1. Human Impacts on the Environment 7SCIENCE

2. What are some ways that humans make an impact on the environment? Population growth Pollution Today we will learn about the following effects humans have on the environment: – Farming and grazing – Deforestation – Landfills – Natural preserves

3. Farming and Grazing Land is as important to people as clean air and water: Farming (agriculture) – Land is used to produce food for humans – Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are used to increase productivity Grazing – Land is also used to raise animals for human consumption (e.g. cows = milk, meat) – Usually land that cannot be used for farming

4. Deforestation Land is used as a resource for wood products Deforestation: – Trees are cut down for paper, fuel, or as a building material – Trees SHOULD BE replanted, however many forests in tropical regions are not being replaced Some studies suggest that up to 50 000 species could become extinct because they are losing their habitat (forest)

5. Landfills Land is also used for storing wastes from humans Landfill – Area where waste is deposited Sanitary landfill is covered with dirt and this prevents waste from blowing away and reduces the odor (smell) – These landfills are lined with materials to prevent liquid waste from going into the water and soil

6. Natural Preserves A natural preserve is land that is protected and not used by humans to produce something or to store waste – E.g. forests, national parks i.e. Parque Tayrona Land in its natural state is decreasing as human population increases WHY?

7. Introduction to the 3Rs The 3Rs represent the ideas to: – Recycle – Reduce – Reuse These 3 ideas can help to decrease the human impact on the environment How? Think of ways that the 3Rs can be applied to a human impact we learned about today in class