SAFETY: The Global Environment Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

The Global Environment Over the past century, there have been many advancements in human health (vaccines and medicines) Over the past century, there have been many advancements in human health (vaccines and medicines) Despite these advancements, the quality of our health still depends on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land on which we grow our crops Despite these advancements, the quality of our health still depends on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land on which we grow our crops Although our technology has improved, the quality of the things we can’t live without have worsen Although our technology has improved, the quality of the things we can’t live without have worsen

The Environment Around Us Our environment includes everything around use (air, water, and land) Our environment includes everything around use (air, water, and land) No matter where you are, you are interacting with the environment No matter where you are, you are interacting with the environment Each day, we breathe in about 35 pounds of air and drink about 2.5 quarts of water Each day, we breathe in about 35 pounds of air and drink about 2.5 quarts of water It is important to learn about the different parts of the environment It is important to learn about the different parts of the environment

Air Air is made up of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and small amounts of other gases Air is made up of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and small amounts of other gases Our bodies need oxygen in order to function Our bodies need oxygen in order to function If we inhale harmful substances in the air, it can damage our body’s ability to take up oxygen and damage our lungs and other organs If we inhale harmful substances in the air, it can damage our body’s ability to take up oxygen and damage our lungs and other organs

Water Water covers about 75% of our world Water covers about 75% of our world Most of our water is found in our oceans, but the salt in ocean makes our water unusable for drinking, farming, and home use Most of our water is found in our oceans, but the salt in ocean makes our water unusable for drinking, farming, and home use Fresh water from streams, rivers, and lakes does not contain salt Fresh water from streams, rivers, and lakes does not contain salt

Groundwater One of the biggest sources of fresh water is groundwater, which is water found underneath the ground One of the biggest sources of fresh water is groundwater, which is water found underneath the ground Groundwater feeds the streams, rivers, and lakes, and is our source of drinking water for people Groundwater feeds the streams, rivers, and lakes, and is our source of drinking water for people Therefore, it is critical that the groundwater remains clean and free from toxic chemicals Therefore, it is critical that the groundwater remains clean and free from toxic chemicals

Land Land is made up of many different types of soils, rocks, and minerals Land is made up of many different types of soils, rocks, and minerals People have constant contact with land (growing crops) People have constant contact with land (growing crops) The shortage of quality soil can limit the growing of crops The shortage of quality soil can limit the growing of crops The quality of land has an impact on the quality of water because if land is contaminated with chemicals, it will wash into streams, rivers, and lakes The quality of land has an impact on the quality of water because if land is contaminated with chemicals, it will wash into streams, rivers, and lakes

People and the Environment At one time, human societies moved from place to place and left their impact on the environment behind At one time, human societies moved from place to place and left their impact on the environment behind As societies began to center around towns and cities, people had to live with their impact on the environment As societies began to center around towns and cities, people had to live with their impact on the environment The human impact on the environment takes 2 major forms: 1. the removal of resources 2. the creation of waste The human impact on the environment takes 2 major forms: 1. the removal of resources 2. the creation of waste

1. Removal of Resources In order for societies to function, people take resources from the environment In order for societies to function, people take resources from the environment land cleared for farmingland cleared for farming metals, coal, and oil are taken from groundmetals, coal, and oil are taken from ground trees are make into paper and woodtrees are make into paper and wood sources of water are usedsources of water are used The taking of these resources can permanently scar the land The taking of these resources can permanently scar the land

2. Creation of Waste The production of waste has more immediate affects on our health The production of waste has more immediate affects on our health Areas with big populations produce large quantities of human waste Areas with big populations produce large quantities of human waste Dangerous chemicals are produced as the result of industry, burning of coal, trash, etc. Dangerous chemicals are produced as the result of industry, burning of coal, trash, etc. Most of the waste produced is released into the air and water, or buried underground Most of the waste produced is released into the air and water, or buried underground

Population People’s impact on the environment increases as the population increases People’s impact on the environment increases as the population increases The current world’s population is about 6.8 billion people The current world’s population is about 6.8 billion people As the population increases, so does the need for resources As the population increases, so does the need for resources Increased population mean increase need for water, food, housing, and transportation, and also more waste Increased population mean increase need for water, food, housing, and transportation, and also more waste

Overpopulation Demands for products and services cause shortages of clean water, energy, and even housing Demands for products and services cause shortages of clean water, energy, and even housing Crowding caused by population increase contributes to stress, which in turn contributes to poor health Crowding caused by population increase contributes to stress, which in turn contributes to poor health Overpopulation is a major problem in many developing countries because population increases faster than food production leading to malnutrition, starvation, and many diseases Overpopulation is a major problem in many developing countries because population increases faster than food production leading to malnutrition, starvation, and many diseases

The Challenge Ahead As people continue to create problems with the environment, it is clear that action needs to be taken As people continue to create problems with the environment, it is clear that action needs to be taken The results of neglecting our environment can be found all over the world where countries develop too fast with little regard for the environment The results of neglecting our environment can be found all over the world where countries develop too fast with little regard for the environment Damage to the environment affect the health of citizens Damage to the environment affect the health of citizens

Challenges the US Faces The US uses more resources than any other country in the world The US uses more resources than any other country in the world Cities built where water is scarce are beginning to experience shortage of clean water Cities built where water is scarce are beginning to experience shortage of clean water Pesticides used on farms have been found in groundwater in many areas Pesticides used on farms have been found in groundwater in many areas Tremendous amounts of toxic waste have been produced by industry Tremendous amounts of toxic waste have been produced by industry

2 Solutions to the Challenges Finding ways to use resources efficiently Finding ways to use resources efficiently Finding alternatives to processes that produce waste Finding alternatives to processes that produce waste