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Chapter 4
Environmental Issues
Coral Reefs - being destroyed by human imopact such as bottom trolling (method of fishing that the net is dragged along the bottom the ocean, often killing reefs), unneccisary touching and contiminating with hand oil, oil spills, and ship invasion. Though these fragile habitats only cover 1% of the worlds surface, they are home to 25% of the worlds underwater wildlife. Decreases in these species, significantly upset the eco-system. Solutions- New ways to fish that don't drag along the reef., killling it. Also higher fines for oil spills.
Pollution - the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. Types include water, air, and land pollution. Pollution is an issue all over the world , but especially in more developed countries like the U.S. The U.S is responsioble for 25% of the pollution in the world. One baby in the U.S is thirty times more the harmful to the environment than a baby in Nepal, one of the worlds less developed countries. Solutions include new energy sources that do not pollute the environment. as much and limiting emmisions for factories .
Deforestation - the removal of forests for purposes of argricultural, residential. industrial building sites or roads or for fuel and paper. Overall 70-80% endangered specis are dying because of forest destruction. Everyday 50-100 species die. Solutions - everytime one tree is cut down, two of the SAME TYPE are planted in it's place. Charting areas that cannot be cut down. like National Parks
Energy Issues -the world is running out of much needed fossil fuels and polluting the environment with fumes and gas coming from energy producing substances -- It is estimated that oil will run out sometimes in the next 30 years leaving us devoid of that resource - Solutions include embracing new renewable and reliable resources such as wind, solar, and water power that will not pollute the environment and won't run out anytime soon.
Acid Rain - precipitatrion containing relatively high concentrations of pollutants from coal smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combined with water vapor. -The most acidic rain has ben documented in New England but there has been a 50% decrease since 1973 when it peaked. -limestone conteracts it - In Canada there has had 11 million dollars a year Solutions - Putting scrubbers (filters) on the smoke stacks in factories to remove harmful chemicals that woudld normally be released into the air
Soil Erosion -the loss of soil due to over farming, over grazing, and pollution. -In Africa 300 to 400 million tons of soil losr a year in Africa Can contaminate water and fish will die, also with more soil in bodies of water, boats will hit the bottom. Solutions -Encourage farmers to leave their crops out in the winter to reduce erosion
Global Warming -an increase in the earth's average temperature that causes changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect. - The numer and ferocity of storms has increased a from ten Catagory 4 and 5 hurricanes a year to eighteen a year Solutions -new energy sources to slow down this warming that may be influenced by polution as it spiked up during the Industrial Revolution
Water Scarcity -the lack of fresh water for farming, medicine and consumption. -1/4 of the worlds population is in a place with some kind of water scarcity -farming uses 70% of water -97% of water on Earth is salt while 2% of that left is frozen, leaving only 1% safe for drinking Solutions -More desalination techniques and centers so we can start to get all that salt water safe for drinking. -Water pollution awareness and fines
Endangered Species - species present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction. - Around 55% of the reason most species are extinct is due to our urbanization - Polar bears today are at risk as their habitat is being melted by our rapid climate change - The wolf is not at risk anymore, but speciallists fear the animal will become extinct again if the hunting is not limited. Solutions -enforcing already present laws of hunting seasons and animal killing limits.
