copy of env imp

7/31/2019 Copy of ENV IMP

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Why Should You Care AboutWhy Should You Care Aboutthe Environment?the Environment?


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Overview:Overview:

- Some facts about humans- Some facts about humans- Some facts about ecological systems- Some facts about ecological systems

- How are we doing?- How are we doing?

- Preserving forests case studies- Preserving forests case studies


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Some facts about humans:Some facts about humans:

A. What we use nowA. What we use now

- We are animals. We require food, clean water, and air- We are animals. We require food, clean water, and air- We use ~50% of the Earths land area for food production- We use ~50% of the Earths land area for food production

(and most of the remainder is not farmable)(and most of the remainder is not farmable)

- We use ~50% of the Earths available fresh water- We use ~50% of the Earths available fresh water

- We use ~40% of the Net Primary Productivity- We use ~40% of the Net Primary Productivity

(NPP is new plant growth it is the base of the(NPP is new plant growth it is the base of thefood pyramid for all terrestrial communities).food pyramid for all terrestrial communities).

- We are changing the climate of the planet- We are changing the climate of the planet


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B. Population growthB. Population growth

1 billion: ~ 18001 billion: ~ 18002 billion: ~ 1927 (127 years later)2 billion: ~ 1927 (127 years later)

3 billion: ~ 1960 (33 years later)3 billion: ~ 1960 (33 years later)



6 billion: ~ 1999 (12 years later)6 billion: ~ 1999 (12 years later)2004: ~ 6.3 billion, adding 80 million each year (10 NYCs)2004: ~ 6.3 billion, adding 80 million each year (10 NYCs)

U.N. medium projection: 8.9 billion in 2050, almost all growth inU.N. medium projection: 8.9 billion in 2050, almost all growth in

developing, tropical countries.developing, tropical countries.


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C. Two big questions:C. Two big questions:

- (quantitative)- (quantitative) Given our currentGiven our currentpattern of resource use, will thepattern of resource use, will the

Earth be able toEarth be able to sustainsustain a populationa population

of 9 billion humans?of 9 billion humans?

-- (qualitative)(qualitative) Will the quality ofWill the quality oflife change?life change?


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C. What do we want for the future?C. What do we want for the future?

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I want world

peace


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- World Peace- World Peace

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Democracy is the

government of the

people, by the people,

for the people


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- stable, moral governmentsstable, moral governments

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Woo-

hoo!!


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- stable, productive economiesstable, productive economies

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- World Peace- World Peace- stable, moral governmentsstable, moral governments


- stable, productive food supplystable, productive food supply


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D. How can we get there?D. How can we get there?

- A stable, productive food supply- A stable, productive food supplyStable, productive economiesStable, productive economies

Stable, productive, moral governmentsStable, productive, moral governments

Peace and happiness for our childrenPeace and happiness for our children


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D. How can we get there?D. How can we get there?

stable food supplystable food supply

productive economiesproductive economies

Happy peopleHappy peoplestable, moral governmentsstable, moral governments

To achieve ONE goal, we must achieve ALL goals...To achieve ONE goal, we must achieve ALL goals...


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Some facts about ecological systems:Some facts about ecological systems:

A. What they do for humansA. What they do for humans::

- They produce all our food- They produce all our food- They produce and clean our water- They produce and clean our water

- They produce the oxygen we breathe and they- They produce the oxygen we breathe and they

clean our air.clean our air.


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B. How they do it:B. How they do it:

CO2

Water

Soil nutrients

Filtered water

O2


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B.B.How they do it:How they do it:

- And different plants- And different plants

use slightly differentuse slightly different

resources and makeresources and make

different types of food.different types of food.

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