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5th Grade

Human Impacts on Earth

2015-08-28

www.njctl.org

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Table of Contents: Human Impacts on Earth

· Ecological Footprint

· Methods of Reduction

Click on the topic to go to that section

· Negative Human Impacts

· Positive Human Impacts

· Human Impacts and Importance of the Environment

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Humans Impact on Earth

Return to Tableof Contents

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Human Impacts on EarthFor every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What impact do humans have on the Earth?

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Evidence of ChangeHow can we observe evidence of how humans have changed the

earth and their effects on it?

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Geological EvidenceJust as we use fossils to learn about the Earth and life on it, geological evidence reveals how humans have changed the earth. Changes in the landscape, resources and biodiversity can all be linked to humans impacts.

Deforestation in

Rio de Janeiro.

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Geological Evidence

Increased demand for agriculture has changed landscapes.

Agriculture provides food and products. In what ways, however, does it impact the Earth?

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Geological Evidence

Mining has permanently changed entire ecosystems and depleted resources.

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Chemical Evidence

Increased levels of carbon dioxide are observed in the atmosphere.

The impacts of humans on the Earth can also be measured in terms of trace elements and chemicals.

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Layers of chlorine can be found in glacier core samples in Wyoming from atomic weapons testing during the 1960's. Additionally, layers of mercury exist in areas from the coal plants of the 1980's.

Chemical Evidence

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Human History Human activities in agriculture, industry and everyday life have had major impacts on the land, rivers, oceans and air. Click on the photo to watch human impacts on different areas around the world.

What are some of the positive and negative impacts you observed?

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The Earth has been changed and shaped by many different things. However, humans have become one of the most significant agents

of change on the Earth.

Human activities in agriculture, industry and everyday life have had major impacts on the land, rivers, oceans, air and outer space

Agents of Change

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"We all depend on the gifts of nature, but these gifts must be received with gratitude and not exploited or abused."

Satish Kumar, National Trust Magazine, Spring 2010

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Importance of the Environment

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A healthy environment is essential to human survival.

The quality of human life is related to the quality of the environment.

Dependent Relationship

In how many ways do humans depend on the environment? Make a list below:

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Human DependenceHumans depend on the natural environment for:

· Resources for food supply

· Source of medicine

· Energy Source

· Recreation

· Resources for industrial products

· And many more

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Healthy EcosystemHumans are an integral part of the ecosystem.

Describe one way that humans impact each component of Earth shown above.

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1 Humans have changed Earth.

True

False

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2 Humans are an important part of the ecosystem.

True

False

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3 How do humans rely upon the Earth? Select all that apply.

A Food source

B Recreation

C Energy source

D Place to live

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4 Which of the following are ways we can observe humans impact on Earth? Select all that apply.

A Geological Evidence

B Cosmological Evidence

C Chemical Evidence

D Animal Evidence

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Ecological Footprint

Return to Tableof Contents

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Human Activity

Although humans make up less than 0.1% of all living things on Earth, they have had a major impact. Human activities have significantly altered the biosphere, changed natural habitats and caused the extinction of living species.

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One way to measure human impact on the ecosystems is through the ecological footprint. An ecological footprint is the measure of human demand on the ecosystems.

Ecological Footprint

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Ecological Footprint

Ecological footprints vary from person to person and country to country. On a global scale, it is estimated that over 20 billion hectares of Earth would be required to sustain the current population. Sadly the Earth only has 11.9 billion hectares.

Click on the box below to access the Ecological Footprint Calculator and see how much land area it takes to support you!

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Around the world, human progress and development has permanently altered ecosystems.

Human Footprint

Areas on the map in red have been the most impacted by humans. Few areas remain that have not been affected by human activity.

What do you notice about the areas not affected by human activity?

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How do you think your footprint compares to others around the world?

Click below to see how your consumption of these items compares to others around the world and what your lifetime impact will be.

Human Footprint Comparison

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Global FootprintsWhich countries have the largest ecological footprint?

Which ones have the smallest?

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Global change is the sum of all natural and human-induced changes in Earth's environment.

Global Change

Changes include alterations in the climate, land productivity, oceans or water resources, atmospheric chemistry and ecological systems.

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Complete the chart with as many human and natural causes of global change as you can think of.

Global Change Causes

Human Changes Natural Changes

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Human impacts have been so profound on the Earth that scientists are considering the start of a new era. The Anthropocene Era would begin in the 1900's and is the age when the effects of increased human population and economic development severely impacted planetary physical, chemical, and biological conditions.

Start of A New Era

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5 What is an ecological footprint?

A The impact nature has on humans

B The measure of humans impact on Earth's systems

C The size Earth's biosphere

D The cutting down and burning of forests

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6 Global change is

A Only human induced changes on the environment

B All natural and human induced changes on the environment

C Only natural induced changes on the environment

D Changes in the Earth from the Biosphere

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7 What is the new era that is characterized by how humans have impacted the Earth?

A Peopleocene

B Human Era

C Era of Homosapiens

D Anthropocene

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Anthropocene Timeline

Create a timeline that illustrates the progression of the Anthropocene Era.

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Ecological Footprint Activity

How does your footprint compare with others? What can you do to lesson your footprint?

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Negative Human Impacts

Return to Tableof Contents

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Negative ImpactsEnvironmental issues and climate concerns are mainstream issues now. In what ways have humans had a negative impact on the Earth? Make a list below:

Negative Human Impacts:

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Negative Human ImpactsNegative human impacts can be seen in the following areas:

· Global warming· Ozone depletion· Water· Land · Pollution· Space debris· Resource depletion· Loss of biodiversity· Population increase· Economic growth· Damaged and destroyed ecosystems

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Carrying Capacity

Pretend that a forest is composed of 50 oak trees. Squirrels also live in the forest. The oak trees have enough food and habitat to sustain two squirrels each.

How many squirrels can live in the forest?

Answer:

100 squirrels

What will happen when the population of squirrels surpasses this?

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Carrying Capacity

There are enough resources in the forest to support 100 squirrels. If the population surpasses this, there will not be enough food/habitat and squirrels will start to die until the population lowers back to 100.

This population number is the squirrel's carrying capacity.

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

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Human population has surpassed Earth's carrying capacity.

The difference between humans and the squirrels from the previous slide is that human population continues to increase despite the fact that we have surpassed the carrying capacity.

Carrying Capacity

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The increased population size adds stress to Earth's systems.

Forests, minerals, fossil fuels, groundwater, cropland soils, marine fisheries, and other natural resources are being depleted more quickly than they can be replenished.

Negative Impacts

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Resource Depletion

The exploitation of natural resources exploded in the 19th century and has continued to rapidly increase. The use of nonrenewable resources is at a rate far higher than what Earth and its population can reasonably sustain.

Resource depletion occurs when resources are used at a rate faster than they can be replenished.

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Resource DepletionTwo driving factors behind resource depletion are economic growth and population increase.

· Population Growth

· Economic Growth

With growing populations, there is an increased demand for more land, housing, food and water.

The development of new products and technologies requires the consumption of more resources.

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8 Which of the following is an example of resource depletion?

A Careful management of Earth's resources

B Harnessing solar energy

C Use of resources faster than they are replenished

D Selective harvesting of forest trees

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9 What are two main driving factors behind resource depletion?

A Pollution

B Population Increase

C Global Warming

D Economic Growth

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10 What is a carrying capacity?

A Amount of stress a biosphere can handle

B How many cars and trucks are on the road

C Measure of the number of organisms the environment can sustain

D The amount of energy need to fuel the planet

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Carrying Capacity Activity

Simulate deer in this activity to investigate how different factors affect the carrying capacity of a population.

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Pollution

With your table, make a list of sources of pollution you are aware of. Be prepared to share your list.

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment is referred to as pollution.

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Air, water, and land are the main types of pollution although others such as space, noise and light exist. The severity of pollutants depend upon their chemical nature, concentration and persistence.

Pollution

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Air PollutionThe release of chemicals and particulates from factories, power plants, motor vehicles, and fumes are just a few examples of what is pumped into our atmosphere daily. Air pollution can also come from natural sources such as smoke from forest fires, lightning or volcanos.

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Air Pollution

These pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid or gas. Air pollution negatively effects all humans and the ecosystem.

Reactions from the chemicals emitted into the air can form acidic compounds (acid rain) that are then introduced into the water and land.

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Effects of Air PollutionReactions from the chemicals emitted into the air can form acidic compounds (acid rain) that are then introduced into the water and land.

What are the impacts of acid rain?

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Air Pollution

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Water PollutionThe contamination of lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, and groundwater is water pollution. It occurs when pollutants are discharged into bodies of water without treatment to remove the harmful compounds.

Water pollution caused by human activities affect the conditions of the atmosphere, rivers and lakes, damaging effects on other species and on human health.

What pollutants might be found in the runoff from the field above?

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Water Pollution

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Land Pollution The destruction of the Earth’s surface, as a result of human activities and their misuse of land resources is land pollution. It occurs when chemicals from industrial, agriculture or human activities are introduced into the natural soil or when waste is not disposed of properly.

Where have you observed land pollution?

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Land PollutionMining activities have also contributed to the destruction of Earth’s surface. The littering of waste products into the environment is serious since it exists for long periods of time and the waste does not breakdown easily.

This image is of Morenci Mine, a copper mine in Arizona, USA.

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Land Pollution

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11 Pollution is:

A The use of resources faster than they can be replenished.

B When the capacity of the Earth is exceeded.

C Introduction of a non native species to an area.

D The introduction of a harmful substance into the environment.

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12 What are the three main types of pollution?

A Earth, Wind and Fire

B Air, Land and Water

C Noise, Light and Air

D Space, Ocean and Ground

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13 Air pollution only comes from human activities and processes.

True

False

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14 Water pollution only affects the place that was contaminated and not other sources of water.

True

False

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15 Land pollution does not break down easily.

True

False

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Negative Impacts on Land

Large areas of land, including delicate ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands are being transformed by human agriculture, mining and expansion of settlements and roads.

The Earth has provided humans with an abundance of resources. With the increase in human population, the land and its resources have been used and permanently altered.

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DeforestationThe clearing and destruction of Earth's forests in efforts to make the land more "useable" is known as deforestation.

Forest are being destroyed at a rate of 15 million hectares a year, which is roughly the size of Illinois. Currently, over half of all the world's tropical rainforest have been cleared.

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DesertificationHuman activities and climate change can transform areas of land that were once fertile and habitable areas into dry, arid land.

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Soil DepletionOver farming, erosion and soil contamination have removed necessary mineral and nutrients causing soil depletion.

Depleted soil produces poor yields of crops and increased rates of erosion.

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Shifting SoilsHuman activities have resulted in increased land erosion and soil movements that exceed all natural processes.

Over half of the world's soil is worked and managed by humans.

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16 Soil Depletion is not caused by

A Over Farming

B Crop Rotation

C Erosion

D Soil Contamination

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17 The clearing and destruction of trees is known as

A Desertification

B Soil Depletion

C Deforestation

D Habitat Loss

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Negative Impacts on WaterHumans have altered the availability, distribution and quality of Earth's water through the modification and usage of the streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater.

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Rio GrandeOnce one of the largest rivers in North America, the Rio Grande supported a lush river valley. Flowing from Colorado all they way to the Gulf of Mexico the river provided much needed water to the American Southwest. Now, due to heavy use and diversions, some years the river has failed to reach the gulf entirely.

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The misuse of water by humans has produced negative effects not only for us but for all other living creatures. The withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers is causing drought conditions.

Running Out of Water

What areas experience frequent drought?

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Meeting the Demand for WaterDue to increased population size, the human demand for water has increased. To reach this demand, humans have turned to the modification of waterways, the construction of dams and levees and the desalination of sea water.

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Reservoir impacts:· Contributes to Global

Warming· Displaces Communities· Triggers Earthquakes

Downstream impacts:· Reduced Biodiversity· Poor Water Quality· Lower Crop Production· Decreased fish

Population

Dam impacts:· Blocks Fish Migration· Disrupts flow of

Sediments· Hazard of Aging Dams

Impacts of DamsTo provide easier access to water for those not located near by a water source, the construction of dams and levees has changed the landscape of our water ways. The modification of water's natural cycle by humans has negative impacts for the surrounding ecosystems.

What are the potential impacts of dams? Click each picture to reveal answers

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Coral Reef DestructionCoral reefs foster an abundance of plant and animal life and protect our shores from waves, yet they are diminishing. Global climate change, over fishing, and costal development have all led to the decline in reefs around the world.

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18 Which of the following is not a negative impact caused by dams?

A Reduces biodiversity

B Displaces communities

C Blocks fish migration

D Creates stores of useable water

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19 Over use of water can lead to which of the following?

A Desalinization

B Drought

C Deforestation

D Habitat Loss

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Water Pollution ActivityWhere does water pollution come from?

What factors impact water pollution?

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Negative Impacts on AirIncreased manufacturing, a growing population and higher usage of fossil fuels have negatively impacted the quality of air on Earth. Despite our best efforts, the level of air pollution has continued to increase.

Humans have affected the condition and quality of the atmosphereto the point we are changing the planet itself.

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Global Warming

Deforestation has resulted in less carbon dioxide being absorbed by plants. As the temperature of Earth increases, the sea levels will rise due to the melting of glaciers and the snow caps.

The slow and continual rise in Earth's temperature is known as global warming. The driving factor behind the rise in Earth's temperature is an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from the usage of fossil fuels.

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Global Warming SignsWhat are some of the signs of global warming you observed in your surroundings?

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Global Warming TrendsWhat is the trend in global temperatures?

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Ozone Depletion

Ozone is a gas in the stratosphere that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet light.

Human activities, particularly the use of chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), has contributed to the decline of the amount of ozone and the formation of holes in the ozone layer.

Earth's ozone is responsible for absorbing most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.

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Greenhouse EffectThe warming of the Earth's surface and air is known as the greenhouse effect. Energy from the sun is trapped by common greenhouse gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.

Earth would be too cold for life to exist without the greenhouse effect.

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Greenhouse EffectThe depletion of the ozone and increased pollution leads to an increase in the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth. This causes a rise in Earth’s temperature, increased cancer rates and changes in animal life cycles.

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20 What is global warming?

A Increase in Earth's plant life

B The rise in Earth's surface, ocean and atmosphere temperature

C The heating of Earth's core

D A myth created by scientists

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21 Which of the following are signs of global warming? Choose all that apply.

A Decrease in glaciers

B Increase in the sea level

C Species migrating towards poles

D Increase in Earth's temperature

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22 The greenhouse effect is caused by ___.

A Increased levels of methane gas

B Deforestation

C Thick layers of clouds

D The trapping of solar radiation in Earth's atmosphere

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Greenhouse Effect Lab

What impact do CO2 levels have on the temperature of the Earth?

Source: Nasa.gov

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Negative Effects on BiosphereHuman activities that have impacted the other spheres of the Earth have also negatively impacted the biosphere. Humans have changed or destroyed habitats, caused the extinction of animals and contributed to the decrease in biodiversity.

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Loss of BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from microbes to fungi to ecosystems. Biodiversity is necessary to meet basic human needs such as food, drinking water, fuel, shelter and medicine. To learn more about the impacts of the loss of biodiversity, click below to watch the video.

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Destruction of HabitatAs more and more people are competing for food, space and money, demand for goods has increased. The development of natural lands for agriculture or development has changed or destroyed many habitats.

What differences do you notice between the before (top) photo and the after (bottom) photo?

What impact would this have on the habitat?

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Species ExtinctionWe are currently in the Earth's sixth extinction crisis with an estimate 30,000 species being driven to extinction each year. Over hunting, destruction of habitat, introduction of invasive species and climate change have led to this high rate of extinction. Each of species below has become extinct since 2000.

Yangtze River Dolphin West African Black Rhinoceros

Golden Toad Eastern Cougar

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Impact of Invasive Species

Invasive species are those species that are not native to an area. When invasive species are brought to a new area, they compete with the native species and often cause large negative impacts.

The Giant African Snail was first found in southern Florida in the 1960s, and it took 10 years and $1 million to eradicate it.

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Bioaccumulation

The use of pesticides and other chemicals greatly impacts species. Over time, these chemicals build up within an ecosystem causing great harm. Bioaccumulation is the build up of chemicals in a living organism over time.

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BioaccumulationPesticides are added to plants and fields.

Earthworms take in the pesticides too.

Birds eat the worms. Pesticides build up in

their systems.

High levels of pesticides causes soft eggs and a

decrease in bird population.

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Humans Impact on Space

There are more than 500,000 pieces of space debris that is floating around the earth. Much of the debris is old rockets or satellites.

The impact of human on the earth has exceeded the limit of earth, reaching out into space.

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23 Bioaccumulation is the

A Build up of chemicals and pesticides in an ecosystem over time

B Increase in the number of species in a habitat

C The movement of species into a new area

D Increase in the number of plants and animals due to global warming

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24 Biodiversity is

A Mixing of different species

B Interactions between the biosphere and other spheres

C Result of habitat destruction

D The variety of life on Earth

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25 Which factors could impact a specie's risk of extinction? Choose all that apply.

A Decrease in habitat

B Reforestation

C Introduction of an invasive species

D Increase in habitat

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26 The impact of human activities expands into space.

True

False

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It's All RelatedEarth's spheres and systems all interconnect. A change in one system will produce changes in the others.

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Building ProblemsPollution caused by human activities affects the condition of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere which creates damaging effects for all living things.

What impacts have you seen in your community?

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Ecosystem Degradation

Each rise in the Earth's temperature directly impacts the reefs that are found in shallow waters. Sediment from human activities and water pollution also have harmful effects on the coral reefs.

Coral reefs support 25% of all marine life, help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide protection for costal areas.

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Decreased ResourcesChanges in the environment also impact the production of agriculture and availability of resources.

Deforestation from overuse and the depletion of fish populations from over harvesting impact Earth's ability to support human populations.

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27 Pollution, habitat destruction and human activities impact which spheres of the Earth? Choose all that apply.

A Atmosphere

B Biosphere

C Hydrosphere

D Geosphere

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28 Changes in one sphere or system impacts others.

True

False

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Biodiversity ActivityWhat is biodiversity?

What factors impact the biodiversity of an area?

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Positive Human Impacts

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Upcycling Activity

What is upcycling? Can you upcycle?

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Positive Human ImpactsDespite the negative impacts humans have had on Earth there are some positives. Positive human impacts are generally limited to undoing problems humans have caused in the first place. With an increased awareness and continued motive for change, some things can be reversed.

· Recycling· Protection of wildlife and lands· Reforestation· Increased crop yields· New technologies

What are some positive human impacts you know of? Talk about this with a partner. You probably do at least one of them yourself every day.

After you brainstorm, click the picture to the right.

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RecyclingThe process of recycling involves the reduction, reusing and recycling of what is commonly considered waste.

Recycling helps preserve natural resources and saves energy. Over 75% of the waste produced is recyclable however less than 30% of it it actually gets recycled. Aluminum cans that are recycled save 95% of the energy used to mine, refine and manufacture a new can.

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Reuse and UpcyclingMany items are useful for more that their intended purpose. Reusing or upcycling items prevents them from ending up in landfill and reduces the amount of items you buy.

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Responsible ManagementBuffalo populations decreased in the in the early 1900's due to over harvesting and mismanagement. Through careful conservation and management populations of species have increased and thrived.

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Protection of Wildlife & Lands The creation of the National Parks System in the United States set aside large tracts of land that will remain untouched and preserved. The Endangered Species Act helped classify and protect species that are at risk of extinction. Due to these efforts, 90% of the 110 species on the endangered species list are recovering at their specified rate.

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Protection of OceansThe expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument is now the largest marine reserve in the world. At just under half a million square miles it protects vital habitat from fishing, mining or dumping.

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ReforestationAfter forests and woodlands have been depleted due to human activities, the process of returning them to their natural form is reforestation.

The benefits of reforestation are improved air quality, restored ecosystems, regulation of global warming, and providing a sustainable source of wood.

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Sustainable AgricultureSustainable agriculture is a system that can indefinitely sustain itself without harming the land, the environment or the people.

Seeking to find a balance between economic production and the use of the environment, sustainable agriculture blends the use of new technologies and the best practices of the past.

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Increased Crop Production

Modern farm equipment and drought tolerant seeds have made it possible for farmers to increase their yields while decreasing their costs.

Agriculture has seen the advancement and refinement of techniques to help increase crop production to meet the food demand of the ever growing population.

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New TechnologiesThe development and advancement of new technologies have allowed humans to decrease their dependance upon fossil fuels and inefficient methods. Some recent examples of new technologies that are beneficial to both humans and the environment are solar power, wind power, LED light bulbs, and Nanotechnology filtration.

These technologies help reduce the amount of energy used while providing sustainable options for the future with minimal impact on the environment.

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Legislation and Regulations

Governmental regulations such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act have greatly reduced the amount of pollution. International treaties have been successful at banning the use of the gasses responsible for the growth of the ozone hole.

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Regulations at WorkThe depletion of the ozone is being reversed through the passage of legislation that decreased use of chloroflurocarbons. Thanks to an increase in scientific advancements and the creation of less harmful alternatives, humans have been able to help repair some of the damage done.

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29 How has the protection of lands helped improve/maintain Earth's biodiversity?

A Provided a protected place for animals and orginisms to live

B Prevented the spread of invasive species

C Reduced animals exposure to humans, thus decreased their extinction rate

D Allowed species to evolve at a faster rate

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30 Which of the following is an example of a new technology that has a positive impact on Earth? Choose all that apply.

A Solar panels

B New smartphones

C Wind turbines

D Hybrid cars

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31 How does recycling help to reduce humans impact on Earth? Choose all that apply.

A Increase the amounts of products manufactored

B Conserve energy

C Reduce the amount of litter and trash

D Preserving natural resources

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Recycling LabHow does human waste impact the Earth?

What are the benefits of recycling?

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Methods of Reduction

Return to Tableof Contents

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Methods of ReductionIndividuals and communities are doing things to help protect Earth’s resources and environment.

Supporting local and sustainable goods, recycling and green energy alternatives are just a few ways people are make a difference at the individual level.

How can you reduce your impact on Earth and the environment?

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Reduced ImpactThere are many ways to reduce your impact on the environment, some of them small and some are more involved.

· Reducing energy consumption· Using alternative sources of energy· Diversifying crops· Using drip irrigation for agriculture· Developing wildlife conservation plans · Protecting habitats and lands· Designing buildings to conserve and even generate energy· Demonstrating strategies and lifestyles for increased

sustainability and resilience

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Daily ChangesThere are small daily changes to our routines and habits that can help reduce our impact on the environment. While they seem small and possibly not worthwhile, imagine multiplying that change across 7 billion people.

What are some ways you can change your routine to help the environment?

Make a list.

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· Use less heating and cooling, a 2 degree change can save up to 20%

· Replace old incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs

· Recycle

· Unplug unused electronics

· Buy local goods and produce

· Use public transportation, bike or walk

· Turn off lights when not in the room

· Buy energy efficient appliances

· Avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaners

Click for ideas

Daily Changes

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Transitioning to Renewable ResourcesCurrently the majority of our power is produced by nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels. Nonrenewable resources are any resource on Earth that exists in limited supply and cannot be replaced if used up.

What are examples of nonrenewable resources? Click to photo to reveal

· Coal· Oil· Natural Gas· Nuclear Energy

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Renewable ResourcesRenewable resources on the other hand are any resource that can be replenished naturally over time.

Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower have the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while helping to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions.

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Alternative Energy SourcesAlternative energy is any source that is an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.

Alternative energy sources are environmentally friendly, give off little to none pollution and are renewable.

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Managing Our ResourcesIn order to help reduce the amount of water pollution and contamination, waste water treatment plants were developed.

Sewer water used to be dumped into the same rivers where people collected their drinking water. By treating the water before it enters the stream and prior to collection for drinking water, pollution has been reduced.

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32 Which of the follow are renewable resources? Choose all that apply.

A Water

B Fossil Fuels

C Wind

D Sun

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33 Managing our resources and reducing our consumption are both ways to decrease our impact on Earth.True

False

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Forecast for the Future

What can you do to help?

What will the future of Earth hold, not only for humans but for all living things?

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Sustainability of SocietyIn order to have a comfortable way of life, humans are going to impact Earth. To reduce our impact we need to reduce our consumption, manage our resources to promote sustainability, develop cleaner technologies, and increase the regulation of pollutants.

The future of human society depends upon the management of our resources and the sustainability of our choices.

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