National Geographic Video: State of the Earth - Climate

Environment What is it? The natural environment encompasses all living & and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth

Presidential Policies & the Environment T. Roosevelt John Muir & Conservation efforts of National Parks Newlands Reclamation Act 1902 Allowed the federal gov’t to create irrigation projects to make dry lands productive Yellowstone National Park (1872) Grand Canyon (1919)

LBJ’s “Great Society” L. B. Johnson Wilderness Preservation Act (1964) Protected 9.1 million acres of nat’l forest from development Water Quality Act (1965) Required states to clean up rivers & lakes

LBJ continued Clean Air Act Amendments (1965) Established exhaust emission standards for cars Air Quality Act (1967) Set guidelines on air pollution & increased federal gov’ts power to enforce clean air standards

Nixon’s Policies R. Nixon Silent Spring (1962) Rachel Carson published; warned of the harmful effects of chemicals on the natural world Led to Earth Day demonstrations Clean Air Act (1970) Regulated levels of air pollution EPA established (1970)

Environmental Protection Agency The White House and Congress established the EPA in response to the growing public demand for cleaner water, air and land. Task of the EPA: Repair the damage already done to the natural environment Establish new criteria to guide Americans in making a cleaner environment a reality.

EPA continued… EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment.

Carter’s Policies J. Carter Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act Protected more than 100 million acres of land & doubled the size of the nation’s park & wildlife refuge system

Carter continued… 3-Mile Island Love Canal, NY Environmental disaster Long-buried chemicals began seeping up through the ground Exposure was linked to high rates of birth defects

To Do: In your opinion, which president did the most for the environment? Justify/defend your answer. Consider: Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, or Jimmy Carter

IPCC The U.N. formed a group of scientists called the International Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. The IPCC meets every few years to review the latest scientific findings & write a report summarizing all that is known about global warming. Each report represents a consensus, or agreement, among hundreds of leading scientists. To Do: Why is it important that an international group of scientists meet to discuss environmental issues? Explain.

Environmental Issues Climate change Global warming Global dimming Fossil fuels Sea level rise Greenhouse gas Ocean acidification Conservation Species extinction Pollinator decline Coral bleaching Poaching Endangered species Energy Energy conservation Renewable energy Efficient energy use Environmental Degradation Habitat destruction To Do: Of the 4 environmental issues listed, which one do you think we should be most concerned with & why?

Issues continued… Genetic engineering Genetic pollution Genetically modified food controversies Intensive farming Overgrazing Irrigation Environmental effects of meat production Overpopulation Burial Land degradation Desertification Soil, Soil conservation, Soil Erosion, Soil Contamination, Soil salinization Land use Urban sprawl Habitat fragmentation Habitat destruction Nuclear Issues Nuclear power Radioactive waste To Do: Of these 6 issues, which one do you think is most concerning & why?

Issues continued… Ozone Depletion Pollution Water pollution Acid Rain Marine pollution Ocean dumping Oil spills Ocean acidification Wastewater Air pollution Smog Indoor air quality Resource Depletion Exploitation of natural resources (over- consumerism) Fishing; Bottom trawling; Illegal & unregulated fishing; Shark finning; Whaling Logging / Clearcutting / Deforestation Mining Toxins Chlorofluorocarbons DDT Dioxin Heavy metals Herbicides Pesticides Toxic waste

GROUP PROJECT In assigned groups, you will research one of the following topics. Acid Rain Air Pollution Global Warming Animal/Species Extinction Deforestation Ozone Depletion Ocean Issues (pick 1 issue or all 3) sea water rising, oil spills, wastewater, & pollution

TO DO Research Each group member needs to research for your topic If you don’t have a cell phone w/ Internet access, print your research No Wikipedia Consider World Wildlife Federation (WWF) National Geographic IPCC EPA Poster – bring your own! Title At least 5 Visuals (pictures, charts, graphs, etc.) Background (5 W’s & How) Current Info & Research Changes in Policies, Future Implications, Recommendations Presentation Each group will present their topic to the class