7.2 Causes and Effects of Global Change

What is Climate Change?

Long-term changes in temperature, weather, and extreme weather events.

What is the Great Acceleration?

Humans became Earth's crew

How do humans change global systems?

Changing air, moving species, changing land, making plastic pollution, and overusing species

What impact do greenhouse gasses have?

Traps heat, changes climate.

What are the effects of climate change?

Harms biodiversity, ecosystems, and farming.

What happens to organisms when their environmental limits are exceeded?

Organisms must adapt, move, or go extinct if limits are passed.

On what does the climate system depend?

The climate system depends on trapped heat and uneven heat from equator to poles.

How is acid rain formed?

Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which mix with rain/fog.

What are the effects of acid rain?

Affects nutrient cycling, damages leaves and roofs, and harms bacteria in the soil.

What has happened to CO2 levels since the Industrial Revolution?

CO2 has risen since the industrial revolution.

Where does most CO2 come from?

From burning fossil fuels.

What is ocean acidification?

CO2 from fossil fuels dissolves in seawater, making it more acidic.

What are the effects of ocean acidification?

Harms marine life.

How does burning fossil fuels cause nitrogen enrichment?

Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen into the air and water.

What are the effects of nitrogen enrichment?

Extra nitrogen can cause algal blooms, which are bad for life.

Why is agriculture important?

Farming is common for food

What is monoculture?

Growing one crop on large areas repeatedly.

Name a pro of monoculture.

Easy planting, care, and harvesting.

Name a con of monoculture.

Needs many fertilizers and pesticides that harm the soil and stop natural regrowth.

What is the effect of agriculture on the atmosphere?

Releases methane, which causes global warming and climate change.

How are fertilizers produced?

Humans make fertilizer by fixing nitrogen from the air.

What happens when too much nitrogen makes its way into water?

Too much nitrogen in rivers harms freshwater and marine ecosystems.

What is habitat restoration?

Damaged habitats can be fixed by careful work to bring back original conditions.

Provide an example of habitat restoration.

Wetlands restored by removing fills and estuaries improved by dredging.

Why are animals hunted?

Animals are hunted for food, body parts, or trade.

What is the effect of overfishing?

Overfishing is reducing global fish populations.

What are invasive species?

Non-native species that harm nature, economy, or health.

How do invasive species spread?

Spread by human trade/travel.

What is habitat loss?

Natural areas changed by cities, farming, and logging. Species leave/die.

What is habitat fragmentation?

Ecosystems are broken into small pieces by development or farming.

What is a pollutant?

A harmful material from human activity released into the environment.

Name a common form of air pollution.

Smog, greenhouse gases, heavy metals, aerosols

Name a main source of water pollution

Industrial/agricultural chemicals, sewage, nonpoint sources.

What are CFCs?

Man-made gases used in sprays, coolants, and foam that damage the ozone layer.

What do factories release into the atmosphere?

Burning fossil fuels for energy releases greenhouse gases and pollutants.

What is point source pollution?

Pollution from one place (factory, spill).

What is Nonpoint source pollution?

Pollution from many small places (streets, cars).

What is biological magnification?

Pollutants increase in concentration as they move up the food chain, causing harm to wildlife and humans.

What are heavy metals?

Heavy metals include cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc. They build up in food chains and harm health.