Understanding Our Environment Section 1 1 Objectives 1

Understanding Our Environment Section 1. 1 Objectives: 1. Identify the influence of human population, technology, and cultural and industrial changes on the environment.

Define Environmental Science • How do you think environmental problems are identified? • How long ago do you think environmental “problems” started? • Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring • New York City and Manhattan • The Fall of Troy • Large mammal extinction

Our Environment Through Time Hunter. Gatherers Characteristics Effects on the Environment The Agricultural Industrial Revolution

Hunter-Gatherers • Obtain food by _______. • Small groups migrated from place to place, following game and crops. • Still exist in New Guinea and Amazon rain forests of South America • How do they affect the environment? 1. Spread plants 2. Animal extinction 3. Destruction of land (i. e. , burning prairies)

The Agricultural Revolution • Collect seeds of plants gathered and domesticate animals. • More people in smaller areas. • What effects would this have? 1. Slash-and-burn to convert land to farmland. 2. What happens when forests are cleared like this?

The Industrial Revolution • Mid-1700’s • Energy use shifted from animal muscle and water power to fossil fuels to power machines. • Even more people in smaller areas. • Effects? (Think both positive and negative. ) • “Population Growth” – p. 13

Our Main Environmental Problems 1. Pollution – Biodegradable – Nondegradable 2. Resource depletion – Natural resource • • Renewable resources - examples Non-renewable resources - examples 3. Loss of biodiversity