U Of P Week 4
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Transcript of U Of P Week 4
Tonight
• Quiz• Go over EnvironNews Topics• Discuss resources – pros and cons• Discuss Biodiversity• Power PointBREAK• “An Inconvenient Truth” segments and
discussion• Practice presentations
Preserving Earth’s Biological
Diversity
Chapter 17
Activity
• In groups, use the flipchart paper and markers to write down why you think biodiversity is important
• Also brainstorm ways in which biodiversity is at risk and write that on the paper
• Loss / destruction of habitat. . . . . . . . . . .73% • Introduction of exotic (non-native) species or their diseases . …………. … .68%• Pollutants. . . . . . . . …………………… ...38%• Hybridization with sub-species or other species . . . . . . . . ……….. . . . . 38% • Exploitation (over-harvesting and over-hunting). . . . . .15%
(Note: total exceeds 100% because multiple factors sometimes apply to one species in decline)
Causes of Species Decline
Importance of Diversity
• We are dependent on organisms for food and raw materials
• Most of the world’s species have not yet been studied for their potential benefits
• Loss of species begins a chain reaction whose effects could be felt worldwide
ex. Missing bees
• Genetic assortment – species do better when their lineage is not closely linked
ex. Cross pollination of crops
• Spiritual, ethical and aesthetic value
•Species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate leading to a decrease in biological diversity!!!
Extinct Species
• Background Extinction vs. Mass Extinction
Continuous, slow rate of extinction over millions of years
Numerous species disappear over geologically short time frame.
-Major climate change
Extinct Species
• Today, extinction rate is 100x - 1000x the background rate
• In U.S., 250 species gone extinct since 1980
• Endangered species
• Could become extinct soon without human intervention
• At risk are species with:
- Small range- Island locale- Low reproductive success- Specialized breeding areas- Specialized feeding habits
Threatened species• Population declining rapidly
• Likely to become endangered
• Human Causes of Species Endangerment
#1 threat to biodiversity is loss of habitat- destruction- fragmentation- degradation
• Biotic Pollution:
introduction of a foreign species into an ecosystem it did not evolve in
Invasive Species
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Pollution:
• Acid rain
- Acidification of soil and water
• Ozone depletion
- Increased UV radiation
• Climate change
- Warming due to CO2 increases
Endangered and Extinct Species
• Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Overexploitation
Illegal hunting: snow leopards Unregulated parrot trade
What Can We Do About Declining Biological Diversity?
• Increase Awareness of Public
• Support Research in Conservation Biology
• Provide Economic Incentives to Landowners and Other Local People
• Establish International System of Parks
• Control Pollution
Discussion
• Think about the area in which you live: – Is it biologically diverse? – What factors contribute to the diversity of the
area in which you live?– What factors inhibit biological diversity where
you live?
Air Pollution
Chapter 20
The Atmosphere as a Resource
• Atmospheric composition:
• Nitrogen = 78%
• Oxygen = 21%
• Argon = 0.93%
• Carbon dioxide = 0.04%
Types and Sources of Air Pollution
• Major Classes of Air Pollutants
• Particulate matter
• Nitrogen oxides
• Sulfur oxides
• Carbon oxides
• Hydrocarbons
• Ozone
Ozone damage
• Primary Air PollutantsCarbonmonoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Particulates
Volatile organics
Sulfur dioxide
Ammonia
Lead
• Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution
Transportation
Fuel combustion
Industrialprocesses
Other
• Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants
Chemicalreactionsgeneratesecondarypollutants
Effects of Air Pollution
• Air Pollution and Human Health
Respiratory track, eyes, blood
Air Pollution Around the World• Long-Distance Transport of Air Pollution
Regional andGlobal
AtmosphericChanges
Chapter 21
Global Climate ChangeMean annual global
Temperature, 1960-2003Causes of Global Climate Change
CO2 in the atmosphere
The Causes of Global Climate Change
•Greenhouse Effect
• The Causes of Global Climate Change
• Effects of Global Climate Change
• Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels
1957 1998
Melting permafrost
Effects of Climate Change• Rising sea level• Salinity differences – loss of marine diversity• Melting ice – loss of habitat for polar bears etc.• Melting permafrost – leads to increased insect
population• Changing weather patterns
Discussion
• After viewing portions of “An Inconvenient Truth”, discuss in your groups which part of the information given was the most compelling
Ozone Depletion in the Stratosphere
• Stratospheric ozone layer
Normal levels of ozone
Reduced levels of ozone
Ozone Depletion in the Stratosphere
• Ozone thinning
Antarctica
• Causes• Main problem: CFCs
The Effects of Ozone Depletion
• Potentially, increased incidence of skin cancers
Melanoma Some features • Irregular borders • Uneven color • Raised areas
Acid Deposition• A.K.A. Acid rain• In US, damage from acid deposition is estimated at $10 B
Acid Deposition• The Effects of Acid Deposition• Acid Deposition and Forest Decline
• Damage to leaves - reduced photosynthesis - more susceptible to stress - death of tree• Damage to soil: acidification - Ca, K readily wash out - damage to fungi that aid in root uptake - death of tree
Acid Deposition
• Acid deposition not limited to locations where it originates.
– • IL, IN, MO, OH, PA, TN, WV– - produce 50-75% of acid deposition
– • New England and Southeastern Canada– - contaminated
Water Pollution
Chapter 22
Types of Water Pollution
• Sewage
↑ EnrichmentExplosion in algal, bacteria, & decomposer populations
↑ Biological oxygen demand
↓ Oxygen levels in water
Fish kills
Water Quality Today
• Water Pollution from Agriculture
• 72% of water pollution in rivers attributed to agriculture (largest polluter of rivers)– Pesticides may leach into soil; then water– Sediment pollution in rivers from soil erosion– Animal waste from runoff
Water Quality Today• Other sources of Water Pollution
• • Urban runoff
• • Leakage
• - gasoline storage
• - sewage
• - landfill
• - industrial surface
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Chapter 23
Solid Waste• US produces most per capita solid waste =
4.4 lbs per person per day• 229 million tons per year (and increasing!)
Solid waste produced by av. family of four in one year in US
Solid Waste
• Types of Solid Waste Where it goes
Paper andPaperboard
Yard Waste
Food Waste
Plastics
Metals
Rubber, leather, &textiles
Glass
Wood
Other
SanitaryLandfills
Recycling
Incineration
Note: most of the solid waste can be recycled but is not
Hazardous Waste• Types of Hazardous Waste• Dioxins
– Byproduct of combustion of chlorine compounds– Emissions from incinerators; industry– Bio-accululation in fatty tissues (affecting ALL humans)– Bio-amplification in food webs– Carcinogen
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)– Cooling and hydraulic fluids– Acute toxicity; birth defects; endocrine disruption; possible carcinogen– Bio-accululation in fatty tissues– Bio-amplification in food webs
• Radioactive material
Tomorrow’s World
Chapter 25
A Strategy for Sustainable Living
• Living Sustainably
• Improve living conditions while maintaining a healthy environment
• Balance– economic growth– environmental conservation
A Review of the Central Themes of Environmental Science
• Principle 1: Building a Sustainable Society• • Preserve Earth’s biological diversity• • Live within Earth’s carrying capacity• (1) Use renewable resources at a rate• which they can be renewed• (2) Conserve non-renewable resources
A Review of the Central Themes of Environmental Science
• Principle 2: Respecting and Caring for the Community of Life
Endangered sea turtle
• We evolved within and depend upon the web of life
• Need to protect ecosystems; species
A Review of the Central Themes of Environmental Science
• Principle 3: Improving the Quality of Human Life
Challenges of under developed countries
- Distribution of resources
- Economic growth
- Scientists and Engineers
Addressing the Goals of Sustainability
• Principle 4: Conserving Earth’s Vitality and Biological Diversity
- Restore ecosystems- Control agriculture- Control pollution
Addressing the Goals of Sustainability
• Principle 5: Keeping within Earth’s Carrying Capacity
Family planning discussion
Carrying Capacity of an ecosystem determined by its ability to - absorb wastes - renew itself
Implementing Environmental Sustainability at Various Levels
• Principle 6: Changing Personal Attitudes and Practices
• Everyone learns; everyone contributes– Role of Education– Sustainable consumption
Implementing Environmental Sustainability at Various Levels
• Principle 7: Enabling Communities to Care for Their Own Environments
• Provide communities with– Access to knowledge– Opportunities for their input– Right to help make decisions
Implementing Environmental Sustainability at Various Levels
• Principle 8: Building a National Framework
• • Integrate Development and Conservation
• Most governments have single department overseeing environmental concerns
• Need integrated approach across all government levels to promote sustainability– Law, Science, Taxation
Implementing Environmental Sustainability at Various Levels
• Principle 9: Creating a Global Alliance
Global alliances for global problems - U.N. Fish Stocks Agreement - Kyoto Protocol (Global Warming) - Montreal Protocol (Ozone Depletion)
What Kind of World Do We Want?
• Which Principle you give top priority?
• What do you think the probability is that these Principles would be implemented in the US today?
• What prevents their consideration?
• Do you think that if the US fails to adopt these principles that there were be any real serious consequences?