Grade 11 Life Sciences Human Impact Part 1
Miss Van Deventer's Life Sciences Class・2 minutes read
Human impact in grades 11 and 12 focuses on how actions affect the environment, with greenhouse gases intensifying the greenhouse effect. Global warming results in extreme weather, threats to species like polar bears and coral, and disruptions in the ecosystem.
Insights
- Trees serve as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, but deforestation diminishes this vital process, highlighting the critical role of forests in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
- Global warming, driven by escalating greenhouse gas concentrations, poses multifaceted threats such as extreme weather events, habitat destruction for species like polar bears and coral reefs, and disruptions in global ecosystems, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive strategies encompassing international cooperation, legislative actions, and individual behavioral changes to address this pressing environmental crisis.
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Recent questions
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This process is essential for maintaining a livable temperature on Earth.
How do trees help reduce greenhouse gases?
Trees act as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This helps to reduce the amount of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. However, deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases.
What are some ways to reduce carbon footprint?
To reduce carbon footprint, individuals can insulate their homes, use energy-saving appliances, support local produce, and recycle. These actions help to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, ultimately reducing the impact on global warming.
What are the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions?
Carbon dioxide emissions primarily result from human activities such as fossil fuel use in transport, electricity production, and industries. These activities release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
How does global warming impact biodiversity?
Global warming, caused by increased greenhouse gases, leads to extreme weather conditions, desertification, stronger cyclones, and melting polar ice caps. This has a direct impact on biodiversity, threatening species like polar bears and coral reefs. Coral bleaching, loss of marine life, and disruptions in ecosystems are some of the consequences of global warming on biodiversity.
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Summary
00:00
Human Impact and Greenhouse Gases: A Summary
- Human impact is covered in both grade 11 and grade 12 content, focusing on how human actions affect the environment.
- The greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth, trapping radiant energy to maintain a livable temperature.
- Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide intensify the greenhouse effect, leading to global temperature increases.
- Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, but deforestation reduces this absorption.
- To reduce greenhouse gases, international cooperation, legislation, and incentives are crucial.
- Carbon dioxide emissions primarily result from human activities like fossil fuel use in transport, electricity production, and industries.
- Methane emissions, more potent in trapping heat, come from industries, agriculture, rice plantations, and waste.
- Carbon footprint measures the impact of one's activities on global warming, influenced by fuel consumption, transport, electricity use, and waste generation.
- To reduce carbon footprint, insulate homes, use energy-saving appliances, support local produce, and recycle.
- Global warming, caused by increased greenhouse gases, leads to extreme weather conditions, desertification, stronger cyclones, and melting polar ice caps.
17:57
"Human impact threatens polar bears and coral"
- Polar bears and coral are facing threats due to increased human interaction and rising sea temperatures. Coral bleaching occurs as a result, leading to loss of marine life and biodiversity, including vulnerable species like orangutans impacted by the palm oil industry.
- The interconnectedness of species is disrupted, leading to global food and water shortages, spread of diseases like malaria due to climate change, and increased acidity in seawater. To combat global warming, strategies include improving energy efficiency, developing alternative energy sources like wind and solar power, and promoting afforestation to reduce carbon dioxide levels.
