Transcript lecture 9/7, sci. method, env. ethics

ES101 9/7/10
II. Scientific Method
Env. Ethics & History of the Environmental Movement
• Due Thurs. in Lecture:
Turn in written
answers to
reading questions
for this week (see pg 2.
of course packet)
Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir, Yosemite Valley CA
Clickers and Attendance
• If you don’t have a clicker today, write your name
and section number on a piece of paper and turn
it in at the end of lecture to get credit.
• If you’re waiting for a clicker you’ve ordered, let
your lab instructor know.
• Once you register your clicker with your lab
instructor, if you forget to bring it to lecture:
– you can get credit for being here by turning in
your name and section number.
– you cannot get the 3 pts for lecture
attendance.
To test whether your clicker is working:
If your clicker is working, you should see a green
light when you first answer a question. You should
also see green the first time you press “?”
To setup your clicker:
1. make sure no lights are flashing on your clicker
2. Press “GO” (or Ch, lower left corner), then “4,” then
“1,” then “GO” again.
3. You should now see a constant green light.
4. To check that it worked, press any button (except
“GO”) and you should see a green light.
5. If you see a red light, try steps 1 and 2 again; if it still
doesn’t work, see me at end of lecture.
Example of Using the Sci. Method
to help solve an envi. problem – The BP Oil Spill
1. Observation
Question: Are there organisms that help break
down the oil?
• naturally occurring bacteria can break down oil
• native bacteria do the best job
• lab bacteria should be used
2. Hypothesis
2. Hypothesis
dependent variable (effect)
amount of oil “eaten”
independent variable (cause)
type of bacteria (native vs. lab)
Naturally occurring bacteria will “eat” more bacteria
per unit time than lab engineered bacteria.
Naturally occurring bacteria will “eat” more bacteria
per unit time than lab engineered bacteria.
3. Test – ways of testing an hypothesis
comparative test
compare two or more situations that differ in the
ind. variable
oil spill hypoth: compare areas with only native
bacteria vs. areas with lab bacteria
oil spill hypoth: compare areas with only native
bacteria vs. areas with lab bacteria
Problems?
the areas may differ in many ways;
other variables (temp., salinity, etc.) might affect
results
experimental test
researcher “manipulates” or changes ind var;
measures effect on dep var
experimental test
researcher “manipulates” or changes ind var;
measures effect on dep var
oil spill hypoth:
- use many replicates
- use many replicates
- in lab, setup many jars with same amount of
oil, same temp, etc.
- each jar is a sample unit
- sample size = # of jars
- each jar is a sample unit
- sample size = # of jars
- make three groups,
control (no bact), native bact., lab eng. bact.
- measure decrease in oil
4. Conclusion. In general, three possibilities.
Effect of Bacteria Type on Oil Reduction
control
native
bacteria
lab eng.
bacteria
The results shown in the graph below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
disprove the hypothesis
are inconclusive
support the hypothesis
prove the hypothesis
Effect of Bacteria Type on Oil Reduction
control
native
bacteria
lab eng.
bacteria
4. Conclusion. In general, three possibilities.
Hypothesis was supported.
Effect of Bacteria Type on Oil Reduction
control
native
bacteria
lab eng.
bacteria
Hypothesis was supported.
Hypothesis was disproved.
Effect of Bacteria Type on Oil Reduction
control
native
bacteria
lab eng.
bacteria
Hypothesis was disproved.
Results were inconclusive.
Effect of Bacteria Type on Oil Reduction
control
native
bacteria
lab eng.
bacteria
4. Conclusion. In general, three possibilities.
Hypothesis was supported.
Hypothesis was disproved.
Results were inconclusive.
Any of these results can lead to further study
(new hypotheses, tests, etc.)
Any of these results can lead to further study
(new hypotheses, tests, etc.)
Third type of test:
predictive test
use computer model to predict;
test whether predictions are accurate
predictive test
use computer model to predict;
test whether predictions are accurate
(used to study weather, climate, etc)
The independent variable (cause) in the
hypothesis “mosquitoes are more abundant in
years with more rainfall” IS
1. mosquitoes
2. abundance (or
amount) of
mosquitoes
3. rainfall
4. amount of rainfall
0%
1
0%
0%
2
3
0%
4
Environmental Ethics
• Ethic:
ideas about what is right/wrong
• Envl. ethic:
ideas about what is right/wrong regarding the
environment
• Anthropocentric ethic:
Human-centered= Environment exists for human
use, humans can use it any way we want
• Anthropocentric ethic:
Human-centered= Environment exists for human
use, humans can use it any way we want
• Biocentric ethic:
Life-centered = Env. exists for all life forms, must
treat the earth so all life can continue
• Ecocentric ethic:
Earth (home) – centered: Env. is a complex set
of interacting living and non-living systems, must
value all of it
Clickers: What kind of environmental ethic is
expressed in the following statement?
“My land is important to me because I can cut
wood for firewood, I can hunt to feed myself, and I
can build my dream house”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Anthropocentric
Biocentric
Ecocentric
Nonsensic
0%
1
0%
0%
2
3
0%
4
Which most accurately reflects your
environmental ethic?
1. I haven’t thought about it
enough to be able to give
a good answer.
2. Anthropocentric
3. Biocentric
4. Ecocentric
5. A combination of more
than one.
0%
1
0%
2
0%
0%
3
4
0%
5
The History of the Environmental Movement has
Four Distinct Stages:
1. Utilitarian Resource Conservation
2. Biocentric Nature Preservation
3. Modern Environmentalism
4. Global Environmental Citizenship
• If still don’t have a clicker, for today only, turn in
a paper with your name and section number.
• Make sure we have your clicker number! You
can write it and your name and your section
number on a piece of paper and turn it in now.
Lab
Section Number
Wed 8am, Rolke
31
Wed 10am, Koning
32
Wed 2pm, Singleton
33
Wed 4pm, Singleton
34
Fri 12pm, Rolke
36