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Published byMuriel Day Modified over 9 years ago
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Sustainability Chapter 6 Sustainability: using natural resources at a rate that does not deplete them
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What impacts are humans having on the biosphere (Earth)? Deforestation –Results from loss of trees for burning (fuel), building homes, clearing for farmland –Leads to severe erosion (loss of soil) –Permanent changes to ecosystems
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Overfishing –Harvesting fish faster than they can be replaced –Results in collapse of food chains, species extinction
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Pollution –Air pollution affects those with respiratory issues (smog) Results from car emissions and burning of fossil fuels –Water pollution Chemicals, waste and sewage enter waterways Effects aquatic ecosystems and organisms Limits access to clean drinking water
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Species Extinction –Species loss due to pollution, habitat destruction, poaching Invasive Species –An introduced species that is not native to a particular area –Causes disruption in ecosystem food chains and habitats
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Waste Production –Thousands of tons of trash dumped into landfills each year –Most is non- biodegradable or contains potentially harmful or toxic chemicals
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How do we measure our impact? Ecological Footprint: the productive area of land needed to support one person in a particular country –Food, housing, crops, grazing, forest area to absorb pollution http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/
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Personal Ecological Footprint Calculate your personal footprint using the worksheet –Average is 24-25 acres per person in the US Draw the size of your footprint on a separate sheet of paper (1 acre = 1 cm) –Include your name and size of footprint –Color! Look at your calculations…what might you do to reduce your footprint? –Write your answer on the back of your drawn footprint
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