Environmental Issues and Problems
ENV 150, Environmental Science, Science and Math Division
Credits: 5 (non-lab science)
Offerings 2008-09: fall, winter

We will begin this class by realizing our appreciation for the natural capital of Seattle: our air, water, soil and animal and plant species. We will explore the basic concepts of ecology and ecosystem dynamics as well as resource consumption and sustainability. Through discussion and hands on experience we will uncover the science behind current environmental issues and their causes, both locally and globally. We will investigate energy use and alternatives, air and water pollution, climate change, developments in agriculture, forest and fisheries management and finally, solid and hazardous waste management. We will approach these issues from a place-based perspective, with field trips, presentations and local case studies and as often as possible, supplement our discussions with social, economic and political perspectives.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify healthy and unhealthy aspects of the local ecology
• Vocalize tradeoffs regarding major environmental issues today
• Utilize reliable scientific resources to understand environmental issues
• Help solve local environmental problems by locating and serving an environmentall related, non-profit organization

Last updated: Friday, April 3, 2009