What Are We What Are We Really Doing to Our Really Doing to Our Planet?Planet?By Melanie AdamsBy Melanie Adams

Why is saving water so Why is saving water so important?important?

The growing population is causing our water The growing population is causing our water supply to decrease more and more supply to decrease more and more everyday. By using water not wastefully, we everyday. By using water not wastefully, we can help preserve water supplies for future can help preserve water supplies for future generations, save money, and protect the generations, save money, and protect the environment in which we live.environment in which we live.

How has our How has our climateclimate changed?changed?

During the Industrial Revolution, our During the Industrial Revolution, our climate began to change which was climate began to change which was over 200 years ago.over 200 years ago.

Our increasing population has also Our increasing population has also caused the burning of fossil fuel and caused the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation to increase as well. This deforestation to increase as well. This affects the gases in the air which causes affects the gases in the air which causes the temperature to rise.the temperature to rise.

What are some ways humans What are some ways humans have contributed to the have contributed to the changing climate?changing climate?

Human Contributions: Carbon Dioxide-motorized vehicles, electric power plants, and homes heated with gas or oil.

Methane-the expansion of rice agriculture, the increased number of livestock, the increased number of landfills, and leakage from natural gas pipelines.

CFCs-the use of refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and heat pumps.

What is pollution and how can it What is pollution and how can it affect what little natural affect what little natural resources we have left?resources we have left?

It comes from a variety of It comes from a variety of sources which enter the air, land sources which enter the air, land and water and cause and water and cause environmental and health environmental and health hazards.hazards.

Can you compare how two Can you compare how two different types of pollution different types of pollution have affected the earth?have affected the earth?

How can I make a How can I make a difference?difference?

Recycle goods such as paper, plastic, and aluminumSave water and energy by using them more effectivelyDo not liter!Get involved: join an organization or volunteer to pick up trash in the community

Works CitedWorks Cited Science NetlinksScience Netlinkshttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.htmlflash_watercycle.htmlThere is a link to an animated water cycle.There is a link to an animated water cycle.

EPA Water Sense KidsEPA Water Sense Kidshttp://epa.gov/watersense/kids/whysave.htmhttp://epa.gov/watersense/kids/whysave.htmThere is information on why saving water There is information on why saving water is important and ways to save water.is important and ways to save water.

U.S. EPA Water SenseU.S. EPA Water Sensehttp://epa.gov/watersense/http://epa.gov/watersense/There are is more information on theThere are is more information on theimportance of water efficiency.importance of water efficiency.

The EPA Climate Change Kids SiteThe EPA Climate Change Kids Sitehttp://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/This site gives all sorts of information and This site gives all sorts of information and short animated clips of various cycles short animated clips of various cycles (carbon/water cycle).(carbon/water cycle).

Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and EnergyEnergyhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggcchttp://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.htmlebro/chapter1.htmlThis site provides information on how This site provides information on how humans have contributed to the climate humans have contributed to the climate change.change.

Earth Systems ScienceEarth Systems Sciencehttp://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect16/full-http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect16/full-20earth2.jpg20earth2.jpgI got an image of planet earth. I got an image of planet earth.

Kids’ Crossing Living In the Greenhouse!Kids’ Crossing Living In the Greenhouse!http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/cycles6.hhttp://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/cycles6.htmtmThere is a carbon cycle image and There is a carbon cycle image and information explaining CO2.information explaining CO2.

Activity 20 Teacher Guide: Human Activity 20 Teacher Guide: Human Activity and Climate ChangeActivity and Climate Changehttp://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_20t.hhttp://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_20t.htmtmI used some of the examples of human I used some of the examples of human activity from CO2, methane, and CFCs activity from CO2, methane, and CFCs as well as a pie chart to represent a as well as a pie chart to represent a student example of one they would student example of one they would create for this assignment.create for this assignment.

PollutionPollutionwww.wasteandenvironment.orgwww.wasteandenvironment.orgI got a picture of pollution from here.I got a picture of pollution from here.