Environmental Problems & Solutions

Introduction• Maybe you’ve heard warnings about dirty air, water, and soil. Or you’ve heard

about the destruction of

rain forests. Do these warnings

mean our environment is

in trouble?

Environmental Problems

1. What happened in the late 1700’s that caused more harmful substances to enter the air, water, and soil?

Industrial Revolution

Pollution• Pollution: an

unwanted change in the environment caused by substances or forms of energy

• Pollutants: anything that causes pollution– Can be natural or man

made

Garbage– Includes hazardous

wastes, which can catch fire, explode, or make people sick

Chemicals– Some are useful, like

medicines– Others are poisonous,

can cause respiratory problems, and cancer

Five Types of Pollution

High-Powered Wastes– Give off radiation

Gases– Since Industrial

Revolution, carbon dioxide gas has increased

– Contributes to Greenhouse Effect

Noise– Affects ability to hear

and think clearly– May damage hearing

Resource Depletion

• Renewable resource: one that can be used over and over or has an unlimited supply

• Examples: wind and solar energy

• Nonrenewable resource: one than cannot be replaced or that can be replaced only over thousands or millions of years

• Examples: most minerals and fossil fuels, such as oil and coal

• Resources become more expensive as they become harder to find

• Removal of materials carries a high price tagoil spills, loss of habitat, and damage from mining

Exotic Species• Exotic species: an organism that makes a home

for itself in a new place outside its native home• Can become pests and compete with native

species• Example: northern snake-

head fish, native to Asia,

found in MD pond– Moves across land and can

invade more lakes and ponds

Habitat Destruction• Habitat: Place

where an animal lives

• Biodiversity: number and variety of organisms in a given area

• Deforestation: clearing of forest lands

– Animals can mistake plastics for food, or become tangled in plastic

Time taken for objects to dissolve at sea

Paper bus ticket 2-4 weeks

Cotton cloth 1-5 months

Rope 3-14 months

Woolen cloth 1 year

Painted wood 13 years

Tin can 100 years

Aluminum can 200-500 years

Plastic bottle 450 years

For your info…

Environmental Solutions

Conservation: preservation and wise use of natural resources(1)Reduce

(2)Reuse

(3)Recycle

Protecting Species• Protecting Species• Endangered Species Act:

law designed to protect individual species in order to maintain biodiversity

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): government organization that helps protect the environment– Informs people about

environmental issues– Helps enforce environmental

laws

Environmental Strategies that Help Protect Earth’s

Environment:• Reduce pollution• Reduce pesticide

use• Protect habitats• Learn about

local issues• Develop alt.

energy sources

What You Can Do?• Walk• Ride a bike• Give away old

toys• Use recycled

paper• Recycle• Volunteer• Use cloth

napkins• Visit the library