Transcript Chapter 6 Section 2

Chapter 6 Section 2
Environment Solutions
0807.5.4 Identify several reasons for the
importance of maintaining the
Earth’s biodiversity.
I can explain the importance of conservation.
I can explain how biodiversity can be maintained.
I can list five environmental strategies.
Environmental Solutions
If people don’t use
resources wisely, people
will continue to pollute the
air, soil, and water.
More natural habitats
could be lost and many
species could die out as a
result.
But, there are many
things people can do to
protect the environment.
Can you think of any???
Conservation
One way to protect
the environment is by
conservation
Conservation is the
preservation and wise
use of natural
resources.
Example: You can
ride your bike to
conserve fuel and at
the same time you
prevent air pollution.
Practicing
conservation means
using fewer natural
resources. It helps
reduce waste and
pollution.
Reduce
What is the best way
to conserve the
Earth’s natural
resources?
USE LESS OF
THEM!!
Doing so also
helps reduce
pollution
Reducing Waste and Pollution
Packing material makes
up 1/3 of waste produced.
Products can be wrapped
in less paper and plastic
to reduce waste.
Example: Fast food
places used to wrap
sandwiches in large
plastic containers.
Today, they are wrapped
in thin paper instead.
Paper is more
biodegradable than
plastic.
Something that is
biodegradable can be
broken down by living
organisms such as
bacteria.
Reducing the Use of Nonrenewable
Resources
Solar energy can be used
to power homes.
Scientists are studying
power sources such as
wind, tides, and falling
water.
Car companies have
developed electric and
hydrogen fueled
automobiles. Driving
these cars used fewer
fossil fuels and produces
less pollution than driving
gas-field cars.
Reuse
Do you get hand-medown clothes from an
older sibling?
Do you try to fix
broken sports
equipment instead of
throwing it away?
If so, you are helping
conserve resources
by reusing products.
Reusing Products
Every time you reuse
a plastic bag, one bag
fewer needs to be
made.
Reusing products is
an important way to
conserve resources.
Building materials can
be reused.
Wood, bricks, and
tiles can be reused in
new structures.
Old tires can be used
for playground
surfaces.
Reusing Water
About 100 billion
liters of water are
used each day in
American homes.
Most of this water
goes down the drain.
Some communities
are dealing with
shortages so they are
experimenting with
reusing, or reclaiming
wastewater.
One way to do this is to
use organisms to clean
the water. These
organisms would be
plants and filter-feeding
animals.
The water is not clean
enough to drink but
could be used to water
crops, lawns, and golf
courses.
Recycle
Another example of reuse
is recycling.
Recycling is the recovery
of materials from waste.
Sometimes, recyclable
items, such as paper are
used to make the same
kinds of products or they
can be made into
completely different
products.
Recycling Trash
Plastics, paper,
aluminum, wood, glass,
and cardboard are
examples of materials
that can be recycled.
Every week, about half a
million trees are used to
make Sunday
newspapers.
Recycling newspapers
could save millions of
trees.
Recycling Trash
Recycling aluminum
saves 95% of the
energy needed to
change raw ore into
aluminum.
Glass can be recycled
over and over again.
Recycling Resources
Waste that can be
burned can also be
used to generate
electricity.
Using garbage to
make electricity is an
example of resource
recovery.
About 16% of the
solid waste in the
U.S. is burned in
waste-to-energy
plants.
Some people are
concerned that it
pollutes the air.
Maintaining Biodiversity
Imagine a forest with only
one kind of tree. If a
disease hit that species,
the entire forest might
die.
Now, imagine a forest
with 10 species of trees.
If a disease hits one
species, 9 other species
will remain.
Bananas are an important
crop, but banana fields
are not very diverse.
Fungi threaten the
survival of bananas.
Farms often use
chemicals to control
fungi. Growing other
plants among the
bananas, can prevent the
spread of fungi.
Protecting Species
One way to maintain
biodiversity is to protect
individual species.
In the U.S., a law called the
Endangered Species Act
was designed to do just
that.
Endangered species are
put on a special list. The
law forbids activities that
would harm a species on
this list.
Anyone can ask the
government to add a
species or remove a
species from the
endangered species list.
This process can take years
to complete.
The government must study
the species and its habitat
before making a decision.
Protecting Habitats
Scientists want to prevent
species from becoming
endangered and from
becoming extinct.
Plants, animals, and
microorganisms depend
on each other.
Each organism is part of
a huge, interconnected
web of organisms.
The entire web should be
protected to protect these
organisms.
To protect the web,
complete habitats, not
just individual species,
must be preserved.
Nature preserves is one
way to protect entire
habitats.
Environmental Strategies
Laws have been
passed to help
protect the Earth’s
environment. By
following those laws,
people can help the
environment.
People can also use the
following environmental
strategies:
• Reduce Pollution
• Reduce pesticide use
• Protect habitats
• Learn about local issues
• Develop alternative
energy sources.
The HIPPO Dilemma
Acronym for the main threats to biodiversity
Habitat Loss
Introduced Species
Population Growth
Pollution
Over-Consumption
0807.5.4 Identify several reasons for the
importance of maintaining the
Earth’s biodiversity.
I can explain the importance of conservation.
I can explain how biodiversity can be maintained.
I can list five environmental strategies.