SubsystemsKimi Perez, David Rojo, Connor Valmore (Table 2)

2/19/14Period 2

What characteristics make up the subsystems?

Processes operating in Earth system take place on a spatial scales varying from fractions of millimeters to thousands of kilometers. And a time scale ranging from milliseconds to billions of years.

Earth’s systems are characterized by numerous overlapping cycles in which matter is recycled over and over again

The earth systems are powered by two major energy sources:

The sun

The planet’s internal heat

People are part of Earth’s systems and they impact and are impacted by its processes and materials

Subsystems

The rocky, and “hard parts” of the Earth are part of the Geoshpere.

All of Earth’s water is a part of the Hydrosphere.

All living things on earth are a part of the Biosphere.

Every gas surrounding the planet is part of the Atmosphere.

The universe surrounding the planet is called the Cosmosphere.

Subsystems video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmbXcNh4FcM

Are the subsystems essential to the stability of earth?

Subsystems

Subsystems are interconnected by processes and cycles, which, over time, intermittently store, transform/transfer matter and energy throughout the whole Earth system

Systems can range in complexity, and Earth’s subsystems are all dynamic, for example- Erosion, which is a form of weathering, wears away the

earth by the action of water, wind, glaciers, waves, etc.

Key to understanding the complexity of the Earth system is that manipulation in one part of a subsystem can cause effects in other parts of that subsystem and/or the other subsystems

Scientists increasingly view Earth as a dynamic system – a combination of interrelated, interdependent or interacting parts forming a collective whole or entity

On a macro level, the Earth system maintains its existence and functions as a whole through the interactions of its parts, called components

Earth science research focuses on solving the many problems posed by increasing human populations, decreasing natural resources, and inevitable natural hazards.

Together, Earth scientists can better understand the highly involved and interrelated systems of earth and find better answers to the difficult questions posed by many natural phenomena.

Earth Spheres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STatIqdBRrk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Why do we pollute the Earth like we do?

First off, what are we talking about?

Pollution – here are some facts on itU.S. Department of Defense is the world’s

largest polluter (producing more than 5 leading U.S. chemical companies combined)

Approximately 1/3 of male fish in British rivers are in the process of changing sex due to pollution. Hormones in human sewage, including those produced by the female contraceptive pill, are thought to be the main cause

Polluted coastal water costs the global economy $12.8 billion a year in death & disease

Is it really that big of a deal?

Well, there’s GLOBAL WARMING . . . But the effects of it are so far away that it really is of no immediate concern

There are the numerous children born with deficiencies & deformities that seem to rise every year in badly polluted areas

There’s also the billions we spend every year picking up trash & cleaning up waste spills that could’ve been prevented if we managed them better

What are we doing about it?

There are laws in place, such as the Clean Water Act, which was put in place in 1977 & has many amendments since it was to better our standards of what is acceptable.

But unfortunately, not all of these laws are enforced, much less kept up to date & even if they are, there are many companies that have found ways around following them . . .

Then why is our mom still so dirty?

We have no place to put it! The reactors in nuclear power plants use fuel in the form of ceramic uranium dioxide pellets that are sealed within metal rods. These rods get stored in ‘waste beds’ until finding a suitable place to put it . . . But because they are so harmful, there isn’t. So it just gets moved into places that have less harsh waste policies than we do, which is called environmental dumping

We also trade pollution, which lets companies that go over emission limits, which varies from chemical to chemical, pay their way out of meeting that standard by ‘buying’ the right to pollute from companies who have their emissions below the limit

What are some areas affected by this?

It varies depending on the policies of that country but a few that are especially bad are

Many regions of Africa Russia China Indonesia Azerbaijan The very arctic parts of Canada And . . .

India

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_yDBmRgmU