1 Humans and the Environment

2 Human population growth has lead to Human population growth has lead to Pollution Pollution Deforestation Deforestation Extinction of species Extinction of species Global warming (climate change) Global warming (climate change) Ozone depletion Ozone depletion

3 Our current population is 6 billion (and increasing exponentially) Our current population is 6 billion (and increasing exponentially)

4 Natural Resources Renewable – regenerate and are replaceable. Renewable – regenerate and are replaceable.

5 Natural Resources Non-renewable – One that cannot be replenished by natural processes. Ex fossil fuels. Non-renewable – One that cannot be replenished by natural processes. Ex fossil fuels.

6 Natural Resources Sustainable Use – Using natural resources at a rate that allows natural processes to replenish them. Ex Water Sustainable Use – Using natural resources at a rate that allows natural processes to replenish them. Ex Water

7 “Tragedy of the Commons” A resource that is open to everyone will eventually be destroyed because no-one is responsible for it and people will behave selfishly. A resource that is open to everyone will eventually be destroyed because no-one is responsible for it and people will behave selfishly.

8 Ecosystem (Ab)use Native Animals – overhunting and exploitation of ivory Native Animals – overhunting and exploitation of ivory

9 Ecosystem (Ab)use Native Animals – overhunting and exploitation of ivory Native Animals – overhunting and exploitation of ivory

10 Ecosystem (Ab)use Exotic Species – Non-native plants, foreign origin. Have no natural predators to keep them in check Exotic Species – Non-native plants, foreign origin. Have no natural predators to keep them in check

11 Ecosystem (Ab)use Exotic Species – Non-native plants, foreign origin. Have no natural predators to keep them in check Exotic Species – Non-native plants, foreign origin. Have no natural predators to keep them in check

12 Ecosystem (Ab)use Farming Farming Land Use – Overfarming, overgrazing leads to loss of nutrients and erosion (1930s Dust Bowl) Land Use – Overfarming, overgrazing leads to loss of nutrients and erosion (1930s Dust Bowl)

13 Ecosystem (Ab)use Farming Farming Chemical Use (Pesticides and Herbicides) Chemical Use (Pesticides and Herbicides) travel through food chains travel through food chains Disrupt ecosystems Disrupt ecosystems Biomagnification Biomagnification Eutrophication Eutrophication Water pollution Water pollution

14 Ecosystem (Ab)use Farming Farming Monoculture – Large areas planted with a single species. Monoculture – Large areas planted with a single species. Loss of Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity Ease of disease/ pest transmission Ease of disease/ pest transmission

15 Farming Monoculture

16 Indian Point Thermal Pollution & Once Through Cooling Thermal Pollution & Once Through Cooling

17 Land Pollution Waste Disposal Problems Waste Disposal Problems Solid - Landfills Solid - Landfills

18 Land Pollution Waste Disposal Problems Waste Disposal Problems Chemicals - Toxins Chemicals - Toxins

19 Land Pollution Waste Disposal Problems Waste Disposal Problems Nuclear – radioactive waste Nuclear – radioactive waste

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