HUMAN IMPACT on the BIOSPHERE Chapter 6 4

HUMAN IMPACT on the BIOSPHERE Chapter 6 -4 Charting a course for the Future http: //www. claybennett. com/pages 2/mistletoe. html

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ___________________ __________ http: //www. acmecompany. com/stock_thumbnails/13808. greenhouse_effect_2. jpg

DEAD ZONES REMEMBER ! When an ecosystem receives a LARGE input of limiting nutrient (ie. , fertilizer runoff) the population increases dramatically = ______

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone The DEADZONE forms each April, generally grows throughout the summer, reaching a peak in late July. http: //www. ncat. org/nutrients/hypoxia. html

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone http: //serc. carleton. edu/microbelife/topics/deadzone/index. html At its peak, the nearly lifeless water can span 5, 000 to 8, 000 -plus square miles, an area almost the size of New Jersey

DEAD ZONES How do we HELP? • Use modern technology and “green” farming methods to: • Decrease agricultural fertilizer use • Decrease runoff of agricultural waste

http: //www. planetguide. net/book/chapter_5/ozone_layer. html OZONE LAYER Our atmosphere between 20 -50 km contains high concentrations of ______ which protect us from the sun’s harmful _______ radiation. http: //pubweb. bnl. gov/users/xujun/www/bnl/ozone_layer_1. gif

EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION _________________ of skin _________________ Reduces ________ Disrupts _________ in oceans Click here to see a movie about the effects of UV radiation WMV, 618 K

WHAT WE KNOW Scientists have been monitoring the ______ of ozone in our atmosphere and have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over ______. Click here to see a movie about the ozone hole WMV, 616 K http: //ozonewatch. gsfc. nasa. gov/facts/hole. html

The annual ozone "hole“ over Antarctica has occurred during the Antarctic Spring (October) since the early 1980 s. Rather than being an actual hole through the layer, the ozone hole is a large area with extremely low amounts of ozone. Ozone levels fall by over 60% during the worst years. http: //ozonewatch. gsfc. nasa. gov/facts/hole. html

Ozone depletion is a global issue NOT just a problem at the South Pole. Research has shown that ozone depletion also occurs over North America, Europe, Asia, and much of Africa, Australia, and South America. Over the U. S. , ozone levels have fallen 5 -10%, depending on the season. http: //home. casema. nl/daveduijn/globe 2. gif

What’s the cause of Ozone Depletion? Chlorofluorocarbon molecules _______ released from air conditioners, aerosol spray cans, fire extinguishers, and industry ________ http: //www. atm. ch. cam. ac. uk/tour/part 3. html

OZONE DEPLETION HOW DO WE HELP? 1987 - the ____________ committed signing nations (including USA) to a ______ in the use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. CFC production was _____ after 1995 in the developed countries, and later in developing countries. Today, over 180 countries have ratified the treaty.

THAT’S WHY. . . http: //www. roundrocktexas. gov/images/spray_cans_large. jpg _______spray cans no longer contain CFC propellants. Gases in __________ and _______ are collected and recycled.

OZONE DEPLETION How do we help? We can't make enough ozone to replace what's been destroyed, but provided that we stop producing ozone-depleting substances, computer models predict natural ozone production reactions should return the ozone layer to normal levels by about 2050. This is the first example of different countries getting together on an environmental issue, agreeing on what to do, doing something, and seeing a positive effect http: //www. gifs. net/image/Words/Wow_rotates/4031

ACID RAIN What’s the cause? ____________ Emissions to Atmosphere Nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide Chemical Transformation Nitric acid Sulfuric acid Condensation Dry Fallout particulates, gases Industry Transportation Ore smelting Precipitation Acid rain, fog, snow, and mist Power generation Releases ________ and ________ into the atmosphere that react with water to produce ACID RAIN.

http: //www. robl. w 1. com/Pix/C 900991. jpg http: //www. geocities. com/kamil_pollutionpage/Acid. Rain. htm http: //www. abc. net. au/quantum/scripts 99/9905/img/asthma. jpg http: //www. scienceacross. org/media/samplingforacidrain. NOAAed. SAW. jpg

ACID RAIN EFFECTS • • • damages buildings and statues damages forests kills fish reduces biodiversity causes illness & premature death from heart & lung disorders like asthma and bronchitis

ACID RAIN HOW DO WE HELP? Develop a National energy policy that emphasizes use of alternative renewable energy sources Cut down on activities that use fossil fuels conserve electricity drive less Drive automobiles with increased fuel efficiency OR run on alternative fuels Recycle (uses less energy than starting from scratch)

GREENHOUSE EFFECT Temperatures of Earth remain within a range _______ because the _______ acts as a natural _________ blanket. http: //wwwstatic. bayareawritingproject. org/images/bawp 41/earth. Atmosphere. IMG. gif

GREENHOUSE EFFECT Atmospheric gases such as ___________________ NORMALLY trap heat energy from the sun like a greenhouse = ___________ http: //www. acmecompany. com/stock_thumbnails/13808. greenhouse_effect_2. jpg

GLOBAL WARMING- Is it real? Some people say that the Earth has cycles of warmer/cooler climate change and that this is just part of that cycle. Most scientists believe that the increase in global temperatures is the result of human activities that have increased the amount of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

In 2007 in Paris a U. N. - backed panel of international scientists issued a major announcement on climate change stating that: 1. "warming of the climate system is unequivocal“ 2. There is a 90% probability the cause “man- made”. Either way… our planet is getting warmer!

FACTS WE KNOW Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0. 5 -1. 0°F since the late 19 th century. The 20 th century's ten warmest years have occurred in the last 15 years of this century. http: //content. answers. com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/8/87/280 px-Instrumental_Temperature_Record. png

FACTS WE KNOW The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Graph & glacier pix: http: //nsidc. org/sotc/glacier_balance. html polar bears: http: //www. metro. co. uk/news/article. html? in_article_id=35720&in_page_id=34

FACTS WE KNOW Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased steadily. http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Image: Major_greenhouse_gas_trends. png

GLOBAL WARMING WHAT’S the CAUSE? • Burning solid waste, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), wood and wood products • Production and transport of fossil fuels • Decomposition of organic wastes in landfills • Animal sources (methane) • Deforestation (trees remove CO 2 from atmosphere)

What’s so bad about warming up a little? We’re freezing here in S. D. !

What’s so bad about warming up a little? http: //healthandenergy. com/images/global 2. gif Cartoon from Brookings Register Coastal flooding

http: //www. claybennett. com/pages/ocean_temps. html What’s so bad about warming up a little? Changes in Gulf Stream http: //zfacts. com/meta. Page/lib/Atlantic_conveyor. jpg

What’s so bad about warming up a little? http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina http: //i. a. cnn. net/cnn/2005/WEATHER/08/25/tropical. storm/story. katrina. 915 p. jpg More severe storms

What’s so bad about warming up a little? http: //www. cactus-art. biz/note-book/Dictionary/aaa_Dictionary_pictures/drought. jpg Heat waves and drought Weather extremes Brookings Register

What’s so bad about warming up a little? http: //www. metro. co. uk/news/article. html? in_article_id=35720&in_page_id=34 Changing habitats means loss of species

What’s the Kyoto Accord got to do with it? The Kyoto Accord is an agreement, aimed at reducing global warming that asks participants to _____ their ________ emissions to a percentage of their 1990 emission levels _______.

PROBLEMS WITH the KYOTO ACCORD (The US has not ratified this agreement) In 1998 -Clinton administration signs the Kyoto Accord committing the United States to a 7% reduction in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 emissions levels, to be achieved between the years 2008 and 2012. 2001 - Bush administration withdrew the U. S. signature, claiming that the treaty was "fatally flawed". 2008 - Australia (last major nation hold out) signed 160 nations have now agreed (not US)

PROBLEMS WITH the KYOTO ACCORD ALL countries not required to reduce emissions equally 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, Developing nations don’t have to reduce emissions at all India and China, which have ratified the protocol, are not required to reduce carbon emissions under the present agreement despite their relatively large populations. Developed nations (like USA) can meet required reductions by purchasing emission reductions from elsewhere and funding developing countries for climate related studies, projects, and technology

KYOTO is “OLD NEWS”! Standards set by Kyoto will expire in 2012. United Nations Meeting on Climate Change Met in December 2009 - Copenhagen, Denmark http: //unfccc. int/meetings/items/2654. php

Current Status • OBJECTIVE: to keep the maximum temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius; • the commitment to list developed country emission reduction targets and mitigation action by developing countries for 2020; • Proposed $ 30 billion short-term funding for immediate action till 2012 and $100 billion annually by 2020 in long-term financing (still needs to be approved by countries) • The challenge now is to turn what is agreed into something that is legally binding in Mexico one year from now.

http: //www. gifanimations. com/animation/Menu. Selection/1/56 What is a CARBON FOOTPRINT? A __________ = the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product http: //www. nature. org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

The US is no longer the #1 CO 2 emitter http: //www. chrismadden. co. uk/eco/china-carbon-footprint. html but. . . we contribute to the problem.

http: //matadornetwork. cachefly. net/bravenewtraveler. com/docs//wp-content/images/posts/20080418 -planet. jpg Even if you don’t “believe” in global warming. . . Even if countries can’t agree on emission levels … we should still work to reduce our emissions of global warming gases BECAUSE. . .

http: //www. inkcinct. com. au/Web/CARTOONS/2005 -379 C--last-fossil-fuel. gif THINGS WE DO TO “FIX GLOBAL WARMING” make sense anyway! Fossil fuels are a limited resource… eventually they will be gone!

THINGS WE DO TO “FIX GLOBAL WARMING” make sense anyway! http: //healthandenergy. com/global_warming_cartoons. htm Our supply of fossil fuels is dependent on countries that are not “friendly” to the U. S.

THINGS WE DO TO “FIX GLOBAL WARMING” make sense anyway! Brookings Register Drilling for and transporting fossil fuels has negative environmental consequences

THINGS WE DO TO “FIX GLOBAL WARMING” make sense anyway! Drilling and transporting fossil fuels has negative environmental consequences Brookings Register

THINGS WE DO TO “FIX GLOBAL WARMING” make sense anyway! Images from: http: //www. cartoonstock. com/directory/R/Renewable_energy. asp Innovation and alternative energy technologies for automobiles and power generation are good for our economy

GLOBAL WARMING HOW DO WE HELP? Develop a National energy policy that emphasizes use of alternative renewable energy sources Watch your carbon footprint Cut down on activities that use fossil fuels Drive automobiles with increased fuel efficiency OR run on alternative fuels Cut down on CO 2 emissions (with or without the Kyoto accord) Recycle (uses less energy than starting from scratch) Reduce deforestation (plants use CO 2)

WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR TRASH? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4. 4 pounds of garbage a day. That adds up to a approximately 220 million tons of garbage each year for all of us. This only takes into consideration the average household member and does not count industrial waste or commercial trash. http: //blog. lib. umn. edu/stau 0156/architecture/garbage%20 can. jpg

PICTURE THIS: It would bury more than 990, 000 football fields under six-foot high piles of waste. . http: //wchs. warren. k 12. in. us/athletics/Pictures/FOOTBALL%20 STADIUM%20&%20 PRESSBOX_gif. jpg . . . and that’s just the United States! http: //www. wisegeek. com/how-much-garbage-does-a-person-create-in-one-year. htm

TRASH KILLS It has been estimated that over a million sea-birds and 100, 000 marine mammals and sea turtles are killed each year by ingestion of plastics or entanglement. http: //lh 4. ggpht. com/abramsv/SBAx. Rydox-I/AAAAPOs/IWu. Ogznte 9 Q/fish_story_003. jpg http: //www. mindfully. org/Plastic/Ocean/Sea-Plastic-LN-PG 5 oct 05. htm http: //saveourshores. org/files/md/Distorted-Turtle. jpg

PLASTIC IS MADE FROM FOSSIL FUELS! http: //lowcarbonhome. info/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/plastic-garbageii. jpg PLASTIC IS FOREVER!

http: //earthfirst. com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/floating-trash. jpg PACIFIC OCEAN GARBAGE GYRE Covers an area twice the size of TEXAS Estimated to contain over 100 million tons of debris • See a video From: YOUTUBE http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Lt-Miv. Nezes&NR=1 http: //www. jadedthea. com/images/Pacific. Gyre. gif

We Can’t Just Keep Piling it up in Landfills We have to: _____________ Plastic recycling video

QUOTES This we know. . . the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to earth. All things are connected, like the blood which connects one family. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. ~ Chief Seattle, 1854

If you want to see an endangered species, get up and look in the mirror. ~ John Young, former Apollo astronaut A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children. ~ John James Audubon, 1785 - 1851 It's not easy being green. ~ Kermit the Frog Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~ Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

WE NEED TO START CONSIDERING THE EFFECTS ON OUR PLANET WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS! http: //www. claybennett. com/pages/earth_d 5. html http: //www. chrismadden. co. uk/eco/hourglass. html