HUMAN CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Biology EOCT Review

Resource Use  Renewable resources: resources that can be replaced through natural processes  Forests, freshwater, wind, sun  Nonrenewable resources: cannot be replaced by natural processes as fast as they are used  Fossil fuels, minerals

Air Pollution  Pollution: the release of harmful substances into the air, water, or soil.  Main cause: burning of fossil fuels releasing pollutants such as smoke, dust, ash, carbon monoxide, etc.  Particulates: small particles of dust, soot, and other airborne solids. These can damage the respiratory systems of humans and other animals.

Air Pollution  Smog: a visible haze that forms when smoke and gases from burning fuels combined with fog.  Greenhouse effect: a natural process that keeps Earth at a temperature that is suitable for life.  Global Warming: an increase in Earth’s average temperatures.  Deforestation: the removal of all the trees in a forest.

Air Pollution  Deforestation  Ozone layer: km above Earth’s surface; absorbs much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun

Water Pollution  The release of harmful substances into bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, is water pollution.  Pollutants can make an aquatic ecosystem unfit for the organisms that normally live there.  How do we pollute the water?  Industry, homes, farmers contribute to build up of sewage, chemical wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.

Effects on Biodiversity  Biodiversity: the total number and variety of living organisms  Organisms depend on each other to survive and reproduce. If human activities kill too many organisms at a certain level of the food chain then they can cause the extinction of a species which could cause other species in that food chain or web to become endangered.

Sustainable Practices ActionEffect Recycle containersReduces litter, saves landfill space, conserves metal and oil Use less paperConserves forests, saves energy, reduces water pollution Lower thermostats in winterConserves energy, which reduces air pollution Use less water for washing, lawnsConserves limited freshwater supply