Week 1

1. Population Change
Function of several factors; birth rate, death rate, age when childbearing begin.
Carrying capacity: Maximum population size of the species that the environment
can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities
available in the environment. Can follow two possible curves, S-Shape
(population rising but will eventually slow down to meet carrying capacity) or J
shape (population rising past carrying capacity then dropping dramatically).
GDP Gross domestic product (economic value of the goods and services
produced in an economy)
Three periods of population growth:

Pre-agricultural period (grew as humans expanded into new territories,

very slowly)
Agricultural period (stimulated faster growth)
Industrial period (increases in food production, sanitation, nutrition,
medical care leading to dramatic population growth)
2. Energy Consumption
Primary energy is an energy form found in nature that has not been subjected to
any conversion or transformation process. Has been increasing for decades.
Renewable energy and nuclear power are fastest growing sources of energy
consumption.
3. Deforestation
Wood fuel is only source of fuel for one third of worlds population. Almost one
fifth of amazon rainforest has been cleared. We could, promote reforestation, buy
certified wood products, encourage sustainable of non-timber products and
enforce international treaties to prevent unsustainable logging.
4. Biodiversity
The variety of different types of life found on earth. It is a measure of the variety
of organisms present in different ecosystems. Ecosystems rely on biodiversity to
respond to disturbances. Provides humans with good, fuel, fibre and medicine.
5. Carbon Cycle
Terrestrial:

Respiration returns CO2 to atmosphere

Photosynthesis pulls CO2 from atmosphere

GPP (Gross Primary Production) Total CO2 convered by photosynthesis

NPP (Net primary production) Organic carbon available to non-photosynthetic

organisms.
NEP (Net ecosystem production) amount of organic carbon left after subtracting
the respiration of non-photosynthetic organisms from NPP.
Ocean:

CO2 dissolves into water

Phytoplankton photosynthesize
Carbon used to make shells of marine organisms
Ocean absorbs carbon

Human Interaction - We are taking up all NPP from ecosystems either directly or
by burning it, releasing the stored carbon into the atmosphere.
6. Global Warming
Global Warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earths atmosphere
and oceans and its projected continuation. Warming of the climate system is
caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human
activities. The Greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a
planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is reradiated in all directions.
GWP Greenhouse warming potential (used as a multiplier to compare the
emissions of different gases to CO2)
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Scientific body established in
19988 by the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations
Environment Programme. Mission os to provide scientific, technical and
socioeconomic information worldwide about risk of climate change caused by
human activity as well as its consequences.
Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with
continuing retrat of glaciers. Polar Ice Caps are melting at an alarming rate.
Consequences of Global Warming:

Rising sea levels

Probable expansion of subtropical deserts
Changes in oceanic circulation patterns
More frequent extreme weather
Changing amount and patter of precipitation
Species extinctions

QUESTIONS LOOK FOR SCREEN SHOTS

7. Ozone Layer
Depleting due to CFCs resulting in increased UV exposure thus Montreal Protocol
was introduced in 1987 to reduce CFCs.

8. Urbanization
In 2007, for the first time in history, urban population exceeded rural population
with 30-60% of urban population in the developing world lacking adequate
sanitary facilities, drainage systems and piping for clean water.
9. Urban Heat
Cities are warmer and less humid due to less vegetation, impervious and sealed
surfaces, complex three dimensional structure and sources that produce heat
and pollutants.