"Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physics, biology, and geography (including ecology, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, and atmospheric science) to the study of the environment and the solution of environmental problems."
The study of interactions between humans and the Earth system, including pollution, conservation, and sustainability.
Ecology: The scientific study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Climate change: The long-term changes in global temperature and weather patterns resulting from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Pollution: The presence or introduction into the environment of harmful substances or contaminants that cause adverse effects to living organisms and ecosystems.
Sustainability: The ability to maintain ecological balance and preserve natural resources, while meeting the needs of the present and future generations.
Conservation: The preservation and protection of natural habitats and biodiversity, often achieved through policies and management practices.
Renewable energy: Energy that comes from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydro power, as opposed to non-renewable resources like oil and coal.
Waste management: The collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste, with the goal of minimizing the impact on the environment and human health.
Water conservation: The preservation and efficient use of water resources, often achieved through conservation and management practices.
Land use planning: The process of allocating land for various uses, such as agriculture, housing, and industry, while balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.
Environmental policy: The laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern human activities and their impact on the environment and natural resources.
Ecology: Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It focuses on the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment and how these relationships affect the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms on earth, including the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems. It is important because it provides many ecosystem services and benefits, including food, water, air purification, and climate regulation.
Climate Change: Climate change refers to the long-term changes in global temperature, precipitation, and other climatic variables caused by human activities. It is one of the most important environmental issues we face today, and it impacts everything from sea level to weather patterns to the survival of coral reefs.
Pollution: Pollution refers to any substance or energy that enters the environment and harms living organisms, the natural resources we use, or the ecosystem services we depend on. There are many types of pollution, including air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.
Renewable Energy: Renewable energy refers to energy sources that are replenished by natural processes and can be used indefinitely without depleting natural resources. Examples include solar, wind, and hydropower.
Conservation: Conservation refers to the management of natural resources in a way that balances human needs with the needs of other living organisms and future generations. It involves protecting species, preserving habitats, and managing resources sustainably.
Sustainable Development: Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing social, economic, and environmental considerations in decision-making.
Environmental Policy: Environmental policy refers to the laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern how people interact with the environment. It is an important tool for protecting natural resources and addressing environmental issues.
Environmental Ethics: Environmental ethics refers to the moral principles and values that guide human interactions with the natural world. It addresses questions about how we should treat the environment, what our responsibilities are to future generations, and what our obligations are to other living organisms.
Geology: Geology is the study of the earth's physical structure, properties, and processes. It is important in environmental science because it helps us understand how natural resources form, how water moves through the earth, and how human activities can impact the earth's geologic processes.
"Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment."
"Today it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems."
"Environmental studies incorporates more of the social sciences for understanding human relationships, perceptions, and policies towards the environment."
"Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect."
"Environmental scientists seek to understand the earth's physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes."
"Environmental scientists study issues such as alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global warming and climate change."
"Environmental issues almost always include an interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes."
"Environmental scientists bring a systems approach to the analysis of environmental problems."
"Key elements of an effective environmental scientist include the ability to relate space and time relationships as well as quantitative analysis."
"Environmental science came alive as a substantive, active field of scientific investigation in the 1960s and 1970s."
"The development of environmental science was driven by the need for a multi-disciplinary approach, the arrival of substantive environmental laws, and growing public awareness of a need for action."
"Events that spurred this development included the publication of Rachel Carson's landmark environmental book Silent Spring along with major environmental issues becoming very public, such as the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and the Cuyahoga River of Cleveland, Ohio, 'catching fire'."
"The publication of Rachel Carson's landmark environmental book Silent Spring...helped increase the visibility of environmental issues and create this new field of study."
"Major environmental issues becoming very public, such as the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and the Cuyahoga River of Cleveland, Ohio, 'catching fire'."
"Environmental science integrates physics, biology, and geography...to the study of the environment and the solution of environmental problems."
"Environmental studies incorporate more of the social sciences for understanding human relationships, perceptions, and policies towards the environment."
"Environmental engineering focuses on design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect."
"Environmental issues almost always include an interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes."
"The growing public awareness of a need for action in addressing environmental problems."