Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. There are unifying themes that cut across many topics included in the course. The main themes of the course are:
 

1. Science is a process

Science is a method of learning more about the world.
Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.

Energy cannot be created: it must come from somewhere.
As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.

Natural systems change over time and space.
Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
4. Humans alter natural systems.

Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years.
Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate and scale of their impact on the environment.
5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.

Understanding the role of cultural, social and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.
6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.

Link to College Board AP Environmental Science Page.