Types of Environmental Issues

1. Population Growth In the year 1800 there were ~1 billion people on Earth. In 1990 there were ~5.2 billion, and by 2100 there may be ~14 billion Will our planet be able to support 14 billion people? (What is the carrying capacity of Earth?)

2. Resource Use Natural Resource – anything in the environment that is used by people We divide natural resources into two categories: Renewable Non-Renewable

2. Resource Use Continued Renewable Resources – Always available, or naturally replaced.

Renewable Energy Resources Wind Water – also called hydroelectric power Solar Geothermal – heat energy from the Earth’s interior Biomass – energy from burning organic or living matter

2. Resource Use Continued Nonrenewable Resources – these are not easily / quickly replaced as they are used. Ex: fossil fuels take millions of years to replace

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Oil (Petroleum) Fossil fuel Coal Fossil fuel Natural Gas Fossil fuel Nuclear Energy – Uses radioactive Uranium to create energy Fossil Fuels consist of hydrocarbons (Hydrogen and Carbon)

How is Coal Made…

How Oil and Gas are Made…

Natural causes of pollution: dust storms, volcanoes, wildfires The contamination of Earth’s land, water or air Coral Reef Destruction Deforestation Air Pollution Natural causes of pollution: dust storms, volcanoes, wildfires

Brain Pop! http://www.brainpop.com/technology/energytechnology/fossilfuels/