The permanent loss or destruction of forests to allow for space for other uses (usually for economic reasons)

Impact:

Deforestation has led to habitat loss and therefore has also led to the premature extinction of many species. As, forests are being degraded, the ecosystems which hold most of the Earth's biodiversity are being depleted. Ecological services are also being hindered as more of the forests are being cut, such include: air purification, decrease in soil erosion, carbon dioxide storage, and water filtration.

Solutions:

• Provide education for those more inclined to carry out deforestation to obtain cropland
• Allow for crop rotation to elongate land use and decrease need for more land
• Use strip cutting instead of clear cutting to decrease the degradation of the forests
• Through public works programs allow gradual redistribution of land to those who need it

Over-fishing is the non-sustainable depletion of fish within the Earth's oceans. Quite simply, over-fishing is the catching of too much fish to allow ecological sustainability. As humans catch fish faster than nature can replace naturally, populations of fish gradually decrease. With new fishing technology such as sonar and trawler nets, fishermen are able to catch great amounts of fish at an unsustainable rate. As people fish to create a surplus rather than for practical use, this degrades fish populations and reduces aquatic biodiversity.

Impact

Over-fishing is a very serious issue with many ramifications. For example, shark populations have been decreasing over time due to over-fishing of sharks for shark fin soup. Many other species as well such as the Atlantic bluefin Tuna have also been declining as a result of over-fishing. Economically, as people over-fish fishermen also report a decrease in the number of catches annually due to nature not being able to replace the fish populations.

Solutions

Educate fishermen on sustainable fishing methods such as: long-line fishing, deep sea aquaculture, purse-seine fishing, drift-net fishing, etc.

Set catch limits well below the maximum sustainable yield

Improve monitoring and enforcement of regulations

Sharply reduce or eliminate fishing subsidies

Charge fees for harvesting fish and shellfish from publicly owned offshore waters

Certify sustainable fisheries

Establish no-fishing zones

Establish more marine protected areas

Rely more on integrated coastal management

Label sustainably harvested fish

Publicize overfished and threatened species

Sources

http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing

http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/winter-2012/the-threats-of-overfishing-consequences-at-the-commercial-level#.Vmpkc0qDGkp

Miller, G. (n.d.). Living in the environment: Principles, connections and solutions. 15th ed. (15th ed.).

Group: Kalan Tu, Daniel Yoon, Anai Reyes, Shrey S.

Ocean pollution occurs when harmful chemicals, particles, and waste enters marine bodies of water from fertilizers, pesticides, sewage, and oil or toxic waste from ships and factories.

Impact

Oil spills can be dangerous to marine life, as it can cause failure in their reproductive system and eventually lead to their death.

It depletes the oxygen content in water; debris in the ocean uses oxygen as it degrades and therefore, oxygen levels go down.

It has a large impact on the food chain; chemicals in factories are not dissolved. They sink to the bottom of the ocean and are eaten by small animals, which are then eaten by larger animals.

Animals from the impacted food chain are then eaten by humans as the contamination in animals get deposited in the tissues of people and can lead to long term health problems.

Chemical fertilizer runoff can result in anew increase in nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, and this will lead to eutrophication.

Solutions

Solutions to this issue are that governments can implement stricter regulations on industry and manufacturing, use renewable energy sources, limit the amount of agricultural pesticides used, use proper sewage treatment, and cut down on waste.

Is this practical?

Yes, the ways of reducing ocean pollution are practical because they are actions that are already being enforced by the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency. Because of subsidies and other incentives that are offered, people have already started putting these actions in motion.

Sources: http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ocean-pollution.php

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Solutions_for_Ocean_Pollution

http://www3.epa.gov

http://www.savethesea.organization

http://aeacademy.organization

Group: Priyanka Pulianda, Roxana Asbagh, Brooke Peterman, Cali Myers

Group: Allie Graham, Kayla Farris, Alex Gamble, and James Martinez

(We contributed to the information they already had here)

The increase in global temperatures due to the increasing concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases that are rapidly being released by various human activities, such as industry, automobiles, etc.

Impact:

-Climate change can result in the extinction of species as a result of lost habitats and changes in the environment. For example, due to climate changes the temperature near the polar ice caps is increasing. As a result, ice which species like Polar Bears previously lived on has diminished greatly, this has cause increased competition for space to live, as well as prey.

-Species who are specialists are specifically sensitive because a small change in the pattern of the weather, or extinction of one of its food sources could lead to its extinction.

-The melting of polar ice caps has also caused rising sea levels, these rising sea levels could possibly engulf whole islands.

-Climate change can also cause areas of the earth to be too hot or too cold to grow crops. This could damage the economy if the crop was important for substistence or exportation.

-Additionally, with more areas increasing in average temperature, diseases like Malaria which are currently confined to areas with a very warm climate will spread to more areas.

Solutions:

- Use alternate renewable energy sources (not fossil fuels), such as wind, water, thernal, or solar power.

- Educate people on the emissons released by common activites (such as driving and using common appliances).

-Using natural gas in cars rather than petroluem could greatly reduce the release of methane.

-Using hydropower engines will diminish the release of harmful pollution.
-Using oils like palm oil could reduce wastes and reduce the release of harmful gases
-Increasing and encourageing public transportation to reduce pollution released per person. Also, using funds to reward those who carpool.

-Using funds to reward reforestation.

-Creating more natural reserves to promote protection of photosynthetic plants which absorb carbon dioxide.

-Reduce the high production of cattle and switch to poultry based diets.

Source:

- Sunny Kaura

-http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-solutions-for-climate-change/

Global Climate Change: Background Material

A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change | US EPA

• Increasing greenhouse gases from human impact (cars, coal factories, etc.)

• Depletes ozone
• Warms atmosphere
• Human respiratory issues
• Visual pollution
• Oceans affected by acid rain

• Increase carpool use
• More public transportation
• Use renewable energy sources
• Wet scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators for coal factories
• Conserve energy by:
• Turning off faucets
• Hand-wash clothes
• LED lighting
• Plant trees to absorb excess carbon dioxide
• Energy-efficient appliances

• Yes, because a lot of this is already being implemented today
• There needs to be more strict regulation in developed countries
• These solutions need to be accessible and implemented in developing countries

• www3.epa.gov
• Sunny Kaura

In 2009, America was able to recycle 34% of waste all together. In other words, 161 million tons of waste (3 pounds of trash per person per day) was thrown away. America has some of the lowest recycle rates when compared to the rest of the world. What can be improved?

Description:

Recycling is the processing of used material (or waste) into new products. This also reduces the amount of raw material that would have otherwise been used to make the same product. Some recyclables include paper, plastic, glass, and aluminium.

Impact:

As a result of more recycling, a number of things starts to occur. Less energy is used to produce new materials making recycling more efficient. Natural resources are conserved because they are not used to make products from scratch. Recycling also helps save the environment from air, land, and water pollution. Without recycling, evidence such as increase in various types of pollution, landfills, and destruction of habitats would ensue.

Solutions:

1.) Reduce, Reuse, THEN Recycle: Many people forget to consider the first two parts of this phrase. Reduce how much you consume & find effective ways to re-purpose waste in order to get the full effect of recycling.

2.) Inform the Masses Even Further: Although recycling is all around us now-a-days, there are right and wrong ways & things to recycle. More instruction and emphasis on what objects are recyclable would increase efficiency.

3.) Further Government Involvement: We have made great progress in the past years, but there is still room for improvement. Perhaps a system of quotas for recycling would help increase the amount of waste being recycled and raise awareness.

Practicality:

The first of the three solutions is very attainable by every home in America. Recycling is a good idea, but will not work by itself. If the amount we consume can decrease, the amount we reuse increase, then recycling would serve as the cherry on top with minimal waste. The second of the three solutions is also very attainable simply with more advertising and spreading of ideas. Recycling is constantly being expanded on and no longer simply applies to paper, plastic, and aluminium, and everyone should be aware. The third of the three solutions is more of a stretch but possible. An increase in government involvement and encouragement would further push recycling and maximize the output to new levels, but politics is a slightly more tricky subject.

Sources:

http://www.eschooltoday.com/waste-recycling/what-is-recycling.html

http://www.kab.org/site/PageServerpagename=recycling_facts_and_stats

http://southcoastenergychallenge.org/2012/08/recycle/

http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-recycling.html

Humans utilize 3 types of land systems to produces food for the sustenance of the growing population: Croplands, Pastures, and Rangelands. Croplands produce 77% of the world's food using about 11% of the world's land area. Rangelands and Pastures produce about 16% of the world's food in meat by using about 29% of the world's land area. In such, there has been a staggering increase of global food production from all 3 of these systems but at a great cost. Although people can eat up to an estimated 30,000 plant species, only 14 plant species and 9 terrestrial animal species 90% supply the world's food calories. Biodiversity is threatened when forests are cleared for agriculture, grasslands are destroyed when people establish plantations for cash crops and resources such as fertilizers, fuel, and water are depleted in the production of foodstuffs.

Impact:

Producing cash crops such as bananas, coffee, sugar cane, peanuts, cocoa, and vegetables in a monoculture fashion increases economic yield but decreases biodiversity.Large number of livestock use large amounts of water and energy while producing huge amounts of animal waste pollution. Using great amounts of manufactured fertilizers and continuously planting crops without letting the land rest degrades the soil which in turn leads to soil erosion, desertification, salinization, waterlogging, and soil degredation. When soil degrades it takes years to heal to be able to use again, top soil is reduced to dust, and land erodes.

Solutions:

Usage of high-yield polyculture

Utilization of organic fertilizers

Usage of Biological Pest Control

integrate pest management

Create efficient irrigation

Rotate Crops

Plant water-efficient crops

Conserve soil

Subsidize sustainable farming and fishing

Push towards organic farming

Greatly increase research on sustainable organic agriculture and human nutrition

Set up demonstrations to teach farmers how sustainable agricultural systems work

Plant agriculture in better ways instead of monoculture continuous planting such as: alley cropping, agroforestry, interplanting, polyvarietal cultivation, and poly culture.

Sources:

Miller, G. (n.d.). Living in the environment: Principles, connections and solutions. 15th ed. (15th ed.).

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/impacts/soil_erosion/

Group: Kalan Tu, Anai Reyes, Daniel Yoon, Shrey S.

Deforestation is the depletion of forests in order to have space for other things on the land or the raw materials in the trees. Many uses include agriculture, grazing for livestock and many products that use tress such as rubber, and paper.

Impact:

Habitat for many species has been depleted greatly, causing premature extinction of species due to unsustainable conditions. Greenhouse gases has seen an increase as forests are being cut down, causing the global climate change to increase.

Solutions:

Solutions include the government passing Acts, to limit the cutting of old-growth forests. Include slash and burn techniques in order to practically improve environmental conditions, especially in agriculture

Practicality:

Most of the solutions are practical due to abilities that government has. There are already many protected areas of forests and habitats that don't allow any human intervention. The idea of forcing companies to replace the trees they cut down, is a little less practical since they want to make maximum profit and by planting new tress that will deplete their profit. Making them feel less incline to follow this idea. Educating the farmers will be hard due to inaccesble education since most uneducated famers are in third-world countries. Where their government can't afford a education program such as this.

Sources:

http://www.essortment.com/effects-deforestation-air-pollution-178767.html

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/

Extinction occurs when all living individuals of a particular species have died.

How Extinction Occurs:

Some extinction occurs naturally. The natural "background" rate of extinction is about 1-5 species per year.

However, extinction can occur as a result of human overexploitation of a species. Human activities that may accelerate the rate of extinction include habitat destruction, hunting/poaching, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and human-induced climate change.

Impact:

The extinction of one species can catalyze the extinction of others. Every species plays a role in their ecosystem. If a species goes extinct and no other species can take over the role of the extinct species, other species may go extinct as well, as an important function is no longer being carried out. This chain-reaction of extinction is a major concern when the initially extinct species is a keystone species.

Solutions:

To avoid animal extinction, governments can enforce and strengthen exiting laws prohibiting habitat destruction and hunting/poaching of endangered species, such as the Endangered Species Act. Governments can also create endangered species sanctuaries, which not only protect the endangered species, but also protect the endangered species' habitat and are thus very effective at increasing populations of endangered species so they are no longer in danger of extinction.

Sources:

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140529-conservation-science-animals-species-endangered-extinction/

http://geographyblog.eu/wp/humans-creating-sixth-great-extinction-of-animal-species-say-scientists/

Group:

Claire Ha, Hannah Lee, Claire Lin, Nanette Park

Recycling is the process to convert waste material into reusable material to prevent the waste of potentially useful material, reduce consumption of fresh raw materials, lower greenhouse gases, and much more.

Impact:

Recycling has allowed for the reduction of waste material; however, the process of recycling old products into something reusable uses much energy and creates pollution.

Solutions:

To fix this issue, governments can issue rebates to citizens who recycle over a certain amount of materials on a monthly basis. The government can also add laws that require a certain amount of recycled goods from every family each year.

Source: 

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-recycling-facts.php

Rapid human population growth has led to overpopulation by exceeding the carrying capacity of the Earth.

It can result from an increase in births, a decline in mortality rates, an increase in immigration, or an unsustainable biome and depletion of resources.

Impact

Overpopulation puts a strain on our resources and leads to overuse of the limited supply of resources.

Water shortages- Aquifers are being depleted faster than they could be replenished. About 1 billion people lack access to sufficient water for consumption.

Food shortages- 1/7 people go to bed hungry everyday; food production and distribution could catch up if the population dropped to a sustainable level.

Depletion of fuel reserves and the degradation of natural resources and environments have also resulted from human overpopulation.

Solutions

To fix this issue, governments can place restrictions on the amount of children that people can have.

Educating women and providing family planning has been shown to alleviate poverty and overpopulation.

We can raise awareness and educate people about the environmental and social cost of overpopulation.

Sources: http://www.howmany.org/environmental_and_social_ills.php

http://www.howmany.org/big_picture.php

Group: Cali Myers, Brooke Peterman, Roxana Asbagh, Priyanka Pulianda

Air pollution is when the air has gases, dusts, and fumes in dangerous, harmful amounts. There are primary and secondary pollutant, the latter of which includes photochemical smog.

Why did this happen?:

Before the Industrial Revolution, the Earth's atmosphere was clear, the only pollutants coming from the occasional fire. Wind, rain, and photosynthesizing plants kept the pollution under control with gas dispersal, washing the air, and the absorption of carbon dioxide, respectively. The waves of constant industrialization and rapid agriculture were too much for nature to keep up. When people began practicing agriculture, they cleared areas land, releasing tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat and pollutants, into the atmosphere.

How?:

-gas from industry

-gas from motor vehicles (cars, trucks, planes, etc.)

-fire smoke

-combustion processes (like in the motor vehicles and the burning of fossil fuels)

Effects:

-Lung cancer, lung disease, heart disease, asthma attacks

-increased mortality

-damage to plants and building structures

-disruption of oxygen supply in the blood

-lead from leaded gasoline can cause birth defects or damage any and all organs, especially in children

Solutions:

-pollutant emission limits on factories, cars, etc.

-fines or/taxes for factories that go over their emission limits

-reward for factories that stay a certain number of units below their emission limit

-reduce or eliminate deforestation by providing social welfare programs or offering subsidies for not cultivating untouched land

-Increasing awareness and education on the subject of air pollution

-using alternative energy sources to lower the emission of greenhouse gases

Practicality?:

Yes. With enough support from the government, we can reduce the amount of air pollution and spread the knowledge of the problems caused by it. Gathering great popular support will help inspire people to change their ways/

Sources:

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/default.asp

Impact: recycling will allow sustainability in the environment and it would lead to less exploitation of goods

Solutions: we can decrease exploitation of new goods by offering government subsidies to those who recycle. The number of recycling bins should be increased to promote and encourage others to recycle. Also the concept of recycling should be taught to kids early on in their life so they realize the importance of recycling.

Group: Miriam Shahid, Sam Noor, Samuel N., Richard V.

Impact: reduction of air pollution will allow our air to be more cleaner. Air pollution can damage trees, crops, plants, lakes, etc. which are all important factors of an environment. To prevent that it is necessary to reduce pollution.

Solutions: We can reduce air pollution by preventing excessive use of machines. We can also use electric or hybrid cars to reduce the pollution caused by our cars. Another alternative could be using solar energy, nuclear energy, or wind power to decrease the amount of harmful fumes going into our atmosphere.

Source: Mr. Kaura

Group: Miriam, Sam, Samuel, Richard

Human population will cause destruction upon the Earths biosphere. Our planet is experiencing the greatest amount of extinction of species since the dinosaur era due to overpopulation.

Impact

48 years ago our population was only 3 billion today it has doubled to 7 billion.

Organizations don't do not stand up to limit people to have "2 or fewer children per couple" causing an overflow of children.

Women who are not going through with their college due to money problems or limitations are having more children.

Solutions:

Create a multimedia overpopulation awareness campaign that involves mainstream and social media educating the people globally.

Providing easier access to contraceptives.

Regulate the number of children that a couple is allowed to have.

Government policies that would ensure that future human needs are met.

Practicality:

Educating people through social media would mean that people are willing to listen to someone over the phone rather than a convention or lecture.

Regarding more accessibility to contraceptives it's practical because in the U.S it's already implemented.

Regarding the number of children a couple can have is unpractical it interferes with ones morals and the idea of freedom of religion and the topic of pro-creation steps in.

Having global policies to ensure human needs in the future is practical. Today we are trying to find other solutions and ways to conserve our forests and our food consumption.

Sources:

WWW.search.proquest.com

Http:/m.everythingconnects.org

Ocean pollution is caused by over-fishing, pollution and habitat destruction,thus wearing down the ocean. Ocean acidification also contributes to ocean pollution, which degrades coral reefs and corrodes the shells of sea creatures.

Solutions:

Promote sustainable fisheries and ocean ecosystems through with work through fisheries managers to reduce bycatch

Safeguard marine species through litigation that holds polluters accountable and stops harmful fishing practices, as well as building resilience to climate change by reducing environmental stressors such as pollution through reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Animal extinction is caused by both humans and natural causes. Humans are often bamed for the extinction of animals but sometimes extinction is a natural process. some animals are unable to survive in the changing environment. Humans cause animal extinction through overhunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of other animals that kill the threatened animal.

Solutions:

Biodiversity parks can help the problem of animal extnction, in which national parks with special landscapes and geologic formations, which help create a natural habitat for species and allows them to thrive.

Restoration of habitats and ecologically reclaiming habitats also helps conserve and protect species so they cannot be harmed by human practices, an also protects their environment.

Impact: Earth has a limited supply of resources which cannot sustain the rapidly growing population. The most noticeable shortages are food and water, Approximately 1 billion people lack access to substantial amounts of food and clean water. The search for clean energy is being conducted as humans deplete fossil fuels as well.

Solutions:

1) Provide universal access to safe and effective contraceptive options for both sexes.

2) End policies that financially reward parents based on the number of children they have.

3) Incorporate lessons involving population and development in schools.

4) Convince leaders to commit to exercising human rights and development to stabilize population growth.

Sources: http://www.everythingconnects.org/overpopulation.html , Worldwatch Institute

Solutions:

1) Pressure companies that destroy forests

2) promote sustainable consumer options

3) Convince politicians to be against deforestation