Environmental Issues Human Impact on the Environment
Jan 29, 2016
Environmental Issues
Human Impact on the Environment
Oops…
• Humans did not set out to ruin the biosphere (area of planet that sustains life)
• Some choices we have made have had negative effects on the environment and we need to address them
Acid Rain• SULFUR introduced into the
atmosphere by smokestacks from factories can combine with water vapor to produce SULFURIC ACID
• Sulfuric acid is carried to the earth’s surface in acidified precipitation called ACID RAIN
• Acid Rain has a pH that falls below 5.0
Ozone Depletion• The decrease in the earth’s
OZONE LAYER allows more UV rays to reach the earth’s surface.
• This has caused an increase in SKIN CANCER (which has nearly doubled since 1980)
• CFC’S (CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS) cause ozone depletion
Global Temperature• The global temperature has been increasing rapidly
for more than a CENTURY• Global WARMING is followed by centuries of
COLD• Human activity contributes to global warming• Warmer temperatures raise sea levels (by melting
more ice) and decrease agriculture output (by affecting weather patterns).
Greenhouse Effect• Bonds in CO2 absorb solar
energy
• This traps HEAT within the ATMOSPHERE
• The INCREASE in carbon dioxide (CO2) is from the burning of fossil fuels
DeforestationDeforestation• Clear-cutting of forests causes erosion, flooding, and changes in weather patterns.
• The slash-and-burn method of clearing forests for agriculture increases atmospheric CO2, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Effects of Chemical Pollution• Pesticides such as DDT have
been used to control insects• The chemicals end up in the
water supply• As molecules pass up the
TROPHIC levels, they become more CONCENTRATED
• This is called BIOLOGICAL MAGNIFICATION, or biomagnification
Human Introduction of Organisms• Nonnative plants and animals that are
introduced into a habitat where they harm or endanger native plants and animals are invader, invasive, exotic, or alien species
Human Population• The number of
humans inhabiting the Earth is rising exponentially– Longer life spans– Better food/medicine– Technology
• When will we run out of space?
• When will we run out or resources?