Human Impact on the Environment Our actions today do impact the future!

How does human popn growth affect the environment? 1.Our popn is rising b/c we can alter our environment Click for ticker Improved health care, hygiene, and large food supply 2.Humans have a CC just like other orgs 3.We are using more resources, producing more waste, taking up more space 4.WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO CONTROL POPN GROWTH!

What are the natural processes that occur on our planet? 1.Process #1: MAINTAINING AIR QUALITY Biotic: Recycling of O 2 and CO 2 by plants and animals Abiotic: Rain cleans air 2.Process #2: SOIL FORMATION Soil forms from erosion and decaying orgs Roots of plants help keep down soil so it doesnt blow away 3.Process #3: THE WATER CYCLE Evaporation Clouds Rain Fresh water supply is maintained

What are the natural processes that occur on our planet? 4.Process #4: WASTE REMOVAL AND RECYCLING OF NUTRIENTS Decomposers put nutrients back in soil So minerals are RECYCLED through food chains 5.Process #5: FLOW OF ENERGY Energy is passed through environment but NOT RECYCLED Always need a constant source of energy

What is the impact of technology on natural processes? 1.Industrialization : Pollution of air and water Increased demand for energy, water, and fossil fuels EX: Nuclear Power Plants Cause thermal pollution of waterways Disposal of radioactive wastes big problem Solution: Practice the 3 Rs Alternative sources of energy Reuse and recycle materials already made

What is the impact of technology on natural processes? 2.WATER POLLUTION: Depletion of O 2 in water: Cause: by dumping of sewage and animal parts Result: Can act as fertilizer for some bacteria and algae and they will consume all available O 2 Toxic Wastes: Cause: Fertilizers and pesticides used get into water supply Result: Organisms are poisoned - Gets stronger as you move up the food chain!

What is the impact of technology on natural processes? Thermal pollution: Cause: Warmed water from power plants dumped back into lakes and rivers Result: Less dissolved O 2 in warmer water causing orgs to suffocate Solutions for Water Pollution: 1.Use alternative pest control instead of pesticides Sterility treatments, hormone controls Add a natural predator 2.Stop dumping things into water that shouldnt be there!

What is the impact of technology on natural processes? 3.AIR POLLUTION: Cause #1: Burning wastesCause #1: Burning wastes Result: waste materials end up in water cycle anyway and make acid rainResult: waste materials end up in water cycle anyway and make acid rain Cause #2: Burning Fossil FuelsCause #2: Burning Fossil Fuels Result: adds too much CO 2, sulfur and other harmful gases into air and make acid rainResult: adds too much CO 2, sulfur and other harmful gases into air and make acid rain Acid Rain causes much damage to orgs that cannot survive in low pHAcid Rain causes much damage to orgs that cannot survive in low pH Solutions for Air pollution:Solutions for Air pollution: Set limits for how much a factory can burnSet limits for how much a factory can burn

How do pollutants affect the atmosphere? 1.GLOBAL WARMING CAUSE:CAUSE: Greenhouse Gases trap suns heat to keep our planet warmGreenhouse Gases trap suns heat to keep our planet warm EX: CARBON DIOXIDE ( CO 2 )EX: CARBON DIOXIDE ( CO 2 ) Greenhouse Gases have increased since early 1900s b/c of industrializationGreenhouse Gases have increased since early 1900s b/c of industrialization BURING FOSSIL FUELS PUTS EXCESS CO 2 INTO THE ATMOSPHEREBURING FOSSIL FUELS PUTS EXCESS CO 2 INTO THE ATMOSPHERE As a result avg. Earth temp is increasingAs a result avg. Earth temp is increasing

How do pollutants affect the atmosphere? POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING:POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING: Change in climate patternsChange in climate patterns Melting of ice caps could cause floodingMelting of ice caps could cause flooding SOLUTIONS TO STOP GLOBALWARMNG:SOLUTIONS TO STOP GLOBALWARMNG: PLANT TREES b/c they use CO 2PLANT TREES b/c they use CO 2 STOP cutting down treesSTOP cutting down trees Find alternative fuel sources that do not release CO 2 into airFind alternative fuel sources that do not release CO 2 into air

How do pollutants affect the atmosphere? 2.OZONE LAYER DEPLETION OZONE LAYER PROTECTS US FROM HARMFUL RADIATION FROM SUNOZONE LAYER PROTECTS US FROM HARMFUL RADIATION FROM SUN CAUSES OF DEPLETION:CAUSES OF DEPLETION: Release of CFCs into atmosphereRelease of CFCs into atmosphere Come from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol cansCome from refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol cans EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETION:EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETION: Excess radiation can cause:Excess radiation can cause: Genetic mutationsGenetic mutations More skin cancerMore skin cancer Destroy producers in oceansDestroy producers in oceans CFCS no longer used in those thingsCFCS no longer used in those things