aice environmental management unit 1 study guides

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Environment encompasses all living and non-living components of the natural world and their interactions
• Ecosystem consists of a community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment
• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within an ecosystem, including genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity
• Natural resources are materials or substances found in nature that humans use for economic gain (fossil fuels, minerals, timber)
• Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• Carrying capacity represents the maximum population size an ecosystem can support indefinitely given available resources
• Ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of resource consumption and waste generation
  • Calculated by assessing land area required to sustain a population's resource demands (cropland, grazing land, fishing grounds, built-up land, forest area for absorbing carbon dioxide emissions)

Environmental Challenges and Issues

• Climate change driven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane) leading to rising global temperatures and sea levels
• Deforestation involves clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or development resulting in habitat loss and reduced carbon sequestration
• Air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust contributes to respiratory illnesses and acid rain
• Water scarcity occurs when demand for freshwater exceeds available supply due to population growth, agriculture, and industrial use
  • Affects over 2 billion people worldwide with limited access to clean drinking water
• Soil degradation results from erosion, nutrient depletion, and contamination reducing agricultural productivity and food security
• Biodiversity loss caused by habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change threatens ecosystem stability and resilience
• Plastic pollution accumulates in marine environments harming wildlife through entanglement and ingestion (microplastics)
• Electronic waste contains toxic substances (lead, mercury) that contaminate soil and water when improperly disposed of in landfills

Ecosystems and Natural Resources

• Ecosystems provide essential services (water purification, pollination, nutrient cycling) that support human well-being
• Forests cover 31% of Earth's land surface and play a vital role in carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation
  • Tropical rainforests (Amazon) contain over half of the world's plant and animal species
• Oceans cover 71% of Earth's surface and regulate global climate, provide food, and support marine biodiversity
  • Coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine species
• Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands) supply drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower while supporting aquatic biodiversity
• Soil forms the foundation for terrestrial ecosystems and agriculture, with topsoil taking hundreds of years to develop
• Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are non-renewable energy sources formed from buried organic matter over millions of years
• Minerals (iron, copper, gold) are extracted through mining operations that can have significant environmental impacts (deforestation, water pollution)
• Renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal) offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels but require infrastructure and storage solutions

Human Impact on the Environment

• Population growth increases demand for resources (food, water, energy) and generates more waste putting pressure on ecosystems
  • World population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 with most growth occurring in developing countries
• Urbanization leads to land-use changes as natural habitats are converted into cities and suburbs altering local ecosystems
• Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater withdrawals and is a major source of water pollution from fertilizer and pesticide runoff
  • Livestock farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (methane) and deforestation for pasture land
• Energy production from burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants driving climate change
• Transportation sector relies heavily on petroleum-based fuels and is a significant source of air pollution and carbon emissions
• Overconsumption of resources fueled by economic growth and consumer demand exceeds Earth's regenerative capacity
• Invasive species introduced by human activities (shipping, pet trade) can disrupt ecosystems and cause native species extinctions
  • Burmese pythons in Florida Everglades prey on native mammals and birds

Sustainable Development Goals

• Adopted by United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030
• Consists of 17 interconnected goals addressing global challenges (poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation)
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • Targets include achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and improving water quality by reducing pollution
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
  • Targets include increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Targets include achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources and reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
• Goal 13: Climate Action urges countries to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Targets include integrating climate change measures into national policies and improving education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Goal 14: Life Below Water aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development
  • Targets include reducing marine pollution, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and ending overfishing and destructive fishing practices
• Goal 15: Life on Land seeks to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss
  • Targets include ensuring conservation and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems, combating desertification, and halting deforestation

Environmental Policy and Legislation

• International agreements (Paris Agreement) set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature rise
  • Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C
• National environmental policies (Clean Air Act) establish regulations and standards for protecting air, water, and land resources
  • Clean Air Act sets limits on emissions from stationary sources (power plants) and mobile sources (vehicles) to improve air quality
• Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) evaluate potential environmental consequences of proposed projects or policies
  • EIAs identify mitigation measures to minimize negative impacts and inform decision-making processes
• Polluter pays principle holds those responsible for causing pollution accountable for the costs of cleaning it up or compensating for damages
• Precautionary principle states that when an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established
• Emissions trading schemes (cap-and-trade) set limits on total emissions and allow companies to buy and sell allowances providing economic incentives for reducing pollution
• Renewable energy mandates require a certain percentage of electricity to be generated from renewable sources (solar, wind) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
  • California's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires 60% of electricity to come from renewables by 2030

Assessment and Management Strategies

• Life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle from raw material extraction to disposal
  • LCA helps identify opportunities for reducing resource use and minimizing waste at each stage of the life cycle
• Environmental management systems (EMS) provide a framework for organizations to systematically manage their environmental responsibilities and improve performance
  • ISO 14001 is an international standard for EMS that requires organizations to establish environmental policies, objectives, and targets
• Ecological restoration involves assisting the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed
  • Restoration projects may include replanting native vegetation, removing invasive species, or reintroducing keystone species (wolves in Yellowstone)
• Sustainable forest management practices (selective logging) balance economic, social, and environmental values of forests
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies products from responsibly managed forests meeting strict environmental and social standards
• Integrated water resources management (IWRM) coordinates development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising ecosystem sustainability
• Sustainable agriculture practices (crop rotation, cover cropping) maintain soil health, reduce erosion, and minimize chemical inputs
  • Organic farming avoids use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides relying instead on natural methods of pest control and soil fertility
• Ecosystem-based management considers entire ecosystems, including humans, rather than managing individual species or resources in isolation
  • Marine protected areas (Great Barrier Reef) restrict human activities to protect biodiversity and ecosystem functions

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• Aral Sea disaster resulted from diverting river water for irrigation causing the sea to shrink by 90% and creating a desert wasteland
  • Demonstrates unsustainable water management practices and their devastating ecological and social consequences
• Costa Rica's payment for ecosystem services (PES) program compensates landowners for protecting forests and their ecosystem services
  • PES has helped Costa Rica reverse deforestation and achieve a 52% forest cover while supporting rural livelihoods
• Curitiba, Brazil's sustainable urban planning integrates transportation, land use, and waste management to create a livable and efficient city
  • Curitiba's bus rapid transit (BRT) system carries 2 million passengers per day reducing traffic congestion and air pollution
• Denmark's transition to renewable energy has made it a global leader in wind power generating 42% of its electricity from wind in 2015
  • Denmark aims to be independent of fossil fuels by 2050 through a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and district heating
• Great Green Wall initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across the Sahel region of Africa by 2030
  • Project involves planting a wall of trees 8,000 km long to combat desertification, improve food security, and create jobs
• Loess Plateau restoration project in China has transformed a heavily eroded landscape into a productive agricultural region
  • Restoration efforts included terracing hillsides, planting trees and shrubs, and implementing sustainable farming practices
• Marine debris cleanup efforts (Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup) engage volunteers to remove millions of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways each year
  • Raises awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and the importance of reducing single-use plastics