Humans vs. the Environment

How have Humans impacted the environment

of Northern Utah?

We know we’ve “been bad.” How can we “payback” the environment?

1- View Lot Homes Building a big house

on the hill gives a great view of the valley

Status Symbol

1- View Lot Homes Require some habitat

destruction

Birds Deer Elk Rodents Reptiles

1- View Lot Homes Require some

removal of vegetation, which allows erosion to occur faster

Better views = steeper slopes = more erosion

1- View Lot Homes Create lots of

construction waste

View Lot Homes - Payback Create areas for

wildlife in the landscape

Provide nesting boxes and year-round food for birds

View Lot Homes - Payback Re-plant native

vegetation

Do not use insecticides or pesticides

View Lot Homes - Payback Slow erosion by

planting trees

Use erosion control fabric on steep slopes

Place large boulders or imbed logs along pathways

View Lot Homes - Payback Recycle household

trash as much as possible

Look for the recycle symbol

JUST DO IT!

2- High Energy Demands Here in the west,

most people drive large vehicles to get around

They require more fuel and create more pollution

2- High Energy Demands Oil has to be refined

into gasoline before it can go into our vehicles

Refineries create more pollution

2- High Energy Demands We have many

homes and businesses which means that we need lots of electricity

2- High Energy Demands Electricity is produced

by burning coal, which pollutes the air

(That’s why electric cars only solve half of the pollution problem.)

2- High Energy Demands The coal is dug from

a mine (probably in eastern Utah)

This mining requires more energy output and more pollution

This mining contributes to erosion.

High Energy Demands - Payback Use frontrunner for

commuting (if possible)

High Energy Demands - Payback Carpool to school and

combine trips to the store

High Energy Demands - Payback Become part of the

team that creates an alternate fuel source

(The mother of all science fair projects)

High Energy Demands - Payback Program your

thermostat at home drop the temperature when no-one is home

High Energy Demands - Payback When regular bulbs

burn out, replace them with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs

High Energy Demands - Payback Turn off stuff when

you’re not using it!

Unplugging it is even better

High Energy Demands - Payback Buy energy efficient

appliances

High Energy Demands - Payback Support programs to

use alternate energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal energy, and hydro-electric power

3- Urban Sprawl Most people want to

move to “the open”

With lots of new houses, comes new roads and new shopping centers and new hospitals – bingo – we have unplanned sprawl with no “open”

3- Urban Sprawl Urban Sprawl creates

habitat fragmentation

3- Urban Sprawl The areas of “open

space” left after the humans move in are too small to support wildlife

Think “over the hedge”

3- Urban Sprawl High concentrations

of humans pollute the water

3- Urban Sprawl High concentrations

of humans pollute the air

(This is an actual photo of Salt Lake City)

3- Urban Sprawl We dry up the

wetlands to build houses, and destroy wildlife habitat

Yes, we have wetlands in Utah.

Urban Sprawl - Payback Make areas where

animals can move from the “invading city.”

Urban Sprawl - Payback Create natural areas

in your yard where wild animals are welcome

Urban Sprawl - Payback Try not to use

chemicals on your lawn or trees

Urban Sprawl - Payback Become a city

planner or serve on your city council to promote “smart growth.”

Plan for wild spaces

You owe it to the environment!

JUST DO IT!