Human Impact on the Environment Cost vs Benefit

Acid Precipitation- rain, snow, sleet or hail with a pH value less than 5.6 Caused by: burning fossil fuels release sulfur or nitrogen into the air – Combines with water in the atmosphere to form acidic rain. Effect: wash nutrients from the soil, hurting plant life – lowers pH of lakes, hurting aquatic organisms

Acid Precipitation

Ozone Layer – reduces the amount of UV light that enters Earth’s lower atmosphere Ozone Layer Depletion (thinning) Cause: air pollution, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Effect: UV rays cause DNA damage and harmful mutations

Global Warming – increase of average temperatures on Earth Cause: increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses Effect: increase the rate of melting for the polar ice caps – Raises ocean water levels – Habitat loss in coastal areas

Rapid changes in the Environment lead to a decrease in the number of species

Habitat Fragmentation – development of human civilization leaves only patches of natural environments

Preventing Habitat Fragmentation

Native vs Exotic (or Invasive) Species Native Species Live in their natural habitat Exotic (Invasive) Species – nonnative species Introduced species not naturally from that habitat – Can damage ecosystems – Threaten biodiversity

Write a Letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio to convert public office buildings into using an alternative energy source of your choice [8 pts] Justify the need for alternatives to burning fossil fuels – Global warming/ Climate Change [1] – Green house gasses [1] – Environmental Impact [1] Describe two benefits of your energy source [2] Describe disadvantages to three other alternative energy sources [3] EXTRA CREDIT: Include a counter argument [2]