ESS Definition Analysis

Aloha all,

All three ESS definitions posted by Paula, Katie, and Joyce are very similar in the following ways:

1)  Each definition makes mention of the five basic spheres of the earth.

2)   Each of the definitions comments on the importance of examining the interconnectedness of the spheres. No single sphere can be studied in isolation. For example, from ESS in a nutshell that Paula posted, “The difficulty with any representation that divides the system is the danger of continuing a deconstructed perception of the holistic Earth system - in reality no part of the Earth system can be considered in isolation from any other part.” I think this is important.

3)  Two of the definitions speak about using chemistry, biology and physics to examine these spheres.

If we can agree on these 3 core similarities, we have a working definition of ESS, and we just need to flush out specifics and deal with the semantics. From my perspective, here are the details we need to tackle/consider:

1)  Which spheres should we include in our definition?  Most definitions include, atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), geosphere (land) and biosphere (life.) Sometimes the cryosphere seems to be listed as an afterthought. It mostly relates to the polar regions and ice (Maybe we could provide connections to this sphere with exploration of climate change?) Also missing, as the definition Paula posted states, “is the critical context within which the Earth system operates: the solar system and galaxy beyond (sometimes referred to as the exosphere), source of driving energy for the Earth (the Sun) and of critical external inputs such as asteroids and comets whose impacts have altered the Earth system significantly in the past.”

2)  Is there something unique about the study of ESS in Hawaii we need to include in our definition? Part of our mission is to create a curriculum that is highly place based, how should Hawaii’s singular location, evolutionary history and strong connection to traditional Hawaiian culture inform the definition we use for this curriculum?

*Instead of posting yet another definition, I hope this analysis of the three definitions that have been posted will serve to further our discussion on ESS definitions.