Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Sustainability Science and Sustainability

A garden in Brussels, Belgium.

This introduction provides background in aspects of science and sustainability that may be useful throughout the text. Many readers will find familiar material in the chapter, but few readers will be familiar with all the parts of the chapter. Skim what is familiar and spend more time with new material.

Learning Outcomes

After studying this chapter, you should understand or be aware of

• Some of the basic components of Earth’s climate
• Chemical abbreviations
• Some common concepts in chemistry relevant to environmental sciences
• The difference between chemical cycles and the energy pyramid
• The history of the concept of sustainability and the major components of sustainability
• The role of environmental regulation in markets

Chapter Outline

• 1.1  Earth and environment – introduction to environmental science
• 1.2 Sustainability and the Anthropocene
• 1.3 Environmental economics and the role of environmental regulation in free markets