Human Interactions with the Human Interactions with the EnvironmentEnvironment

By: Shannon MooreBy: Shannon Moore

ESA 485ESA 485

Spring 2009Spring 2009http://www.wordsmooth.com/EarthHands_op_621x413.jpg

A Preview…A Preview…• Analyze the interrelationship between humans and the environmentAnalyze the interrelationship between humans and the environment

- Climate Change- Climate Change

1.) Human activities1.) Human activities

- Greenhouse gas emissions- Greenhouse gas emissions

- Ozone Depletion- Ozone Depletion

1.) Effects of ozone depletion1.) Effects of ozone depletion

2.) Protecting the ozone layer2.) Protecting the ozone layer

• Understand air pollution and methods of controlling itUnderstand air pollution and methods of controlling it

- Types- Types

- Sources- Sources

- Effects- Effects

- Preventing, Reducing and Controlling- Preventing, Reducing and Controlling

- Clean Air Act- Clean Air Act

- Other EPA and Michigan Acts- Other EPA and Michigan Acts

Preview Continued…Preview Continued…

• PrinciplesPrinciples of Conservation of Conservation

-Definition-Definition

- Resource Management- Resource Management

- Stewardship- Stewardship

- Environmental Wisdom- Environmental Wisdom

- Living more sustainably- Living more sustainably

Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their

environment----Climate Changeenvironment----Climate Change • What is climate change?What is climate change? - any long-term significant change in the weather - any long-term significant change in the weather

patterns of an areapatterns of an area

• What causes climate change?What causes climate change? -Climate change can be natural or caused by -Climate change can be natural or caused by

changes people have made to the land or changes people have made to the land or atmosphere.atmosphere.

• Types of human activities:Types of human activities: -burning fossil fuels-burning fossil fuels -clearing and burning forests and grasslands-clearing and burning forests and grasslands -raising large numbers of livestock-raising large numbers of livestock -using inorganic fertilizers-using inorganic fertilizers

*The United States emits more greenhouse gases as a *The United States emits more greenhouse gases as a nation and on a per person basis than any other nation and on a per person basis than any other country!...ouch!country!...ouch!

Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their environment---- Greenhouse gas emissionsenvironment---- Greenhouse gas emissions

• What is a green house gas?What is a green house gas?

--any of the gases that absorb heat and warm the any of the gases that absorb heat and warm the lower atmospherelower atmosphere

• What are examples?What are examples? -Carbon Dioxide: 9-26%-Carbon Dioxide: 9-26%

-Water Vapor: 36-70%-Water Vapor: 36-70%

-Methane: 4-9%-Methane: 4-9%

-Nitrous oxide:-Nitrous oxide:

-Ozone: 3-7%-Ozone: 3-7%

• How does it affect climate change?How does it affect climate change? - the release of these greenhouse gases at a faster - the release of these greenhouse gases at a faster

rate increases the overall temperature of the rate increases the overall temperature of the earthearth

-the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, plant -the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, plant burning, landfills, fertilizers and livestock burning, landfills, fertilizers and livestock wastes are all examples of greenhouse gas wastes are all examples of greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate changeemissions that affect climate change..

Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their Analyze the interrelationship between humans and their environment----Ozone depletionenvironment----Ozone depletion

• How is the ozone being depleted?How is the ozone being depleted?- Freons (CFC’s) lower the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere.- Freons (CFC’s) lower the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere.- They remain in the troposphere because they are in soluble in water and chemically They remain in the troposphere because they are in soluble in water and chemically

un-reactive. un-reactive. - Once they reach the stratosphere the CFC molecules break down and accelerate the Once they reach the stratosphere the CFC molecules break down and accelerate the

breakdown of ozone (O3) into O2 and O. breakdown of ozone (O3) into O2 and O. - This causes ozone in parts of the stratosphere to be destroyed faster than it is This causes ozone in parts of the stratosphere to be destroyed faster than it is

formed. formed. - CFC molecules can last in the atmosphere for over 300 years and each chlorine CFC molecules can last in the atmosphere for over 300 years and each chlorine

molecule can continue to convert O3 to O2.molecule can continue to convert O3 to O2.• Effects of ozone depletionEffects of ozone depletion- - Less ozone in the stratosphere will allow more harmful UV radiation to reach the earths Less ozone in the stratosphere will allow more harmful UV radiation to reach the earths

surface. surface. - This causes a greater increase in skin cancerThis causes a greater increase in skin cancer- Greater sunburnGreater sunburn- Eye cataractsEye cataracts- Accelerated warming due to the decrease of ocean uptake of CO2 from the Accelerated warming due to the decrease of ocean uptake of CO2 from the

atmosphere by phytoplankton and CFC’s acting as greenhouse gases.atmosphere by phytoplankton and CFC’s acting as greenhouse gases. • How can we protect the ozone?How can we protect the ozone?-stop the production of ozone-depleting chemicals-stop the production of ozone-depleting chemicals-research shows that even after the stop of production of these chemicals it will still take -research shows that even after the stop of production of these chemicals it will still take

50 years for the ozone to return to levels of 1980 and over 100 years to return to 1950 50 years for the ozone to return to levels of 1980 and over 100 years to return to 1950 levels.levels.

Understand air pollution and methods of controlling Understand air pollution and methods of controlling

itit • What is air pollution?What is air pollution? --The presence of chemicals in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to affect The presence of chemicals in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to affect

climate and harm organisms and materials.climate and harm organisms and materials.

• What are types of air pollution?What are types of air pollution?- IndoorIndoor- OutdoorOutdoor

• Sources?Sources? - - Natural:Natural: dust particles, volatile organic chemicals released from some plants, decay of dust particles, volatile organic chemicals released from some plants, decay of

plants, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, sea spray (spray from oceans and seas). plants, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, sea spray (spray from oceans and seas). These rarely reach harmful levels.These rarely reach harmful levels.

- - Anthropogenic:Anthropogenic: burning oil, gasoline and natural gases. Burning coal. These can reach burning oil, gasoline and natural gases. Burning coal. These can reach harmful levels.harmful levels.

--Stationary Sources:Stationary Sources: factories and power plants factories and power plants- - Mobile Sources:Mobile Sources: motor vehicles motor vehicles

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How to classify air pollutantsHow to classify air pollutants

• Primary pollutants:Primary pollutants: emitted directly into the troposphere. Ex: carbon emitted directly into the troposphere. Ex: carbon monoxidemonoxide

• Secondary pollutants:Secondary pollutants: formed when primary pollutants are in troposphere formed when primary pollutants are in troposphere and they react with themselves or other components of air to form new and they react with themselves or other components of air to form new pollutants. pollutants.

• Cities usually have higher outdoor air pollution due to the concentration of Cities usually have higher outdoor air pollution due to the concentration of factories and cars in comparison to rural areas. factories and cars in comparison to rural areas.

• Winds can spread both types from urban and industrial areas to rural areas Winds can spread both types from urban and industrial areas to rural areas or other urban areas.or other urban areas.

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Indoor pollutionIndoor pollution

• Where do they come from?Where do they come from? -infiltration of polluted outside air -infiltration of polluted outside air

• Both indoor and outdoor pollution are high risk to human healthBoth indoor and outdoor pollution are high risk to human health

• How are we protected?How are we protected?- Nose hairs filter out large particles- Nose hairs filter out large particles

-Sticky mucus in the lining of the upper respiratory tracts, captures smaller -Sticky mucus in the lining of the upper respiratory tracts, captures smaller particlesparticles

- Sneezing and coughing can help to get rid of contaminated air and mucus - Sneezing and coughing can help to get rid of contaminated air and mucus when pollutants irritate your respiratory systemwhen pollutants irritate your respiratory system

- - Cilia:Cilia: tiny hairs that line the upper respiratory tract, continually wave to catch tiny hairs that line the upper respiratory tract, continually wave to catch smaller particles that can be trapped in your throat and are expelled. smaller particles that can be trapped in your throat and are expelled.

Outdoor pollutionOutdoor pollution

• Cigarette smokingCigarette smoking

• Fossil fuel burning in motor vehiclesFossil fuel burning in motor vehicles

• Power and industrial plants Power and industrial plants

• Photochemical reaction: any chemical reaction Photochemical reaction: any chemical reaction activated by light.activated by light.

SmogSmog

• Photochemical smog:Photochemical smog: a mixture of air pollutants formed by the reaction of a mixture of air pollutants formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile (readily evaporated) organic hydrocarbons due to the nitrogen oxides and volatile (readily evaporated) organic hydrocarbons due to the influence of sunlight. influence of sunlight.

• Industrial smog:Industrial smog: a mixture of sulfur dioxide, droplets of sulfuric acid and a mixture of sulfur dioxide, droplets of sulfuric acid and suspended particles emitted by burning coal and oil. suspended particles emitted by burning coal and oil.

• Directly influenced by pollution and affects climate changeDirectly influenced by pollution and affects climate change

Air pollution cont’dAir pollution cont’d

• Effects? Effects?

-respiratory health issues-respiratory health issues

• How can we prevent, reduce and control air pollution?How can we prevent, reduce and control air pollution?

- ban smoking inside or permit only in well ventilated areas- ban smoking inside or permit only in well ventilated areas

- circulate building air- circulate building air

- use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas- use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas

-improve energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel use-improve energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel use

- rely on renewable energy like solar and wind (reduces fossil fuel use)- rely on renewable energy like solar and wind (reduces fossil fuel use)

Understand air pollution and methods of controlling itUnderstand air pollution and methods of controlling itThe Clean Air ActsThe Clean Air Acts

• United States Congress passed acts in 1970, 1977 and 1990United States Congress passed acts in 1970, 1977 and 1990

• Established air pollution regulations for key pollutants Established air pollution regulations for key pollutants

• Enforced by each state and major citiesEnforced by each state and major cities

Understand air pollution and methods of controlling itUnderstand air pollution and methods of controlling itOther EPA and Michigan LawsOther EPA and Michigan Laws

• EPA established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) EPA established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six outdoor pollutants: Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, for six outdoor pollutants: Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, Lead and Suspended particulate matter Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, Lead and Suspended particulate matter (SPM)(SPM)

• Regulates by setting a maximum level in outdoor airRegulates by setting a maximum level in outdoor air

Understand air pollution and methods of controlling itUnderstand air pollution and methods of controlling it

Other EPA and Michigan LawsOther EPA and Michigan Laws

• Hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s)- EPA set national emission Hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s)- EPA set national emission standards for over 180 hazardous air pollutants that cause health standards for over 180 hazardous air pollutants that cause health and ecological effectsand ecological effects

• Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)- requires refineries, power plants, Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)- requires refineries, power plants, hard rock mines, chemical manufacturers and factories to reports hard rock mines, chemical manufacturers and factories to reports their releases of toxic chemicalstheir releases of toxic chemicals

Principles of ConservationPrinciples of Conservation

• Official supervision of rivers, forests, and other natural resources in Official supervision of rivers, forests, and other natural resources in order to preserve and protect them through management order to preserve and protect them through management

• Careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletionCareful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion

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Resource ManagementResource Management• Organizations like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are Organizations like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are

created to help maintain and manage our natural resources on a created to help maintain and manage our natural resources on a state levelstate level

• Mission statement of Michigan’s DNRMission statement of Michigan’s DNR

"The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is "The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, committed to the conservation, protection,

management, use and enjoyment of the State's management, use and enjoyment of the State's natural resources for current and future natural resources for current and future

generations." generations."

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/

Stewardship… Stewardship… This one goes to you Shari!This one goes to you Shari!

• Means that we have a responsibility for the well being of the world.Means that we have a responsibility for the well being of the world.• As teachers we need to teach our children to care about our world As teachers we need to teach our children to care about our world

as much as we do!as much as we do!• We have a responsibility to care for nature and teach our youth to We have a responsibility to care for nature and teach our youth to

care toocare too• Encourage alternative ways of living sustainably Encourage alternative ways of living sustainably • Help the management and preservation of natural resourcesHelp the management and preservation of natural resources• Actively engage in conservation, preservation, prevention and Actively engage in conservation, preservation, prevention and

sustainability on a local, national and world wide levelsustainability on a local, national and world wide level• Foster a desire to make the world a better place and act on this Foster a desire to make the world a better place and act on this

desiredesire

A new perspectiveA new perspective

Environmental WisdomEnvironmental Wisdom

• Understanding of our world on a deeper levelUnderstanding of our world on a deeper level

• As humans we should not be selfish about the resources we have As humans we should not be selfish about the resources we have available to us and realize they are not for humans use onlyavailable to us and realize they are not for humans use only

• Our success depends on learning how nature sustains itself and Our success depends on learning how nature sustains itself and how to integrate what we learned into ways that we think, act and how to integrate what we learned into ways that we think, act and teach. teach.

• Inspires and empowers us to become good earth citizens who Inspires and empowers us to become good earth citizens who practice good practice good “earth keeping”“earth keeping”

Living more sustainablyLiving more sustainably ““The earth provides enough to satisfy every The earth provides enough to satisfy every

person’s needs but not every person’s greed. person’s needs but not every person’s greed. When we take more than we need, we are When we take more than we need, we are simply taking from each other, borrowing from simply taking from each other, borrowing from the future or destroying the environment and the future or destroying the environment and other species.”other species.”

-Mahatma Gandhi-Mahatma Gandhi

How can we live more sustainably?

Questions?Questions?

THE END!THE END!