GS - Human-Environment Interaction (Lesson)

Human-Environment Interaction

Introduction 

 

 

Human Impacts on the Environment

Everyone depends on oil, gas, and coal for electricity and fuel. Smog, acid rain, and air pollution are caused by the burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal.) All three of these energy sources can be detrimental to our environment. We will explore how human actions can negatively affect the atmosphere, the environment, and our water supply.

Air pollution is a serious problem that can have lasting effects on human health and the environment. When ozone combines with pollution and chemicals, it causes smog to form.

Smog is a giant cloud that contains dust, smoke, and hazardous chemicals. Smog can cause respiratory problems in both humans and animals that may eventually lead to death.

When chemicals in the air combine with rain, snow, sleet, or hail, acid rain forms. To compare, drinking water has a PH of 7. Rain that falls naturally to the ground has a PH of 5.6 and is considered slightly acidic. Acid rain has a PH of 4.2-4.4.

Acid rain is very dangerous to the environment and can deteriorate building surfaces, kill fish, and destroy trees.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals found in refrigerators, air conditioning units, hair spray, spray paint, and various types of electronic devices. CFCs are contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. The ozone layer acts as a barrier and protects us from radiation from the sun that causes skin cancer. The ozone layer creates a Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect keeps the Earth warm and livable. Without it, the Earth would be too cold or too hot to live on.

There are many different types of pollution that can damage the environment. Human activity such as deforestation, over farming, mining, and logging can have negative effects on the environment.

Topsoil, or soil that is rich in nutrients and essential for growing crops, can be lost from over farming the land. It is important that farmers practice crop rotation (the changing of plants grown in one area from year-to-year.)

Deforestation, or the clear-cutting of trees, is another way topsoil can be lost. Trees hold in the topsoil with their roots. When trees are cut down, the soil loosens and can be swept away by wind and rain. Deforestation can contribute to the loss of many different types of plant and animal species over time.

 

Water pollution is a major threat to one of our most vital natural resources on Earth--fresh water. Over time farmers and industries have spilled pesticides, chemicals, and oil into some of our fresh water systems. Water pollutants from pesticides and chemicals can be very harmful to humans and animals once they enter Earth's fresh water source. Water pollution can lead to the death of sea and river life, diseases in humans and can interrupt the natural food chain. It is important that people practice conservation, or the careful use of fresh water resources.

 

Review

Review your terms for this lesson by completing the activity below.

 

 

 

 

It is important that young people learn about the importance of conserving our natural resources and protecting our environment. You have discussed how humans’ interaction with the environment can be positive or negative and ways that we all can protect our world. Now it’s time to move on to the next lesson!

 

PH CHART: CHART FROM ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. IT DISPLAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN.

DEFORESTATION: PHOTOGRAPH OF SLASH AND BURN FARMING IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST. IMAGE BY MATT ZIMMERMAN VIA FLICKR
ALL OTHER IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS