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Primary causes spell H abitat alteration I nvasive species P ollution P opulation growth O verconsumption. TeacherTube Videos - Whats your impact. Human Impact.
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Primary causes spell Habitat alteration Invasive species Pollution Population growth Overconsumption TeacherTube Videos - Whats your impact Human Impact Today, species are disappearing at an extraordinary rate—an estimated 30 to 75 species a day. In most cases, these extinctions are the result of human activity. HIPPO
Habitat alteration • The greatest cause of extinction today • Accounts for 85% of population declines of birds and mammals • Habitat change hurts most organisms because they are adapted to an existing habitat. • Alteration due to: • Forest clearing Urban development • Agriculture
Invasive species • Accidental or intentional introduction of exotic species to new areas • Cause problems with native species ex: spread disease • New species do not have predators, usually take over area • Example : European zebra mussels hitched rides on cargo and cruise ships and now pose a great threat to the health of the Great Lakes and other northeastern United States lakes.
Pollution • Caused by many human activities: • Air and water pollution • - Logging causes soil erosion polluting streams • - cars, power plants release carbon monoxide • into air • Agricultural runoff • - fertilizers, animal wastes • Industrial chemicals • - Insecticides, oil spills
Population Growth Human population growth exacerbates every other environmental problem. • Today, over 7 billion people are living on Earth. • Each year we add about 80 million more. • This growing population puts tremendous pressure on the Earth’s resources, hastening destruction of habitat and increasing pollution.
Overconsumption Using resources faster than natural processes can replenish them • Two meanings: • Overharvesting of species from the wild • (too much hunting, fishing…) • Overconsumption of resources • (too much timber cutting, fossil fuel use…)
HIPPO: • Habitat alteration • Invasive species • Pollution • Population growth • Overconsumption
How can you make • a difference? • Smart shopping: look for packages that are recyclable or made of recycled materials • Go for a walk ,clean an area by picking up trash • Earth hour: A world-wide initiative to have households, businesses, and schools turn off their electricity for at least one hour to reduce the impact on global climate changes on Earth. • Earth Hour 2012 Official Video – YouTube • Take a shorter shower/ turn off water while brushing your teeth