Pollution & Evolution How human pollution impacts the survival of species on earth.

Benefits of Active Transportation Exercise, clean air, no traffic, and fun!

Charles Darwin Natural Selection Evolution & Extinction

Natural Selection, Evolution, Extinction Species best adapted to environment survives. When environment changes species evolve or go extinct.

Today, you are a bird.  And there is nothing birds like better than fat, juicy moths.  You will catch them with your “Beak”  There are two colors of moths.  And there is nothing birds like better than fat, juicy moths.  You will catch them with your “Beak”  There are two colors of moths.

2 Peppered Moths  Both taste good.  Both have equal nutritional value.  Your job? Eat as many moths as you can in 60 seconds.  Both taste good.  Both have equal nutritional value.  Your job? Eat as many moths as you can in 60 seconds.

THE RULES  One ‘Beak’ (tweezers)  60 seconds.  Catch as many moths as you can and put them in the cup.  At the end, tally up all your moths by color, and fill out the tally sheet provided.  One ‘Beak’ (tweezers)  60 seconds.  Catch as many moths as you can and put them in the cup.  At the end, tally up all your moths by color, and fill out the tally sheet provided.

Moth Tally Sheet ON BLACK # Black Moths caught # Pepper caught Total caught = % Black (Black/Total) %Peppered (Peppered/Total) ON BLACK # Black Moths caught # Pepper caught Total caught = % Black (Black/Total) %Peppered (Peppered/Total) ON PEPPER # Black Moths caught # Pepper caught Total caught = % Black (Black/Total) %Peppered (Peppered/Total)

What did you notice?  Which color moth did you get more of on the peppered background?  What about on the black background?  Why do you think that is?  Which moth color would survive better?  Which color moth did you get more of on the peppered background?  What about on the black background?  Why do you think that is?  Which moth color would survive better?

The Real Peppered Moth  Hard to see?  The peppered moth uses CAMOUFLAGE, the same color and pattern as the bark of the trees.  Hard to see?  The peppered moth uses CAMOUFLAGE, the same color and pattern as the bark of the trees.

“Black” Peppered Moth  Which is easier to see?  The fact that it probably gets eaten more is NATURAL SELECTION.  Black moths were rare! Only 1 black moth had ever been documented.  Which is easier to see?  The fact that it probably gets eaten more is NATURAL SELECTION.  Black moths were rare! Only 1 black moth had ever been documented.

Manchester, England- Air Pollution  In the early 1800’s, the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION began.  Factories were powered by burning coal (a oil based fossil fuel).  Burning of coal created heavy soot pollution. It “snowed” black ashes.  In the early 1800’s, the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION began.  Factories were powered by burning coal (a oil based fossil fuel).  Burning of coal created heavy soot pollution. It “snowed” black ashes.

Soot Covered EVERYTHING. Black moths became 98% of the population.

Pollution changes our environment.  Smog (smoke fog) is a problem. Look at LA!  Air pollution has dangers you can’t see: Carbon Dioxide  Smog (smoke fog) is a problem. Look at LA!  Air pollution has dangers you can’t see: Carbon Dioxide

CO2 - Invisible Pollution  Carbon Dioxide, CO2 is a clear gas that occurs when anything is burnt.  Too much CO2 makes the planet warmer, faster than species can adapt.  If the environment warms a few degrees, many species will go extinct.  Carbon Dioxide, CO2 is a clear gas that occurs when anything is burnt.  Too much CO2 makes the planet warmer, faster than species can adapt.  If the environment warms a few degrees, many species will go extinct.

Severe CO2 causing “ shortness of breath”  Ask the cyclists of the first “Tour of Beijing.”  The CO2 was at least 5x the legal limit in Europe.  Riders complained that there was not enough oxygen to breath.  Ask the cyclists of the first “Tour of Beijing.”  The CO2 was at least 5x the legal limit in Europe.  Riders complained that there was not enough oxygen to breath.

Carbon Dioxide Demonstration  Can we see an invisible gas?  CO2 that is HEAVIER than most gases in the atmosphere.  CO2 will “sink” creating a bottom layer of gas.  Can we see an invisible gas?  CO2 that is HEAVIER than most gases in the atmosphere.  CO2 will “sink” creating a bottom layer of gas.

What does CO2 do to other species?  CO2 adds to Global Climate Change  Changing the environment means many species will go extinct.  Unlike natural selection, we are causing the extinction.  CO2 adds to Global Climate Change  Changing the environment means many species will go extinct.  Unlike natural selection, we are causing the extinction.

Can humans go extinct???  What do humans need to survive?  No one knows how the climate will react to the greenhouse gases.  What do humans need to survive?  No one knows how the climate will react to the greenhouse gases.

The best way to reduce air pollution & CO2? Transportation  Walk, bike, carpool, and take public transport. Avoid unnecessary trips!  61% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in Marin County are from vehicles.  Electric engines also help reduce CO2.  Walk, bike, carpool, and take public transport. Avoid unnecessary trips!  61% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in Marin County are from vehicles.  Electric engines also help reduce CO2.

Conclusion Pollution can greatly impact life Charles Darwin Natural Selection Extinction Evolution Peppered Moths