Download Ecosystem Disaster b

• Ozone Layer: A form of oxygen gas that makes up
a layer of the stratosphere, where it filters out UV
radiation from the sun.
• The production and emission of Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC’s) is the leading cause of depletion.
• A Chlorine atom is removed from the CFC and
attracts 1 of the 3 oxygen atoms in the ozone
molecules.
• CFC’s can come from cooling systems, fire
extinguishers, Styrofoam containers, home insulation,
plastic foam, and throwaway food containers.
• Stratospheric ozone hole discovered in 1975 by
Sherwood Roland and Mario Molina.
• Reappeared every year since then during the
Antarctic winter.
•In 2000, it covered an area larger than the U.S.,
Canada, and Mexico combined, which is
approximately 11.4 million square miles.
• The hole intensifies in September, and as a result,
in 2000, it extended over a city of about 120,000
people in southern Chili.
• Life on Earth appeared only after the oxygen layer was sufficiently
thick enough to generate a successful ozone that would shield the
surface from destructive rays.
• Ultraviolet Radiation from the sun can reach the surface of the
Earth faster when the ozone layer is being diminished.
• When 1% of the ozone layer is depleted, there can be up to 6% of
an increase in the incidence of skin cancer, which is caused by UV-B
rays.
• Life cycles in plants will change, ultimately disrupting the food
chain, which can lead to severe effects on animals.
• Long Island may be subjected to severe flooding in the future
because of the excessive Ultraviolet radiation. The ice caps in
Antarctica will continue to melt, and could one day destroy any
• Montreal Protocol: Responsible for the reduction and elimination of the production
of many ozone-depleting substances in industrialized countries.
• Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program: Evaluates and regulates
substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals.
• Clean Air Act: An agency within the act is authorized to identify and publish lists of
acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for class I and II ozone-depleting
substances.
• As individuals, we can recycle, car-pool, educate others (peers, younger siblings,
parents,) form student organizations to protect the environment, use energy-savers,
reuse plastic.
Loss of Biodiversity/Endangered Species
(Loss of Habitat and Fragmented Habitat)
Elena Veronin & Gabby Griffing
Description
• Biodiversity: variation of life forms, or species
• Endangered Species: species that are close to extinction.
– Example: 1/8 of all plant species are endangered, and some estimates
put 140,000 species extinct per year
• The Long Island Sound’s ecosystem is being disturbed by pollution and
fishing.
• Causes: H.I.P.P.O.
–
–
–
–
–
H: habitat destruction
I: invasive species
P: Pollution
P: human overpopulation
O: overharvesting
Ecological Impact
March 1987
• Loss of biodiversity causes instability in ecosystems
• The destruction of habitats and introduction of
invasive species puts the native species at risk for
extinction.
– In Latimer Reef, a foreign species was introduced, and
has grown exponentially.
• Impact on Humans:
– Medicines in rainforests are being destroyed
• Ex: rosy periwinkle, used in anti-cancer medication.
• Economic Impact:
– Food supplies are shrinking
– Number of fish species is shrinking
May 2006
Reliance upon modern varieties of
rice has caused more than 1,500
local rice varieties in Indonesia to
become extinct
Humans now rely upon just 14
species of mammals and birds
to supply 90% of all animalderived foods
What Can You Do?
Keep pets indoors
Choose tap over bottled water
Adjust two degrees
-To help out locally and globally
you can also volunteer or donate
to the American Museum of
Natural History’s Center for
Biodiversity and Conservation
Choose green energy
An average increase in the Earth's
temperature, which in turn causes
changes in climate resulting in
World Wide
World Wide
LocallyNew
Locally – New York
York