Today in class we:
-Finished taking notes in the Unit 1: Scientific Method Packet
-Did the activity on pages 73-75
In the notes:
TOPIC: Global Warming
-caused by an increase in the atmospheres CO2 levels
-largely due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
-if the global temperature rises by 2 degrees C, then polar ice caos could melt causing sea levels to rise, flooding cities on the shore, and change in rainfall patterns, effecting farming
TOPIC: Ozone Layer Depletion
-caused by the use of chlorofluorocarbons (chemicals used for refridgeration and aerosals)
-Why is this bad?
1). increases amount of skin cancer
2). increases amount of cateracts
3). damages crops
4). increases phytoplakton (plankton that gains energy from the sun)
-in 1987 many nations ended CFC production which wasn't officially followed until 2010
-there's an ozone hole over Antartica that occasionally moves over area of Australia, New Zealand, and South America
-because of this, Australia has the largest skin cancer rate in the world
TOPIC: Biodiversity Crisis -a decline in Earth's variety of life
-we are losing species: birds, plants, trees, freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals
WHAT CAUSES ALL OF THIS?
1). Habitat destruction- land, wetland, and marine
2). Introduced species-eliminate native species. Ex: Asian Carp outcompeting other freshwater fish in the Illinois rivers
3). Overexploitation- excessive commercial harvest or sport hunting. Ex: whales, dolphins, sea turtles, elephants
TOPIC: Why does biodiversity matter?
-We depend on species for food, shelter, clothing, shelter, oxygen, and soil
-25% of prescription medicines come from plants. Ex: Aloe is used to treat burns and dry skin
-Human populations could be altered by changes in biodiversity
-Field of Conservation Biology: seeks to counter the loss of biodiversity
-Doal: Sustainable developement balancing human needs with the health of the biosphere. Goal is prosperityof human societies and ecosystems that support them
In the activity:
Pages 73- 75
"Environmental Action Simulation"
In this activity we were all paired in groups of 4-5 people. We were to pretend we were part of the Granite City Environmental Action Organization. We were then given a $20,000 grant in which we were supposed to divide amongst several organizations in need of funding. We then wrote paragraphs explaining why we chose to divide the funds this way.
Homework:
-read the articles given by Mrs. Andrews
-answer the questions on the article
Next Scribe: ***Anna***
No comments:
Post a Comment