The Nature of Environmental Science

Examine the methods, mindsets and purposes of environmental science.

## Indicators

**a. Reflect upon how one’s connection with the environment is influenced by personal experiences and cultural understandings.**

https://www.virtuallabschool.org/preschool/self-culture/lesson-1 I think these links are related because it explains how and why you think by personal experiences and cultural understandings DS

**b. Engage in place-based learning to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the environment.**

https://conservationhamilton.ca/environmental-education-home/ it has website shows opprotonites for hands on learning about the enviroment DS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De1O9Mr58lo

This video about the environment shows them learning about it by being outside (place-based learning).  They like being outdoors better than in a classroom. It is outside, in nature.  JK

**c. Analyze how different worldviews (e.g. anthropocentric, biocentric and ecocentric) are expressed through various environmental action plans or environmental policies developed by individuals, industry, government and non-governmental organizations and First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups.**

https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/5363/ch%2025.pdf have to go to to the second page for the topic of worldviews. This PDF talks about a few different worldviews like **Planetary Management**. This worldview states that we, humans, are to manage the rest of nature because we are apart from it. Another example is the **Stewardship** worldview which is that we have an ethical responsibility to steward the world. -EB

https://rehabilitationrobotics.net/what-are-the-3-major-environmental-worldviews/ In the second article on this web page you can find out a lot of information about anthropocentric, biocentric and ecocentric worldviews. This article defines, and explains why each of this worldviews is important for earth and people. But at the same time explains that anthropocentric view is probably ethically wrong. You can find out what actives can help the environment. It explains what are our responsibilities on Earth and how preserve the nature, and many more. -AZ

**d. Recognize essential characteristics of First Nations and Metis worldviews regarding the environment, including the importance of the four elements (i.e., earth, water, wind and fire), a sense of interconnectedness with the environment and respect for Mother Earth.**

http://www.afn.ca/honoring-earth/ - In this article, the Assembly of First Nations discusses how honouring earth is a major part of their culture. It gives a modern view of how they think about how the world should be treated. It is very interesting to read about another culture's worldview in such a detailed manner. -ME

https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame\_found\_sr2/tns/tn-41.pdf This PDF talks about the sustainability concepts from the perspectives of Aboriginals. The link provides Aboriginal beliefs and practices and how their knowledge can provide important information when considering things like the impact of economic decisions on the environment. The PDF includes a chart of sustainability concepts from the Aboriginals worldviews. The article was very interesting to read about, I learned new things from it that I hadn't known before. It was fascinating to read about how they see the world of nature so different from someone who would look at it through a more Western Worldview. The link relates to this indicator because the chart especially talks about the importance of the four elements, laws of nature, as well as the interrelationships and interconnectedness. - TC

**e. Recognize environmental science as a newly developing field that integrates knowledge, theories, models and processes from other scientific disciplines such as ecology, atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, physics, oceanography, geology and human geography to investigate human impacts on the environment.**

**f. Differentiate between environmental science and environmental studies, including the types of questions asked, methods used to address those questions and the types of data collected.**

https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/news/2021/07/09/environmental-studies-vs-environmental-science - In this article, it mentions that Environmental science focuses on fundamental sciences like math, earth science and geology, you will mostly spend time studying the scientific aspects. While Environmental studies looks at natural sciences and social sciences. You will spend time looking at environmental challenges with politics and the law. The article explains what each studies and the differences more closely. - RL

https://www.paesta.psu.edu/book/earth-systems-science-introduction/definitions/environmental-science-vs-environmental-studies - This article says that environmental science is the combination of biological, chemical, geological, and mathematical principles and using those principles as they apply to the environment and environmental problems. Environmental science is the study of solving environmental problems, such as pollution of the environment, that could have been caused by humans. It also focuses on preserving and managing natural resources. This article says that environmental studies is much broader than environmental science and places more emphasis on the political, economic, and social aspects related to the environment. A big topic in environmental science is sustainability. This website also provides additional links that go more in depth about environmental science and environmental studies. -KTMP

https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/news/2021/07/09/environmental-studies-vs-environmental-science - This web page explains the difference between Environmental Science and Environmental studies. It says that Environmental science concentrates more on the fundamental sciences, like Chemistry or Biology on other side Environmental studies spend equal amount of time to study natural silences as well as social studies. It explains which one might fit better for you and how to chose a major. It explains what careers you could chose in each of the subjects. This website explains that both subjects are very important. -AZ

**g. Outline key events, including the industrial revolution, medical revolution, green revolution (agriculture) and the environmental revolution (stewardship), of the environmental movement and their interrelationships with environmental science.**

**h. Examine how principles of sustainability (i.e., environmental, economic and social justice) are integral to environmental science.**

https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-sustainability-definition-examples-principles/ - Sustainability is viewed and achieved in many different ways. When the word is broken down, it is defined as something that is able to be sustained. This means that something is capable of being continued at the same level. However, sustainable development is known not only as continuing at the same level, but also progressing while doing so. Therefore, sustainability and sustainable development differ from each other. There are three pillars of sustainability. These pillars are the economy, society, and environment. The pillars relate to environmental challenges such as climate change. The Coronavirus may also be affecting these environmental challenges as well as our economy. SR

i**. Investigate how data produced through environmental science can be used in environmental impact assessments, such as those outlined in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, to guide projects or policies.**

**j. Discuss the importance of systems thinking (e.g., boundaries, initial conditions, inputs and outputs, feedback loops, energy flows and matter transfers) to understanding environmental issues.**

https://www.the-ies.org/analysis/systems-approaches-tackling

I chose this site because it well explains the different tools and equipment needed to keeping our environment healthy. This site helps you to understand the important issues of the environment and how we can help to prevent some issues that are happening. This site may also explain how to use the proper equipment. ZB

**k. Assess how the assumptions and approximations that are incorporated into a model of a particular environmental system influence the reliability and precision of the model.**