The Effect of Humans

The Effect of Humans

On Ecosystems and Biological

Cycles

On Ecosystems and Biological

Cycles

Changes to the Atmosphere

Changes to the Atmosphere

The atm is a greenhouse

Normal atm composition maintains global temperature

Too much Carbon Dioxide in atm will increase global temperature.

Carbon dioxide traps suns rays rather than reflecting them back into space - global warming

The atm is a greenhouse

Normal atm composition maintains global temperature

Too much Carbon Dioxide in atm will increase global temperature.

Carbon dioxide traps suns rays rather than reflecting them back into space - global warming

CO2 Increase Due to Human Activities

CO2 Increase Due to Human Activities

Carbon dioxide has increased by 30% since the industrial revolution

Canadians release 18 000 kg of carbon dioxide/person/year

Why? Burning fossil fuels (gas, coal, oil) for

energy (factories, homes, workplaces) and transportation

Aerosols Deforestation

Carbon dioxide has increased by 30% since the industrial revolution

Canadians release 18 000 kg of carbon dioxide/person/year

Why? Burning fossil fuels (gas, coal, oil) for

energy (factories, homes, workplaces) and transportation

Aerosols Deforestation

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

Warmer atm influences:

1) Sea levels rise (melting ice caps and glaciers)

-flooding of low lying areas and coastal regions-higher tides; coastline erosion-salt water can enter wetland ecosystems (some species may die out while others flourish)

Warmer atm influences:

1) Sea levels rise (melting ice caps and glaciers)

-flooding of low lying areas and coastal regions-higher tides; coastline erosion-salt water can enter wetland ecosystems (some species may die out while others flourish)

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

2) Higher Ocean Temperatures

-shift in ocean population -algae blooms-decreased fish population,

species may die out

2) Higher Ocean Temperatures

-shift in ocean population -algae blooms-decreased fish population,

species may die out

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

3) More Energy in the ATM

-severe weather: storms, tornadoes, hurricanes

-floods-droughts (increase in Forrest Fires)

This will impact AGRICULTURE, HUMAN HEALTH, and PROPERTY.

3) More Energy in the ATM

-severe weather: storms, tornadoes, hurricanes

-floods-droughts (increase in Forrest Fires)

This will impact AGRICULTURE, HUMAN HEALTH, and PROPERTY.

Hurricane Katrina

BC Forest Fires

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

4) A Shift in Carbon Cycle

-increased photosynthesis-some plants growing faster-others may not grow due to

higher temperatures-may change nature of

agricultural crops (weeds?)

4) A Shift in Carbon Cycle

-increased photosynthesis-some plants growing faster-others may not grow due to

higher temperatures-may change nature of

agricultural crops (weeds?)

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

5) Human Health:-increase in viruses and bacteria

that prefer warm climatese.g. malaria

-respiratory illness due to increased pollutants in air; swelling due to heat

5) Human Health:-increase in viruses and bacteria

that prefer warm climatese.g. malaria

-respiratory illness due to increased pollutants in air; swelling due to heat

Nitrogen Increase Due to Human Activity

Nitrogen Increase Due to Human Activity

Sewage plants and crop fertilizers release nitrous oxides into the atmosphere

More nitrogen is being added to the environment than ecosystems can use

Excess nitrogen in soil increases soil acidity and damages tree and plant roots

Eutrophication of lakes when nitrogen compounds build up due to sewage plant wastes; increase algae growth

Sewage plants and crop fertilizers release nitrous oxides into the atmosphere

More nitrogen is being added to the environment than ecosystems can use

Excess nitrogen in soil increases soil acidity and damages tree and plant roots

Eutrophication of lakes when nitrogen compounds build up due to sewage plant wastes; increase algae growth

Acid RainAcid Rain

-caused by burning of fossil fuels

-nitric acid and sulfur dioxide released-acidify lakes-species that cannot tolerate

acidic environment die out (Maple trees)

-degrades limestone buildings

-caused by burning of fossil fuels

-nitric acid and sulfur dioxide released-acidify lakes-species that cannot tolerate

acidic environment die out (Maple trees)

-degrades limestone buildings

What Can You Do to Decrease Greenhouse Gas

Emissions?

What Can You Do to Decrease Greenhouse Gas

Emissions? Be power smart - unplug, turn off

lights Walk, bus, carpool Fuel efficient vehicles (not SUVs) Purchase energy efficient appliances Recycle - reusable energy Plant trees near your home

Be power smart - unplug, turn off lights

Walk, bus, carpool Fuel efficient vehicles (not SUVs) Purchase energy efficient appliances Recycle - reusable energy Plant trees near your home

A Few Interesting FactsA Few Interesting Facts

If people let their dishes air dry instead of using the heat setting on their dishwashers, we could decrease CO2 emissions by 200 pounds/year/household

Painting houses dark colors in cool climates and light colors in warm climates decreases CO2 emissions by 5000 pounds/year/house

If people let their dishes air dry instead of using the heat setting on their dishwashers, we could decrease CO2 emissions by 200 pounds/year/household

Painting houses dark colors in cool climates and light colors in warm climates decreases CO2 emissions by 5000 pounds/year/house

How Much Carbon Dioxide Does Our Class Emit Getting to School?

How Much Carbon Dioxide Does Our Class Emit Getting to School?

Estimate the distance to school:

Charleswood: 3.5miles Waverly/Lindenwoods: 2.5 miles Pembina: 5 miles away

Estimate the distance to school:

Charleswood: 3.5miles Waverly/Lindenwoods: 2.5 miles Pembina: 5 miles away

Identify Transportation Method

Identify Transportation Method

Miles/gallon

Pounds CO2/gallon

Compact car

24 20

Fullsized carTruck/van

1613

2021

Bus 8 22