1. Environment Solutions
Chapter 6 Section 2
Environment Solutions

2.
Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the Earth’s biodiversity.
I can explain the importance of conservation.
I can explain how biodiversity can be maintained.
I can list five environmental strategies.

3. Environmental Solutions
If people don’t use resources wisely, people will continue to pollute the air, soil, and water.
More natural habitats could be lost and many species could die out as a result.
But, there are many things people can do to protect the environment. Can you think of any???

4. Conservation One way to protect the environment is by conservation
Conservation is the preservation and wise use of natural resources.
Example: You can ride your bike to conserve fuel and at the same time you prevent air pollution.
Practicing conservation means using fewer natural resources. It helps reduce waste and pollution.

5. Reduce USE LESS OF THEM!! Doing so also helps reduce pollution
What is the best way to conserve the Earth’s natural resources?
USE LESS OF THEM!!
Doing so also helps reduce pollution

6. Reducing Waste and Pollution
Packing material makes up 1/3 of waste produced. Products can be wrapped in less paper and plastic to reduce waste.
Example: Fast food places used to wrap sandwiches in large plastic containers.
Today, they are wrapped in thin paper instead.
Paper is more biodegradable than plastic.
Something that is biodegradable can be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria.

7. Reducing the Use of Nonrenewable Resources
Solar energy can be used to power homes.
Scientists are studying power sources such as wind, tides, and falling water.
Car companies have developed electric and hydrogen fueled automobiles. Driving these cars used fewer fossil fuels and produces less pollution than driving gas-field cars.

8. Reuse Do you get hand-me-down clothes from an older sibling?
Do you try to fix broken sports equipment instead of throwing it away?
If so, you are helping conserve resources by reusing products.

9. Reusing Products
Every time you reuse a plastic bag, one bag fewer needs to be made.
Reusing products is an important way to conserve resources.
Building materials can be reused.
Wood, bricks, and tiles can be reused in new structures.
Old tires can be used for playground surfaces.

10. Reusing Water
About 100 billion liters of water are used each day in American homes. Most of this water goes down the drain.
Some communities are dealing with shortages so they are experimenting with reusing, or reclaiming wastewater.
One way to do this is to use organisms to clean the water. These organisms would be plants and filter-feeding animals.
The water is not clean enough to drink but could be used to water crops, lawns, and golf courses.

11. Recycle Another example of reuse is recycling.
Recycling is the recovery of materials from waste. Sometimes, recyclable items, such as paper are used to make the same kinds of products or they can be made into completely different products.

12. Recycling Trash
Plastics, paper, aluminum, wood, glass, and cardboard are examples of materials that can be recycled. Every week, about half a million trees are used to make Sunday newspapers.
Recycling newspapers could save millions of trees.

13. Recycling Trash
Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to change raw ore into aluminum.
Glass can be recycled over and over again.

14. Recycling Resources
Waste that can be burned can also be used to generate electricity.
Using garbage to make electricity is an example of resource recovery.
About 16% of the solid waste in the U.S. is burned in waste-to-energy plants.
Some people are concerned that it pollutes the air.

15. Maintaining Biodiversity
Imagine a forest with only one kind of tree. If a disease hit that species, the entire forest might die.
Now, imagine a forest with 10 species of trees. If a disease hits one species, 9 other species will remain.
Bananas are an important crop, but banana fields are not very diverse. Fungi threaten the survival of bananas.
Farms often use chemicals to control fungi. Growing other plants among the bananas, can prevent the spread of fungi.

16. Protecting Species
One way to maintain biodiversity is to protect individual species.
In the U.S., a law called the Endangered Species Act was designed to do just that.
Endangered species are put on a special list. The law forbids activities that would harm a species on this list.
Anyone can ask the government to add a species or remove a species from the endangered species list.
This process can take years to complete.
The government must study the species and its habitat before making a decision.

17. Protecting Habitats
Scientists want to prevent species from becoming endangered and from becoming extinct.
Plants, animals, and microorganisms depend on each other.
Each organism is part of a huge, interconnected web of organisms.
The entire web should be protected to protect these organisms.
To protect the web, complete habitats, not just individual species, must be preserved.
Nature preserves is one way to protect entire habitats.

18. Environmental Strategies
Laws have been passed to help protect the Earth’s environment. By following those laws, people can help the environment.
People can also use the following environmental strategies:
Reduce Pollution
Reduce pesticide use
Protect habitats
Learn about local issues
Develop alternative energy sources.

19. The HIPPO Dilemma Acronym for the main threats to biodiversity
Habitat Loss
Introduced Species
Population Growth
Pollution
Over-Consumption

21.
Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the Earth’s biodiversity.
I can explain the importance of conservation.
I can explain how biodiversity can be maintained.
I can list five environmental strategies.