Section 2

1. Section 2 Environmental Solutions

2. I CAN: • Explain the importance of conservation. • Describe the three Rs. • Explain how biodiversity can be maintained. • List five environmental strategies.

3. As the human population grows, it will need more resources. People will need food, healthcare, transportation, and waste disposal. What does this mean for the Earth? All of these needs will have an impact on the Earth. If people don’t use resources wisely, people will continue to pollute the air, soil, and water. More natural habitats could be lost. Many species could die out as a result. But there are many things people can do to protect the environment.

4. One way to care for the Earth is conservation (KAHN suhr VAY shuhn). Conservation is the preservation and wise use of natural resources. You can ride your bike to conserve fuel. At the same time, you prevent air pollution. You can use organic compost instead of chemical fertilizer in your garden. Doing so conserves the resources needed to make the fertilizer. Also, you may reduce soil and water pollution.

5. Practicing conservation means using fewer natural resources. Conservation helps reduce waste and pollution. Also, conservation can help prevent habitat destruction. The three Rs are shown in Figure 1. They describe three ways to conserve resources: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

6. As much as one-third of the waste produced by some countries is packaging material. Products can be wrapped in less paper and plastic to reduce waste. For example, fast-food restaurants used to serve sandwiches in large plastic containers. Today, sandwiches are usually wrapped in thin paper instead. This paper is more biodegradable than plastic. Something that is biodegradable can be broken down by living organisms, such as bacteria. Scientists, such as the ones in Figure 2, are working to make biodegradable plastics.

7. Many people and companies are using less-hazardous materials in making their products. For example, some farmers don’t use synthetic chemicals on their crops. Instead, they practice organic farming. They use mulch, compost, manure, and natural pest control. Agricultural specialists are also working on farming techniques that are better for the environment.

8. Some scientists are looking for sources of energy that can replace fossil fuels. For example, solar energy can be used to power homes, such as the home shown in Figure 3. Scientists are studying power sources such as wind, tides, and falling water. Car companies have developed electric and hydrogen-fueled automobiles. Driving these cars uses fewer fossil fuels and produces less pollution than driving gas-fueled cars does.

9. Do you get hand-me-down clothes from an older sibling? Do you try to fix broken sports equipment instead of throwing it away? If so, you are helping conserve resources by reusing products. Every time you reuse a plastic bag, one bag fewer needs to be made. Reusing the plastic bag at the grocery store is just one way to reuse the bag. Reusing products is an important way to conserve resources.

10. You might be surprised at how many materials can be reused. For example, building materials can be reused. Wood, bricks, and tiles can be used in new structures. Old tires can be reused, too. They can be reused for playground surfaces. As shown in Figure 4, some tires are even reused to build new homes!

11. About 100 billion liters of water are used each day in American homes. Most of this water goes down the drain. Many communities are experiencing water shortages. Some of these communities Are experimenting with reusing, or reclaiming, wastewater. One way to reclaim water is to use organisms to clean the water. These organisms include plants and filter-feeding animals, such as clams. Often, reclaimed water isn’t pure enough to drink. But it can be used to water crops, lawns, and golf courses, such as the one shown in this picture. Sometimes, reclaimed water is returned to underground water supplies.

12. Another example of reuse is recycling. Recycling is the recovery of materials from waste. Sometimes, recyclable items, such as paper, are used to make the same kinds of products. Other recyclable items are made into different products. For example, yard clippings can be recycled into a natural fertilizer. Plastics, paper, aluminum, wood, glass, and cardboard are examples of materials that can be recycled. Every week, about half a million trees are used to make Sunday newspapers. Recycling newspapers could save millions of trees. Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to change raw ore into aluminum. Glass can be recycled over and over again to make new bottles and jars.

13. Many communities make recycling easy. Some cities provide containers for glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper. People can leave these containers on the curb. Each week, the materials are picked up for recycling, as shown in Figure 6. Other cities have centers where people can take materials for recycling.

14. Waste that can be burned can also be used to generate electricity. Electricity is generated in waste-to-energy plants, such as the one shown in Figure 7. Using garbage to make electricity is an example of resource recovery. Some companies are beginning to make electricity with their own waste. Doing so saves the companies money and conserves resources. About 16% of the solid waste in the United States is burned in waste-to-energy plants. But some people are concerned that these plants pollute the air. Other people worry that the plants reduce recycling.

15. You know the three Rs. What else can you do to help the environment? You can help maintain biodiversity! So, how does biodiversity help the environment? Imagine a forest with only one kind of tree. If a disease hit that species, the entire forest might die. Now, imagine a forest with 10 species of trees. If a disease hits one species, 9 other species will remain. Bananas are an important crop. But banana fields are not very diverse. Fungi threaten the survival of bananas. Farmers often use chemicals to control fungi. Growing other plants among the bananas, or increasing biodiversity, can also prevent the spread of fungi.

16. Biodiversity is also important because each species has a unique role in an ecosystem. Losing one species could disrupt an entire ecosystem. For example, if an important predator is lost, its prey will multiply. The prey might eat the plants in an area, keeping other animals from getting food. Eventually, even the prey won’t have food. So, the prey will starve.

17. One way to maintain biodiversity is to protect individual species. In the United States, a law called the Endangered Species Act was designed to do just that. Endangered species are put on a special list. The law forbids activities that would harm a species on this list. The law also requires the development of recovery programs for each endangered species. Some endangered species, such as the California condor are now increasing in number.

18. Thanks to captive-breeding programs, the California condor population is increasing.

19. Anyone can ask the government to add a species to or remove a species from the endangered species list. This process can take years to complete. The government must study the species and its habitat before making a decision. Waiting until a species is almost extinct to begin protecting it is like waiting until your teeth are rotting to begin brushing them. Scientists want to prevent species from becoming endangered and from becoming extinct.

20. Plants, animals, and microorganisms depend on each other. Each organism is part of a huge, interconnected web of organisms. The entire web should be protected to protect these organisms. To protect the web, complete habitats, not just individual species, must be preserved. Nature preserves are one way to protect entire habitats.

21. Laws have been passed to help protect the Earth’s environment. By following those laws, people can help the environment. People can also use the following environmental strategies: • Reduce pollution. Recycle as much as possible, and buy recycled products. Don’t dump wastes on farmland, in forests, or into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Participate in a local cleanup project. • Reduce pesticide use. Use only pesticides that are targeted specifically for harmful insects. Avoid pesticides that might harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs or spiders. Use natural pesticides that interfere with how certain insects grow, develop, and reproduce. • Protect habitats. Preserve entire habitats. Conserve wetlands. Reduce deforestation. Use resources at a rate that allows them to be replenished naturally. • Learn about local issues. Attend local meetings about laws and projects that may affect your local environment. Research the impact of the project, and let people know about your concerns. • Develop alternative energy sources. Increase the use of renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power.

22. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a government organization that helps protect the environment. The EPA works to help people have a clean environment in which to live, work, and play. The EPA keeps people informed about environmental issues and helps enforce environmental laws.

23. Section Summary • Conservation is the preservation and wise use of natural resources. Conservation helps reduce pollution, ensures that resources will be available in the future, and protects habitats. • The three Rs are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Reducing means using fewer resources. Reusing means using materials and products over and over. Recycling is the recovery of materials from waste. • Biodiversity is vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems. A loss of one species can affect an entire ecosystem. • Biodiversity can be preserved by protecting endangered species and entire habitats. • Environmental strategies include reducing pollution, reducing pesticide use, protecting habitats, enforcing the Endangered Species Act, and developing alternative energy resources.