How does human degradation of Air Pollution, Climate Change/Global

Warming and Global Forests impact human health? How do biodiversity and

ecosystems effect health?

Biodiversity

Air Pollution

AutomobilesAutomobiles

Household Products

Household Products

Power PlantPower Plant

Small Business

Small Business

FactoriesFactories

Acid Rain

Acid Rain

Ozone (O3) Depletion

Health Effects of Air Pollution• Causes shortness of breath and pain when taking a

deep breath.• Makes it more difficult to breathe deeply and

vigorously. • Causes coughing and sore or scratchy throat.• Inflames and damages the lung lining.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

• Makes the lungs more susceptible to infection.

• Aggravates lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

• Increases the frequency of asthma attacks.• Continues to damage the lungs even when the

symptoms have disappeared.

Climate Change/Global Warming

Green House Gasses

Green House Gasses

DeforestationDeforestation

Factory FarmingFactory Farming

Fossil Fuel

Deforestation

FactoryFarming

Human Activities

Green House Gasses•CO2•Solar Radiation•Reached the highest temperatures recorded since 1850

Climate Change Effects on Health

• Asthma, Respiratory Allergies, and Airway Diseases

• Cancer• Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke• Foodborne Diseases and Nutrition• Heat-Related Morbidity and Mortality

Climate Change Effects on Health

• Mental Health and Stress-Related Disorders• Vectorborne and Zoonotic Diseases • Loss of potential medicines• Waterborne Diseases• Weather-Related Morbidity and Mortality

Climate Change Effects on Agriculture

• Many vegetable crops are sensitive to temperature and moisture extremes.

• A loss in pollinators will also affect food supply.

• Apples, pears, plums.... figs, squash...... lots of fruits and vegetables are dependant upon pollinating insects.

Climate Change Effects On Water

• A rise in stream temperatures will affect food sources and water quality.

• In the US droughts will get worse because less snowmelt and runoff in the mountains of the West will fill reservoirs for water supply in hotter months. This also effects availability of hydropower.

Health & Global Forests

• “Forest Health is a relative condition of a forest based on selected ecological indicators & the collective value judgments of the stakeholders in that forest.”

• 3 considerations:– Structure– Composition– Function

• Forest Health is measured by the interaction of the forest and its surrounding elements: the air, water, and soil.

4 Main Threats to Forests

• Forest fires • Harvesting wood for fuel• Acid Rain• Invasive species (in some cases humans, as in rainforests)

More Threats Against Forests

• Many forests are cut for agriculture• Roads create habitat fragmentation and

erosion.– Can cause loss of biodiversity• Plants• Animals• Insects

Common Uses of Trees Logged

• Wood• Sawdust & chips for particle board• Paper• Furniture

Forest Environmental Services That Affect Humans

• Take up carbon dioxide• Produce oxygen – The less trees we have the less clean air we have

to breath!

Greenhouse Effect

• Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

• Heightens the threat of global warming• The burning of wood or its decay contributes to the release of

more carbon in the air

Flooding

• Due to massive deforestation there are no trees to absorb the water, thus resulting to the loss of many lives.

Landslides• When trees are uprooted, there will be nothing to hold the

soil together thus increasing the risk for landslides which can cause seriously threaten the safety of the people and damage their properties.

• Deforestation effects humans because it takes our sources of medicine and vegetation away from us. This means that there is less chance of new discoveries in the field of medicine and there is less food for us humans.

Kava Kava Root!

Solutions

Solutions

• Reducing Air Pollution – Locally-Indoors-– Chemicals

– Building maintenance/repair– Ventilation

• – Outdoors-

• Transportation options• Green energy options• Reduce landfills• Participate to implement local regulation

More Solutions

• Reducing Air Pollution (cont.)– Globally – Establish conservation practices as part of the

growth plan for all nations– Establishment of wetlands, forest and fisheries

reserves– Develop renewable energy sources: solar, wind

and hydro-power– Utilize more bio-fuels over fossil-fuels– Mandate improvements for all nations

Solutions continued…

Even More Solutions

Slowing Climate Change Locally– Take steps to reduce air pollution as listed above– Contact your government representatives:

http://www.congress.org/– Get your hands dirty, search by: area, job, volunteer

opportunities and more http://www.idealist.org/

Annnnd… Slowing Climate Change Globally• Put it on the agenda!• Educate everyone as a way of life (culture), about all

phases of sustainability• Establish more meteorological stations to monitor

changing conditions• Replace power coal-fired power plants with clean

energy options • Utilize carbon markets to stop deforestation• Incorporate responsible energy policies for all nations

How can I make a difference in my every-day life?

Yet More Solutions Reduce your water consumption

Reduce your energy consumption

Reduce your energy consumption

Reduce your consumption in general

Buy used instead of new

Avoid disposable products

Recycle everything

Change your shopping & eating habits

Upgrade your home

Upgrade your home

Upgrade your yard

Upgrade your ride

What are 2 greenhouse gasses?What are 3 things you can do at home to improve

air quality?What is a benefit of composting in relation to

global warming?What is the most common reason for tree

cutting?What are 2 problems acid rain causes?

The Questions!

Pollutions and Solutions

created by:

Ashlee JenningsDana Korzilius

Matthew JohnsonMerlin Barker

Tammy Reynolds

Fall 2010