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Format: Print Book
Author: Rochelle Strauss

This middle-grade book explains how water is used by everyone on Earth, as well as its growing scarcity as a finite resource. This book could be assigned to students to read and discuss in the classroom, or for group or independent research.

Strauss, R. (n.d.). One well: The story of water on Earth. Kids Can Press.

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Format: YouTube Video
Author: CrashCourse

This video provides an overview (or "crash course") of human consumption of natural resources, as well as the attempt to find and use renewable energy sources. This video could serve as an introduction to the topic of natural finite resources, inspiring students to conduct more research into each resource and the future of our planet's environment. The video is only 7 minutes long, yet fairly comprehensive, with animations and some humor to keep students engaged.

CrashCourse. (2014, August 28). Humans and energy: Crash course world history 207. [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/EM1IyIyr-Zc

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Humans and Energy: Crash Course World History 207

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This National Geographic article is aimed at students grades 5-8 and explains noise pollution at an appropriate reading level. An encyclopedia is included to help students understand terms like "decibel," "echolocation," and more. Several websites for further research are included at the bottom. This article could be used for independent research and reading, or as a resource for a classroom project about different forms of pollution.

National Geographic. (n.d.). Noise pollution. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/noise-pollution/

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Noise pollution is an invisible danger. It cannot be seen, but it is present nonetheless, both on land and under the sea. Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.

Sound is measured in decibels. There are many sounds in the environment, from rustling leaves (20 to 30 decibels) to a thunderclap (120 decibels) to the wail of a siren (120 to 140 decibels). Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher can harm a person's ears. Sound sources that exceed this threshold include familiar things, such as power lawn mowers (90 decibels), subway trains (90 to 115 decibels), and loud rock concerts (110 to 120 decibels).

Noise pollution impacts millions of people on a daily basis. The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress. These health problems can affect all age groups, especially children. Many children who live near noisy airports or streets have been found to suffer from stress and other problems, such as impairments in memory, attention level, and reading skill.

Noise pollution also impacts the health and well-being of wildlife. Studies have shown that loud noises can cause caterpillars' dorsal vessels (the insect equivalent of a heart) to beat faster, and cause bluebirds to have fewer chicks. Animals use sound for a variety of reasons, including to navigate, find food, attract mates, and avoid predators. Noise pollution makes it difficult for them to accomplish these tasks, which affects their ability survive.

Increasing noise is not only affecting animals on land, it is also a growing problem for those that live in the ocean. Ships, oil drills, sonar devices, and seismic tests have made the once tranquil marine environment loud and chaotic. Whales and dolphins are particularly impacted by noise pollution. These marine mammals rely on echolocation to communicate, navigate, feed, and find mates, and excess noise interferes with their ability to effectively echolocate.

Some of the loudest underwater noise comes from naval sonar devices. Sonar, like echolocation, works by sending pulses of sound down into the depths of the ocean to bounce off an object and return an echo to the ship, which indicates a location for object. Sonar sounds can be as loud as 235 decibels and travel hundreds of miles under water, interfering with whales' ability to use echolocation. Research has shown that sonar can cause mass strandings of whales on beaches and alter the feeding behavior of endangered blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus). Environmental groups are urging the U.S. Navy to stop or reduce using sonar for military training.

Seismic surveys also produce loud blasts of sound within the ocean. Ships looking for deep-sea oil or gas deposits tow devices called air guns and shoot pulses of sound down to the ocean floor. The sound blasts can damage the ears of marine animals and cause serious injury. Scientists believe this noise may also be contributing to the altered behavior of whales.

Among those researching the effects of noise pollution is Michel Andre, a bioacoustics researcher in Spain who is recording ocean sounds using instruments called hydrophones. His project, LIDO (Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment), collects data at 22 different locations. Back in the lab, computers identify the sounds of human activities as well as 26 species of whales and dolphins. The analysis aims to determine the effects that underwater noise is having on these animals. Andre hopes his project will find ways to protect marine animals from the dangers of ocean noise.

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Noise pollution can cause health problems for people and wildlife, both on land and in the sea. From traffic noise to rock concerts, loud or inescapable sounds can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure. Noise from ships and human activities in the ocean is harmful to whales and dolphins that depend on echolocation to survive.

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Format: YouTube Video
Author: Angel Chang, Ted-Ed

This animated video explains the environmental impact of clothing creation and disposal, including the resources required to make the t-shirts we purchase and wear in our daily lives. The video would be an excellent supplementary insight into energy use that would help illustrate how we all contribute to the pollution of air, waterways, and more, even if we don't realize it. Students could watch the video as a class before discussing how they can help diminish pollution.

Ted-Ed. (2017, September 5). The life cycle of a t-shirt [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/BiSYoeqb_VY

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The life cycle of a t-shirt - Angel Chang

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Format: Interactive Website
Author: AirNow.gov

This interactive map allows users to click around the world and see the air quality of each region in real time. Students may use this resource individually or as a class to investigate air quality in their area and surrounding regions. Exploration of the map could spark questions about why certain areas are experiencing worse air quality than others, and what that might mean for the environment and quality of life in their communities.

AirNow. (n.d.). AirNow interactive map. https://gispub.epa.gov/airnow/