SCIE Impact of Science Human Population

Climate Change

• a change in the average atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, over a long period of time

Greenhouse effect

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, meaning it blocks heat from escaping the atmosphere causing surface and ocean temperatures to rise through a process called

Climate Change Effects

• increased average global temperature

• shrinking glaciers

• rising sea levels

• melting polar ice caps

• more frequent severe weather events like tornadoes, flooding, and hurricanes

• increased drought and disruption of rainfall patterns

Deforestation

• occurs when trees are removed from an area to convert the land for other purposes

• forests are responsible for removing a significant amount of carbon dioxide

Deforestation effect

• less removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide by trees

• excess carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere by burning wood

• decreased biodiversity by habitat destruction

• accelerated soil erosion

• displacement of indigenous people

• increases in regional temperatures from loss of atmospheric moisture

• disruption of global rainfall patterns from changes in atmospheric moisture

Desertification

• a permanent reduction in the productivity of land. Land is desertified when it can no longer support the same level of plant growth

Effects of Desertification

• destruction of habitat to create landfills

• pollution of water, soil, and air

• global climate change

• production of acid rain by gaseous wastes

Acid Rain

• occurs when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals

• Acid rain has a lower pH than normal precipitation.

Acid Rain Effects

• loss of biodiversity

• decreased air quality due to damaged plants and trees

• decreased crop yields due to acidic soil

• poor water quality due to acid rain and runoff of acidic soil

• eye and respiratory issues when acidic fog is inhaled

Waste Disposal

• landfills can leach harmful chemicals into the water supply, and burning waste contributes to lower air quality and acid rain production

• disposal of plastic is the greatest issue

Effects of Disposal

• destruction of habitat to create landfills

• pollution of water, soil, and air

• global climate change

• production of acid rain by gaseous wastes

Water Quality and Availability

• only 4% is freshwater available for human use and consumption.

Effects of decreased WATER:

• destruction of aquatic habitats

• depletion of local surface and groundwater reserves

• reduced mountain snowmelt to feed surface and groundwater reservoirs

• potential loss of biodiversity

• illness from consumption of polluted water

• decreased crop yields

Ozone Depletion

• Earth's atmosphere layer is composed of O₃ molecules called ozone

• Emissions of chlorine and bromine released by manufactured chemicals are the primary cause of ozone depletion. These chemicals are commonly referred to as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

• decreased rate of photosynthesis for plants and phytoplankton

• inhibited growth of many plants and trees

• decreased food supply from UV-B damaged crops

• eye and skin damage to animals and humans