Lesson 3: Human Impact on the Atmosphere Lesson 4: Protecting Earth’s Water, Land, and Air

AIR – What Is It Good For? Why is the atmosphere important? Air is an important natural resource. Air is part of the earth’s atmosphere. Atmosphere – is a mixture of gases that surrounds Earth (like a blanket). It provides gases that organisms need to survive. Oxygen – used by animals Carbon Dioxide – used by plants 2

Why is the atmosphere important? It absorbs/blocks harmful radiation. The ozone layer absorbs most of the high-energy radiation from the sun (UV radiation) that reaches Earth. It keeps earth warm. The green house effect is the way by which certain gases in the atmosphere, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, absorbs and reradiate thermal energy. Due to the increase of carbon dioxide. 3 AIR – What Is It Good For?

What is AIR Pollution? Air pollution – the contamination of the atmosphere by pollutants from human and natural sources. Natural sources of air pollution include: volcanic eruptions, wildfires, dust storms, burning fossil fuels Air pollution can be classified as either gases or particulates. Gases – include carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide (released from burning fossil fuels). Particulates – a tiny particle of a solid that is suspended in the air or water. Include ash from smoke, dust, pollen, bits of salt from the ocean, smog from vehicle exhaust. Smog often seen over large cities. 4

Acid Precipitation Acid precipitation – rain, sleet or snow that contains acids from air pollution. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels mixes with the water in the atmosphere and forms sulfuric acid, nitric acid and carbonic acid. Causes soil and water to become slightly acidic than normal. The increased acidity in water can sicken or kill aquatic organisms and disrupt ecosystems. It can also erode stonework on buildings and statues. 5

How’s The Air Quality? Air Quality – is the measurement of how clean or polluted the air is. Can measure the acidity of rain, the amount of particulate matter and the amount of ground-level ozone ( 3 oxygen atoms) Pollutants reduce air quality. 2 major threats to air quality. Vehicle exhausts Industrial pollutants As pollution increases, air quality decreases! 6

Indoor Air Pollution Sometimes Worse then Outdoors What are some sources of indoor pollution? 7

How Can Air Quality Affect Health? Short-term effects Coughing Headaches Breathing Burning/Itchy eyes 8 Long-term effects Asthma Emphysema Allergies Lung Cancer Chronic Bronchitis

Things Are Changing Global warming of greenhouse gases. Glaciers and Artic Sea are melting faster. Rising sea levels. Drought in some regions. Increased precipitation in other regions. Effect farming practices. Thinning ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) chemicals breaking apart the ozone. Putting holes in the ozone layer. Coolants in refrigerators & air conditioners Spray cans 9

Lesson 4: Human Impact on the Environment 10

Keeping It Clean Humans greatly affect the land, water, and air. If we wish to keep using our resources in the future, we need to conserve and care for them. Conservation – the wise use of natural resources. Save and protect our natural resources. Use less energy by turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Reuse shopping bags. Recycle instead of trashing. Reduce – fix broken objects 11

Conservation 12

Stewardship – the careful and responsible management of a resource. Includes government laws that protect water, land, and air. Follow regulations. Plant trees. Clean up a community. Help protect animals/endangered species. 13 Keeping It Clean

Water Wise Need to Conserve water! 97% of water is salt 3% of water is fresh 2% of fresh is frozen 1% available to use by animals.44% is used by Industry.47% is used by agriculture.09% available for us to use 14

This Land is Your Land We need to protect land resources from overuse and pollution. 1. Through Preservation Protecting land and natural land from being damaged or changed. Ensure species survival. 2. Through Reforestation The process of planting trees to reestablish forestland. When we cut down trees, we need to replant. Need to protect already established forests/habitats. 15

3. Through Reclamation The process by which a damaged land area is returned to nearly the condition it was before people used it. Includes damaging land from digging and mining for natural resources, building/development, and agriculture. 16 This Land is Your Land 4. Through Reducing Urban Sprawl Reducing urban sprawl helps to protect land resources. One way to reduce it to locate more people and businesses in a smaller area and use taller buildings.

5. Through recycling The process of recovering valuable materials from waste or scrap. 6. Through Soil Conservation Protect soil from erosion or degradation by overuse or pollution. 17 This Land is Your Land

How Can We Reduce Air Pollution? 1. Through Energy Conservation When fossil fuels are burned, they release pollution into the air. If we use less energy, we burn fewer fossil fuels. Turn off lights, use energy-efficient light bulbs/appliances, unplug electronics when not in use, use public transportation, develop and use alternative energy sources such as wind, water, solar and geothermal energy. 18

2. Through technology Wind turbines generate clean power. Solar energy use energy from the sun. Use power by hydroelectric energy. Geothermal energy from heat in Earth’s crust can be used to generate electricity. 19 How Can We Reduce Air Pollution?

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