human impact on the environment

it is a natural process that warms the earths surface. When the suns energy reaches the earths atmosphere some of the energy is reflected back into space and the rest of it is by absorbed by the earths surface and then re-radiated by the greenhouse gases

they act as a insulating blanket that traps heat energy and makes the earth warm and habitable

carbon dioxide methane water vapour nitrous oxide

• the intensifying of the greenhouse effect due to the excessive release of greenhouse gases like CO2 ,CH4 because of human activities, • The higher the level of these gases in the atmosphere , the further increase in the earths temperature thus leading to global warming

industrialization( the use of fossil fuels ) deforestation ( reduces the carbon sinks in the environment )

trees in the forest absorb large amounts of CO2 for photosynthesis and they store this CO2 as carbohydrates , so they minimalize the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

traps heat more effectively than any other greenhouse gas

• CH4 is released during production,processing,storage and distribution of natural gases • ch4 is released into the atmosphere from animal faeces • stored animal manure release CH4 into the atmosphere

the sum of all CO2 emissions resulting from your activities within a given period

minimize air travel use less electricity use alternative sources of energy decrease your fuel consumption by walking ,cycling eat less meat and processed foods insulate your home

the increase in the earths temperature as a result of an enhanced greenhouse effect

• a rise in sea levels • melting of polar ice caps and glaciers • global shortage of food and water • loss of biodiversity • increase in extreme weather conditions

the process through which semi-arid or arid land is transformed into a desert

• climate change • decrease in total rainfall • high temperatures and prolonged droughts can lead to loss of natural vegetation and crop failure

• over-grazing • over-cultivation • poor irrigation • deforestation

-soil erosion -increased flooding sand/dust storms which can lead to the loss of valuable top soil -loss of biodiversity -the soil releases more CO2

deforestation

• urbanisation • agriculture • traditional medicine • wood for fuel • timber • mineral mining

-global warming -soil erosion -floods loss of biodiversity

ozone layer (O3)

manufactured chemicals containing chlorine and bromine are known as Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

damage to: • human health • marine life • agriculture • materials

-construction of dams -destruction of wetlands -poor farming practices droughts and floods -alien plantations