Human Impact on the Environment

Cost vs Benefit

AIM: How have humans impacted the acidity of precipitation?

• BRAIN SHAKER: What kinds of foods or drinks are acidic?

• HOMEWORK: Human Impact double-quiz next Friday (5/23)

Letter to a Lobbyist

• Write a letter to a lobbyist of your choice to persuade them to take action against one of the causes of acid precipitation.

• Use details from class and the text to support your argument.

AIM: How does human activity change the environment?

• BRAIN SHAKER: How do humans increase the acidity in precipitation?

• HOMEWORK: Packet due tomorrowHuman Impact double-quiz Friday

Acid Precipitation- rain, snow, sleet or hail with a pH value less than 5.6

• Caused by: burning fossil fuels release sulfur or nitrogen into the air– Combines with water in the

atmosphere to form acidic rain.

• Effect: wash nutrients from the soil, hurting plant life– lowers pH of lakes, hurting

aquatic organisms

Acid Precipitation

Ozone Layer – reduces the amount of UV light that enters Earth’s lower atmosphere

Ozone Layer Depletion (thinning)• Cause: air pollution,

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)• Effect: UV rays cause DNA

damage and harmful mutations

Global Warming – increase of average temperatures on Earth

• Cause: increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses

• Effect: increase the rate of melting for the polar ice caps– Raises ocean water levels– Habitat loss in coastal areas

Rapid changes in the Environment lead to a decrease in the number of species

Habitat Fragmentation – development of human civilization leaves only patches of natural environments

Preventing Habitat Fragmentation

Native vs Exotic (or Invasive) SpeciesNative Species• Live in their natural habitat

Exotic (Invasive) Species – nonnative species• Introduced species not

naturally from that habitat– Can damage ecosystems– Threaten biodiversity

AIM: How can we evaluate the use of alternative energy sources?

• BRAIN SHAKER: Why do invasive species thrive in new environments?

• HOMEWORK: Graphic Organizers due tomorrow, all exam corrections due tomorrow, QUIZ TOMORROW

(FRIDAY = last day for late HWs)

Write a Letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio to convert public office buildings into using an alternative

energy source of your choice [8 pts]

• Justify the need for alternatives to burning fossil fuels– Global warming/ Climate Change [1]– Green house gasses [1]– Environmental Impact [1]

• Describe two benefits of your energy source [2]• Describe disadvantages to three other alternative

energy sources [3]• EXTRA CREDIT: Include a counter argument [2]