Human Impacts on the Environment
Air Pollution Suspended Particles – made up of soot, smoke, dust and liquid droplets. Nitrogen Dioxide – caused by fuel combustion, aerobic decomposition and nitrogenous fertilizers. Sulfur Dioxide – combustion of fossil fuels, with motor vehicles and small and varied sources (such as boilers and stoves) contributing the most.
Air Pollution
Acid Rain Streams and lakes becoming more acidic, killing fish, frogs and other life. Damage to forests, plants and buildings
Deforestation Definition: large areas of land are logged Flooding Landslides and mudslides Habitat destruction Trees are an important part of the water cycle Forests are home to many animals Global warming
Amazon Deforestation
Global Warming Burning fossil fuels (gasoline, coal & oil) and other pollution increases the amount of CO2 in the air ~this increases the earth’s temperature.
Carbon Dioxide is also known as a Greenhouse gas Greenhouse gasses prevent infrared or solar radiation from escaping back into outer space-causing the planet to slowly warm.
The Greenhouse Effect The burning of fossil fuels CO2 in the atmosphere. Increases in CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere. As a result, global temperatures are rising. Warmer temperatures raise sea levels
Consequences of Global Warming Rising sea levels coastal flooding Changing rain patterns Droughts and crop failures Increase in insect diseases Changing habitat
Ozone Depletion Use of CFC’s or chlorofluorocarbons lowers ozone by breaking up O3 CFC’s are used in some aerosol cans (not as much any more) They are also released from some refrigerators and air conditioning systems. Consequences: skin cancer, cataracts.
Mining
Mining
Oil Drilling
Plastic Contamination
Water Pollution
Renewable Resources These are resources that can regenerate or replace themselves.
Non-renewable Resources A resource that can NOT be replaced or replenished by natural processes Fossil Fuels
Geothermal wells
*pros* for geothermal energy: Heat from the earth= limitless supply. Domestic source of energy. It has the smallest land footprint of any other power source. It doesn’t require fuel to operate. New technologies are making geothermal energy available in more places.
*cons* when it comes to geothermal High costs to construct plants. Sites must be located in prime areas. The introduction of water is wasteful Emissions of sulfur dioxide and silica are often an issue. Drilling into heated rock is problematic.
Here are some of the *pros* for wind energy: Clean and renewable. Domestic source of energy. Turbines only require periodic maintenance. Accessible and affordable for homeowners and businesses Space-efficient. Farmers can rent their property and still continue to farm the land.
There also some *cons* when it comes to wind energy: Wind is a fluctuates Electricity energy must be stored (batteries). Turbines are a potential threat to birds & bats. Deforestation to set up a wind farm. Noise complaints with farms that are close to communities.
It’s pretty easy to see the *pros* when it comes to hydropower: It only requires moving water in order to work It is a domestic source of energy/Green /and renewable Most affordable when spread out over the lifetime costs. It is reliable. It is safe! Compared with the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy
There also some *cons* when it comes to hydropower: Availability of places where these power plants can be built. Along with other Resources the initial expense is lofty. Lack of water.
There are*Pros* when it comes to solar: Renewable Reduces Electricity Bills. ... Low Maintenance Costs. ...
There also some *cons* when it comes to solar power: Cost. ... Weather Dependent. ... Initial Investment of Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive.
What can you do? Hang clothes on clothesline Recycle EVERYTHING especially plastic! Wear my jeans one more day before washing Ride bike to beach Donate to your cause Pick up trash you see Turn off a light Unplug stuff you don’t need Bring your own straw fork cup Wash dog on grass/car on lawn
Get Creative