HUMANS & the ENVIRONMENT

Our biosphere provides many goods and services. These goods may be: Renewable resources Nonrenewable resources

Renewable resources - is a resource which can be used repeatedly and replaced naturally within a reasonable amount of time. water trees sun wind

Nonrenewable resources - is a resource in which there is a limited supply. minerals Fossil fuels – coal, oil, natural gas Sand, stone metals

Sustainable Resources Use - to use natural resources to meet our needs without causing long-term environmental harm.

Earth’s natural resources such as soil, How do human activities affect the environment? Human activities such as agriculture, development, and industry degrade Earth’s natural resources such as soil, water, the atmosphere, and biodiversity.

Most human activities involve burning fossil fuels. Agriculture --- most farm equipment run on fossil fuel (diesel fuel).

Agriculture (continued) Large areas of land/forest are cleared to plant crops Habitat destruction; deforestation Decrease biodiversity (fewer species; many become extinct) Less trees, less CO2 absorbed and fixed into organic compounds, therefore more CO2 remains in atmosphere contributing to global warming Pesticides and fertilizers pollute water (rivers, lakes, ocean)

Most human activities involve burning fossil fuels. Development --- most construction equipment run on fossil fuels(diesel) Mining

Most human activities involve burning fossil fuels. Industry --- most factories run on fossil fuels(diesel)

Most human activities involve burning fossil fuels. Businesses and homes --- run on electricity, most of which is produced by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

Most human activities involve burning fossil fuels. Transportation--- most vehicles run on diesel or gas

Burning fossil fuels produces many pollutants such as smog, particulates, and carbon dioxide. Pollutants are bad for our health.

Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide,CO2. CO2 is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere thereby keeping Earth warm. But too much CO2 traps too much heat leading to an increase in the average global temperature, global warming.

The Carbon Cycle CO2 is taking in by plants and fixed into glucose(organic compound). Plants, like trees, remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Plants/trees help to decrease the amount of CO2 in atmosphere thereby helping to decreasing the effect of global warming.

Deforestation - - the clearing/cutting down of forest - - contributes to global warming because decomposition and burying produce CO2. - - there are no trees to remove CO2 from atmosphere.

Deforestation - Reduces biodiversity…less species - Loss of habitat can lead to species extinction

Threats to Biodiversity Humans reduce biodiversity by: Altering habitats Hunting Introducing invasive species Releasing pollutants into food webs Contributing to climate change