Sustainable Use of Resources Using natural resources in a way that doesn’t deplete them 1.Plant a tree for every one cut down 2.Use biofuels 3.Alternative energies

Acid Rain Causes: burning of fossil fuels and factories with smoke stacks release sulfur into the air making precipitation acidic.

Acid Rain Effects Destroys plant tissues Destroys aquatic ecosystems Destroys many statues

Acid Rain on pH scale

Affects of Acid Rain

Acid Rain Solutions Create laws that limit emissions from smoke stacks. Create laws that mandate (force) factory owners to use scrubbers on smoke stacks Use cleaner fuel sources

Most smoke stacks now have scrubbers!

Global Climate Change Increase in the average temperature of the biosphere

The Evidence In the past 120 years the average global temperature has risen.5 degrees Celsius The 1990’s was the hottest decade on record

The Projections Computer models suggest that the average global temperatures will increase by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.

The Cause of Climate Change Increased amounts of CO 2 that enters the atmosphere, from burning of fossil fuels Increased amounts of greenhouse gases like methane and CO 2

The Effects of Climate Change Polar ice caps will melt causing massive flooding

The Effects of Climate Change More severe weather systems or storms

The Effects of Climate Change Increased distribution of insects that carry deadly diseases - MALARIA

The Effects of Climate Change The environmental change favors certain species like rodents, weeds, and insects

The Effects of Climate Change Increased droughts

Solutions for Climate Change Create laws that limit Carbon dioxide emissions – The Kyoto Treaty Use hybrid cars Limit your energy consumption Educate people about the issues

Solutions for Climate Change Use of alternative energies –Wind farms –Solar farms –Geothermal energy –Nuclear energy

Wind Farms

Solar Farms

Geothermal Energy

Nuclear Energy

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy PROS: Little greenhouse gas emissions Readily available technology Huge amount of energy is generated from one single plant

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy CONS: Risk of radioactive disaster Radioactive waste Heats up surrounding water often harming the ecosystem

Ozone Depletion Ozone layer protects the earth from harmful UV rays

Without Ozone

Cause of Ozone Depletion Emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) into the atmosphere

Effect of Ozone Depletion Increase UV rays increases the skin cancer rates

Effect of Ozone Depletion Other species of plants and animals may also be affected by UV radiation. The species genes will mutate sometimes causing cancer, death, or infertility.

Solution to Ozone Depletion The use of CFC’s was banned by international law – Montreal Protocol of 1989

Ozone hole today!

Invasive Species

Apparently harmless animals and plants that are transported around the world. In their new habitats invasive species reproduce rapidly because they lack predators that keep their population in check.

Purple Loosestrife Brought to America from Europe in the 1800’s as an ornamental plant. Destroys native wetland ecosystems

Purple Loosestrife No herbivores eat this flower so it grows very rapidly and displaces native plant species. Native cattails are endangered because Purple Loosestrife is taking up its space!

Zebra Mussels Brought over on cargo ships during the 1980’s and are destroying the Great Lakes ecosystems

Zebra Mussels

Gypsy Moths A native of Europe they were brought accidentally to the US in the 1880’s They defoliate native trees like aspens

Sea Lamprey Brought over from Europe on cargo ships the Sea Lamprey has killed many native fish in the Great Lakes

Sea Lamprey attach to other fish and “suck” out their guts!

Control of Invasive Species Biological Control – using a predator from its homeland THAT WILL ONLY EAT THE TARGET SPECIES to kill native species or at least control it.

Leaf Eating Beetles and Purple Loosestrife Before Beetles Introduced 1 Year After Beetles Introduced

Pesticide Use and Fertilizer Use

Pesticide & Fertilizer Use Pesticides are used to kill insects and protect crops/plants Fertilizers are used to increase the growth rate of crops/plants

Ecological Problems with Pesticides Pesticides are dangerous chemicals that trickle down into ground water aquifers.

Biological Magnification Chemicals accumulate or build up as it goes up the food chain often becoming lethal

Biological Magnification Pregnant women are told not to eat seafood due to biological magnification of chemicals that can be harmful to the fetus

DDT Biomagnification and the Bald Eagle DDT a pesticide to kill mosquitoes Harmed the shells of Bald Eagles bringing them close to extinction

DDT Pesticide Wide scale use of DDT banned in 1972 Stockholm Convention Limited use today as disease vector control The Bald Eagles are BACK!

Ecological Problems with Fertilizers Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that runs off into streams and marine ecosystems causing algae blooms.

Algae Bloom

Solutions- Eat Organic! Super Happy Organic Farming Family