Anthropogenic Changes

‘Genesis’ = create/begin ‘Anthropo’ = human ‘Genesis’ = create/begin Anthropogenic = human impact on the environment

Negative Changes  Overpopulation Urbanization Habitat Destruction Overuse of Natural Resources Pollution

Overpopulation There are over 7 Billion people on Earth. If we keep adding more people, there will not be enough food and water for everyone.

Urbanization More people are starting to live in cities. Cities are taking over area that was once open land, such as forests and prairies. Cities can grow only out or up! Photo Source

Habitat Destruction Humans can shape the environment to suit their needs. Ex: cutting down trees, pollution, building farms and cities Humans disturb at least 4 of the 5 Basic Needs of Animals Oxygen, Food, Water, Shelter, Climate

Overuse of Natural Resources Renewable Resource – any natural resource that can be recycled or replaced. Wind and solar energy, wood, crops and water.

Overuse of Natural Resources Nonrenewable Resource – resources that that are used up more quickly than they can be replaced by natural processes. Fossil Fuels and metals

Pollution A pollutant is anything that contaminates or harms the environment. Air Water Soil Pollution can cause major problems lasting thousands of years. Smog in California

How Long Does Trash Last? Tin Cans: 50 years Nylon Fabric: 30-40 years Plastic Film Container: 20-30 years Plastic Bag: 10-20 years Cigarette: 1-5 years Wool Sock: 1-5 years Apple Core: 2 months Newspaper: 6 weeks Orange or Banana Peel: 2-5 weeks Paper Towel: 2-4 weeks Glass Bottle: 1 million years Monofilament Fishing Line: 600 years Plastic Beverage Bottles: 450 years Disposable Diapers: 450 years Aluminum Can: 80-200 years Information Source: U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL. Link

Consequences Greenhouse Effect – reflected sunlight heats the Earth’s surface Without this, the Earth would be too cold to sustain life!

Consequences Greenhouse gases – gases that trap sunlight in the Earth’s atmosphere Global Warming – Greenhouse Gases are causing the Earth to heat up beyond what is considered normal level This leads to: polar ice melting and climates throughout the world changing and becoming warmer.

Consequences Extinction of plants and animals If one part of a food web disappears, it can disrupt the entire ecosystem. We may overuse our natural resources, overuse of Renewable Resources can cause so much damage, they become nonrenewable.

What can we do about it? - Reuse - Recycle Alternative Energy Sources 3 R’s of Conservation - Reduce - Reuse - Recycle Alternative Energy Sources Wind Solar Hydroelectric Nuclear

Discussion Cards Put all names on paper Read the “blurb” outloud for your group. 2-3 devices per group (if you don’t have device, you are the “recorder”) Be ready to present your situation and answers at the end of class