🦉Intro to Ecology Unit 13 – Global Environmental Issues and Sustainability

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• Ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated
• Anthropocene refers to the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment
• Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning services (food and water), regulating services (flood and disease control), cultural services (spiritual, recreational, and cultural benefits), and supporting services (nutrient cycling)
• Resilience is the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and reorganize while undergoing change so as to still retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks
• Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment
• Tragedy of the commons occurs when individual users acting independently according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling a shared resource through their collective action

Global Environmental Challenges

• Climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions leads to rising temperatures, sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events
• Deforestation, particularly in tropical rainforests, contributes to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and climate change
• Air pollution from industries, vehicles, and households affects human health and the environment
• Water scarcity and pollution threaten freshwater ecosystems and human access to clean water
• Soil degradation from unsustainable agricultural practices reduces soil fertility and crop yields
• Ocean acidification caused by increased absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide harms marine ecosystems and shellfish populations
• Plastic pollution accumulates in the environment, harming wildlife and potentially entering the food chain
• Invasive species introduced by human activities can disrupt ecosystems and cause economic damage

Climate Change and Its Impacts

• Greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming
• Rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and melting of glaciers and ice sheets threaten coastal communities and infrastructure
• Changing precipitation patterns can lead to more frequent and severe droughts and floods
• Shifts in species' ranges and phenology (timing of biological events) can disrupt ecological interactions and ecosystem functioning
• Ocean acidification harms marine organisms that build calcium carbonate shells or skeletons (corals, mollusks)
• Extreme weather events (hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires) become more frequent and intense
• Climate change exacerbates existing environmental and social challenges (water scarcity, food insecurity, migration)
• Mitigation efforts aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while adaptation strategies help communities cope with the impacts of climate change

Biodiversity Loss and Conservation

• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to land-use change (agriculture, urbanization) is a major driver of biodiversity loss
• Overexploitation of species for food, medicine, and trade can lead to population declines and extinctions
• Invasive species can outcompete native species and alter ecosystem functioning
• Climate change can cause range shifts, phenological mismatches, and local extinctions
• Protected areas (national parks, wildlife reserves) help conserve habitats and species
• Habitat restoration and species reintroduction can help recover degraded ecosystems and populations
• International agreements (Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES) aim to conserve biodiversity and regulate trade in endangered species
• Biodiversity provides valuable ecosystem services and contributes to human well-being

Sustainable Resource Management

• Renewable resources (solar, wind, hydropower) can provide sustainable energy alternatives to fossil fuels
• Sustainable forestry practices (selective logging, reforestation) can help maintain forest ecosystems while providing timber and other forest products
• Integrated water resource management considers the interconnectedness of water with other resources and stakeholders
• Sustainable agriculture practices (crop rotation, conservation tillage, agroforestry) can improve soil health and reduce environmental impacts
• Circular economy approaches aim to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency through reuse, recycling, and recovery
• Ecosystem-based management considers the complex interactions within an ecosystem and involves stakeholders in decision-making
• Sustainable fisheries management (catch limits, marine protected areas) can help maintain fish populations and marine ecosystem health
• Life cycle assessment evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal

Environmental Policy and Governance

• International agreements (Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol) set targets and guidelines for addressing global environmental challenges
• National environmental policies and regulations (Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act) aim to protect the environment and public health
• Market-based instruments (carbon taxes, cap-and-trade systems) can incentivize reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts
• Environmental impact assessments evaluate the potential environmental consequences of proposed projects or policies
• Public participation and stakeholder engagement can improve the legitimacy and effectiveness of environmental decision-making
• Environmental justice seeks to address the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by disadvantaged communities
• Multilevel governance involves coordination and cooperation among local, regional, national, and international actors
• Adaptive management is an iterative approach that allows for flexibility and learning in the face of uncertainty and change

Technological Solutions and Innovations

• Renewable energy technologies (solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric dams) can reduce reliance on fossil fuels
• Energy efficiency improvements (LED lighting, insulation, smart grids) can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
• Carbon capture and storage technologies can capture carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial processes and store them underground
• Precision agriculture uses data and technology (GPS, drones, sensors) to optimize crop management and reduce environmental impacts
• Desalination technologies can provide freshwater in water-scarce regions by removing salt from seawater or brackish water
• Bioremediation uses microorganisms to break down and remove pollutants from contaminated soil or water
• Green infrastructure (green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens) can reduce stormwater runoff and improve urban environmental quality
• Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure can reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation

Individual and Community Action

• Reducing personal carbon footprint through lifestyle choices (energy conservation, sustainable transportation, plant-based diets)
• Supporting local and sustainable food systems (farmers markets, community-supported agriculture)
• Participating in community-based environmental initiatives (beach cleanups, tree planting, urban gardening)
• Engaging in environmental education and outreach to raise awareness and promote behavior change
• Advocating for environmental policies and holding elected officials accountable
• Supporting environmental organizations and campaigns through donations, volunteering, and activism
• Practicing responsible consumption and waste reduction (reducing, reusing, recycling)
• Encouraging sustainable practices in the workplace and in local businesses and institutions