Reducing Human Impact

What is conservation?

The wise use of natural resources.

Why is conservation important?

It helps ensure resources will be available for future generations.

What is stewardship?

The careful and responsible management of resources.

What is an act of stewardship?

Any action that helps maintain or improve the environment.

Why is stewardship important?

It helps keep the environment healthy for people and other living things.

What are natural resources?

Materials or substances found in nature that humans use.

What are examples of natural resources?

Water, air, soil, minerals, and plants.

What is a renewable resource?

An energy source that can be replaced by nature as fast as or faster than it is used.

What are examples of renewable resources?

Sunlight, wind, trees, and crops.

What is a nonrenewable resource?

An energy source that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used.

What are examples of nonrenewable resources?

Uranium, coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Why are nonrenewable resources limited?

They take millions of years to form or cannot be formed again.

Why must freshwater be used carefully?

Because Earth's freshwater supply is limited.

How can people help protect water quality?

By avoiding pollution and safely disposing of toxic chemicals.

How can reducing fertilizer use help water quality?

It reduces pollution entering water sources.

How is drinking water protected?

Through laws that regulate water quality and limit pollutants.

What is preservation?

Protecting land from being damaged or changed.

How do parks help preserve the environment?

They protect natural areas and species.

What is reforestation?

The process of planting trees to restore forests.

What is reclamation?

The process of restoring damaged land to nearly its original condition.

What activities can damage land?

Mining, development, and agriculture.

How do laws help with reclamation?

They guide how damaged land must be restored.

How can urban sprawl be reduced?

By building taller buildings and placing homes and businesses closer together.

What is recycling?

The process of recovering valuable materials from waste.

What is soil conservation?

Protecting soil from erosion and degradation.

What are methods of soil conservation?

Contour plowing, strip cropping, terracing, crop rotation, and no-till farming.

What is one of the most important ways to reduce air pollution?

Energy conservation.

What are fossil fuels?

Energy resources made from carbon-rich plant and animal remains.

What are examples of fossil fuels?

Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

What happens when fossil fuels are burned?

They release carbon dioxide, harmful acids, and other pollutants.

What is coal?

A sedimentary rock formed from dead plants in ancient swamps.

How can coal mining harm the environment?

It can destroy landscapes and pollute water supplies.

What is natural gas?

A fossil fuel gas trapped in rock formations.

What is the main component of natural gas?

Methane.

Why is natural gas considered cleaner than other fossil fuels?

It burns more cleanly.

What are some problems with natural gas?

It produces carbon dioxide and leaks can be dangerous.

What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?

A method used to extract natural gas and oil from shale rock.

How does fracking work?

Water, sand, and chemicals are forced into rock to release natural gas.

Why can fracking be harmful?

Chemicals may contaminate drinking water and create pollution.

What is petroleum?

A fossil fuel formed from ancient aquatic organisms.

What products are made from petroleum?

Gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel.

How can transporting petroleum harm the environment?

Oil spills can pollute ecosystems and harm wildlife.

What happens when petroleum is burned?

It releases pollutants into the air.

What are some ways to conserve energy?

Using efficient appliances, reducing heating and cooling use, and using public transportation.

How can electricity be generated without fossil fuels?

Using wind turbines, solar panels, moving water, and geothermal energy.

How do wind turbines and solar panels help reduce air pollution?

They generate electricity without burning fossil fuels.