Human Impacts on Ecosystems Topic 2

Introduction We are constantly affecting the environment to get natural resources. Cut down trees Create farms Mine the land for metals, coal, and fuels Dam rivers for electricity Clear land for large cities Create wastes and pollution We use natural resources to meet our needs Mercy Mercy Me!

Natural Resources The impact people have on the environment can be big or small and have small or huge consequences All living things meet their needs with natural resources How can we balance our use of resources with our environmental impact?

People and Nature Before industrialization, life was simple we: Used available land and plants for food and clothing Used simple shelters Travelled on horseback or foot Now we: Produce electricity Wear clothes from all over the world in factories Travel in cars/airplanes Use water for agriculture and industry Purchase factory produced products

Changing Agriculture History of Agriculture How has technology changed the way we meet our need for food?

Changing Agriculture – How have these changes impacted the environment?

What are Needs and Wants? Needs are basic to survival, wants make survival comfortable Natural resources or energy are used to meet our needs What are some needs and wants that people have?

In Canada many of our needs are met by stores Most of our human technologies requires natural resources. Dams  Electricity Fossil Fuels  Run our cars and heat our homes Mine metals  Batteries, cars, building… Cut down trees  Homes, furniture

Impact on the Ecosystem List 10 List 10 natural resources you use on a daily basis, their use; and how its use has an impact on the ecosystem? Resource Use Impact on the Ecosystem

Simple Answers? Is a forest fire a good or bad thing?

Did you know? Some forest fires are intentionally set Help prevent wild fires Create habitat for animals like deer and elk by providing more grass.

Simple Answers? DDT is a pesticide Used to kill off mosquitoes and prevent malaria Saved millions of lives throughout the world. A powerful insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide that has saved farmers millions of dollars

Did you know? DDT- Is no longer used and is banned in most countries It made the eggs of birds of prey brittle. The peregrine falcon and bald eagle populations became endangered Pesticides

Topic 3 Environmental Choices

Ecological Foot Print All living things depend on nature When do you feel connected to nature? Ecological Footprint Footprint 2 Calculating your Eco Footprint

Ecological Footprint Ecological footprint is calculated by taking all of the resources (materials and energy) you use to meet your needs and to break down your wastes Sustainability means: Resources are being renewed as fast as they are being used Wastes are being broken down as quickly as they are being made

Ecological Footprint The materials needed include: Energy includes: Food Water Supplies for shelter Supplies to manufacture products Energy includes: Electricity Natural gas Energy needed to produce and transport manufactured products

Interesting facts North Americans produce twice as much garbage than all other continents combined. North Americans use 50% more electricity than any other continent. North Americans use twice as much fossil fuel than other continents Over 20% of CO2 produced in the world comes from North America.

Sustaining Our Lands

Sustaining Our Oceans

Sustaining Our Atmosphere

Reducing Your Ecological Footprint Be aware of the products you consume Reduce the energy you use Reduce the number of products you use Reduce the amount of garbage you produce Reuse products as much as possible Recycle products that cannot be used anymore

List List 5 ways you can reduce your ecological foot print and promote sustainability 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reduce- create less waste or require less materials. Reuse- Instead of throwing something away use it again. Recycle- Raw materials in wastes can be made into new products.

Impact Here and There The world covers 51 billion hectares Without desert, ocean, mountains and land covered in concrete there is 8.9 billion hectares of arable land. That is 1.5 hectares per person. The average Canadian requires 4.3 hectares per person. Worldwide would need 2.5 planets for our needs, wants, and wastes.

Recycling

Real Solutions

List Reduce Reuse Recycle List 3 strategies, for reduce, reuse and recycle to help reduce your impact on the environment. Reduce Reuse Recycle