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The Effect of Humans On Ecosystems and Biological Cycles Changes to the Atmosphere The atm is a greenhouse Normal atm composition maintains global temperature Too much Carbon Dioxide in atm will increase global temperature. Carbon dioxide traps suns rays rather than reflecting them back into space - global CO2 Increase Due to Human Activities Carbon dioxide has increased by 30% since the industrial revolution Canadians release 18 000 kg of carbon dioxide/person/year Why? Burning fossil fuels (gas, coal, oil) for energy (factories, homes, workplaces) and transportation Aerosols Deforestation Global Climate Change Warmer atm influences: 1) Sea levels rise (melting ice caps and glaciers) -flooding of low lying areas and coastal regions -higher tides; coastline erosion -salt water can enter wetland ecosystems (some species may die out while others flourish) Global Climate Change 2) Higher Ocean Temperatures -shift in ocean population -algae blooms -decreased fish population, species may die out Global Climate Change 3) More Energy in the ATM -severe weather: storms, tornadoes, hurricanes -floods -droughts (increase in Forrest Fires) This will impact AGRICULTURE, HUMAN HEALTH, and PROPERTY. Hurricane Katrina BC Forest Fires Global Climate Change 4) A Shift in Carbon Cycle -increased photosynthesis -some plants growing faster -others may not grow due to higher temperatures -may change nature of agricultural crops (weeds?) Global Climate Change 5) Human Health: -increase in viruses and bacteria that prefer warm climates e.g. malaria -respiratory illness due to increased pollutants in air; swelling due to heat Nitrogen Increase Due to Human Activity Sewage plants and crop fertilizers release nitrous oxides into the atmosphere More nitrogen is being added to the environment than ecosystems can use Excess nitrogen in soil increases soil acidity and damages tree and plant roots Eutrophication of lakes when nitrogen compounds build up due to sewage plant wastes; increase algae growth Acid Rain -caused by burning of fossil fuels -nitric acid and sulfur dioxide released -acidify lakes -species that cannot tolerate acidic environment die out (Maple trees) -degrades limestone buildings What Can You Do to Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions? Be power smart - unplug, turn off lights Walk, bus, carpool Fuel efficient vehicles (not SUVs) Purchase energy efficient appliances Recycle - reusable energy Plant trees near your home A Few Interesting Facts If people let their dishes air dry instead of using the heat setting on their dishwashers, we could decrease CO2 emissions by 200 pounds/year/household Painting houses dark colors in cool climates and light colors in warm climates decreases CO2 emissions by 5000 pounds/year/house How Much Carbon Dioxide Does Our Class Emit Getting to School? Estimate the distance to school: Charleswood: 3.5miles Waverly/Lindenwoods: 2.5 miles Pembina: 5 miles away Identify Transportation Method Miles/gallon Pounds CO2/gallon Compact car 24 20 Fullsized car Truck/van Bus 20 21 22 16 13 8