Human Impacts on the Environment The effects of industrialization and the loss of biodiversity

Exponential Human Population Growth As civilization advanced life became easier and the population started to grow. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s was a key point in history  Better nutrition, sanitation, medicine, healthcare, etc.

Patterns of Human Population Growth The scientific study of human population is Demography  Birthrates, death rates, and the age structure of a population help predict why some countries have high growth rates while other countries grow more slowly

Demographic Transition A dramatic change from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates  US, Japan, and Europe have completed the transition The age structure in the US shows an equal number of people in each age group suggestion slow, but steady growth. Mexico, however, shows more younger children and teens which predicts a population doubling in about 30 years.

Human population growth is growing exponentially. As the population grows, industrialization and demand for our natural resources also grows

Population growth leads to  Industrialization –Global Warming –Acid Rain –Water Pollution –Pesticides and biomagnification –Ozone Depletion  Loss of Biodiversity –Deforestation and habitat loss –Poaching –Exotic Species

Industrialization leads to an increase in Pollution  Water Pollution –Oil Spills –Gasoline spills –Gets into drinking water –Garbage  Air Pollution –Acid Rain –Global Warming –Ozone Depletion

Air Pollution can lead to: Global Warming  Increase in CO 2  Increase in greenhouse effect  Increase in global temperatures  Greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide trap heat in our atmosphere and heats up earth

Industrialization can lead to Acid Rain  Burning of fossil fuels releases sulphates and nitrates into air (Air Pollution)  Sulphates and nitrates mix with water vapor in air and form sulphuric acid and nitric acid that falls to eath and pollutes are water (Water Pollution)

Acid rain can result in Acidification of Lakes  Lakes and ponds can become so acidified that no life can live in them!

An example of Water Pollution: Exxon Valdez

Industrialization can lead to increased use of Herbicides and Pesticides  We spray pesticides and herbicides with out knowing the consequences  DDT

DDT  Claimed to be a miracle  Claimed to have No effect on humans  Disastrous to bird of prey populations  Can build up in the environment –Biological magnification

Bioaccumulation  Accumulated to such levels in top predators that it started having lethal effects.  Endangered many species of birds, Including our Bald Eagles.

Industrialization can lead to an increase Ozone depletion  Ozone layer protects us from UV radiation  In the ’80’s it became apparent that the ozone layer was disappearing  It was confirmed that is was directly caused by human activity  Increased use of CFC’s

What is a CFC?  Carbon-Flouro-Carbons in aerosols were leaking into the atmosphere and eating away the ozone  Freon is also a CFC

Loss of biodiversity can be caused by Deforestation  Population growth leads to the loss of natural habitats  Cut down trees to build new homes/agriculture (“slash and burn”)  Loss of biodiversity  Loss of oxygen producers and CO 2 eliminators

Loss of biodiversity can be caused by Poaching The illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws Many endangered animals are hunted for fur, skin, teeth, horns, or claws Many endangered animals are hunted for fur, skin, teeth, horns, or claws Many animals that have seasons to hunt can still be considered poached if too many are killed or they are killed out of season. Many animals that have seasons to hunt can still be considered poached if too many are killed or they are killed out of season.

Loss of Biodiversity can be caused from Exotic (invasive) Species

Is it too late ????

What can be done? Humans can help protect the natural populations and communities around them. This is called conservation. Conservation is the careful use and preservation of our natural resources. Some kinds of conservation include: resource renewal, habitat management, pollution management, and species monitoring.

Species Protection Laws and treaties to save threatened and endangered species and their habitat Laws and treaties to save threatened and endangered species and their habitat Captive breeding programs Captive breeding programs Animal reintroductions Animal reintroductions Species monitoring Species monitoring

Habitat Management … for the protection of plants and animals It includes setting up national parks or areas where no one is allowed to build houses, hunt, or collect plants or animals. Governments and developers are also looking at something called sustainable development. Sustainable development looks at long-term use of land and natural resources. It is the process of developing land to meet the needs of a community today without negatively impacting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In Virginia, communities in coastal areas must obey the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act which requires local governments to protect and manage local water habitats and resources from the harmful effects of economic development and growth.

Pollution Management involves reducing and cleaning up pollution, and is expected to be one of the fastest growing industries of the future. Local, state, and federal governments have significant roles in managing and protecting resources as do individuals and corporations in the private sector. Some of the laws are: Clean Air Act Clean Air Act Clean Water Act of 1972 on the Federal level Clean Water Act of 1972 on the Federal level Virginia Air Pollution Control Law of 1966 Virginia Air Pollution Control Law of 1966 Ground Water Protection Strategy for Virginia in 198 Ground Water Protection Strategy for Virginia in 198 Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act of Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act of 1997.

Follow these guidelines for a cleaner, healthier environment

Renewable Resources In an effort to reduce pollution and use less fossil fuels, alternative energy sources are being considered. There are 5 major types of renewable resources: SUN:WIND:WATER:GEOTHERMAL:BIOMASS: Non-Renewable Resources: Coal * Coal * Natural gas * Natural gas * Petroleum/oil * Petroleum/oil * Nuclear Nuclear * = Fossil Fuel

What can you do? List 5 ways YOU can help protect your natural resources