Environment and Technology Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus Protecting the Environment Science and Technology Quick Facts: World Internet Access Faces of History: James D. Watson

Environment and Technology Preview, continued Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts Video: The Impact of September 11, 2001

Environment and Technology Main Idea People are working together to protect the environment and using science and technology to improve living conditions around the world. Reading Focus What are people doing to protect the environment? What changes are recent advances in science and technology bringing to the world?

Protecting the Environment How do we balance growth and development with practices that will help protect the resources and environments we all count on? Improved nutrition, medical treatment have led to dramatic increase in world’s population 1 billion to over 6 billion since 1800 Industrialization, development have placed great strain on world’s resources, environment Major challenge: achieving sustainable development Resource Use Economic development that does not permanently damage resources Try to balance need for development with protection of environment Limit use of resources Set aside areas where no development allowed Sustainable Development

Forests In areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Amazon region of Brazil, deforestation—clearing of trees, taking place at rapid rate Trees burned, cut down to dig mines, clear land for farming, ranching Some species of animals, plants have become extinct as result Deserts Sahel region of West Africa, people struggling with desertification—spread of desert-like land conditions Caused partly by drought, partly by human activity Trees cut for firewood, livestock overgraze land Without plants, wind blows rich soil away; land becomes useless

Pollution The global environment has been seriously affected by pollution. Human beings have always polluted their environments, but pollution did not become a serious issue until the Industrial Revolution. Revolution brought new industrial processes Created waste products that harmed water, air, land By 1960s, began to be threat to human survival Threat Countries cannot agree on how best to fight pollution One debate, issue of global warming Rise in surface temperature of earth over time How To Fight Could bring disastrous changes in Earth’s climate Many scientists believe air pollution caused by human activity has caused global warming Global Warming

Laws and Problems Some governments have taken legal action against pollution, global warming Many nations do not have strict pollution controls in place United States has passed many environmental laws but is one of largest polluters Some fear strict emissions limits could harm economic development Environmental Laws Even with environmental laws in place, pollution, toxic waste can be released due to accidents at industrial facilities 1984, toxic gas leak at Indian factory killed over 15,000, injured a half-million more 1986, meltdown of Soviet Union’s Chernobyl nuclear plant sent deadly radiation into air over parts of Europe Accidents

What environmental issues face the world today? Find the Main Idea What environmental issues face the world today? Answer(s): pollution, global warming, deforestation, desertification

Science and Technology Advances in science, technology have greatly changed world in recent years New discoveries brought great benefits, raised new questions, challenges Space Exploration Data from satellites, space shuttle missions have given scientists new information about origins, development of stars, galaxies, planets Other data helping scientists understand earth’s climate change Development of new technologies from space experiments Scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses Farther-flying golf balls

The Information Age More Advances Instant Communication Digital Divide Other advances in science, technology have led to great changes in way we transmit, receive information Exchange of information so important, some say this is Information Age Instant Communication Space satellites transmit signals for cell phone, satellite television Personal computers, Internet link people, educational institutions, businesses, governments; people work, shop, maintain friendships online Digital Divide Not all areas of world have joined Information Age Difference in access to Internet and other information and communications technologies called digital divide; obstacle many trying to overcome

Medicine and Genetic Engineering Great medical advances took place in years following World War II Medicines, vaccines developed to prevent spread of contagious diseases, treat physical, mental illness; techniques developed to transplant organs Advances in ultrasound, laser, and computer technology allow doctors to more easily treat human body Developments in study of genes, heredity have led to rapid growth in biotechnology, use of biological research in industry Some biotechnology companies manufacture vaccines to treat diseases Genetics Other biotechnology companies genetically modify food plants Altering genetic makeup of plant, animal called genetic engineering Plants can be hardier, more productive than conventional Grown where other crops struggle Altering Genetic Makeup

Modified Crops Green Revolution Genetically modified plants part of green revolution Attempt by agricultural scientists to increase world’s food production Food Production Scientists developing new types of wheat, rice, other food crops With enough water, fertilizer, pesticides, modified crops produce more than unmodified Advocates Believe genetically modified crops can reduce pesticide use Say farmers will make more money on crops Concerns Genetically modified crops might have harmful effects on humans, environment Could see possible reduction of genetic diversity

Possibilities, Questions Human Genetics Another use of genetic engineering being debated, cloning Process of creating identical organisms from a cell of original organism Cloning Cloning offers possibilities for improving livestock, medical research Presents serious moral, ethical, legal questions Possibilities, Questions

Make Generalizations How have recent advances in science and technology brought both great benefits and new challenges? Answer(s): possible answer—hardier crops, larger yields; debate on the ethics of DNA research and work such as cloning

Video The Impact of September 11, 2001 Click above to play the video.