Unit: 9 Monitoring the world environment

Changes in the world’s environment have a very powerful effect on the people of our planet.

Over time, advancement in science and technology have made it possible to monitor these changes.

The TIROS Program (Television Infrared Observation Satellite)

was NASA's first experimental step to determine if satellites

could be useful in the study of the Earth

Scientists have proven that human activity altered the atmosphere, changed the quality of earth’s water and the soil. People now understand the connection between industrialization and global warming.

Why are forest important?

1. Forest produce oxygen 2. Stabilizes the balance of CO2

3. Conserves water in soil 4. Preserves watershed 5. Stabilized soil/prevents soil erosion 6. Habitat of some species (animals and other plants)

Deforestation

- Cutting of trees- Burning trees- -when people

decides to make the area in to farms or ranches

- - clears the area to build dams

- - uses timber for different purposes

International organizations have been set up to monitor and share information to help people become more aware of the changes

This organization promote discussion and planning between nations to monitor and promote activities related to agriculture.

The main office is in Rome, Italy

They study and monitor in the world shortage of food due to fast growth population;

-also due to wars, famine, natural disasters and climate change.

Areas:

1. Food and agriculture

-equipment to dig wells or irrigation canals

-financial support and

-educating farmers so they will understand how to preserve the environment

-continue

2. Food and Fisheries-Monitor misuse of natural environment -- some nations dump toxic waste into oceans--sells fish that are not worth for eating- Protection to people- Protection to natural environment

- continue

3. Food and Forestry-Preservation of world’s forest-Regulates forest industry-Development and promotion of products obtained from trees means employment

UNESCO

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization= To participate in the promotion of peace and world stability = Study of science, culture, communication to promote justice and laws and respect the differences among people

Our Changing and Unstable Planet

1. Tropical storm 2. Famine and lack of drinking water 3. Earthquakes 4. Tsunami

Kevin Carter : Pulitzer Awardee

Carter's winning photo shows a heart-breaking scene of a starving child collapsed on the ground, struggling to get to a food center during a famine in the Sudan in 1993. In the background, a vulture stalks the emaciated child.