next decade. The level of awareness regarding the health and environmental impacts of inadequate waste disposal remains rather poor; poor sanitation and waste management infrastructure is still one of the principal causes of death and disability for the urban poor.

Attributions

Modified by Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger from  The Earth, Humans, & the Environment ,  Environment and Sustainability , and  Environmental Ethics  from  Environmental Biology  by Matthew R. Fisher (licensed under CC-BY )

Contributors and Attributions

• Essentials of Environmental Science by Kamala Doršner is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified from the original by Matthew R. Fisher.

What Is Environmental Science?

Dr. Frederic Beaudry is an associate professor of environmental science at Alfred University in New York.

• University of Maine
• Humboldt State University
• Université du Québec à Rimouski
• Natural Science
• Agriculture

Environmental science is the study of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of nature. As such, it is a multidisciplinary science: it involves a number of disciplines like geology, hydrology, soil sciences, plant physiology, and ecology. Environmental scientists may have training in more than one discipline; for example, a geochemist has expertise in both geology and chemistry. Most often, the multidisciplinary nature of environmental scientists’ work comes from collaborations they foster with other scientists from complementary research fields.

A Problem-Solving Science

Environmental scientists rarely just study natural systems, but instead usually work towards solving problems stemming from our interactions with the environment. Normally the basic approach taken by environmental scientists first involves using data to detect a problem and evaluate its extent. Solutions to the issue are then designed and implemented. Finally, monitoring is done to determine whether the problem was fixed. Some examples of the types of projects environmental scientists may be involved with include:

• Coordinating cleanup efforts at an abandoned oil refinery labeled as a Superfund site, determining the extent of the pollution problem and putting together a restoration plan.
• Forecasting the effects of global climate change and sea level rise on a coastal bay system, and assisting with finding solutions to limit damages on coastal wetlands, shoreline property, and public infrastructure.
• Consulting with a construction team to help them with minimizing sediment pollution coming from the site of a future grocery store.
• Assisting the managers of a state government’s fleet of vehicles with taking steps to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
• Designing a restoration plan to bring acreage of oak savanna in the proper ecological state to host the endangered Karner blue butterfly and its host plant, the blue lupine.

A Quantitative Science

To evaluate the condition of a field site, the health of an animal population, or the quality of a stream most scientific approaches require extensive data collection. That data then needs to be summarized with a suite of descriptive statistics, then used to verify if a particular hypothesis is supported or not. This type of hypothesis testing requires complex statistical tools. Trained statisticians are often part of large research teams to assist with complicated statistical models.

Other types of models are often used by environmental scientists. For example, hydrological models help understand groundwater flow and the spread of spilled pollutants, and spatial models implemented in a geographical information system (GIS) will help track deforestation and habitat fragmentation in remote areas.

An Education in Environmental Science

Whether it is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS), a university degree in environmental science can lead to a wide range of professional roles. Classes typically include earth science and biology courses, statistics, and core courses teaching sampling and analytical techniques specific to the environmental field. Students generally complete outdoor sampling exercises as well as inside laboratory work. Elective courses are usually available to provide students with the appropriate context surrounding environmental issues, including politics, economics, social sciences, and history.

Adequate university preparation for a career in environmental science can also take different paths. For example, a degree in chemistry, geology, or biology can provide a solid educational basis, followed by graduate studies in environmental science. Good grades in the basic sciences, some experience as an intern or summer technician, and positive letters of recommendation should allow motivated students to get into a Master’s program.

Environmental Science as a Career

Environmental science is practiced by people in a wide variety of sub-fields. Engineering firms employ environmental scientists to evaluate the condition of future project sites. Consulting companies can assist with remediation, a process where previously polluted soil or groundwater is cleaned up and restored to acceptable conditions. In industrial settings, environmental engineers use science to find solutions to limit the amount of polluting emissions and effluents. There are state and federal employees who monitor air, water, and soil quality to preserve human health.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% growth in environmental science positions between the years 2016 and 2026. The median salary was $69,400 in 2017.

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What is Environmental Science?

Environmental science is a science that contains a wide range of scientific disciplines. These disciplines are grouped together based on the natural environment which they encompass and interact with. These sciences include physical, chemical, and biological components. Environmental science provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the environmental systems. The most common way environmental science is studied is through the work of one individual or small team drawing on the published work of many other scientists throughout the world.

Environmental science is based on the impact of human actions upon terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and develops ideas and plans for restoring these ecosystems. Environmental scientists also help planners develop and construct buildings and other modules to help benefit water resources and efficient land usage. Environmental research is commonly conducted among many different interdisciplinary sciences to produce one goal. Since most environmental issues deal with human activities, study of economics, law and social sciences are often used in conjunction with environmental science.

Environmental science deals with a wide range of issues including: climate change, conservation, biodiversity, water quality, soil and groundwater contamination, natural resources, waste management, development, disaster reduction, and various pollutions. While the environment has been studied since as long as science has been around, only recently (1960s and 1970s) has it become an active mainstream scientific investigation. Growing public awareness of environmental issues and a need for action is one factor in the growth of environmental science to what it is today.

Environmental sciences pertaining to the atmosphere examine the phenomena of the Earth’s gaseous outer layer and the relation it has to other systems. Atmospheric sciences is comprised of meteorological studies, greenhouse gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion modeling of airborne contaminants, sound propagation phenomena related to noise pollution, and even light pollution.

Other environmental sciences include environmental chemistry, geosciences, environmental geology, environmental soil science, and volcano phenomena. Hydrology and oceanography can sometimes be linked to environmental science. With all environmental sciences, many other disciplines are utilized and are needed in the issues pertaining to our environment.

In common usage, environmental science and ecology are often used in conjunction with one another, but technically, ecology refers to only the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment. Ecology could be considered a subfield of environmental science, which could involve purely chemical, or public health issues that ecologists are unlikely to study. There is considerable overlap between the work of ecologists and other environmental scientists. Image Credit: NASA/Wikipedia

Chapter 1 ~ Introduction

Environmental hazards, biodiversity, biotic factors, abiotic factors, pollution, lithosphere, hydrosphere, population growth, nutrient cycles, global warming, climate change, sustainability, environmental justice, renewable energy, and non-renewable energy.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this chapter, students will be able to:

• Trace the history of environmental science at local and global levels, the role of environmental science as an interdisciplinary subject, and its interrelationships with other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
• Define characteristics of all living beings (biota) based on the six kingdoms, their role in ecosystems, and their interaction with non-living (abiotic) factors, including the hydrologic cycle and the biogeochemical cycle of major elements: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S).
• Describe renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
• Identify environmental hazards and describe their toxic effects.
• Differentiate between biological, physical, and chemical stressors in the environment and their effects on biodiversity and natural resources.
• Explain the role of human beings in modifying ecosystems and human impacts on global warming, agriculture, food, nutrition, starvation, and environmental justice.

Chapter Overview

Introduction, the history of environmental science, interdisciplinary nature of environmental science.

Biosphere: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere

Preserving Biodiversity and the Six Kingdoms of Life

Demographics, non-renewable and renewable energy sources, nutrient cycles, environmental hazards, global warming, environmental agriculture, environmental ethics, quality, and justice, chapter summary.

Environmental science is a broad, important subject that encompasses all life forms (from microbial organisms to elephants and blue whales), as well as inanimate objects (water, air, soil, rocks, volcanoes) and their interactions. This chapter introduces basic environmental science concepts and perspectives that will be expanded in the remaining ten chapters. This chapter begins with a brief history of environmental science followed by the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science, the biosphere, biodiversity, demographics, environmental hazards, energy sources, nutrient cycling, global warming, environmental impact on agriculture, environmental ethics, quality, and justice and ends with a chapter summary.

The history of environmental science can be traced back to ancient civilizations where people had to develop techniques for adapting to their environment to survive. However, the modern field of environmental science emerged in the mid-twentieth century, as concerns over pollution and environmental degradation became more prominent. One of the key milestones in the history of environmental science was the publication of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring in 1962. This book highlighted the negative effects of pesticides and other chemicals on the environment and helped to spur the environmental movement in the United States and around the world.

During the 1970s, there was a growing recognition of the need for environmental regulation, and many countries passed laws to protect their air, water, and land resources. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established on December 2, 1970. In 1970, the United States passed the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act of 1972, which set standards for air and water quality and established regulatory agencies to enforce these standards.

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a growing focus on global environmental issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The United Nations (UN) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 to study the causes and impacts of climate change, and in 1992, the UN held the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where countries pledged to take action to address environmental problems.

Today, environmental science is a multidisciplinary field focused on understanding the interactions between humans and the natural environment and developing solutions to environmental problems.

Dive Deeper into the History of Environmental Science

The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act were foundational pieces of legislation. Follow the links to read a summary of these laws.

The field has been shaped by many scientists. Read about famous environmental scientists in Top 18 Famous Environmental Scientists You Should Know (2023) .

This documentary, 50 Years of Earth Day , describes the impact of Carson’s work in launching the environmental movement in the US.

As an interdisciplinary field, environmental science involves the study of interactions between humans and the natural environment. It draws upon knowledge and techniques from a variety of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and ecology, among others. For example, environmental scientists may use their knowledge of biology to study the effects of pollution on plant and animal populations, or they may use chemistry to analyze the composition of air, water, and soil samples. Geology is also important in understanding how natural processes like erosion and volcanic activity impact the environment, and physics is used to study climate change and its effects on the environment.

In addition to the natural sciences, environmental science also incorporates knowledge from social sciences such as economics, politics, and sociology. Environmental economists, for example, study the costs and benefits of different environmental policies, while environmental sociologists may investigate how social factors influence people’s attitudes toward the environment.

This interdisciplinary approach is necessary because environmental problems are often complex and interconnected and require a holistic understanding of the underlying causes and potential solutions. By bringing together knowledge from multiple disciplines, environmental scientists are better able to identify and address these complex problems. Figure 1.2 displays a broader list of academic disciplines that can contribute to environmental studies, a field like environmental science that looks at human interactions and the natural environment.

The biosphere is the region of the earth that encompasses all living organisms: plants, animals, and bacteria. It is a feature that distinguishes the Earth from the other planets in the solar system. “Bio” means life, and the term biosphere was first coined by a Russian scientist (Vladimir Vernadsky) in the 1920s. Another term sometimes used is ecosphere (“eco” meaning home). The biosphere includes the outer region of the earth (the lithosphere) and the lower region of the atmosphere (the troposphere). It also includes the hydrosphere, the region of lakes, oceans, streams, ice, and clouds comprising the earth’s water resources.

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the outer crust of the Earth, which is composed of the upper mantle and crust and arranged in concentric layers like an onion. Below the lithosphere are three layers: the lower mantle, outer core, and inner core.

The massive core has a diameter of about 3,500 km and is composed of hot, molten metals, particularly iron and nickel. The internal heat of Earth is thought to be generated by the slow, radioactive decay of unstable isotopes of certain elements, such as uranium.

The mantle is a less dense region that encloses the core. It is about 2,800 kilometers thick and composed of minerals in a plastic, semi-liquid state known as magma. The mantle contains relatively light elements, notably silicon, oxygen, and magnesium, occurring as various mineral compounds. Magma from the upper mantle sometimes erupts to the surface at mountainous vents known as volcanoes and is usually spewed to the surface as lava, which cools to form basaltic rock.

The lithosphere is only about 80 kilometers thick. It is composed of rigid, relatively light rocks, especially basaltic, granitic, and sedimentary ones. These rocks contain elements found in the mantle as well as enriched quantities of aluminum, carbon, calcium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, and other lighter elements, because of weathering and other forces. Living organisms change the lithosphere slowly by using non-biodegradable substances.

The outermost layer is known as the crust. The oceanic crust is relatively thin, averaging 10–15 kilometers, while the continental crust is 20–60 kilometers thick.

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere is the portion of Earth that contains water (H 2 O), including in the oceans, atmosphere, land surface, and underground. The hydrologic cycle (or water cycle) refers to the rates of movement (fluxes) of water among these various reservoirs (compartments). The hydrologic cycle functions at all scales, ranging from local to global. The major elements of the global hydrologic cycle are illustrated in Figure 1.4.

The atmosphere is an envelope of gasses that surrounds the Earth and is held in place by the attractive forces of gravity. The density of the atmospheric mass is much greater close to the surface and decreases rapidly with increasing altitude. The atmosphere consists of four layers, whose boundaries are inexact because they may vary over time and space:

• The troposphere (or lower atmosphere) contains 85–90% of the atmospheric mass and extends from the surface to an altitude of 8–20 kilometers. It is thinner at high latitudes, and thicker at equatorial latitudes, but also varies seasonally, at any place being thicker during the summer than in the winter. It is typical for air temperature to decrease with increasing altitude within the troposphere, and convective air currents (winds) are common. Consequently, the troposphere is sometimes referred to as the “weather layer.”
• The stratosphere extends from the troposphere to as high as about 50 kilometers above the earth, depending on the season and latitude. Air temperature varies little with altitude within the stratosphere, and there are few convective air currents.
• The mesosphere extends beyond the stratosphere to about 75 kilometers.
• The thermosphere extends to 450 kilometers or more.

Preserving the b iodiversity of life forms within each of the six kingdoms of life is essential to maintaining the health and ecological balance of our planet and its inhabitants.

The six kingdoms of life are separated into two groups: prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Prokaryotic organisms lack a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles and include Domains Archaea and Bacteria. Archaea includes one kingdom, archaebacteria. Archaea is a group of single-celled microorganisms that are distinct from both bacteria and eukaryotes. Archaea are found in a wide range of environments, including extreme environments such as hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and highly saline lakes.

Kingdom Bacteria is also known as Eubacteria, which means “true bacteria.” This kingdom includes a diverse group of prokaryotic organisms that are found in virtually every habitat on Earth. They are characterized by their generally small size (usually ranging from 0.2 to 5 micrometers). Eubacteria are responsible for many important processes, such as nitrogen fixation (the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants), decomposition, and fermentation.

Eukaryotic organisms have a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles and include the Domain Eukarya. Domain Eukarya includes four kingdoms: Protista, Fungi, Plants, and Animals. Protista is a biological kingdom that includes a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms. The classification of Protista is somewhat outdated and is no longer recognized as a formal taxonomic group in many modern classifications. Protista are typically unicellular or simple multicellular organisms, and they exhibit a wide range of characteristics and lifestyles.

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.  Fungi play important roles in nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter. To preserve biodiversity in this kingdom, we can protect forests and other habitats where fungi are abundant, limit the use of fungicides, and promote pollution able farming practices that incorporate the use of mycorrhizal fungi to enhance soil health.

Plants are critical to the survival of many animal species and play a key role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. To preserve biodiversity in this kingdom, we can work to protect and restore natural habitats, reduce deforestation and habitat destruction, and promote the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

Animals play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance and are also important sources of food and medicine for humans. To preserve biodiversity in this kingdom, we can work to protect and restore natural habitats, reduce overfishing and hunting, and promote sustainable tourism practices that do not harm wildlife.

Human Demography

Demography applies the principles of population ecology to the human population. Demographers study how human populations grow, shrink, and change in terms of age and gender composition using vital statistics about people such as births, deaths, population size, and where people live. Demographers also compare populations in different countries or regions. Currently, there are two disparate demographic worlds. On one end is an old, rich, and relatively stable world often referred to as an “ industrialized ” or “ developed ” world and includes many European nations, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia among others. On the other end is a young, poor, and rapidly growing world often referred to as “ less-industrialized ,” “ less-developed ,” or “ developing ” and includes many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In between these two extremes are countries such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Russia, and many others that have not quite attained the developed status but have outpaced the so-called developing countries. These nations are sometimes referred to as “ newly industrialized ” or “ emerging market economies .”

Geographical Distribution of Habitats

The geographical distribution of habitats is determined by the global habitable environment. This distribution affects the natural habitats and their biota. The major population growth remains constant in the areas based on habitable environments from which human populations can acquire food.

Human Population and Interference

Humans can alter their environment to increase their carrying capacity sometimes to the detriment of other species (e.g., via artificial selection for crops that have a higher yield). Earth’s human population is growing rapidly, to the extent that some worry about the ability of the earth’s environment to sustain this population, as long-term exponential growth carries the potential risks of famine, disease, and large-scale death. Although humans have increased the carrying capacity of their environment, the technologies used to achieve this transformation have caused unprecedented changes to Earth’s environment, altering ecosystems to the point where some may be in danger of collapse. The depletion of the ozone layer, erosion due to acid rain, and damage from global climate change are caused by human activities. The ultimate effect of these changes on our carrying capacity is unknown. As some point out, it is likely that the negative effects of increasing carrying capacity will outweigh the positive ones—the carrying capacity of the world for human beings might decrease. The world’s human population is currently experiencing exponential growth even though human reproduction is far below its biotic potential. To reach its biotic potential, all females would have to become pregnant every nine months or so during their reproductive years. Also, resources would have to be such that the environment would support such growth. Neither of these two conditions exists. Despite this fact, the human population is still growing exponentially.

Non-renewable Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy resources are those that cannot be easily replenished in a short time, making them finite and unsustainable in the long run. Fossil fuels are generally the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago and are found deep underground. These fuels may include coal, oil, and natural gas. Tar sands and shale gas are also considered non-renewable energy resources.

Nuclear energy produced by splitting atoms of uranium or plutonium is a process called nuclear fission. From such an exothermic process, the liberated heat is used to generate electricity. Figure 1.9 shows examples of non-renewable energy sources.

Today, non-renewable energy sources are still widely used despite the environmental, climate change and social impacts associated with their extraction, production, refining, and final use and applications. As we move toward a more sustainable and environmentally viable and preserving energy future, there is a growing need by energy consumers to shift toward cleaner, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are those that can be refilled naturally and in a relatively short time or at continuous bases (solar, wind). These energy resources are sustainable and reusable, environmentally friendly, and carbon footprint-reducing agents. They may be used as alternatives to non-renewable energy sources.

Solar energy is generated by capturing solar radiation from the sun using solar panels. This can be used to generate electricity, water heating, or provide energy for various other applications. Wind turbines generate electricity by harnessing the power of the wind. This is a widely used form of renewable energy that is growing rapidly around the world. Hydroelectric power is generated by capturing the energy of falling water to turn turbines and generate electricity. This can be done using large-scale dams or smaller-scale run-of-the-river systems. Geothermal energy is generated by capturing the heat of the Earth’s interior to generate electricity or heat buildings. This can be done by using geothermal power plants or ground-source heat pumps. Biomass energy is generated by burning organic materials such as wood, agricultural waste, and other plant-based substances. This technology can be used to generate heat or electricity or to produce biofuels for transportation.

Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important to humanity, as we seek to transition to a more sustainable, replenishable energy future wit h fewer emissions. I n addition to being less harmful to the environment than non-renewable energy sources, renewable energy also offers a range of economic and social benefits, including job creation, energy independence, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 4 concentrates more on the effects of energy and sustainability across the nation and the state of Louisiana. The chapter will also address best practices of energy preservation within our environment.

The existence of organisms in the environment depends on recycling valuable nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon, which are all necessary for life. Nutrients are vital for the metabolism of living things and the survival of ecosystems.

Yet, these nutrients can travel from the Hawaiian Islands to Louisiana’s Gulf of Mexico. This happens as nutrients cyclically move through the environment and travel through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

The movement of nutrients through the environment is known as nutrient cycles or biogeochemical cycles as seen in Figure 1.12. Carbon is recycled and moves through the environment when animals release CO 2 into the atmosphere to be absorbed by plant leaves. This occurrence is seen in aquatic and terrestrial plants that capture CO 2 from the atmosphere to use in the production of food through photosynthesis. The atmosphere contains 78% of gaseous nitrogen (N 2 ). However, nitrogen changes into various forms when it enters the soil from the atmosphere. Soil bacteria must convert N 2 to usable forms for plant uptake. This process is known as nitrogen fixation. After this process, N 2 is released from the soil into the atmosphere, and the nitrogen cycle starts again.

A limited amount of phosphorus can be found in the atmosphere as aerosol particles from the ocean and wind-blown dust particulates. However, the majority of the phosphorus in the environment is bonded to subterranean rocks and is only released during weathering processes. Plants can absorb phosphorus through their root systems when phosphate is dissolved in water. Organisms referred to as decomposers recycle phosphorus back into the soil. Decomposers also recycle nutrients in the ecosystem by dissolving decayed organic materials.

The existence of water dates back millions of years. Water is constantly being recycled through the hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle. The recycling of water involves four major processes: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration. Evaporation occurs when water is heated by the ambient temperature (temperature in the environment) and turns into a gaseous vapor. When the warm water vapor rises and meets the cold air in the atmosphere, condensation occurs, and clouds are formed. Clouds are composed of water droplets from the condensation. The cycle is repeated when the water droplets get too heavy and fall out of the cloud back to the Earth as precipitation. Precipitation may exist in the form of ice, rain, sleet, and snow.

A wide range of environmental hazards come across in almost all habitats and public and private properties including, but not limited to, the workplace, construction areas, parks and recreational areas, industries, and living beings.

• Biological hazards are caused by a variety of organisms belonging to the six kingdoms of life. The effect of biological hazards such as physiological changes, responses to stimuli, reproductive behavior, and diseases, could cause short (acute) and or long-term (chronic) damage to life forms. Their environmental abiotic factors are also affected depending on the causative agent, dose, length of interaction or exposure, and geographical distribution of the hazard.
• Chemical hazards are mainly two kinds—inorganic such as toxic metals (Lead, Pb; Copper, Cu; Iron, Fe; Mercury, Hg; Aluminum, Al; Cadmium, Cd, etc.) and organic chemicals such as Methyl Mercury (CH 3 Hg); Polychlorinated biphenyls; Benzene; Poly aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. The chemical hazards are toxic, which affects the living organisms and their habitats, including the water, air, and soil quality. They will have long-term consequences for living beings. Radiation will have devastating long-term and generational consequences in life forms due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties.
• Physical hazards ranging from a wet floor in buildings, foul odor in the air, depth in water bodies, and extreme temperatures cause thermal pollution. War zones, heavy machinery use in construction areas, and ball games in indoor stadiums cause noise pollution. Excessive rainfall and flooding cause loss of property and life especially in low-lying areas and flood-prone zones. Forest fires cause loss of life, biomass of ecosystems, and toxic gas release.
• Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcano eruptions, cause loss of life and biodiversity, disrupt the harmony in ecosystems, reduce the productivity of food chains and food webs, and damage the environmental quality.

The details of various hazards and their impact on humans and biodiversity will be presented in chapters 5 and 6.

In general, the types of hazards and levels of their toxic intensity and interaction with species in diversified habitats could cause the following changes in life forms (biota):

• Anthropogenic : Toxins and their distribution in the environment and among the biota are due to human activities, which eventually damage the natural resources and human health. Most commonly, anthropogenic (man-made) toxins are associated with numerous activities. One example is the accidental emissions of chemicals into the environment. Another example is the release of substances that react in the environment to synthesize chemicals of greater toxicity. The release of excessive heat from factories and industrial sites into the nearby water bodies increases the water temperature. The discharges of nutrient-rich sewage or fertilizer into water bodies cause eutrophication.

Environmental hazards and toxins may have serious effects:

• Human illness, diseases, and death due to the excessive release of toxic gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ).
• Loss of habitats, life forms, and biodiversity.
• Chronic respiratory and heart diseases.
• Auto exhaust fumes, smoking, secondhand smoke, laboratory solvents, and particulate matter released into the air from the mining industry will cause health severe and chronic problems to humans.
• Indoor pollution and toxins released from space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces burning wood, kerosene, nitric oxide, and organic vapors cause health problems and loss of man-hours and productivity.
• Smog causes a significant number of problems and toxicity to vegetation, erodes building surfaces and metal sculptures due to acid rain, and causes heart and lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, in vulnerable populations.

An increase in the Earth’s surface temperature is referred to as global warming , also known as climate change . To be more precise, global warming is the cause of the Earth’s climate change. Natural occurrences on the Earth and anthropogenic activities are responsible for increased surface temperatures. Rising sea levels, sporadic flooding, melting glaciers, wildfires, storms, and the loss of wildlife habitats are just a few of the damaging effects of heightened warming trends. The culprit for extreme weather and climate events can be traced to greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. Greenhouse gases are a product of man-made activities such as agricultural activities, combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial manufacturing of products.

Major greenhouse gasses include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, and water vapor as shown in Figure 1.13. The greenhouse effect occurs when a layer of greenhouse gasses from man-made activities hovers in the Earth’s atmosphere. Because of this, solar radiation strikes the surface of the Earth and bounces back into the atmosphere. The rays from the sunlight are blocked by the layer of greenhouse gasses. The surface temperature of the Earth increases as a result of this activity. It is important to note that without greenhouses, the Earth would be too cold for life to exist. Nonetheless, the amount of emissions caused by human activity is excessive and has become globally problematic. Once in the atmosphere, greenhouse gasses can linger there for a few years to thousands of years.

The persistent altering of Earth’s climate and weather patterns is evidence of the unsettling impacts of global warming. About 2% of global warming is caused by natural events such as variations in solar radiation levels, tectonic shifts, and the suspension of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. However, on a larger scale, global warming is caused by the human usage of petroleum-based fuels, coal, electricity, fertilizers, and industrial manufactured products. The intensity of storms, the rise in sea levels, and the expansion of the ocean are all signs of climate change.

All around the world, but notably at the Earth’s poles, ice is melting. This global imbalance has affected various wildlife species and their habitats. In some cases, the melting ice has led to the collapse of sections of the landscape because rising sea levels often flood coastal regions. Unusual warm temperatures in the ocean can damage aquatic species, fuel tropical cyclones and hurricanes, and cause the ocean to expand.

Most of the extra heat from global warming is absorbed in the upper crust of the ocean, which is about 700 meters down. Unfortunately, this area of the ocean is home to a diverse population of aquatic species such as fish, plankton, and whales. Scientists believe that increased temperatures cause stress in marine environments. Due to their extreme sensitivity, corals will expel their internal algae in the presence of heated temperatures. This event is known as bleaching in which corals frequently fail to recover as shown in Figure 1.15.

To support healthy ecosystems, we must engage in sustainable practices, as these actions can reduce the effects of global warming. Using renewable energy sources, consuming less water, walking instead of driving, and recycling plastic and aluminum products, among other things, are some practical ways to lessen the impact of global warming and climate change. Advocates for local initiatives addressing global warming have grown in popularity, and many of the environmental projects they support have an impactful transformation on the environment and our planet. On a larger scale, some environmental groups support projects that protect our forest landscape. This is a notable effort because CO 2 is a key greenhouse gas. Protecting our forest ecosystems will sequester significant amounts of CO 2 .

Agriculture can be defined as the science, and art, of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock. Even relatively simple agricultural practices can greatly increase food production compared with the hunting and gathering of wild animals and plants. Before the development of agriculture, which first appeared around 10,500 years ago, perhaps 5–10 million people were able to subsist through a hunter-and-gatherer lifestyle.

Today, the world supports an enormous population (more than 7.3 billion in 2015 and 7.9 billion in 2023), and almost all depend on the agricultural production of food (fishing and hunting also provide some food). The development of agricultural practices and technologies, and their improvements over time, are among the most crucial of the “revolutions” that have marked the socio-cultural evolution of Homo sapiens .

In any event, beginning with the cultivation and then domestication of a few useful plants and animals, agricultural technology has advanced to the point where it can support enormous populations of humans and our mutualist species.

Modern agriculture involves several distinct management practices that impact crop plants, production of crops, cultivation practices, and livestock, to name a few. In the case of crop plants, they include selective breeding, tillage, the use of fertilizer and pesticides, irrigation, and reaping. Each practice helps to increase the yield of biomass that can be harvested for food or other uses. The practices are typically used in various combinations, which are undertaken as an integrated system of the ecosystem and species management to achieve a large production of crops. However, the management practices also cause important environmental damage.

Chapter 10 will investigate environmental damages associated with agriculture, with particular attention to effects that occur in the United States.

Environmental impacts on agriculture include declining site capability, nutrient loss, organic matter, soil erosion, compaction, salinization, and desertification.

Agricultural site capability (or site quality) refers to the ability of an ecosystem to sustain the productivity of crops. As plants grow, they take up nutrients from the soil. When a crop is harvested, the nutrients contained in its biomass are removed from the site, resulting in nutrient loss. Soil organic matter is a crucial factor that affects fertility and site capability, since the organic matter has a strong influence on the capacity of soil to hold water and nutrients and on its aeration, drainage, and tilth. Soil is eroded by wind and by the runoff of rain and melted snow. Although erosion is a natural process, its rate can be greatly increased by agricultural practices, and this may be a serious environmental problem. Compaction occurs when the air spaces in the soil are compressed, resulting in waterlogging, oxygen-poor conditions, impaired nutrient cycling, poor root growth, and decreased crop productivity. Salinization is a buildup of soluble minerals in the surface soil that can be a major problem in drier regions. Desertification, the increasing aridity of drylands, is a complex problem, caused by both climate change and other anthropogenic influences. Ultimately, these aforementioned environmental factors interweave and can negatively impact agricultural outcomes.

Pollution caused by agriculture includes groundwater and surface waters, which can become polluted by runoff containing fertilizer, pesticides, and livestock sewage. Inputs of nutrients and organic matter from fertilizer and sewage can cause severe ecological damage to surface waters through eutrophication and oxygen depletion. These changes, coupled with the presence of pathogenic and parasitic organisms, can result in waters becoming unsuitable for drinking by people, perhaps even by livestock, or for use in irrigation. Chapter 10 will explore these impacts on human behaviors.

Environmental Impact of Human Behavior

Human behaviors can positively or negatively impact environmental outcomes. For instance, food supply and nutrition, malnutrition, and starvation. In 2014, more than 7.3 billion people were alive, and almost all were reliant on crops as their prime source of food. There are also relatively minor amounts of food that are harvested from the wild, such as by fisheries, but agricultural production is responsible for the great bulk of the modern human diet. Staple food crops are the main source of dietary energy in the human diet and include rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, maize, and cassava.

However, food security plagues one in nine individuals in the world with more individuals living in poverty, which is defined as living on less than $1.25 per day. Poverty is the major driver of food insecurity. The lack of social and physical economic access to food at national and household levels and inadequate nutrition (or hidden hunger) are major issues for impoverished communities. Food security is built on four pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Individuals lacking food stability may suffer from a lack of essential nutrients or malnutrition.

As a means to counteract crop loss, which could further impact food security, plant physiologists have genetically engineered crops through agricultural biotechnology. The field of agricultural biotechnology uses a range of tools that include both traditional breeding and modernized lab-based methods, which include genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and transgenic crops. Creating GMOs introduces new traits to crops that can allow protection from pests, enhanced nutrition to humans and animals, reduced costs to farmers, and more manageable production. However, there are factors to consider with the cultivation of GMOs such as hybridization with native species, ecological impacts on the pollinating organisms, and human health.

Another recent innovation in agriculture is the use of transgenic crops, which have been genetically modified by the introduction of genetic material (DNA or RNA) from another species. This bioengineering intends to confer some advantage to the crop that cannot be developed through selective breeding, which relies only on the intrinsic genetic information (the genome) that is naturally present in the species. Chapter 10 will further investigate the impacts of the four pillars of food security along with the impacts of agricultural biotechnology on human health.

Environmental Ethics

The choices that people make can influence environmental quality in many ways—by affecting the availability of resources, causing pollution, and causing species and natural ecosystems to become endangered. Decisions influencing environmental quality are influenced by two types of considerations: knowledge and ethics.

In this context, knowledge refers to information and understanding about the natural world, and ethics refers to the perception of right and wrong and the appropriate behavior of people toward each other, other species, and nature. Ethical behaviors are typically associated with social interactions with other members of society. Environmental ethics centers around the responsibility of our society to make ethical and moral decisions in response to the world around us. Of course, people may choose to interact with the environment and ecosystems in various ways. On the one hand, knowledge guides the consequences of choices, including damage that might be caused and actions that could be taken to avoid that effect. On the other hand, ethics provides guidance about which alternative actions should be favored or even allowed to occur.

Because modern humans have enormous power to utilize and damage the environment, the influence of knowledge and ethics on choices is a vital consideration. And we can choose among various alternatives. For example, individual people can decide whether to have children, purchase an automobile, or eat meat, while society can choose whether to allow the hunting of whales, clear-cutting of forests, or construction of nuclear power plants. All of these options have implications for environmental quality.

Perceptions of value (of merit or importance) also profoundly influence how the consequences of human actions are interpreted. Environmental values can be divided into two broad classes: utilitarian and intrinsic.

Utilitarian value (also known as instrumental value) is based on the known importance of something to the welfare of people (see also the discussion of the anthropocentric world view, below).

Intrinsic value is based on the belief that components of the natural environment (such as species and natural ecosystems) have inherent value and a right to exist, regardless of any positive, negative, or neutral relationships with humans.

The environmental values described above underlie this system of ethics. Applying environmental ethics often means analyzing and balancing standards that may conflict, because aesthetic, ecological, intrinsic, and utilitarian values rarely coincide.

Values and ethics, in turn, support larger systems known as worldviews. A worldview is a comprehensive philosophy of human life and the universe and of the relationship between people and the natural world. World views include traditional religions, philosophies, and science, as well as other belief systems. In an environmental context, generally important worldviews are known as anthropocentric, biocentric, and ecocentric, while the frontier and sustainability worldviews are more related to the use of resources. These worldviews will be further explored in chapter 11.

Environmental Quality

Environmental quality deals with anthropogenic pollution and disturbances and their effects on people, their economies, other species, and natural ecosystems. Pollution may be caused by gases emitted by power plants and vehicles, pesticides, or heated water discharged into lakes. Examples of disturbance include clear-cutting, fishing, and forest fires. The consequences of pollution and disturbance for biodiversity, climate change, resource availability, risks to human health, and other aspects of environmental quality are examined in chapters 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

In a general sense, the cumulative impact of humans on the biosphere is a function of two major factors: (1) the size of the population and (2) the per capita (per-person) environmental impact. The human population varies greatly among and within countries, as does the per capita impact, which depends on the kind and degree of economic development that has occurred. Sustainable economic development requires meeting and sustaining the needs of the current generation without inhibiting future generations from meeting and sustaining their needs. Meeting goals for environmental quality, specifically sustainable economic development, can be measured by applying the IPAT Equation.

Calculations based on this simple IPAT formula show that affluent, technological societies have a much larger per capita environmental impact than poorer ones. This requires a look at ethical decision-making about the environment and principles, such as the Tragedy of the Commons and environmental justice.

The Tragedy of the Commons is an economic principle that focuses on individuals intentionally or unintentionally using resources in excess. This principle stems from the 1968 essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons” written by Garrett Hardin. The essay presents the following scenario:

Imagine a pasture open to all (the ‘commons’). It is to be expected that each herdsman will try to keep as many cattle as possible on the commons. As rational beings, each herdsman seeks to maximize their gain. Adding more cattle increases their profit, and they do not suffer any immediate negative consequence because the commons are shared by all. The rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course is to add another animal to their herd, and then another, and so forth. However, this same conclusion is reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing the commons. Therein lies the tragedy: each person is locked into a system that compels them to increase their herd, without limit, in a world that is limited. Eventually this leads to the ruination of the commons. In a society that believes in the freedom of the commons, freedom brings ruin to all because each person acts selfishly (Fisher, 23).

Hardin went on to apply the situation to modern commons: overgrazing of public lands, overuse of public forests and parks, depletion of fish populations in the ocean, use of rivers as a common dumping ground for sewage, and fouling the air with pollution.

Dive Deeper into Environmental Quality in Louisiana

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and inclusion of all individuals independent of their demographic characteristics (race, ethnicity, national origin, and socioeconomic status) in the “development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Therefore, environmental injustice stems from an imbalance in resource access and systemic issues plaguing society. Chapter 11 will further explore historical and modern instances of environmental injustices exhibited within the United States of America.

Environmental science crosses several academic disciplines including atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, oceanography, physics, and many others. Each discipline can become more specialized and integrated with other disciplines to explain the science of “what is happening in the environment.” Historically, environmental science has been traced to ancient civilizations where people had to learn how to adapt to their environment for survival. Today, the survival of the human population depends on the sustainability and stewardship of natural resources. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of study because it allows for the integration of many perspectives on each issue into in-depth analyses of the topic. Anthropology, business, chemistry, law, medical sciences, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and other disciplines can all make contributions to environmental science.

The biosphere is characterized by a substratum of layers that support all living things on the Earth. These layers include the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The lithosphere is the outer crust of the Earth and exists as one of the concentric layers (crust, core, and mantle) that is stacked in an onion-like pattern. The area of Earth that is covered by water (H2O), including the seas, atmosphere, the surface of the land, and subterranean, is known as the hydrosphere. The atmosphere consists of a layer of gasses that envelops the planet and is kept in place by the gravitational pull of the Earth.

The biosphere sustains six kingdoms, which greatly enhances the diversity of life on Earth. These kingdoms include Eubacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. The aquatic and terrestrial environments of the biosphere are home to a wide variety of organisms from the six kingdoms. Our understanding of the biosphere’s limitations has been saturated by the effects of human activity. The manufacturing of global products, agriculture, and new technologies have caused unprecedented changes to the Earth’s ecosystems to the point where some may be in danger of collapsing. However, it is unclear how these persistent changes will ultimately affect the carrying capacity of the planet.

A biological or non-biological substance that poses a risk to human life or health is referred to as a hazard. Human activities or natural processes cause hazards in the environment that exist as a combination of biological, chemical, or physical hazards. Bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, and natural toxins are organic sources of biological hazards that can adversely affect animal and human health. There are two types of chemical hazards: inorganic and organic. Inorganic substances that contain no carbon are sources of chemical hazards. Organic substances come from chemicals that contain carbon and are sources of chemical hazards as well.

Energy plays a significant and impacting role in the preservation of the environment. Humanity should effectively, responsibly, and efficiently use these energy resources to support current global energy consumption needs. There are two types of energy sources for human consumption: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable energy sources can be replenished. Examples of typical renewable energy sources include wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy. Non-renewable energy sources are limited and unsustainable over the long term, since they are difficult to quickly replace. Fossil fuels are found deep down in the Earth and are typically the skeletal remnants of plants and animals that perished millions of years ago. Coal, oil, and natural gas are just a few examples of fossil fuels.

Nutrient cycling is the movement of nutrients through a repeated pathway that occurs in the environment. The recycling of nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon is essential for life and allows organisms to exist in the environment. Carbon is recycled when animals release CO 2 into the atmosphere to be absorbed by plant leaves. When nitrogen is moved to the soil from the atmosphere, nitrogen fixation allows soil microorganisms to change N 2 into forms that plants can use. Weathering activities liberate most of the phosphorus that is bound to underground rocks so that plants can absorb it through their root systems. The availability of water for all organisms in the environment depends on the movement of water molecules from lakes, oceans, rivers, and streams to the atmosphere and back to the Earth.

Global warming, often known as climate change, is the term used to describe an increase in the Earth’s surface temperature. Evidence of the unsettling effects of global warming is the continual alteration of Earth’s climate and weather patterns. Greenhouse gas emissions are to blame for extreme weather and climatic occurrences. Major greenhouse gasses include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide ozone, and water vapor. Human activities including deforestation, fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, and industrial product manufacturing all produce greenhouse gases. Once in the atmosphere, greenhouse gasses can linger there for a few years to thousands of years, trapping radiation from the sun. The rise in the Earth’s surface temperature can be seen in the intensity of storms, the rise in sea levels, and the expansion of the ocean.

Agricultural production is responsible for dietary energy in the modern human diet that comes from staple food crops, such as rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, maize, and cassava. Numerous management techniques are used in modern agriculture practices to influence animal and plant crop productivity, cultivation methods, and livestock production. Environmental issues that are associated with agricultural practices are reduced site capacity, nutrient loss, organic matter loss, soil erosion, compaction, salinization, and desertification. Food security is important and is built on four pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Conversely, poor nutrition (or hidden hunger) and lack of social and economic access to food at the national and household levels are significant problems for impoverished communities. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and transgenic plants are two examples of modern lab-based techniques that are used in the field of agricultural biotechnology. Transgenic crops can resist diseases because of their genetic modification. This results in significant reductions in the application of chemical pesticides, which in turn reduces harmful effects on the environment.

The core idea of environmental ethics is that society must act morally and ethically concerning the environment. Although the perceptions of value are influenced by the consequences of human actions, environmental values are divided into two categories: utilitarian and intrinsic. The foundation of utilitarian value is based on the importance of something that is connected with the welfare of people. Intrinsic value is associated with the belief that components of the natural environment have inherent value and a right to exist independently of human perspectives.

The term “environmental quality” refers to the state of the environment, including anthropogenic pollution, disruptions, and their impact on people, their economies, other species, and natural ecosystems. An economic principle known as “The Tragedy of the Commons” focuses on people consuming resources excessively, whether on purpose or accidentally. This rule is applicable in cases when overgrazing, resource overuse, food supply depletion, water, air, and land pollution, as well as other factors that contribute to climate change, are present. Environmental justice is the equitable treatment and participation of all people, regardless of their racial, ethnic, national, and socioeconomic backgrounds, in the “development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Therefore, unequal access to resources and societal systemic problems are the root causes of environmental injustice.

Links to Discovery

• Measuring Progress: Water-Related Ecosystems and the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
• Restore a River Back to Life 
• Solar Panels on Farms Make Sheep Happier and Healthier

Critical Thinking

• How do water, air, and soil quality affect agriculture?
• Explain the relationship between air quality and circular economy.
• Explain the generation of electrical energy using wind turbines.
• How does biodiversity impact energy resources?
• Abiotic factors – Non-living factors present in or impacting the environment.
• Biodiversity – The richness of biological variation, including genetic variability as well as species and community richness.
• Biotic factors – living factors present in or impacting the environment.
• Climate change – Long-term changes in air, soil, or water temperature; precipitation regimes; wind speed; or other climate-related factors.
• Environmental hazard – A potential risk factor that negatively impacts the environment.
• Environmental justice – The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
• Global warming – The heating of the earth’s surface is believed to be caused by human behaviors that emit fossil fuels and trap gas in the atmosphere.
• Hydrosphere – The parts of the planet that contain water, including the oceans, atmosphere, land, surface water bodies, underground, and organisms.
• Lithosphere – An approximately 80-km thick region of rigid, relatively light rocks that surround Earth’s plastic mantle.
• Non-renewable energy – Energy sources that are present on Earth in finite quantities, so as it is used, its future stocks are diminished.
• Nutrient cycles – The transfers, chemical transformations, and recycling of nutrients.
• Pollution – The exposure of organisms to chemicals or energy in quantities that exceed their tolerance, causing toxicity or other ecological damages.
• Population growth – When the birth rate plus immigration exceeds the death rate plus emigration.
• Renewable energy – Energy sources that can regenerate after harvesting and potentially can be exploited forever.
• Sustainability – Maintaining the current resources without diminishing the availability of resources for future generations.

González-González, R. B., Sharma, P., Pratap Singh, S., Pinê Américo-Pinheiro, J. H., Parra-Saldívar, R., Bilal, M., and H. Iqbal. (2022). Persistence, environmental hazards, and mitigation of pharmaceutically active residual contaminants from water matrices. Science of the Total Environment, 821 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153329

Theis, T., and J. Tomkins (Eds.)  Environmental Science.  OpenStax. Available via Internet Archive.

Zehnder, C., Manoylov, K., Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., VandeVoort, A., and D. Bennett. (2018). Introduction to Environmental Science (2nd ed.). University System of Georgia. Available via the Open Textbook Library .

Recommended Reading

Biodiversity Heritage Library

Diversity and Biological Balance

Energy and the Environment

Media Attributions

• EPA in Stream © Eric Vance, EPA is licensed under a Public Domain license
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• Environmental Studies Flower © Bill Freedman is licensed under a CC BY-NC (Attribution NonCommercial) license
• 1200px-Earth-crust-cutaway-english.svg
• Coal © Jeffrey Beall is licensed under a CC BY-SA (Attribution ShareAlike) license
• Honda Fit EV at a public charging station in front of San Franci © Mario Duran-Ortiz is licensed under a CC BY-SA (Attribution ShareAlike) license
• Animal_agriculture_is_the_leading_cause_of_global_warming._(23126879740) © Alisdare Hickson is licensed under a CC BY-SA (Attribution ShareAlike) license
• Burgeoning corn crop, East Carroll Parish, LA © Billy Hathorn is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• Louisiana cattle © Jeremiah Wells is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Encompassing a wide diversity of kinds of knowledge.

An approximately 80-km thick region of rigid, relatively light rocks that surround Earth's plastic mantle.

The parts of the planet that contain water, including the oceans, atmosphere, land, surface waterbodies, underground, and organisms.

The exposure of organisms to chemicals or energy in quantities that exceed their tolerance, causing toxicity or other ecological damages.

When the birth rate plus immigration exceeds the death rate plus emigration.

Energy sources that are present on Earth in finite quantities, so as it is used, its future stocks are diminished.

Energy sources that can regenerate after harvesting, and potentially can be exploited forever.

Maintaining the current resources without diminishing the availability of resources for future generations.

Refers to the transfers, chemical transformations, and recycling of nutrients.

Pollution caused by chemical, physical, or biological agents in water, soil, and air causes acute or chronic diseases or harm to human health or even death of living beings including humans.

are nonliving factors present in or impacting the environment.

Occurring as a result of a human influence.

The heating of the earth's surface is believed to be caused by human behaviors that emit fossil fuels and trap gas in the atmosphere.

Long-term changes in air, soil, or water temperature; precipitation regimes; wind speed; or other climate-related factors.

Environmental Science Copyright © 2024 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Essay on Environmental Science

Students are often asked to write an essay on Environmental Science in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Environmental Science

What is environmental science.

Environmental science is the study of how nature works and how we, humans, interact with it. This field looks at air, water, plants, and animals, and tries to find ways to keep them healthy. Scientists in this area work to understand how our actions affect the environment and how we can fix any harm.

Why It Matters

Caring for the environment is important because it’s where we live, get food, and find water. If we don’t look after it, our planet can become dirty and unhealthy. This can make people and animals sick and can make it hard to find clean water and air.

What We Can Do

We can help the environment by recycling, saving water, and not littering. Using less electricity by turning off lights when we leave a room also helps. Planting trees and cleaning up rivers and parks are great ways to keep the environment healthy. Everyone can do something to help.

250 Words Essay on Environmental Science

Environmental science is the study of the natural world and how living and non-living things interact. It is a mix of many subjects like biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. This science tells us how the Earth works and how we can take care of it. It is important because it helps us understand the problems our planet faces.

Why Study the Environment?

We study the environment to learn how to live without harming it. For example, we need clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. Environmental science shows us how pollution affects these resources and what we can do to stop it. It also teaches us how to use the Earth’s resources, like trees and water, without using them all up.

Animals, Plants, and Habitats

Animals and plants live in places called habitats. A habitat can be a forest, a desert, or even a pond. Environmental science helps us understand how these living things depend on their habitats. It also shows us how our actions, like cutting down trees or building cities, can change or destroy these habitats.

Protecting Our Planet

Finally, environmental science gives us ways to protect our planet. It tells us how to reduce waste, save energy, and protect animals and plants that are in danger. By learning environmental science, we can make choices that are good for the Earth. This means we can help make sure the planet is a healthy home for all living things, now and in the future.

500 Words Essay on Environmental Science

Environmental science is the study of the environment and how living things interact with it. It looks at everything from the air we breathe to the soil under our feet. Scientists in this field try to understand how the Earth works and how humans and other creatures live with their surroundings. They also look at the problems we face, like pollution and climate change, and try to find ways to solve them.

The Earth’s Layers and Resources

Our planet is made up of different layers, including the atmosphere, which is the air around us; the hydrosphere, which is all the water on Earth; the lithosphere, which is the ground and rocks; and the biosphere, which is where all living things are. Each layer is important and works together to make Earth a good place for us to live.

The Earth also gives us resources like water, air, and soil, which we need to survive. But we have to use these resources wisely. If we use too much or make them dirty, we can create problems for ourselves and other living things.

Plants and Animals in the Environment

Plants and animals are a big part of the environment. They live in different places like forests, oceans, and deserts. Each plant and animal has a special role in its home, which is called its habitat. They depend on each other and the non-living parts of their habitat to stay alive.

For example, bees need flowers for food, and flowers need bees to spread their pollen so they can make seeds. This is called interdependence, and it shows how everything in the environment is connected.

Environmental Problems

Sadly, there are many problems in our environment. Pollution is when harmful things get into the air, water, or soil. It can make people, plants, and animals sick. Another big problem is cutting down too many trees, which is called deforestation. Trees are important because they give us oxygen and take in carbon dioxide, which is a gas that can make the Earth too warm.

Climate change is a change in the Earth’s weather over a long time. It is making some places too hot, too cold, or too wet. This can be bad for people, plants, and animals. Scientists believe that humans are causing a lot of these changes by using too many resources and making too much pollution.

Protecting Our Environment

We can all help protect the environment. One way is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This means using less, using things again, and making new things out of old things. Saving energy by turning off lights and electronics when we’re not using them is another way to help.

People can also plant trees and clean up trash to make the environment healthier. And we can learn more about the environment and teach others how to take care of it. If we all work together, we can solve environmental problems and make the Earth a better place for everyone.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Environmental Pollution Problem Solution
• Essay on Environmental Protection
• Essay on Environmental Crisis And Sustainable Development

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Home  /  News  /  What Is Environmental Science? 5 Reasons Why To Study It

What Is Environmental Science? 5 Reasons Why To Study It

Do you want to solve environmental problems or help build a more sustainable future? If so, a career in one of many environmental sustainability studies might be the perfect path for you, but first, what is environmental science? 

Even if you are not entirely set on a major yet, keep reading to learn more about how environmental sciences are being developed and applied to practices across industries to conserve resources, reduce carbon emissions, and foster a healthier planet. We start with the definition of environmental science and then explain why it’s such a valuable field of study. 

What Is Environmental Science?

Why is environmental science important, why study environmental science.

What is environmental science about? Explore our  bachelor’s degree in environmental science  to find out. 

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of study encompassing aspects of physics, chemistry, biology, geography, and other disciplines. It aims to understand the environment and how humans impact it. It’s not just a study of the environment but also of possible solutions to environmental issues such as deforestation, global warming, and pollution. 

What Do You Learn In Environmental Science?

Let’s dive deeper into the question of what is the study of environmental science. A degree in environmental science covers topics such as ecology, conservation, and environmental law and policy. When you study environmental science, you will develop skills including but not limited to:

• Evaluating alternative energy sources
• Ecosystem analysis
• Environmental impact assessment
• GIS technology
• Implementing sustainable development principles

Environmental scientists  do a lot of “behind the scenes” work in laboratories and on field sites. It’s not always a glamorous job, but this important work often informs policy decisions, business practices, and public awareness. The importance of environmental science has never been greater as the entire natural world is experiencing the negative effects of  climate change . It is key to finding new solutions and ways to adapt to a changing planet.

Understanding The Interconnectedness Of Ecosystems

Environmental science is the study of relationships within and between ecosystems. It helps us understand the complex interactions that occur in ecosystems and the impacts humans have on them. It’s easy for people in the modern world to forget how interconnected we are with nature, but everything we do has cascading effects on the environment around us. Scientists help us understand these effects and how to minimize them.

Addressing Climate Change And Global Warming

We’re already seeing alarming trends from climate change that are predicted to worsen over the coming years, including rising sea levels, more extreme storms, droughts in some areas, and increased wildfires. Some of these impacts may be reversible, while others can only be mitigated at this point. To do anything impactful, we need professionals who fully understand the extent of the problem and have the skills to create new, innovative solutions. A  B.S. in Environmental Science and Climate Change  can provide the skills and knowledge necessary to combat global warming. 

Promoting Sustainable Resource Management

Environmental science guides sustainable resource management by helping us understand and preserve biodiversity as well as maintain soil and water quality. Scientists encourage companies, governmental agencies, and individuals to consume natural resources in responsible and sustainable ways. Depending on their specialization, environmental scientists may work as consultants for businesses or in parks, fisheries, or forests.

Driving Policy And Environmental Legislation

Environmental science also influences and shapes environmental policies and legislation. Not only has scientific research led to the creation of laws and regulations aimed at protecting the environment, but environmental scientists are often responsible for conducting field site surveys and other tests to ensure compliance with those laws and regulations. If you are particularly interested in legislation and public policy, you may find a  B.S. in Environmental Studies  more suitable than environmental science for your career goals. 

Ready To Learn More About Unity Environmental University?

Learn more about the  differences between environmental studies vs environmental science .

Students who graduate with an environmental science degree have numerous career opportunities. You can work in research, consulting, education, or legislation. No matter which path you choose, studying environmental science can empower you to positively impact the planet. 

Why should I learn about environmental science? Below are the top five reasons:

• A career with a purpose:  When you work in an environmental science job, you get to have a positive impact on the planet every day. You can directly impact environmental policies, conservation efforts, and people’s individual choices.
• Job security:  Many  environmental science jobs are in high demand  and will continue to be over the next decade as you enter the workforce. Qualified professionals will be needed to address the continued effects of climate change. In fact, current employment reports show a widening gap between supply and demand for workers with at least one green skill.
• Good earning potential:  While the average salaries for environmental scientists vary greatly by position, there are many  green jobs that pay well . 
• Social and emotional well-being :  Earning a college degree increases your earning potential and gives you access to new opportunities, but did you know it can also make you a happier and healthier person? People with degrees have a longer lifespan on average and report being happier overall than people without degrees.
• Connection with nature:  Many environmental scientists spend a lot of time outside in nature, and research shows that being in  nature has physical, emotional, and cognitive health benefits  for humans, all of which can help increase your overall quality of life.

Start A Career In Environmental Science At Unity Environmental University

Pursuing a career in environmental science is a smart choice for you as an individual and for the planet as a whole. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the field, there are many different career paths to choose from. Environmentally-focused degrees cover many areas including agroforestry, sustainable business practices, resource conservation practices, regenerative hospitality and much more.

Unity Environmental University offers a  hybrid B.S. in Environmental Science program  that is the ideal combination of flexibility and hands-on experience for students. If you want 100% online degrees, check out Unity’s  B.S. in environmental science and climate change .

B.S. in Environmental Science

B.S. in Environmental Science and Climate Change

B.s. in environmental studies.

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Environmental sciences articles from across Nature Portfolio

Environmental science is the multidisciplinary study of all aspects of the Earth’s physical and biological environments. It encompasses environmental chemistry, soil science, ecology, climatology, vegetation cover, marine and freshwater systems, as well as environmental remediation and preservation, and agriculture and land use.

A bio-inspired membrane for arsenic removal

A membrane inspired by the arsenic–protein interactions in biological systems allows the efficient removal of various arsenic species from contaminated water.

• Baolin Deng

Pervasive fluorinated chemicals

Pollution by per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) is widespread in global water resources and likely to be underestimated, according to global analysis of available PFAS data.

• Mark Strynar

Artificial intelligence can provide accurate forecasts of extreme floods at global scale

Anthropogenic climate change is accelerating the hydrological cycle, causing an increase in the risk of flood-related disasters. A system that uses artificial intelligence allows the creation of reliable, global river flood forecasts, even in places where accurate local data are not available.

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Effects of high-gravity acceleration forces and anti-gravity maneuver on the cardiac function of fighter pilots

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Spatiotemporal atmospheric in-situ carbon dioxide data over the Indian sites-data perspective

• Mahesh Pathakoti
• Mahalakshmi D.V.
• Vinay Kumar Dadhwal

Revealing the global emission gaps for fully fluorinated greenhouse gases

• Xuekun Fang

Geospatial investigation on self-purification capacity of river Estuaries in the Caspian region: reducing heavy metals pollution

• Ali Marefat
• Soheil Asgari
• Abdolreza Karbassi

Eco-environmental changes due to human activities in the Erhai Lake Basin from 1990 to 2020

• Xiaojie Liu

Machine learning-powered estimation of malachite green photocatalytic degradation with NML-BiFeO 3 composites

• Iman Salahshoori
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News and Comment

Replicating real-world microplastics with accelerated physicochemical ageing

Phuping Sucharitakul explains how artificially aged microplastics can accurately reproduce the properties of microplastics in the environment.

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How I use tide gauges to develop geospatial maps

Geographer Muh Aris Marfai collects reference data for Indonesia’s coastal areas to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

• Nikki Forrester

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Environmental Science Essays & Papers for College Students

• Biology and Life Sciences
• Engineering and Construction
• Environmental protection
• Health Sciences and Medicine
• Healthcare and Nursing
• Microbiology

HACCP: A Systematic Approach to Food Safety

Sampling: the selection of a particular sample or group to represent an entire population, gis uses in national wildlife refuge management.

Hire an expert to write you a 100% unique paper aligned to your needs.

Factors That Least Affect the Global Environment

Words: 1188

Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay

Hazard analysis techniques for system safety, the construction of wind and solar farms, the process of production of gold using mercury.

Words: 1665

Science: What It Is and What It Isn't

Professionalism, accountability, best practices, and ethics in emergency management.

Words: 1384

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Fine collection of free essay examples, paper samples and topics

Access a vast arsenal of free writing examples covering any subject or topic. Use these academic essay examples to draw inspiration or deepen your knowledge in various areas. Start exploring now!

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What Is an Environmental Science Essay

Asking for a personal definition of environmental science essay pieces expect receiving a unique angle. Depending on the article's topic, students either start with a brief term and move on or write the whole article only about the definition and main aspects. Articles on ecology often require conducting research beforehand and building strong argumentation strategies.

Authors present unique, original opinions regarding life sciences. Those get supported by credible information, facts, and numbers. Each paper of this genre is a small research work. It provides a decent level of specific info leaving space for personal thoughts or emotions. Read proposed paper samples attentively to make it easier.

Environmental Science Essay Examples That Worked

Quick hack: to create a compelling environmental essay just use free paper samples as a template. Our website offers numerous examples of academic pieces on ecology absolutely for free. Study them, pay attention to details, and extract helpful insights. Implement those insights in custom pieces for a dramatic improvement in final grades. Here’s how these samples of environmental science papers can help:

• Structure improvement

Gain skill of pre-planning. Design narration, pacing, and positioning of arguments. Make transitioning more fluent, natural, and organic.

• Better vocabulary

Learn new subject-specific words and appropriate ways of using them. Add morphological variability to sentences for improved readability.

• Enhanced argumentation

Make reasoning and description more believable. Use dedicated sentence formatting and narration pacing to achieve an ultimate convincing effect.

Tips for Writing an Environmental Science Essay

You can’t just get a free environmental science essay in English. You have to write it yourself. It can be tedious, time-consuming, or even nerve-racking. Introduce some changes to the writing process for streamlined creation and improved quality. Look through any short environmental science paper in pdf examples. An environment protection essay will also come in handy. We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips that will assist in creating good work. Try following them closely for a full effect.

• Choose trustworthy sources. Only credible data sources should be used in such academic pieces. Check correctness and relevance of materials before mentioning them.
• Create an outline. Never ignore text structuring! Design articles beforehand for better transitioning, improved readability, and overall enhanced quality.
• Study samples. Try reading free essay examples before writing, examining each sentence diligently. Such action will provide additional ideas and knowledge. 
• Ask for opinion. If possible, ask someone to read your paper before submission. Additional opinion helps find weak spots in narration and argumentation.

Environmental Science Essay & Paper Topics

Topics on environmental science leave enough space for interpretation and creative thinking. Topic selection is the first stage in the writing process. Young authors should select interesting, engaging subjects. Title must hook attention not only to readers but to authors. Writers must be eager to write about it. Only this approach yields great, high-scoring, impressive articles. Here are some general environmental essay topics for you:

• Describe impacts of technology on nature and climate of the Earth.
• How do plants and living organisms get harmed by humans?
• Explore the effects of recycling on a personal carbon footprint. (Read our recycling essay .)
• Which political and economic factors prevent us from becoming “clean”?
• Explain modern measures for climate change prevention.
• How does climate activism affect social perception of this issue?

Environmental Essay Related Topics

Additionally you can choose from topics related to environmental science. Such subjects leave even more options to present knowledge and highlight writing and analytical skills. Look at these paper titles:

• Remote working – effects on population and ecology.
• Science advancements of the 21st century that help our planet.
• Name 10 countries with the cleanest air and describe each one.
• What to choose: paper bags or plastic ones?
• “Life will always find a way” – discuss by taking Chornobyl as an example.
• Change in people’s behavior towards forests in the last decade.
• Nature protection with law, effective or not?
• Will there be a decrease in global water supplies?

Interesting Environmental Topics for Paper

Were all previous topics for environmental science papers not good enough? Or do you want to tease readers’ brains? Then you need specifically designed text subjects. Those will do dirty on minds taking them somewhere unexpected, unseen before. It’s better if authors create such subjects themselves. If no ideas come to your mind, here are some titles you can use:

• What are the primary local reasons for climate change in Antarctica?
• Describe negative effects of leaving dead bodies on Mount Everest.
• What are your efforts to make tree leaves greener?
• Does EU politics have any effect on ecology in Madagascar?

Would you like to get some fresh ideas? Browse other examples that are close to environmental science, such as an essay on chemistry .

FAQ About Environmental Science Essays

Every student can download countless environmental essays for free. Proposed examples demonstrate unique approaches to this topic and full compliance with regulations. Donated by students they are a perfect opportunity for anyone to improve writing skills without losing too much time. Read samples online or download them as pdf files freely.

Describing the importance of environmental science essay pieces focus on positive effects. Studying nature and ecology has numerous benefits and students must analyze them. Conduct research beforehand and gather useful information. Arrange arguments carefully. If nothing works out or you have no ideas – free paper samples are ready to assist!

Each sample paper about environmental science on this website was donated by other students. They were already submitted and graded. Any plagiarism checker will confirm that. If you are aiming at completing this task you better create unique pieces. Use paper examples as inspiration and source of ideas, arguments, and descriptions.

Each essay on environmental science starts with a definition. It can be the one from the dictionary or created by the student. After that, try hooking the reader's attention. All background information and questions must fire up readers’ interest, engaging them in reading. Use shocking facts, quotations, or even alarming statistics.

Running out of time ?

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Essay on Environment for Students and Children

500+ words essay on environment.

Essay on Environment – All living things that live on this earth comes under the environment. Whether they live on land or water they are part of the environment. The environment also includes air, water, sunlight, plants, animals, etc.

Moreover, the earth is considered the only planet in the universe that supports life. The environment can be understood as a blanket that keeps life on the planet sage and sound.

Importance of Environment

We truly cannot understand the real worth of the environment. But we can estimate some of its importance that can help us understand its importance. It plays a vital role in keeping living things healthy in the environment.

Likewise, it maintains the ecological balance that will keep check of life on earth. It provides food, shelter, air, and fulfills all the human needs whether big or small.

Moreover, the entire life support of humans depends wholly on the environmental factors. In addition, it also helps in maintaining various life cycles on earth.

Most importantly, our environment is the source of natural beauty and is necessary for maintaining physical and mental health.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of the Environment

The environment gives us countless benefits that we can’t repay our entire life. As they are connected with the forest, trees, animals, water, and air. The forest and trees filter the air and absorb harmful gases. Plants purify water, reduce the chances of flood maintain natural balance and many others.

Moreover, the environment keeps a close check on the environment and its functioning, It regulates the vital systems that are essential for the ecosystem. Besides, it maintains the culture and quality of life on earth.

The environment regulates various natural cycles that happen daily. These cycles help in maintaining the natural balance between living things and the environment. Disturbance of these things can ultimately affect the life cycle of humans and other living beings.

The environment has helped us and other living beings to flourish and grow from thousands of years. The environment provides us fertile land, water, air, livestock and many essential things for survival.

Cause of Environmental Degradation

Human activities are the major cause of environmental degradation because most of the activities humans do harm the environment in some way. The activities of humans that causes environmental degradation is pollution, defective environmental policies, chemicals, greenhouse gases, global warming, ozone depletion, etc.

All these affect the environment badly. Besides, these the overuse of natural resources will create a situation in the future there will be no resources for consumption. And the most basic necessity of living air will get so polluted that humans have to use bottled oxygen for breathing.

Above all, increasing human activity is exerting more pressure on the surface of the earth which is causing many disasters in an unnatural form. Also, we are using the natural resources at a pace that within a few years they will vanish from the earth. To conclude, we can say that it is the environment that is keeping us alive. Without the blanket of environment, we won’t be able to survive.

Moreover, the environment’s contribution to life cannot be repaid. Besides, still what the environment has done for us, in return we only have damaged and degraded it.

FAQs about Essay on Environment

Q.1 What is the true meaning of the environment?

A.1 The ecosystem that includes all the plants, animals, birds, reptiles, insects, water bodies, fishes, human beings, trees, microorganisms and many more are part of the environment. Besides, all these constitute the environment.

Q.2 What is the three types of the environment?

A.2 The three types of environment includes the physical, social, and cultural environment. Besides, various scientists have defined different types and numbers of environment.

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What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay

What is environmentally sustainable society? What does it compose of and how does it grow economically? Find all the answers in this environmental sustainability essay example!

Introduction

• Environmentally sustainable society

Works Cited

The environment is an essential component of human life in their daily life. An environmentally sustainable society meets the needs of the individuals in society without causing the destruction of natural resources and protects it for the future generation. Environmentalists are people who advocate for an environmentally sustainable society. Environmentalists emphasize the importance of the environment and seek to influence political processes to include policies that protect natural resources. The following is a discussion on how an environmentally sustainable society can be achieved.

Environmentally Sustainable Society

An environmentally sustainable society can be achieved if the natural resources are taken care of by the present generation to mind future generations. The purpose is to ensure that there is continuity of the people in the society. The environment to sustain society can be achieved if policies that advocate for the protection of the environment are enacted.

To sustain society, the environment should be conserved, refurbished, and improved. Major concerns are environmental pollution, land, ecology, biodiversity, and ethics concerning the environment. The political environmentalist actively campaigns about conservation of the environment. The lobby and support education concerning the preservation and improvement of natural resources. They emphasize that individual behavior should be geared towards the preservation of the environment.

Environmental conservation initiatives will make society come up with schemes to protects and sustain the environment for future societies. Such initiatives will lead to renewable energy as an alternative to sources of fuel that are harmful to the environment. Alternatives to electrical energy are sort (Costa and Kahn 1).

Environmental movements are effective in forming initiatives that maintain society by sustaining the environment. The movements have fewer followers than other ideologies. The curriculum has been introduced in some of the education systems to incorporate policies that are relevant to the preservation of the environment and society. The movements emphasize human rights, health concerns, and ecology, which are necessary for the well being of every individual in society.

To achieve an environmentally sustainable society, the oppression of minority societies should be halted. The minorities have been oppressed, where industrial waste has been dumped close to their neighborhood. Other injustices have been in the form of industries polluting water and polluting air, affecting the societies living close to the industries. Other organizations have made weak infrastructure that has collapsed and injured members of the society. Others have been exposed to chemical toxins that have been carelessly handled by major institutions. To overcome the injustices and oppression of the members of society, environmental movements suggest that the implementation of policies that protect people and the environment should be fastened.

To attain an environmentally sustainable society, the progress of the society should be taken care of in relation to the environment. The needs of the society should be met to elongate their life and to enable them live a fulfilling life with health. The society needs to access safe and clean water for consumption. They also need a supply of food to sustain them. Protecting the environment will ensure that present and future generations can acquire safe water and food. Children are entitled to a safe environment. The society should reduce factors that may lead to infant mortality (McCarthy 1).

In line with Dunlap and McCright (1), environmentalists argue that human beings are responsible for the changes in environment. They also argue that the power to restore the environment is in their hands. Instead of viewing the future as a time where the inevitable will happen, the society should take action to restore the environment. Since global warming is viewed as a threat, the human society can do what the environmentalists recommend. Environmentalists recommend that people plant trees and protect natural habitats of plants and animals.

Political supporters of natural environment have introduced national parks and national forests. Government’s protection of the forest and ecology ensures that the ecosystem balance is maintained. It also shows commitment of the government to the continuity of its people. Regulations on the environment play a major role in environmentally sustainable society.

Prevention of war is essential. War affects the environment and the society. War causes destruction of the environment and infrastructure. What is more is that human being lives are lost. Changes that foster peace are necessary to enable people live productive lives and cause positive change to the environment.

Environmentalism views other form of economic system as destructive to the environment that the society it protects depends on. Economic ideologies that seek to increase productivity and revenue by utilizing industrial technology with harmful emissions and pollution to the environment are discouraged. The scientific evidence on environmental change has made more environmentalists to emphasize the need to rehabilitate natural resources. Scientific evidence points at destruction of atmosphere, different forms of pollution and health problems as evidence.

Other concerns of the environmentalist are the ability to provide food for the increasing population against the challenges of climate changes. The state has a responsibility of protecting its citizens against starvation by implementing policies and schemes that will enable production of food. Protecting the environment will benefit the entire human race on earth.

The environment is important to the human society. An environmentally sustainable society can be achieved if the society conserves and improves the natural resources. Environmentalists seek to influence policy making to conserve the environment. The major concerns of the environmentalists are the change in climate, environmental pollution, biodiversity, ecosystem, preservation of land and environmental ethics.

To sustain the society the environment should be protected for present and future generations. Environmental movements make proposals on the best ways of conserving the environment. There are initiatives to change to alternative energy sources and provide safe environment for the society. Oppression of the minority communities by exposing them to industrial waste and garbage is discouraged. Policies that enhance security and safety of water and food are adopted. Industrial emissions and chemicals that contaminate the environment are dejected. Curriculum in schools includes environmental studies which encourage environmental conservation.

The public is also given information on the environment. Evidence from scientists emphasizes the need for environmental conservation. Peace and the well being of society are encouraged. Human health is also up help if environmentally sustainable society is pursued. Planting of trees, protecting the existing ecosystem and other natural resources is the emphases that will help the society attain sustainability of the society.

Costa, Dora & Kahn, Mathew. Energy conservation “nudges” and environmentalist ideology: Evidence from a randomized residential electricity field experiment , 2010. Web.

Dunlap, Riley and McCright, Aaron. A Widening Gap: Republican and Democratic Views on Climate Change , 2008. Web.

McCarthy, John. Progress and Its Sustainability.” Sustainability of Human Progress , 2010. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmentally-sustainable-society/

"What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/environmentally-sustainable-society/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmentally-sustainable-society/.

1. IvyPanda . "What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmentally-sustainable-society/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "What Is Environmentally Sustainable Society Essay." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmentally-sustainable-society/.

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Environmental Science Behind Perfect Lawns: Expert Strategies Revealed

This essay about the practices and philosophies of a lawn guru provides insights into the comprehensive approach required for maintaining healthy, vibrant lawns. It highlights the importance of understanding soil health, grass types, and local climate conditions as foundational knowledge for tailored lawn care. Key practices discussed include the art of watering, emphasizing early morning sessions to promote deeper root growth and water conservation, and integrated pest management strategies that favor natural and organic solutions over chemicals. The lawn guru’s approach is underpinned by a deep respect for nature, advocating for biodiversity and sustainable practices that view the lawn as an integral part of the ecosystem. This reflection on lawn care extends beyond aesthetics, presenting it as both an art and a science dedicated to enhancing our environment responsibly.

How it works

In the domain of household care and preservation, the maintenance of a lawn transcends mere visual appeal; it encapsulates the finesse and scientific acumen required to nurture natural greenery. This discourse endeavors to unveil the sagacity and methodologies of a turf virtuoso, an individual who has attained mastery in orchestrating the delicate equilibrium necessary for fostering and sustaining vibrant, flourishing lawns. Through their perspective, we delve not only into the technical facets of lawn upkeep but also into the profound symbiosis between humankind and their verdant surroundings.

A turf virtuoso comprehends that each expanse of turf is as distinctive as a fingerprint, endowed with its own distinct set of requisites and potentials. The journey commences with a comprehensive evaluation of soil vitality, grass variety, and indigenous climatic circumstances. This foundational comprehension permits a bespoke approach to lawn maintenance, accentuating the significance of selecting the appropriate grass species that flourishes in particular environmental contexts. Furthermore, soil health assumes paramount importance; a turf virtuoso acknowledges that sustainable, nutrient-rich soil nurtures the cultivation of robust, resilient turf.

Irrigation practices also constitute a pivotal facet of the lawn care regimen. Contrary to prevalent assumptions, the art of watering transcends mere frequency; it encompasses timing, volume, and methodology. A turf virtuoso advocates for early morning irrigation, which curtails evaporation and ensures profound soil infiltration, thereby fostering deeper root proliferation. This methodology not only conserves water but also fosters a sturdier turf that exhibits enhanced resistance to drought and maladies.

Pest and weed management represent another domain where the proficiency of a turf virtuoso shines. Eschewing chemical antagonism, a turf virtuoso favors integrated pest management (IPM) methodologies. IPM advocates for the deployment of natural predators, biological controls, and organic agents to regulate pests and weeds, thereby mitigating the environmental impact on the turf. This approach reflects a broader ethos that perceives the turf not as an isolated entity but as an integral component of a larger ecosystem.

At the core of a turf virtuoso’s ethos lies a profound reverence for nature and a dedication to sustainable methodologies. They acknowledge that genuine turf management transcends the superficial semblance of verdancy; it revolves around fostering biodiversity, conserving resources, and fashioning a milieu that confers mutual benefits upon both humans and wildlife. A turf virtuoso perceives the turf as a canvas, wherein the grass is not merely a botanical entity to be tended to but a living organism that contributes to the vitality of the biosphere.

In summation, the perspicacity derived from a turf virtuoso elucidates that effective lawn care is a synthesis of artistry and scientific rigor. It necessitates an intimate comprehension of the biological and environmental variables at play, coupled with an allegiance to methodologies that honor the earth. By embracing the tenets of soil vitality, appropriate irrigation, organic pest management, and biodiversity, homeowners can metamorphose their lawns into flourishing, sustainable ecosystems. The sagacity of a turf virtuoso not only enhances the aesthetic allure of our immediate milieu but also fosters the advancement of a healthier, more sustainable planet.

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Environmental Science Behind Perfect Lawns: Expert Strategies Revealed. (2024, Apr 01). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/environmental-science-behind-perfect-lawns-expert-strategies-revealed/

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). Environmental Science Behind Perfect Lawns: Expert Strategies Revealed . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/environmental-science-behind-perfect-lawns-expert-strategies-revealed/ [Accessed: 16-Apr-2024]

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Environmental Science: Nano

2023 outstanding papers published in the environmental science journals of the royal society of chemistry.

a Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

b Carnegie Mellon University Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

c Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

d Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK

e Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal

f Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

g Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

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• This article is part of the themed collection: Outstanding Papers 2023 – Environmental Science: Nano

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Z. Cai, N. Donahue, G. Gagnon, K. C. Jones, C. Manaia, E. Sunderland and P. J. Vikesland, Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2024, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4EN90012J

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• ACS Publications

Call For Papers: Non-Targeted Analysis of the Environment

• Apr 10, 2024

This Special Issue will focus on the latest advances in non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry for the analysis of all compartments of the environment, including the built environment. Submit your manuscript by November 28, 2024.

Complex mixtures of in use commercial and industrial chemicals are resulting in exposures across biota, including in humans and wildlife, to a cocktail of environmental contaminants which have the potential to elicit cumulative effects which could threaten the health of biological systems. Biotic and abiotic transformations of contaminants to more persistent or toxic transformation products and metabolites further complicate human and wildlife exposure scenarios. In a given environmental or biological sample, there are targeted and known chemical contaminant mixtures, but much of the chemical diversity is unknown.

To unravel the full complexity of chemical mixtures including degradation products and precursors, the investigation and identification of environmental contamination increasingly requires tools capable of non-targeted analysis (NTA). Advances in analytical tools and approaches for NTA are in demand to complement traditional targeted analysis and to capture this broader picture of environmental contamination and of the cumulative chemical risks to humans and wildlife.

This joint Special Issue from Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) and Environmental Science & Technology Letters (ES&T Letters) is seeking new developments and applications of cutting-edge techniques and data science tools in non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry to enable NTA of environmental media, wildlife exposomes, and of the built environment to support human exposome studies. Approaches and applications can range from comprehensive molecular characterization (e.g. formula or structure prediction), to suspect screening of prioritized contaminants, to data acquisition strategies that support unbiased screening and discovery of novel contaminants. Papers that apply or develop open-science tools and resources are particularly encouraged.

Topics include, but are not limited to :

• Advancement of mass spectrometric methods including new sample preparation methods and data processing and prioritization strategies for non-targeted analysis
• Suspect and non-targeted screening of chemical contaminants across diverse environmental media
• Non-targeted analysis of the built environment to support human exposome and health studies
• Identification and characterization of unknown chemicals with non-targeted analysis
• Advancement of open-science tools and resources for non-targeted analysis

We ask that all submissions with an application of non-targeted analysis include the NTA Study Reporting Tool as supporting information.

Organizing Editors

Professor Da Chen , Guest Editor Jinan University, China

Professor Adrian Covaci , Guest Editor University of Antwerp, Belgium

Professor Robert Letcher , Guest Editor Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada

Dr. Seth R. Newton , Guest Editor US EPA Office of Research and Development, USA

Professor Jon Martin , Associate Editor, ES&T Letters Stockholm University, Sweden

Professor Juliane Hollender , Associate Editor, ES&T EAWAG, Switzerland

Submission Information

We welcome submissions for this Special Issue through November 28, 2024 . For more information on submission requirements, please visit the Author Guidelines page for ES&T and ES&T Letters .

All manuscript types for ES&T and ES&T Letters are welcome for consideration in this Special Issue. Papers accepted for publication will be made available online ASAP (as soon as publishable) shortly after acceptance. After all submissions have been published, they will then be compiled online on a dedicated landing page to form the Special Issue. Manuscripts submitted for consideration will undergo the full rigorous peer review process expected from ACS journals.

How to Submit

• Log in to the ACS Paragon Plus submission site.
• Choose either ES&T or ES&T Letters as the journal for submission.
• Select your manuscript type, and under the "Special Issue Selection" menu, choose “Non-Targeted Analysis of the Environment.”

If you have any general questions regarding submission to this Special Issue, please contact the managing editor ( [email protected] ).

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