Introducing a new half-year environmental science course at CNS High School

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Introducing a new half-year environmental science
course at CNS High School
Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions
Taught by Mrs. Linkinhoker
A graduate of SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry, with an undergraduate
degree in Natural Resources Management with a
focus on Environmental and Forest Biology
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Who can take this new half-year course?
Grades 11, 12   Prerequisite - Students
must have earned at least 2 units of science
credit, and have passed 1 NYS Science Regents
Exam.
Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010
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What is this new environmental science course
about?

• This course aims to educate students about local,
  national, and global environmental issues and
  engage students in thinking critically about real
  and sustainable solutions to these problems.
  Students will explore environmental issues from
  scientific, social, political, and economic
  points of view while developing the skills to
  create and maintain positive, healthy, and
  sustainable communities.
• In short, this course focuses on
• Global Perspectives
• Informed Actions
• Sustainable Solutions

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What else is this new environmental science
course about?

• The study of our planets natural systems and how
  humans and the environment affect one another
• Understanding the interactions between humans and
  the environment is the first step to solving
  environmental problems.

National Marine Fisheries Service scientists
studying whether commercial boats are harming
endangered killer whales
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Why is this new course so important?

• Like all species on Earth, humans rely on a
  healthy, functioning planet for clean air and
  water, adequate food and shelter.
• Taking this new course will help you learn about

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Natural Resources

• Such as
• Renewable resources Naturally replenished over
  short periods
• Nonrenewable resources Naturally formed more
  slowly than we use them.
• Renewable resources can become nonrenewable if
  used faster than they are replenished.

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Ecosystem Services

• Intact environments provide ecosystem services,
  such as water purification and pest control.
• High biodiversity increases stability of
  communities and ecosystems, enabling them to
  perform services.

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Species Interactions

• Zebra and Quagga mussels have displaced native
  species in Seneca Lake.

Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010
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Community Stability

• A 2010 report on invasive species suggests that
  they cost the U.S. 120 billion a year in
  environmental losses and damages.

Invasive kudzu
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Human Population Growth
The environmental impacts of

• The environmental, economic, and social impacts
  of exponential human population growth.
• We are nearing 7 BILLION people on Earth.
• How many people can the Earth support?

Did You Know? The human population increases by
about 200,000 people every day.
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Ecological Footprints

• The total amount of Earths resources required to
  meet all of your lifestyle needs and wants,
  including the resources you use and the wastes
  that you produce.

Did You Know? By one calculation, if every person
in the world lived like the the average American
we would need nearly 4 Earths?
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Land Use and Urbanization

• For the first time in history, there are now more
  urban residents than rural residents.

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Energy

• The United States has only 4.5 of the worlds
  population but uses 21.1 of the worlds energy.

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Evidence of a Warming Earth

• Rising global surface temperatures
• Changes in precipitation patterns
• Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice)
• Rising sea level

Did You Know? Since 1986, the Larsen Ice Shelf
near Antarctica has lost an area more than 3
times the size of Rhode Island.
Both photos show Sperry Glacier in Montanas
Glacier National Park. Top 1913 Bottom 2008
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Environmental Economics
We will learn about the importance of

• Economies depend on the environment for goods and
  services.
• Goods Sunlight, fresh water, timber, and fossil
  fuels
• Services Nutrient cycling and purification of
  air and water
• Economic activity can negatively affect the
  environment, which in turn can negatively affect
  economies.

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Environmental Policy

• A set of general plans and principles for
  interactions between humans and the environment
• Effective environmental policy involves input
  from science, ethics, and economics.
• In the U.S., all three branches of government
  (legislative, executive, and judicial) are
  involved in federal environmental policy.

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The Process of Environmental Science
We will be involved in

• Environmental Science involves asking questions,
  making observations, seeking evidence, sharing
  ideas, and analyzing results.
• Environmental Science is a dynamic, creative
  endeavor.

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Gather Real Data
Such as doing field work to

• Scientists test predictions by gathering evidence
  in the form of data.
• Data can come from an experiment or observational
  studies.

Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010
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We will participate with and within the Community

• Scientific research does not stop with the
  scientific method. In order to have any impact,
  environmental scientists must share their
  findings.

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Build on Environmental Science
We will

• Addressing environmental problems involves more
  than just understanding the science.
• We will discuss
• Ethics Study of behavior (good and bad, right
  and wrong), moral principles, and values
• Culture Ensemble of knowledge, beliefs, values,
  and learned ways of life shared by a group of
  people
• Worldview Perception of the world and a persons
  place in it

40,000 buffalo hides, 1872
Ducks killed by an oil spill
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Environmental Justice
Including

• The environmental justice movement
• Recognizes that quality of life is connected to
  environmental quality
• Promotes fair and equitable treatment of all
  people regarding environmental policy and
  practice

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Are you ready for the challenge?If so, sign up
for this new environmental science course.
Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions
Its in your hands.
Any questions? See Mrs. Link in room 271.