Do NowIn your teams, discuss environmental problems. Then write a list of 3 environmental problems. Rate each environmental problem with a number. Number 1 would be for the most important problem.

Environmental Problems & Solutions

After an oil spill, volunteers try to capture oil-covered penguins. The oil affects the penguins’ ability to float. So, oil-covered penguins often won’t go into the water to get food. The penguins may also swallow oil, harming their stomach, kidneys, and lungs. Once captured, the penguins are fed activated charcoal. The charcoal helps the penguins get rid of any oil they have swallowed. Then, the birds are washed to remove oil from their feathers.

Environmental Problems•Pollution – unwanted change in the environment

caused by substances (such as wastes) or forms of energy (such as radiation).•Pollutant – anything that causes pollution

Garbage Gasess

RCQ – page 79

What is hazardous waste?

Chemicals

Fertilizers and pesticides pollute soil and water.

CFCs and PCBs are two harmful chemicals.

CFCs destroy the ozone layer.

PCBs are poisonous and may cause cancer.

Today – these chemicals are banned.

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

This area has been mined for iron using a method called strip mining.

Renewable Source –one that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is used.

Nonrenewable Resource –a resource that forms at a rate that is much slower than the rate at which it is consumed

Exotic SpeciesAn organism that makes a home for itself in a new place outside of its native home is called an exotic species.

For example, this northern snakehead fish is from Asia. It can now be found in ponds in Maryland.

The problem?The northern snakehead fish eat other fish, amphibians, small birds, and some mammals. It can even move across land in search of water. So, it can travel from pond to pond. It also can survive out of water for up to 4 days!

Human Population Growth

Overpopulation happens when the number of individuals becomes so large that people can’t get the resources they need to survive.

Habitat Destruction

BiodiversityThe number and variety of organisms in a given area during a specific time period

What could happen if a fungus attacks a banana field? Biodiversity is low in fields of crops such as bananas.

Banana fields are not very diverse. Fungi threaten the survival of bananas. Farmers often use chemicals to control fungi. Growing other plants among the bananas, or increasing biodiversity, can also prevent the spread of fungi.

Maintaining Biodiversity

Protecting SpeciesOne way to maintain biodiversity is to protect individual species. In the United States, 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. The law also requires the development of recovery programs for each endangered species. Some endangered species, such as the California condor, are now increasing in number.

RCQ – page 82

Describe why biodiversity is important. How can biodiversity be protected?

Environmental Solutions

Conservation – preservations and wise use of natural resources

Three R’sReduce, Resuse, Recycle

ReduceReduce waste and pollutionReduce the use of Nonrenewable resources

ReuseReuse productsReuse water

RecycleRecycle TrashRecycle Resources

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How does conservation of resources also reduce pollution and protect habitats?