BIO-1151 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Extreme Weather, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Anthropocene
Document Summary
Two concepts relating to a vision for the future: sustainable development and resilience. Introduction to environmental change and challenge with reference to the global, national, and regional levels. Climate scientists are alarmed by the speed and impact of change: these changes threaten societal well-being society must respond thoughtfully and deliberately, significant economic growth during the past 35 years due to population growth and increased consumption. The environment includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere in which humans, other living species, and non-animate phenomena exist: resources are more specific and include forests, wildlife, oceans, rivers, lakes, minerals, and petroleum. Anthropocentric view: value is defined relative to human interests, wants, and needs. Ecocentric or biocentric view: defined as an aspect of the environment that is valued simply because of its existence and its right to exist. All living organisms and ecosystems are important and have intrinsic value. Three waves regarding approaches to environmental management: first wave (late nineteenth century)
