Pollution Issues And Our Impact On The Earth Flashcards
(23 cards)
Any form of precipitation, including rain, snow, fog, and do, that has an unusually high acidity due to the presence of acidic components like sulfuric and nitric acid
Acid rain
Synthetic, organic compounds containing carbon, fluoride, and chloride
CFC’s
The overall increase in earths average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Global warming
A place to dispose of refused and other waste materials by burying it and covering it over with soil
Landfill
Materials or substances that exist in nature and are valuable to humans
Natural resources
The thinning of the earth’s used zone layer in the stratosphere, primarily caused by human made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Ozone depletion
The present in or introduction into the environment of a substance or a thing that has harmful or poisonous effects
Pollution
The process of making an area more urban
Urbanization
The material or debris, generally, both directly by the disaster (like fallen trees or damaged buildings) and in the aftermath as a result of poor in adequate waste management
Waste
Natural resources are materials we use from the natural system of the Earth. How do we extract, process, and use those materials?
Mining, drilling, and logging. Processing involves refining, raw materials into usable forms, like metals, plastics, and fuels. this process resources are then used for various purposes, from building materials to energy generated and manufacturing.
How does our interaction with natural resources impact the natural systems?
Leads to issues like pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change
When does waste become a pollutant?
When it enters the environment and causes harm
How can a pollutant (of any kind) lead to a natural (or a human influenced) disaster ?
Altering the environment and increasing the risk of certain events
How do landfills lead to potential groundwater pollution?
Through leachate, a liquid that seeps through waste and carries contaminants
How does increased urbanization affect land pollution, air, pollution, and water pollution?
Urbanization leads to more waste generation, industrial activities, and increased impervious surfaces
Acid rain results from burning fossil fuels (especially coal) in the resulting gas is produce atmospheric acids. How does this acid rain impact natural system such as rivers and lakes?
It increases acidity, which can harm aquatic life, leach harmful metals from soil into water ways and disrupt ecosystems
Ozone depletion results from the interaction of CFC’s with ozone and the increase in ultraviolent (UV) radiation at the surface. How does the increase in UV radiation affect life?
Negatively impact in various aspects of life, including human health, plant life, and ecosystems
Global warming results from the increase in trapped atmospheric heat. This is primarily caused by increases in CO2 gas. Where does CO2 gas come from?
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and deforestation
How would an increase in global temperature negatively affect natural systems in life? Any positive effects?
Negative effects - altered ecosystems, disrupted food, webs, and increased risk of species extinction
Positive effects - extended growing seasons, increase carbon dioxide fertilization, and potential for some species to expand habitats
If many of those natural processes and changes directly or indirectly result in disasters to any life, form or environment, can we then be blamed, at least in part, for those disasters? Why or why not?
Disasters are significantly influenced by human factors. These include buildings in vulnerable areas, environmental degradation, contributions to climate change, and societal inequalities. Humans are at least partly responsible.
If we are, at least partially, responsible for environmental changes and resulting disasters, can we or should we do something about it?
Yes, we should reduce negative impacts in adapting to the changes already occurring
What has been done to identify and influence our impact on natural process?
To identify, there’s been scientific research and monitoring, and exiting environmental damage. To influence, policies and agreements, suitable develop development goals, technological innovations, and promoting suitable practices.
Is planet Earth in our care or should we just leave the maintenance and repair to a higher being, future generations, or nature itself?
A balanced approach that acknowledges the human capacity to act while respecting natures, inherit processes
