ESC110-3rd-ch01.pptVIP

Instructions for Using This PowerPoint Presentation You may adjust the size of windows (see instructions below) move forward to the next slide, or backward to the previous slide using the the arrows – bottom center of the screen. ESC110 CHAPTER ONEUNDERSTANDING OUR ENVIRONMENT Chapter One Readings Objectives Chapter One Key Terms Chapter 1 Topics Understanding Our Environment (Dredging the Hudson) Science as a Way of Knowing Investigating our Environment Thinking About Thinking A Brief History of Conservation Environmentalism Current Environmental Conditions Human Dimensions of environmental science The Planet Earth Unique in the universe (?) Mild, relatively constant temperatures Biogeochemical cycles Millions of species Diverse, self-sustaining communities Part 2: Science as a Way of Knowing Modern science has its roots in antiquity Greek philosophers Arabic mathematicians and astronomers Chinese naturalists Quotes to think about regarding Ecology:The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.[George Bernard Shaw] Quotes to think about regarding Technology:The only two things that are infinite in size are the universe, and human stupidity. And Im not completely sure about the universe.[Albert Einstein] Scientific Investigation Deductive vs. inductive reasoning Hypothesis - a conditional explanation that can be verified or falsified Scientific theory - an explanation that is supported by an overwhelming body of data and experience Models and Natural Experiments Models Simulate real environmental systems; Can be physical or mathematical; Provide heuristic information (suggestions of how things MIGHT be); and Are influenced by researchers assumptions. Natural Experiments Gathering of historic evidence; and Conducted by scientists who cant test their hypotheses directly. Open Minds are Learning Minds In some ways, childr