1. Environmental Issues

2. Pollution
Pollution any potentially harmful substance added to an ecosystem.
Can lead to the extinction of species, cause cancer, and cause global change by damaging connected ecosystems.

3. I. Global Warming A. Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun.
Examples:
Water Vapor
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Methane
Nitrous Gases
Global Warming Video

4. Global Warming
The Greenhouse effect prevents heat from disappearing into space and enables Earth to sustain life as we know it.
Are human activities leading to an enhancement of the greenhouse effect?

5. Do You Notice a Trend?

6. Are Greenhouse Gases Increasing?
From Antarctic Ice Core Samples:
Pre-Industrial revolution 280 ppm
2007 Global Average 384 ppm
NASA Data via National Geo.

7. World Temperatures
Earth is on average 1.3° F warmer today than 100 years ago.
Most dramatic change has been in the Arctic, where average temperatures have risen 4 °– 5 ° F.

10. B. Possible Consequences?
Rising Sea levels.
Extreme Weather.
Extinction of Species

11. II. Ozone Depletion
A. Ozone Naturally occurring gas that helps protect the Earth from Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

12. Ozone Depletion
B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) react with UV rays to rip apart the ozone.
CFC’s were found in aerosol sprays and air conditioner coolants.
Ozone video

13. C. Ozone Consequences Increased concentration of UV Rays could cause:
Increase in Skin cancer rates
Increase in cataracts.
Crops to suffer in affected areas.

14. D. Acid Rain
Acid rain
-Describes any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids.
Burning of fossil fuels release these substances into the air.
Acid Rain Video National Geographic

15. Acid Rain
Acid rain includes rain, sleet or snow with a pH level that falls below 5.6 (normal rainwater)
The average pH of rainfall in Pennsylvania is 4.3. This level is some of the most acidic rain in the country.

16.                                                                            
Acid Rain
Low water and soil pH could put stress and pressure on organisms within an ecosystem.

17. E. Deforestation Deforestation causes: Loss of Habitat
Loss of genetic variation (Loss of Biodiversity)
Loss of Inhabitable space for humans

18. F. Conservation
Conservation: is the preservation and wise use of natural resources.
Renewable Energy
Wind
Solar
Hydroelectic
Geothermal