Categorias: Todos - biodiversity - extinction - oceans - climate

por Celine R 4 anos atrás

363

Earth in Balance

The removal of forests, or deforestation, significantly impacts the environment by reducing water vapor production in tropical regions, leading to decreased rainfall. Forests provide essential resources such as firewood, timber, and charcoal for many communities.

Earth in Balance

Sources

https://www.dummies.com/education/science/environmental-science/global-warming-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

https://climateatlas.ca/climate-change-basics

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/vl/health-and-env-effects-air-pollutions.pdf

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-rain/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution/

https://sciencing.com/deforestation-affect-air-10632.html

https://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html

Depiction of the cycle of acid rain

Air pollution in Hong Kong

Ozone layer depletion

Water vapour production

Threats from loss of biodiversity

Contributors to the Greenhouse Effect

Arctic sea ice (2012 vs 1984)

Extreme Weather + Climate Change

Extinction risks

Earth in Balance

Air Pollution

Haze
Obscures clarity, colour, texture, and form of what we see
The pollutants are directly emitted to the atmosphere
Happens when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air
Airborne particles can effect amounts of nutrients in soil and waterways, harm forests and crops, and damage cultural icons (monuments, statues, landmarks)
Leads to acid rain
Makes waters more acidic

Makes waters toxic to plants, crayfish, clams, fish, and other aquatic animals

Contains high levels of nitric and sulphuric acids
Ozone holes allow more UV radiation to hit the Earth, leading to higher temperatures.
Ozone-depleting Chemicals - CFCs - HCFCs - HBFCs - halons - methyl bromide -carbon tetrachloride - methyl chloroform
Some pollutants are poisonous
Inhaling increases chances of health problems

People with heart or lung disease, elder people, and children are the most at risk

Made up of a mix of solid particles and gases in the air
- Car emissions - Chemicals from factories - Dust - Pollen - Mold spores - Smog - Smoke - Soot - Methane

Deforestation

Reduced amount of oxygen and increased amounts of carbon dioxide contribute to both global warming and the issue of air pollution
Forests are a resource for many communities around the world
Loss of forests mean they can no longer rely on the spaces for firewood, timber, charcoal, etc.
Accounts for almost 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Vegetation that remove carbon monoxide from the air are removed.

Temperatures are rising due to less forest canopy shading the ground and cooling the land beneath

Can affect production of water vapour in tropical regions which causes reduced rainfall
Leads to a loss of biodiversity
- Trees - Plants - Animals - Microbes
Is the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest
Forested areas are cleared to make space for agriculture or grazing, using the timber for fuel, construction, or manufacturing

Climate Change

Oceans are warmed
Warmer waters kill coral reefs and krill

Both are essential to supporting the sea food web

Water expands and sea levels rise
Melts ices (specifically at the poles)
Melting will lead to an extreme rise in sea levels
Polar ice helps to reflect sunlight and deflect heat

When it melts more heat will stay in the atmosphere

Arctic ice is melting so quickly that within a few years the North Pole will only be ice covered seasonally
Increases extinctions
Environments become less hospitable for certain plants and animals

Leads to adaptations

Some species are unable to adapt at the same speed at which the climate is changing

Leads to relocation for survival

Some species are unable to relocate

Leads to extinction

Causes extreme weather
More frequent and intense storms, flooding, droughts, heat waves, and snowfall
Greenhouse gas amounts increase
Increases in - Carbon dioxide - Methane
Average temperature increases

Earth is less sustainable

The change in global or regional climate patterns
Due largely to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by use of fossil fuels