Interconnected Planet

CH6

• Environmental Science– Study of the impact of humans on the

environment

• Humans are a part of the environment and can affect the resilience of the environment.– Humans consume resources faster than they can

be replaced– Earth is an interconnected planet

• Pollution and habitat destruction destroy the resources we need to live, such as air, water, and food

Fresh Kill’s Landfill in NY state Approximately 135 football fields

Resources• Materials to be used for a need• Renewable– Can be replaced at the same rate at which they

are consumed, within our (human) lifetime– Hydro, Solar, Geothermal, Nuclear, Wind, Biofuels

• Nonrenewable– Used at a faster rate than can be replaced– Fossil Fuels are from the remains of organisms

that lived long ago– Oil, natural gas, coal

Environmental Issues• Air Pollution– Industries, power plants, vehicles burning fossil

fuels• Releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen

oxides

– Acid Rain– Global Warming– Ozone Layer– Respiratory Issues

Acid Rain• Precipitation that has a high concentration of

sulfuric or nitric acid (increase pH)• Harms forest and lakes

Ozone Layer• Protects life on Earth

from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays

• Damaged due to chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators, air conditioners, spray cans

• Reduction in CFC use has helped the Ozone

Global Warming

• Gradual increase in the average global temperature

• Greenhouse effect– Warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of

the Earth– Occurs when particles in the atmosphere absorb

and trap heat on the planet

Greenhouse Effect

• Naturally occurs• Keeps the Earth at comfortable temperature• Becomes a problem when particles in the

atmosphere build up trapping more heat on the planet

• Carbon Dioxide – Burning of fossil fuels

• Global weather • Migration patterns• Ice sheets (sea level)

Water Pollution

• Pollution– Any unwanted substance that contaminates the

material needed

• Fertilizers, pesticides, manure, industrial waste, oil runoff from roads, septic tanks, unlined landfills

• Water is renewable until polluted

Soil Damage

• Soil Erosion– Destroys fertile soil that we need in order to

produce food

• Soil Conservation– Terracing, cover crop, crop rotation, contour

plowing– Reduce soil loss and conserve fertile soil

Ecosystem Disruption

• Habitat Destruction• Loss of Biodiversity• Invasive species– Introduce non native organisms to an area– Competition for resources

• Extinction– Death of every member of a species

Environmental Solutions

• Conservation– Protecting existing natural habitats

• Restoration– Cleaning up and restoring damaged habitats– Harder to put back to normal

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Research and technology– Provide cleaner energy sources– Better ways to deal with waste– Improve methods for cleaning up pollution

• Environmental Awareness– Education– Advocacy, showing support for the cause

• Planning for the Future