1. Environmental Problems

2. Potential to damage the Earth’s diverse habitats which can lead to the extinction of species

3. Pollution  Presence of dangerous levels of substances in the environment

4. Types of Pollution  Solid waste (garbage) especially hazardous waste  Chemical waste – pesticides, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), PCBs used in appliances and paints  Radioactive wastes – nuclear power plants

5. Resource Depletion  Using up or depleting natural resources -Renewable: used over and over (fresh water, solar energy, some trees) -Non-renewable – cannot be replaced or takes a long time to renew (oil, coal, minerals

6. Renewable can become nonrenewable  Tropical rain forest – loss of habitat  Rich soil – takes thousand of year per centimeter to form, washed away in less than year.  Ground water – more drawn out than replaced naturally

7. Depletion due to Alien Species  Introduction of species not native to area  Drive out native species

8. Depletion due to overpopulation  Human population doubling every few decades  5.2 billion in 1900 – project 14 billion by 2100

9. Habitat Destruction  Impacts biodiversity (variety of life)  Deforestation – clearing of forests which leads to habitat loss.  Wetland destruction – loss of flooding control and habitat  Marine habitat – man-made disasters such as oil spills, pollution