Things that can be done to address what we’ve discussed

Overpopulation Provide education and birth control methods to developing countries This would decrease rates of growth, and reduce economic hardships Provide economic incentives for smaller families (tax breaks, etc.) Limit family size (China’s one child policy) Practice and Encourage replacement level fertility

Resource Depletion Practice wise use and conservation: Use less of a resource (increase efficiency, decrease waste- think of gas mileage) **easy Attempt to find substitutes- renewable energy sources Increase the price of a resource to discourage use (gas) Recycle/reuse valuable resources

Toxic Wastes / Pollutants Do not utilize them- buy products made from safe, natural ingredients Proper disposal and treatment (sewage, chemicals, etc) Utilize methods to avoid fertilizer and pesticide use (no till, etc) Biological pest control: using predators, pheromone traps, etc to kill or sterilize a pest organism Outlaw the production and use of hazardous compounds (DDT- still being produced and used in India)

Thermal Pollution Recycle cooling water

Deforestation Education in areas that are utilizing slash and burn Economic Incentives to leave forest intact (pay them to not cut trees down- Jobs, easements, etc.) Encourage sustainable forestry practices- selective cuts, replanting Reduce use of wood products, buy products made of sustainable wood Recycle paper and cardboard products Improve agriculture production

Acid Rain Reduce fossil fuel use Filter emissions to remove sulfur and nitrous oxides

Biodiversity Loss / Overfishing Protect habitat- both at sea and land From fragmentation, pollution, encroachment, harvest Enact and enforce laws that protect species and limit harvests Buy forest/Eco friendly products Eat less meat buy Marine Stewardship Council sea food (monteray bay list)

Ozone Depletion Discontinue CFC use Find alternatives

Global Warming Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Pass laws that would limit emissions Cap and trade, kyoto- US refuses to participate in these attempts Change lifestyles to reduce carbon footprint Carbon footprint- the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced from your activities

Overall- 3 R’s Reduce: your usage and your waste. Avoid excess packaging repair instead of replace Walk instead of drive Reuse: repurpose items Don’t constantly think of everything as disposable- things just don’t disappear. Instead challenge yourself to reuse items Avoid water bottles and single use items Recycle: many materials can be processed and repurposed- this means that they won’t be harvested from the environment twice Paper, plastic, metal, cardboard, glass This can cut the amount of garbage you produce drastically

In the end You need to realize that you do harm the planet Every choice you make can either reduce your impact or ignore your impact Learn about it Do Research Evaluate your actions You may not think small changes matter, but if 7 billion people all make small changes it adds up to a lot

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