This course is the second part of a two semester course that examines environmental science and the concept of sustainability from scientific, personal, and philosophical perspectives. Students learn the science behind different energy resources, myriad types of pollution and their effects on the environment and human health. While the scientific aspect forms the core of the course, it is complemented by discussion of relevant environmental laws and environmental economics, as well as discussion of personal sustainability practices and consideration of one’s carbon footprint, waste production patterns, and energy use. The course is rounded out with strategies for a sustainable future. Environmental Science is approved by the University of California A-G as a Science – Life (category D).
Upon completion of this course, the student is awarded 5 credits. Each credit corresponds to 15 hours of study. Of course, some students work more quickly than others, and some can devote more hours to study, so some students are able to complete the course in an accelerated rate.
In this module, students gain a comprehension of the following:
• The evolution of agriculture over time, fertilizer and Norman Borlaug’s Green Revolution in agriculture, and relevant topics in soil health and biodiversity.
• Major land-use issues and their effects on ecosystems and the climate.
• The multifaceted concept of “sustainable agriculture” as well as the connection between cattle farming and greenhouse gas production.
• The different strategies that farmers, communities, and consumers adopt in an attempt to make their food consumption or agricultural operation more environmentally-friendly.
• The production of waste, where it goes, and strategies for disposing of waste on both societal and individual scales.
• Ecological principles related to consumption, growth, and environmental economics.
• Principles of environmental economics are discussed including the basics of what environmental economics is, the triple bottom line, cost-benefit analysis, externalities, natural capital and ecosystem valuation, carbon pricing (cap-and-trade systems and carbon taxes), as well as how the concept of the “growth economy” relates to the idea of sustainability.
• Ethical and philosophical systems and the different ways that people view nature.
• Strategies that regions and societies are adopting to deal with climate change and other environmental issues.
