ENST 0842 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Public Health, Environmental Factor, Environmental Quality
21 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Earth well suited for life: water, habitable temperature, moderate sunlight, atmosphere, soil with essential minerals for plants, life has existed on earth for 3. 8 billion years, millions of species evolved. ~100,000 years ago in africa and quickly expanded: now, human population is ~7. 1 billion, growing exponentially, estimates of 8-11 billion by end of 21st century, we are the most significant agent of environmental change. Global earth systems: a set of components that interact and function as a whole, climate, atmosphere, land, coastal zones, ocean, a natural system consisting of a community of organisms and its physical environment. Change triggers a response that counteracts (reverses) the changed condition. Change triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition. Ex: polar and glacial ice melt, color change leading to more rapid melting. Earth consists of many physical and biological systems. Its abundant resources have allowed many forms of life to thrive and evolve.
