Post on 25-Feb-2016
description
transcript
Critical Global Environmental IssuesDr. Jessica Braswell, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Global Environmental Issues
• Industrialized agriculture• Water depletion• Water pollution• Air pollution• Climate change• Biodiversity loss• Invasive species• Human population
growth
Agriculture• Industrialized agriculture:
“high-input” farming– Water– Fertilizer– Pesticides
• Agricultural practices influenced by– Climate– Economics– Local, national,
international politics
Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
Loss of soil fertility Air and water pollution due to
fertilizers and pesticides
Water depletion
Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
Reliance on fossil fuels
Water Depletion
• Water Use– Irrigation• Agriculture• Landscaping
– Drinking– Washing,
bathing, flushing toilets
Water Depletion
Water Depletion
Luke Robinson (flickr)Peakwater.org
Impacts of Water Depletion
Reduced water supplies for drinking and irrigation
Surface water, and the livelihoods it supports,
diminished
Svsu.edu
Water Pollution
• Nutrients from fertilizers and animal wastes
• Pathogens• Sediment• Debris• Toxic chemicals
Water Pollution
• Pollution does not respect international borders
• Tragedy of the commons
Bordersewagecoatlition.org
Impacts of Water Pollution
Aquatic habitats no longer support life
Water becomes unsafe for drinking and irrigation, health problems arise
Air Pollution
• Particulates, toxins, smog• Mainly results from the combustions of fossil
fuels, mining, agriculture
Maltaweather.info
Impacts of Air Pollution
Acid rain
Health problems
Global climate change
Carlyle Calvin
Climate Change
• Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
• Mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture
Impacts of Climate Change
The Telegraph, UK
Biodiversity Loss
• Loss of species, purposeful or accidental
• Protection and enforcement highly variable among nations
Impacts of Biodiversity Loss
Loss of potential medicines and food resources
Loss of ecotourism
Ecosystems compromised
Invasive Species
• Purposeful or accidental introduction
• Outcompete or eat native species
• Introductions increase along with global movement of people and goods
Impacts of Invasive Species
Native species decline
Vpr.net
Biological and structural
habitat changes
Human Population Growth
Population growth rates
Less than –2%–2–0%0–1.44%1.44–2.5%2.5–3.5%More than 3.5%
Impacts of Human Population Growth