characteristics of an environmental problem ?

Ecological Problems

All problem solving involves a disparity.

Because human beings are ecological actors and embedded in an ecosystem --that is societies are part of a larger ecological arrangement-- we are influenced by and influence ecological problems.

The disparity, of which I speak, arises from the fact that we often want more than a natural ecosystem is capable of providing for us or us and all the people like us in our communities.

But there is also an inherent complexity in any ecological problem because it involves social animals interacting with one another in a dynamic environmental context.

An environmental context means that an ecosystem is the unit we examine to understand the scope, size, frequency and intensity of an ecological problem.

Three facets of all ecological problems

All ecological problems, according to experts have three facets or aspects

social, involving animals and people,
biological, involving animate biotic community &,
physical, the inorganic conditions of existence.

The ecosystem is characterized by predictable rules or laws.

What is or characterizes an environmental problem ?

From class responses, the qualities of any ecological problem are its:

connectivity,
scope,
urgency,
personal threat to us,
seemingly unsolvable character

From an expert knowledge perspective, accumulated over-use includes:

complex, case study
amount
timing
distribution
accounting for the affects

Measure, the veracity of statements is tested by these criteria.

Mercury and ecological accounting in natural systems.

matrix is a site that explains what a table or matrix is by demonstrating the use of a categorical framework within which to express your ideas comprehensively.

Criteria, defining
Critical thinking described

Bio dynamic aspects of ecology.

Diamond, Jared. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. (New York:Penguin Group, 2005).

End of Nature, Bill McKibben

From Melissa Walker: National Academy of the Sciences 1990s report …from (Wm. Booth, ¶ 21, p. 15, in Walker) to "the prospects of humanity immeasurably diminished." (H. Sayen: ¶ 24, p. 33 in Walker)

Carolyn Merchant's idea of ecological revolutions as they impact and are influenced by a set of biological, economic, social, political and institutional relationships.

"The sensible way to do that is by taking relatively low cost steps to reduce the risk of highly unpleasant outcomes--in the same spirit we buy insurance."

Jessica Tuchman Mathews, (¶ 8, p. 12, in Walker)

From G. Tyler Miller, a Chemist:

Is our present course sustainable? No, not unless we shift society, economics and policies to cherish and nourish the planet.

Game theory, here is the place to consider the biological game of life.

Ecological integrity as one means of pursuing a more sustaining relation with the earth.

Ecosystem services are a key to understanding our interdependence with biophysical systems.

Vocabulary

A problem, is the perceived difference between an existing and a desired state or condition

purveyor, one who offers a service or merchandise in exchange for a fee.

Non governmental organizations:

Environmental Defense, a protection organization.

ICLEI: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives

Sierra Club

National Audubon Society

Wilderness Society

National Wildlife Federation

World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US)

Save the Manatee Club

Environmental Defense (ED)

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

League of Conservation Voters (LCV)

Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)

National Environmental Trust (NET)

National Parks, and Conservation Association (NPCA)

North American Association for Environmental Education

Greenpeace

Isaac Walton League

Defenders of Wildlife

American Littoral Society

Environmental Working Group

Environmental Media Services, EMS, daily update of news

Exchange is a node on this site.