Download - Humans vs. the Environment
Humans vs. the Environment
How have Humans impacted the environment
of Northern Utah?
We know we’ve “been bad.” How can we “payback” the environment?
1- View Lot Homes Building a big house
on the hill gives a great view of the valley
Status Symbol
1- View Lot Homes Require some habitat
destruction
Birds Deer Elk Rodents Reptiles
1- View Lot Homes Require some
removal of vegetation, which allows erosion to occur faster
Better views = steeper slopes = more erosion
1- View Lot Homes Create lots of
construction waste
View Lot Homes - Payback Create areas for wildlife
in the landscape
Provide nesting boxes and year-round food for birds
View Lot Homes - Payback Re-plant native
vegetation
Do not use insecticides or pesticides
View Lot Homes - Payback Slow erosion by planting
trees
Use erosion control fabric on steep slopes
Place large boulders or imbed logs along pathways
View Lot Homes - Payback Recycle household
trash as much as possible
Look for the recycle symbol
JUST DO IT!
2- High Energy Demands Here in the west,
most people drive large vehicles to get around
They require more fuel and create more pollution
2- High Energy Demands Oil has to be refined
into gasoline before it can go into our vehicles
Refineries create more pollution
2- High Energy Demands We have many
homes and businesses which means that we need lots of electricity
2- High Energy Demands Electricity is produced
by burning coal, which pollutes the air
(That’s why electric cars only solve half of the pollution problem.)
2- High Energy Demands The coal is dug from
a mine (probably in eastern Utah)
This mining requires more energy output and more pollution
This mining contributes to erosion.
High Energy Demands - Payback Use frontrunner for
commuting (if possible)
High Energy Demands - Payback Carpool to school and
combine trips to the store
High Energy Demands - Payback Become part of the
team that creates an alternate fuel source
(The mother of all science fair projects)
High Energy Demands - Payback Program your thermostat
at home drop the temperature when no-one is home
High Energy Demands - Payback When regular bulbs burn
out, replace them with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs
High Energy Demands - Payback Turn off stuff when you’re
not using it!
Unplugging it is even better
High Energy Demands - Payback Buy energy efficient
appliances
High Energy Demands - Payback Support programs to use
alternate energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal energy, and hydro-electric power
3- Urban Sprawl Most people want to
move to “the open”
With lots of new houses, comes new roads and new shopping centers and new hospitals – bingo – we have unplanned sprawl with no “open”
3- Urban Sprawl Urban Sprawl creates
habitat fragmentation
3- Urban Sprawl The areas of “open
space” left after the humans move in are too small to support wildlife
Think “over the hedge”
3- Urban Sprawl High concentrations
of humans pollute the water
3- Urban Sprawl High concentrations
of humans pollute the air
(This is an actual photo of Salt Lake City)
3- Urban Sprawl We dry up the
wetlands to build houses, and destroy wildlife habitat
Yes, we have wetlands in Utah.
Urban Sprawl - Payback Make areas where
animals can move from the “invading city.”
Urban Sprawl - Payback Create natural areas
in your yard where wild animals are welcome
Urban Sprawl - Payback Try not to use
chemicals on your lawn or trees
Urban Sprawl - Payback Become a city
planner or serve on your city council to promote “smart growth.”
Plan for wild spaces
You owe it to the environment!
JUST DO IT!