Chapter 1. Environmental Geology And Human Existence.

1. Geology: The study of the earth in general.

2. Environmental Geology: The sub-discipline that focuses on the relationship between humans and their geologic, or earth, environment.

Well put – and obviously Civil, Geological, Geotechnical, and Mining Engineering are central to this relationship in terms of:

1. Responsible development.
2. Remedial Engineering.

e.g. New York City P.1. Neat bit of Geology.

-Environmental geology encompasses all of the traditional branches of geology as shown very clearly in fig. 1.1.

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The relationship between the geological sciences and environmental geology.

Note: Mineralogy is missing from the chart.

The authors place a lot of emphasis on geologic hazards. In many ways this reflects their environment in the U.S., and particularly California. We in Canada have a somewhat different outlook; we have problems; we must solve these problems in a collective way.

 

3. Key Techniques – Which is where the labs fit in:

e.g.

1. Surface data from rock outcrops and soil analysis: (Minerals rocks, and soils labs.)

2. Hydro-geological information. i.e. surface/sub-surface water information. (Groundwater lab.)

3. Obtaining sub-surface data. (Drilling; geophysics.)

4. Presentation of data in plans (geological maps) and sections. (Maps Lab)

e.g. U.S. National geologic Mapping Act of 1992: estimated U.S. $184 million over the course of 4 years.

"Geologic mapping is a fundamental part of most Earth-Science studies, with applications in such fields as applied geology investigations; water resource planning; and land-use planning for waste dumps, coastal housing and transportation."

4. Population Pressure:

The focus of chapter one is mainly on population growth and population pressure. A very acute problem in most countries of the world, but not so much in Canada, which means that maybe we should plan for it.

But: Two major Canadian examples:

1. Disposal of human-generated waste:

e.g. Sanitary and secure landfills in the Toronto area.

2. The exceptionally important issue of possible export of Canadian freshwater.

Click here to view an article on protection of Canada's Fresh Water.

5. Global population growth. - Key points:

• Global population in 1995 was 5.76 billion. (In 1900, it was approximately 1.6 billion.)
• Approximately 10,000 generations -> first 2 billion.

Now only 1 generation to the next 2 billion.

• Population growth is exponential. ie. A % increase each year.
• A really graphical way to illustrate it is the doubling time.

e.g. 2% growth does not sound very much, but results in a doubling time of 35 years.

** Population Doubling time = 70 divided by growth rate in %. (Useful approximation).

• For 1995: growth rate = 1.68%

Therefore, doubling time = 42 years (for 1995).

-As table 1.3 shows:

The global growth rate (%) increased to a high of 2.06% in the 1960’s (pg 8); since when it has been falling slowly e.g. estimated to be 1.43% in 2005.        

• This is a world average – some countries have significantly higher population growth rates than others.

e.g. Europe, Japan, and North American growth rates are pretty low.

1995 U.S. growth rate: 0.69%

1990 – 95 China Growth rate: 1.42% (p. 10)

• What of the future? (U.N. Conference in 1994. P.9)

• Major political and religious issues.
• If family planning succeeds: 7.27 billion by 2015.
• If population stabilizes, the level of population will double at 12 billion.
• If family planning does not succeed: 7.92 billion by 2015; then explodes to 12.5 billion and more by 2050.
• And there are 700 million undernourished people in the world right now. (p. 9)
• Hence: obviously, this is a major global problem.
• The Future (Fig 1.9 Page 11): either controlled or uncontrolled:

• Controlled: ~ 10 billion by 2050 and leveling off.
• Uncontrolled:    Let us not even think about it.

• Objective: Should be to achieve a sustainable global society (pg 13)

Major Question?

Is there, and should there be, collective Government objectives for stable, zero growth populations in the various areas of Canada (Provinces; Territories)?

What should they be? How should they be achieved, maintained, and protected?

We are one of the relatively few countries of the world which, by clear management, could target a certain population and go no higher. We can then protect a sustainable population, economy, and a beautiful natural environment. We can still do it.

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Last modified: April 08, 1999