Chapter Introduction Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 People and the Environment Impacts on the Land Impacts on Water Chapter Wrap-Up Impacts on the Atmosphere
How do human activities impact the environment?
What do you think? Before you begin, decide if you agree or disagree with each of these statements. As you view this presentation, see if you change your mind about any of the statements.
Do you agree or disagree? 1. Earth can support an unlimited number of people. 2. Humans can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. 3. Deforestation does not affect soil quality. 4. Most trash is recycled.
Do you agree or disagree? 5. Sources of water pollution are always easy to identify. 6. The proper method of disposal for used motor oil is to pour it down the drain. 7. The greenhouse effect is harmful to life on Earth. 8. Air pollution can affect human health.
People and the Environment What is the relationship between resource availability and human population growth? How do daily activities impact the environment?
People and the Environment population carrying capacity
Population and Carrying Capacity A population is all the members of a species living in a given area. population from Latin populus, means people
Population and Carrying Capacity (cont.) Today, about 6.7 billion people live on Earth.
Population and Carrying Capacity (cont.) The greatest increase in human population occurred during the last few centuries. Population explosion describes the sudden rise in human population that has happened in recent history.
Population and Carrying Capacity (cont.) Carrying capacity is the largest number of individuals of a given species that Earth s resources can support and maintain for a long period of time. Earth has limited resources and cannot support a population of any species in a given environment beyond its carrying capacity.
Population and Carrying Capacity (cont.) If the human population continues to grow beyond Earth s carrying capacity, eventually Earth will not have enough resources to support humans. What is the relationship between the availability of resources and human population growth?
Impact of Daily Actions Each of the 6.7 billion people on Earth uses resources in some way and the use of these resources affects the environment. resource Science Use a natural source of supply or support Common Use a source of information or expertise
Impact of Daily Actions (cont.) What are three things you did today that impacted the environment?
Human population has exploded since the 1800s. Every day billions of people use Earth s resources. The human population will eventually reach its carrying capacity.
When humans use resources, they can have both negative and positive impacts on the environment. It is important for humans to use resources wisely.
About how many people live on Earth today? A. about 100 million B. about 6.7 billion C. about 10 billion D. about 67 billion
Which phrase describes the change in human population in recent history? A. decreasing carrying capacity B. decreased life span C. increasing carrying capacity D. population explosion
If the human population grows beyond Earth s carrying capacity, which of the following will likely be true? A. Earth will be able to support humans for several thousand years. B. Earth will continue providing unlimited resources. C. Earth will not have enough resources to support humans. D. There will be a population explosion.
Do you agree or disagree? 1. Earth can support an unlimited number of people. 2. Humans can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment.
Impacts on the Land What are the consequences of using land as a resource? How does proper waste management help prevent pollution? What actions help protect the land?
Impacts on the Land deforestation desertification urban sprawl reforestation reclamation
Using Land Resources Deforestation is the removal of large areas of forests for human purposes. Deforestation affects soil and air quality. Brand X Pictures/Punchstock
Using Land Resources (cont.) Scientists estimate that human activities have doubled the amount of nitrogen cycling through the ecosystems. Excess nitrogen can kill plants adapted to low nitrogen levels and affect animals that depend on those plants for food.
The Nitrogen Cycle
Using Land Resources (cont.) Desertification is the development of desert-like conditions due to human activities and/or climate change. A region of land that undergoes desertification is no longer useful for food production.
Though mines are essential for obtaining much-needed resources, digging mines disturbs habitats and changes the landscape. Photodisc/Getty Images
Using Land Resources (cont.) What are some consequences of using land as a resource?
Construction and Development The development of land for houses and other buildings near a city is called urban sprawl. The impacts of urban sprawl include habitat destruction, loss of farmland, and an increase in runofff that can reduce the water quality of streams, rivers and groundwater.
Waste Management Landfills are areas where trash is buried. A landfill is carefully designed to meet government regulations. Hazardous waste cannot be placed in landfills because it contains harmful substances that can affect soil, air, and water quality.
Waste Management (cont.) What is done to prevent the trash in landfills from polluting air, soil, and water?
Positive Actions Governments, society, and individuals can work together to reduce the impact of human activities on land resources. Protected forests and parks are important habitats for wildlife. Reforestation involves planting trees to replace trees that have been cut or burned down.
Positive Actions (cont.) Reclamation is the process of restoring land disturbed by mining. reclamation from Latin reclamare, means to call back
Positive Actions (cont.) Green spaces are areas that are left undeveloped or lightly developed. Individuals can have a big impact on land-use issues by practicing the three Rs reusing, reducing, and recycling.
Positive Actions (cont.) What can you do to help lessen your impact on the land?
Deforestation, agriculture, and mining for useful rocks and minerals all can affect land resources negatively. People use land for living space, which can lead to urban sprawl, an increase in roadways, and the need for proper waste disposal.
Creating national parks, preserves and local green spaces, reforestation, and practicing the three Rs are all ways people can positively impact land resources.
Landfills do which of the following to control pollution? A. cover the landfill with clay and dirt B. line the landfill with sand or gravel C. monitor the quality of underground oxygen D. use groundwater to dilute liquid wastes
Which of these describes areas where trash is buried? A. runoff B. landfill C. urban sprawl D. none of these
Which of these is NOT an impact of urban sprawl? A. loss of farmland B. increase in runoff C. habitat destruction D. fewer cars on highways
Do you agree or disagree? 3. Deforestation does not affect soil quality. 4. Most trash is recycled.
Impacts on Water How do humans use water as a resource? How can pollution affect water quality? What actions help prevent water pollution?
Impacts on Water point-source pollution nonpoint-source pollution
Water as a Resource Most water use in the United States is by power plants to generate electricity and to cool equipment.
Water as a Resource (cont.) How do humans use water as a resource?
Sources of Water Pollution Point-source pollution is pollution from a single source that can be identified. pollution from Latin polluere, means to contaminate
Sources of Water Pollution (cont.) Pollution from several widespread sources that cannot be traced back to a single location is called nonpointsource pollution. Most of the water pollution in the United States comes from nonpoint sources and is therefore harder to control.
Sources of Water Pollution
Sources of Water Pollution
Sources of Water Pollution (cont.) How can pollution affect water quality?
Positive Actions Efforts to reduce water pollution focus on prevention, rather than clean-up. The U.S. works with other countries and has its own laws to help maintain water quality. Creatas Images/Jupiterimages
Positive Actions (cont.) Individuals can help reduce water pollution by reducing their use of harmful chemicals, like household cleaners, and disposing of waste containing pollutants safely.
Positive Actions (cont.) How can individuals help prevent water pollution?
Water is an important resource; all living things need water to survive. Water is used for agriculture, for electricity production, and in homes and businesses every day.
Water pollution can come from many sources, including chemicals from agriculture and industry and oil spills.
International cooperation and national laws help prevent water pollution. Individuals can help conserve water by reducing water use and disposing of wastes properly.
How is most of the water in the United States used? A. irrigation of agricultural crops B. livestock C. power plants D. public supply
Which is an example of pointsource pollution? A. construction sites B. factory discharge pipes C. farms D. urban developments
Which term refers to pollution from a source that can be identified? A. groundwater runoff B. nonpoint-source pollution C. point-source pollution D. source pollution
Do you agree or disagree? 5. Sources of water pollution are always easy to identify. 6. The proper method of disposal for used motor oil is to pour it down the drain.
Impacts on the Atmosphere What are some types of air pollution? How are global warming and the carbon cycle related? How does air pollution affect human health? What actions help prevent air pollution?
Impacts on the Atmosphere photochemical smog acid precipitation particulate matter global warming greenhouse effect Air Quality Index
Importance of Clean Air Your body, and the bodies of other animals, uses oxygen in air to produce some of the energy it needs. The air you breath must be clean or it can harm your body.
Types of Air Pollution smog acid precipitation chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) carbon monoxide
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) Photochemical smog forms when nitrogen and carbon compounds in the air react in sunlight. Ozone close to the ground is a major component of smog.
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) Acid precipitation is rain or snow that has a lower ph than that of normal rainwater. Acid precipitation forms when gases containing nitrogen and sulfur react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere. Many living things cannot survive if the ph of water or soil becomes too low.
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) The mix of both solid and liquid particles in the air is called particulate matter. particulate from Latin particula, means small part
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) Solid particles including smoke, dust, and dirt enter the air from natural processes and human activities, such as burning fossil fuels.
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) Appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators made before 1996, contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) coolants. In the atmosphere, CFCs thin the ozone, allowing more UV rays to reach Earth s surface.
Breathing carbon monoxide, a gas released from vehicles and industrial processes, reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the body s tissues and organs. Getty Images
Types of Air Pollution (cont.) What are some types of air pollution?
Global Warming and the Carbon Cycle An increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to global warming, an increase in Earth s average surface temperature. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The Carbon Cycle
Global Warming and the Carbon Cycle (cont.) Warmer temperatures can cause ice to melt, making sea levels rise, which can cause flooding along coastal areas. Warmer ocean waters could lead to an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms.
Global Warming and the Carbon Cycle (cont.) How are global warming and the carbon cycle related?
The greenhouse effect is the natural process that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere absorb and reradiate thermal energy from the Sun.
Health Disorders Air pollution can cause respiratory problems, including triggering asthma attacks.
Health Disorders (cont.) How can air pollution affect human health?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale that ranks levels of ozone and other air pollutants.
Positive Actions Countries around the world are working together to reduce air pollution. In the United States, the Clean Air Act, which was passed in 1970, sets limits on the amount of certain pollutants that can be released into the air.
Positive Actions (cont.) Using renewable energy resources such as solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy reduces air pollution. People can purchase more energyefficient appliances and vehicles, such as hybrid cars, which emit less pollution.
Positive Actions (cont.) How can people help prevent air pollution?
Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen and carbon compounds and particulate matter into the air.
Air pollution can affect human health, causing eye, nose, and throat irritation, increased asthma, and headaches.
Certain laws and international agreements require people to reduce air pollution. Individuals can reduce air pollution by using alternative forms of energy to heat homes and power vehicles.
What term refers to both solid and liquid particles in the air? A. acid precipitation B. CFCs C. particulate matter D. photochemical smog
What is the natural process that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere absorb and reradiate thermal energy from the Sun? A. acid precipitation B. global warming C. greenhouse effect D. photochemical smog
Which of these is NOT a type of air pollution? A. acid precipitation B. global warming C. particulate matter D. smog
Do you agree or disagree? 7. The greenhouse effect is harmful to life on Earth. 8. Air pollution can affect human health.
Key Concept Summary Interactive Concept Map Chapter Review Standardized Test Practice
Human life is dependent on Earth s material resources. Actions such as deforestation, water pollution, and global warming impact the environment negatively. Positive actions include reforestation, reclamation, and water conservation.
Lesson 1: People and the Environment Earth has limited resources and cannot support unlimited human population growth. Daily actions can deplete soil, water, and air.
Lesson 2: Impacts on the Land Deforestation, desertification, habitat destruction, and increased rates of extinction are associated with using land as a resource. Landfills are constructed to prevent contamination of soil and water by pollutants from waste. Hazardous waste must be disposed of in a safe manner. Positive impacts on land include preservation, reforestation, and reclamation.
Lesson 3: Impacts on Water Humans use water in electricity production, industry, and agriculture, as well as for recreation and transportation. Point-source pollution and nonpoint-source pollution can reduce water quality. International agreements and national laws help prevent water pollution. Other positive actions include disposing of waste safely and conserving water.
Lesson 4: Impacts on the Atmosphere Photochemical smog, CFS, and acid precipitation are types of air pollution. Human activities can add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to global warming. Air pollutants such as ozone can irritate the respiratory system, reduce lung function, and cause asthma attacks. International agreements, laws, and individual actions such as conserving energy help decrease air pollution.
Which term refers to all the members of a species living in a given area? A. carrying capacity B. environment C. population D. species distribution
What term refers to the development of land for houses and other buildings near a city? A. deforestation B. desertification C. urban sprawl D. waste management
Which of these is the process of restoring land disturbed by mining? A. composting B. deforestation C. desertification D. reclamation
Most efforts to reduce water pollution focus on which of these? A. cleaning up pollution B. increasing nonpoint sources C. increasing point sources D. preventing pollution
Which of the following is produced when nitrogen and carbon compounds in the air react in sunlight? A. acid precipitation B. CFCs C. particulate matter D. photochemical smog
Which of these is the largest number of individuals an area s resources can support and maintain? A. carrying capacity B. conservation limit C. population D. resource limit
Which term describes the removal of large areas of forests for human purposes? A. deforestation B. desertification C. reclamation D. reforestation
What term refers to planting trees to replace trees that have been cut or burned down? A. deforestation B. desertification C. reclamation D. reforestation
Which term refers to pollution from several widespread sources that cannot be traced back to a single location? A. climate change B. nonpoint-source pollution C. point-source pollution D. runoff
Rain or snow that has a lower ph than that of normal rainwater is referred to as which of the following? A. acid precipitation B. chlorofluorocarbons C. particulate matter D. photochemical smog