Answer the following questions for each chapter section and then answer the Central Question.
What factors make up the environment?
What is science and how is it useful?
What is uncertainty and how can we use science to address it?
Describe ethics as they relate to science and how can we uphold them?
How have humans’ impact and environmental awareness changed throughout history?
In what ways is environmental impact by humans a global issue?
How do people’s personal views and ethics affect how they value the environment?
What is sustainability and how can it help us address environmental problems?
What is environmental science and how does it address human impact?
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Chapter 1 explores what science is, how it works, and how science and values affect the way we address environmental issues. So that you can critically evaluate the science, issues, and solutions in the remainder of the text, here are some ways to dig deeper into what was covered in this chapter.
□Practice the scientific process.
Since the core of environmental science is scientific research, the more you get to know the process of science, the better you’ll be able to evaluate evidence related to environmental issues. Ideally, you can involve yourself in scientific research at your college or university or with an independent research group. Your environmental science instructor may know of opportunities for such work, either as a volunteer or as a paid technician. Alternatively, your instructor may give you the opportunity to do a research project as part of your course.
□Familiarize yourself with the scientific literature and practice thinking like a scientist.
Whenever you encounter an environmental issue in the news, try to find the scientific research paper at the heart of the story. As you do so, keep track of the questions and hypotheses posed by the researchers. Review the research methods used, including the study design. Evaluate the results obtained and consider whether the conclusions reached by the authors are supported by the actual results. Propose additional research to learn more about the subject of the investigation.
□Calculate your personal ecological footprint.
Use the online footprint calculator at www.footprintnetwork.org to estimate the number of global hectares required to support your particular lifestyle. Using that website’s ecological footprint calculator, you can also explore different living scenarios to see what you might personally do to reduce your own demands on the environment.
□Determine your personal environmental ethic.
Explore the world of environmental ethics and try to determine your own ethical perspective on the environment. If you are a member of an organized religion, learn more about its perspective on human moral responsibilities to other species and to the environment as a whole. Research other religious or ethical systems to learn of similarities and contrasts in values.