Topic 1 - Planet Earth: Prognosis Negative?

human-caused

the entire global ecosystem and all of its inhabitants

the maximum number of any species a habitat can support

occurs when a quantity increases by a fixed percentage of the whole, which means that it will double after a certain interval, rather than grow incrementally (i.e., linear growth)

I=PAT impact of any group or nation = population size x affluence, per capita, as measured by consumption x technology employed in supplying that consumption

a measure of how fast people (individuals or populations) use resources and generate waste in comparison to how rapidly nature can absorb the waste and replenish the resources

idling the car motor, keeping the thermostat set to “comfy” when away from home, and leaving the lights on in an empty room

sequestering the waste 1,000 feet or more underground

washing coal in a chemical bath, producing slurry, which contains dangerous heavy metals and a variety of carcinogenic compounds

Naturally occurring greenhouse gases trap some of the sun’s heat, keeping the earth warm enough to support life. Necessary to stabilize atmospheric temperatures and maintain a climate suitable for life on the planet

human activities are increasing greenhouse gas levels, leading to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere, thus warming the planet

the planetary rise in temperature is causing shifts in climate regions and more extreme weather events

less pest resistant than biologically diverse plantings

the top few inches of soil, which is the home of the organic matter necessary for growing food

removal and storage of atmospheric CO2

manufactured products that you could not make with the same ingredients in your home kitchen

for solid waste. claims acreage and releases emissions that cause air pollution and leach toxicants that pollute groundwater

a liquid mixture that carries contaminants to local bodies of water when precipitation percolates through the contents of a landfill

substances and materials used every day that qualify as hazardous

never completely reintegrate into nature

discarded electronics

the display of power and prestige through the accumulation of unnecessary luxury items

disposable

intentionally designing products to have a limited lifespan so that consumers will have to intermittently replace them