ESS UNIT 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies

is a set of paradigms that shapes the perception of Environmental threats, How they may impact the environment, and their importance

Culture, religion, education, family, experiences

nature and ecology are at the center. They propose minimal disturbance of the natural processes to achieve sustainability for the whole earth.

People-centered approach in which people manage their environment and themselves with the help of independent regulatory authorities.

Technology will keep pace with and provide solutions to all problems.

exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings (living organisms)

move energy or matter from one place to the other in the same form Transformation: move energy or matter but changes state or form

exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings (nitrogen and carbon cycle)

doesn't exchange

Energy flows, Mater cycles

Part of the systems output re-enters the system as a new input

tends to damp down, neutralize, and promote an ecosystem

increases change and creates instability an ecosystems

part of a system that kick-starts positive feedback loops that push the systems to a new state of equilibrium.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. We transform existing energy to the energy. (Ex. in a food chain, light to chemical to heat energy)

Every energy transfer or transforms

The entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches zero.

only applicable to non-living systems and the components of the system remain constant over a long period of time

Many small changes over short periods of time

Resistance-when the ecosystem continues to function during the disturbance. Resilience-ability of the ecosystems to recover after disturbance

Natural resources that produce sustainable natural income of good and services

The ability to keep in existence or maintain.

organic or inorganic, persistent or biodegradable, acute or chronic, primary and secondary.

point source (single identifiable) and non-point source (pollution from diffuse sources)

Educate, legislate, remediate

It is an organochloride insecticide that is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It is highly effective in controlling malaria but is a persistent pollutant. It can cause cancer and damage the reproductive system. Not biodegradable. Bioaccumulates increases concentration in organisms and biomagnifies and accumulates through the food chain.