1. Human Impact on the Environment Cost vs Benefit

5. Acid Precipitation- rain, snow, sleet or hail with a pH value less than 5.6 Caused by: burning fossil fuels release sulfur or nitrogen into the air – Combines with water in the atmosphere to form acidic rain. Effect: wash nutrients from the soil, hurting plant life – lowers pH of lakes, hurting aquatic organisms

6. Acid Precipitation

7. Ozone Layer – reduces the amount of UV light that enters Earth’s lower atmosphere Ozone Layer Depletion (thinning) Cause: air pollution, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Effect: UV rays cause DNA damage and harmful mutations

8. Global Warming – increase of average temperatures on Earth Cause: increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses Effect: increase the rate of melting for the polar ice caps – Raises ocean water levels – Habitat loss in coastal areas

9. Rapid changes in the Environment lead to a decrease in the number of species

10. Habitat Fragmentation – development of human civilization leaves only patches of natural environments

11. Preventing Habitat Fragmentation

12. Native vs Exotic (or Invasive) Species Native Species Live in their natural habitat Exotic (Invasive) Species – nonnative species Introduced species not naturally from that habitat – Can damage ecosystems – Threaten biodiversity

14. Write a Letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio to convert public office buildings into using an alternative energy source of your choice [8 pts] Justify the need for alternatives to burning fossil fuels – Global warming/ Climate Change [1] – Green house gasses [1] – Environmental Impact [1] Describe two benefits of your energy source [2] Describe disadvantages to three other alternative energy sources [3] EXTRA CREDIT: Include a counter argument [2]