Environmental Science Understanding and solving environmental problems
Humans through history n n n Hunter-gathers- caused some animals to become extinct Agricultural revolution-caused human population to grow and destroyed land. Industrial revolution- shift to fossil fuels. Improved quality of life for people but allowed for urban areas to flourish.
The Earth is a closed system Limited resources n Population increase causes a strain on resources n We produce wastes (pollution) that we can not get rid of. n We have local and global environmental issues. n
What are our main Environmental Problems? 1. Resource depletion- Using our resources up faster that they can be replaced. Natural resource- any natural resource that is used by humans a. renewable resource- resources that can be replaced relatively quickly ex. Trees, water, soil, air and crops b. Nonrenewable resource- can not be replaced quickly Ex. Fossil fuels, minerals, and metals
What are our main Environmental Problems? 2. Pollution- undesired change in air, water or soil that has adverse affects. a. biodegradable pollutants- can be broken down by natural processes. ex. Human sewage and paper b. nonbiodegradable pollutants- can not be broken down by nature. ex. Mercury, lead, and some types of plastic
What are our main Environmental Problems? 3. Loss of biodiversity- refers to the number and variety of species that live in an area. Endangered species-A species that is in danger of becoming extinct Threatened species-a species that numbers are falling rapidly
Terms to Know n Sustainability- the ability of humans to use a resource without depleting it. n Conservation-When humans set limits on the use of natural resources n Tragedy of the Commons- idea from Hardin that when a resources is shared such as the air and oceans, growing population destroys it
Invasive species- any living that is introduced into an area where it normally does not live (non-native) n American Chestnut Tree
Biodiversity-All the different types of living things in a biome
Endangered species
Tasmanian tiger Declared Extinct In 1986 n http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=6 vq. CCI 1 ZF 7 o
Threatened species video
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