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Nature is a series of interconnected, ever-changing systems that is reliant on maintaining fragile balance between the interplay of different species and net potential resources. From the relationship between wolves and rivers to sea otters and kelp forests, nature’s continued existence is dependent on maintaining equilibrium with each living organism playing a key role in the survival of another. Unfortunately, human activity has severely disrupted this delicate balance and because of nature’s interrelated nature has had more far-reaching and serious effects than even scientist’s can fully understand. Our growing population has put intense strain on environmental capabilities and it’s renewability from altering the water cycle and marine systems, as well as pushing planetary boundaries beyond what it can handle. Whether advertently or inadvertently we have also set ourselves up for failure as technological advancements and complex food supply systems are reliant on the health of the surrounding natural environments. With more and more individuals moving to cities and a growing sense of environmental disconnect, we often forget that our survival is just as closely tied to our planet’s ecosystems as it once was when we were hunter gatherers. Chapter 3 details four main planetary boundaries that we have overstretched: 1. disruption of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles 2. biodiversity loss 3. land system changes 4. climate change. While the latter has been the buzzword for environmental action calls the past few years, each of these issues represent a pressing need for advocation, legislation and an ultimate shift in how we view our relationship with the earth. After all, the rest of the world can get along without us, but we can’t get along without them.
Chapter 2, Science, Matter and Systems focuses on understanding the scientific method, the shortcomings of scientists, and the science behind energy. The scientific method is “a research process in which scientists identify a problem for study, gather relevant data, propose a hypothesis that explains the data, gather data to test the hypothesis, and modify the hypothesis as needed” (Miller & Spoolman, 31). The result of this method are scientific theories, which are dissimilar from the colloquial definition of theory as they represent extensively tested and supported ideas not simple proposals. While this methodology has allowed a plethora of technological and medicinal advancements, there are several limitations to scientific practice that specifically make pressing environmental issues difficult to convey. The limitations include: scientists do not use the word “proof”; scientific discovery and dissertation is always subject to some sort of bias; and the natural world involves many interconnected variables that make ascertaining a single causation nearly impossible. Addressing the former, not using the world proof and instead employing the phrase “overwhelming evidence indicates a higher [or lower] chance of…” leaves room for doubt among many staunch disbelievers who may take this wiggle-room as evidence that it does not exist. Bias is a self-explanatory issue in which scientists may stretch their research or conduct experiments in a way that is not entirely objective. Finally, as discussed in the introduction, nature is reliant on the harmonious or non-harmonious balance between species to maintain its overall health. Unfortunately, this means that accountability for environmental damages is difficult to both prove and litigate which oftentimes allows companies and governments to get away with defying regulation. The final focus of this chapter is on energy, specifically the laws of thermodynamics and conservation. Pertaining to sustainability the second law of thermodynamics states that when energy is converted from one form to another it becomes a lower-quality i.e. less useable energy. 84% of energy created in the United States is wasted, 43% unnecessarily. While discussions about cutting back on energy are certainly productive for environmental advocates, improving energy efficiency is also an important topic.
Chapter 3 moved away from scientific methodology and chemistry towards the intricacies of biological ecosystems. The earth has four main systems: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Life is reliant on the one-way flow of high-quality energy from the sun, the cycling of nutrients, and gravity. If any one of those elements is disrupted than life on earth would cease to exist as we know it, particularly the cycle of nutrients as humans have the ability to impact this element far more so than the other two. Despite being a plant-lover (but sub-par caretaker) I had no idea that it can take hundreds to thousands of years to form 1 inch of topsoil and even longer should this cycle be interrupted. Furthermore, not all environments are created equal and are judged based on net primary productivity (NPP), the rate at which producers use photosynthesis to produce and store energy minus the rate at which they use some of this stored chemical energy through respiration. The importance of the water cycle was also a key part of this chapter particularly human’s detrimental impact on it by: withdrawing fresh water from sources that cannot replace it quickly enough; clearing vegetation from land for agriculture/cities which increases water runoff; draining and filling wetlands which serve as flood control. While the current state of the environment is already overwhelming with its plethora of issues, the water table needs to be another primary concern.
Chapter 4 and 5 examined the importance of biodiversity and balance within the natural world. There is a constant struggle in implementing environmental regulation that consider both the needs of humans and nature. Many do not understand the importance of saving plants and animals from extinction, particularly if it puts stressors on struggling communities; however, biodiversity is necessary as a source of food, medicine, building materials, and fuel. As seen by the video about reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park, certain keystone species are vital in maintaining both the health and even geography of the land. If lost, food supplies, potential medical breakthroughs, and energy sources could be affected to the detriment of not just the surrounding communities but as a chain reaction all over the world. Extinction rates are currently rising due to the loss, fragmentation, or degradation of habitats due to human activity. History shows that despite our higher intelligence, humans are not exempt from population controls as seen by the Bubonic plague and Irish potato famine. Biodiversity needs to be internationally recognized as not just fodder for longer nature documentaries, but as key to our own survival as well.
Chapter 7 and 8 focus on how climate shapes our ecosystems as well as the effects of humans on marine life. An important distinction is between weather, the set of short-term atmospheric conditions and climate which is the general pattern of atmospheric conditions in a given area over decades. Earth’s major biomes result in differences in climate although unfortunately, over 60% of the worlds major terrestrial ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably. Furthermore over 50% of coral reefs have been destroyed or degraded with the potential for 20-30% more in the next 20 years. Marine systems face major threats from coastal development, runoff of pollutants, overfishing, destruction of bottom ocean habitat by trawlers, and the spread of invasive species facilitated by humans. Although we often think of them as non-sentient, oceans provide more than half the air we breathe and are vital for life on earth to continue.
Life is an intricate balancing act and human behavior has almost tilted the scale too far to ever recover.
Questions: 1. How would you explain the importance of biodiversity to someone with an anthropocentric belief system? 2. What can you do to help local ecosystems?
Sources:
MILLER, G. TYLER., and SCOTT E. SPOOLMAN. LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT. CENGAGE LEARNING, 2020.
Introduction to Environmental Studies 