Introduction to Sustaining Ecosystems September 16, 2011

David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge

Reduce home energy use by 10% Nearly 60 per cent of the energy used by Canadian homes is directly related to heating. Choose Energy Star appliances and R2000 homes R-2000 homes use 30% less energy than standard homes. Modern appliances save more energy than older ones. New refrigerators, for example, use 40% less energy than models made just 10 years ago. The Energy Star shows which appliances are especially efficient. Eliminate home and garden pesticides Small children and pets are especially vulnerable to the dangers of chemicals. Eat less meat The production and processing of grains requires far less water and land than is needed for meat. Also, domestic animals, especially beef cattle, produce large amounts of methane gas. Buy locally grown and produced food Buying locally reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from food transportation. The average meal travels 2400 km (1500 miles) from the field to your table. art choices such as efficient transit may not be available. Governments and corporations need to be encouraged to be more environmentally friendly.

David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge Drive a fuel-efficient car A typical SUV uses almost twice the fuel – and releases nearly twice the emissions – of a modern station wagon. Walk, bus or bike once a week Each year, Canadians make 2,000 trips for distances less than three kms in their car, pumping GHGs into the air. Choose a home near work/school A convenient place to live reduces the amount you drive, which means you’ll lower your emissions. Support transportation alternatives One busload of passengers takes as many as 40 vehicles off the road during rush hour. It also saves 70,000 litres of fuel and cuts air pollutants by nine tonnes a year. Get involved and tell others In many circumstances, environmentally sm

Your Challenge In groups of 3, come up with your own “Top Ten” ways to Go Green around the Parry Sound Area! Next, we will make a class top ten list and challenge ourselves to complete it over the next few weeks!

Introduction to Sustaining Ecosystems Carbon Footprint: a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Carbon Footprint

What is Ecology? Ecology: is the science of the relationships between organisms and their chemical and physical environments Ecosystem: all the living organisms that share a region and interact with each other and their non-living environment

Features of Ecosystems Ecosystems have biotic factors (ex. Bear, plants) BIOTIC: Living or alive and abiotic factors (ex. Weather, minerals) ABIOTIC: not alive

Features of Ecosystems they are variable in size and in their biotic and abiotic features large ecosystems may include smaller ecosystems each is characterized by a distinctive set of features can be artificial

Types of Ecosystems Terrestrial Ecosystems: an ecosystem that is based mostly or totally on land EXAMPLES: _________________ Aquatic Ecosystems: an ecosystem that is based mostly or totally in water EXAMPLES: __________________