Human Impact on the Environment

Human Impact on the Environment

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Connect human population growth to its impact on Earth's systems.

• Describe how deforestation and farming affect our natural resources.

• Explain how pollution and greenhouse gases harm the environment.

• Explore solutions like conservation to help minimize human impact.

Key Vocabulary

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Human Population

The total number of humans living on our planet Earth at any given time.

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Natural Resources

Materials from the Earth that are used by humans to support life and meet needs.

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Per-Capita Consumption

The average amount of a specific resource that is used by each person in a group.

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Engineered Solution

A type of technology or a process that has been designed specifically to solve a problem.

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Deforestation

The large-scale cutting down and clearing of forests for different types of human activities.

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Urbanization

The process of developing land to build cities, including new houses, roads, and buildings.

Key Vocabulary

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Pollution

The contamination of the environment, such as the air, water, or soil, with harmful substances.

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Greenhouse Effect

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap the sun's warmth, heating the Earth.

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Climate Change

A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local climates.

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Conservation

The protection and careful management of Earth's natural resources to prevent them from being wasted or lost.

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Reclamation

The important process of restoring land that has been damaged or disturbed, especially by mining activities.

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Algal Bloom

A rapid and excessive increase in the population of algae in a freshwater or marine water system.

Population, Consumption, and Impact

• A larger human population requires more of Earth's natural resources.

• On average, each person is using more resources than ever before.

• This combination causes negative impacts on the environment.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary effect of a growing human population on Earth's natural resources?

• It increases the need for more resources.

• It decreases the need for resources.

• It has no effect on the need for resources.

• It helps create more natural resources.

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between a growing population and increased resource use per person?

• They combine to cause negative impacts on the environment.

• They help the environment recover and create more resources.

• Only the number of people impacts the environment, not their consumption.

• Only the amount of consumption impacts the environment, not the number of people.

Multiple Choice

Given the trends of a growing population and increased consumption, what is the most logical prediction for the future?

• The negative impacts on the environment will likely increase.

• Earth's natural resources will also begin to increase.

• The environment will not be affected by these changes.

• The amount of resources each person uses will decrease.

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Impact on Land: Land Use

• A growing population's needs lead to major changes in land use.

• Forests are cleared, causing habitat loss and increased atmospheric CO₂.

• Farming can cause soil erosion and pollution from fertilizers and pesticides.

• Expanding cities cover land, which increases runoff and the risk of flooding.

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Multiple Choice

What is the main reason for major changes in land use, such as clearing forests and expanding cities?

• The needs of a growing human population

• The natural cycles of the planet

• A decrease in the amount of pollution

• The creation of new national parks

Multiple Choice

According to the text, what is a primary environmental impact of farming practices?

• They can cause soil erosion and pollution.

• They help to increase the amount of fresh water.

• They create new habitats for forest animals.

• They reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

Multiple Choice

If a large area of forest is cleared to build a new shopping mall, what is a likely consequence for the local environment?

• An increase in available land for farming

• A decrease in atmospheric CO₂ levels

• The creation of new wildlife habitats

• Increased water runoff and potential flooding

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Impact on Land: Waste Disposal

• A larger, more consumptive population produces a greater amount of waste.

• Most trash is buried in landfills, which take up valuable space.

• New landfills are hard to find and can risk contaminating soil.

• Hazardous waste from batteries and chemicals can pollute soil and water.

Multiple Choice

What is a landfill?

• A large area of land where everyday trash is buried.

• A special facility for recycling toxic materials.

• A place where waste is converted into energy.

• A storage site for industrial machinery.

Multiple Choice

What is a major environmental problem caused by both landfills and hazardous waste?

• They both take up valuable land space.

• They can both pollute soil and water sources.

• They are both easy to dispose of safely.

• They are both primarily from industrial sources.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information provided, what is the most likely consequence if a community disposes of toxic batteries and cleaners in a regular landfill?

• The waste will eventually become non-toxic on its own.

• The health of people and the environment could be put at risk.

• The community will save money on disposal costs without any issues.

• The soil will become more fertile for growing crops.

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Impact on Water: Usage and Distribution

• The growing need for freshwater puts a major strain on Earth’s supply.

• ​Power plants and farms use the largest amounts of our limited freshwater.

• Building dams can block fish and change the natural flow of rivers.

• Pumping groundwater too fast can make the ground sink, creating sinkholes.

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Multiple Choice

What is the main challenge related to Earth's freshwater supply?

• The growing demand for it is putting a major strain on the limited supply.

• It is becoming too salty for humans to use.

• There is too much of it in the Earth's oceans.

• It is evenly distributed and easy to access everywhere.

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between power plants or farms and Earth's freshwater?

• They use very large amounts of the limited freshwater supply.

• They create new sources of freshwater for rivers.

• They help clean and filter groundwater.

• They have very little impact on water distribution.

Multiple Choice

If a community starts pumping large amounts of groundwater to support new farms, what is a likely long-term consequence for the area?

• The flow of nearby rivers will be blocked for fish.

• The ground level may sink, potentially creating sinkholes.

• The total amount of freshwater on Earth will increase.

• The water used by the farms will be returned to the ground unchanged.

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Water Pollution from Human Activities

• Runoff from farms, factories, and cities pollutes our water with harmful substances.

• Most ocean pollution, like trash and chemicals, starts on land and flows from rivers.

• Solid waste like plastic can gather in the ocean, creating huge garbage patches.

• Fertilizers cause algae to grow, using up oxygen and creating deadly “dead zones.”

Multiple Choice

What is the primary way human activities impact water quality?

• They increase the amount of available drinking water.

• They help clean the water in rivers and oceans.

• They introduce pollution that harms ecosystems.

• They create new habitats for marine animals.

Multiple Choice

How does most pollution, such as trash and chemicals, end up in the ocean?

• It is carried by runoff from sources on land.

• It is created by underwater volcanoes.

• It is dumped directly by ships in the ocean.

• It is formed naturally by ocean currents.

Multiple Choice

If a coastal area near many large farms begins to see a sharp decrease in marine life, what is the most likely cause?

• The garbage patch provided new food for the fish.

• Fertilizer runoff from the farms created a dead zone.

• Trash from the city blocked the flow of the river.

• Factory pollution made the ocean water warmer.

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Impact on the Atmosphere

Air Pollution

• Photochemical smog is a haze that forms when pollutants from burning fossil fuels react with sunlight.

• Particulate matter, such as smoke and dust, also pollutes the air and can cause health problems.

• Acid rain forms when pollutants mix with water in the atmosphere, damaging forests and aquatic ecosystems.

Ozone Layer Damage

• Chemicals called CFCs, which are now mostly banned, destroy the Earth's protective ozone layer.

• The ozone layer is important because it blocks most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

• A thinner ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach Earth, which can harm plants and animals.

Multiple Choice

What is photochemical smog?

• A haze that forms when pollutants react with sunlight

• Chemicals that destroy the ozone layer

• Rain that is mixed with pollutants from the atmosphere

• Smoke and dust that can cause health problems

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between pollutants and acid rain?

• It connects the burning of fossil fuels to the formation of acid rain.

• It describes the direct effect of UV radiation on animals.

• It identifies the main function of the ozone layer.

• It explains how particulate matter causes health problems.

Multiple Choice

If the use of chemicals like CFCs had continued without being banned, what would be the most likely long-term consequence for the planet?

• Increased harm to plants and animals from UV radiation.

• An increase in photochemical smog in major cities.

• A decrease in acid rain affecting forests.

• An improvement in air quality due to less dust.

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Solutions for a Healthier Planet

• Science and engineering offer engineered solutions to lessen the impacts of human activities.

• We can conserve resources by reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials.

• Land can be preserved through reforestation and reclamation of damaged areas.

• Using renewable energy like solar and wind power reduces air pollution.

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Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of using engineered solutions like conserving resources and preserving land?

• To lessen the impacts of human activities

• To increase the amount of natural resources

• To stop all construction of new buildings

• To make new products for people to buy

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials?

• They are all methods used to conserve resources.

• They are all ways to reduce air pollution.

• They are all examples of land preservation.

• They are all types of renewable energy.

Multiple Choice

A town is experiencing poor air quality from its power source and has a large, empty area of land that was recently cleared of trees. Which plan would best address both of the town's problems?

• Begin a reforestation project and switch to using solar power.

• Start a recycling program and encourage reusing items.

• Reclaim a different damaged area and reduce water consumption.

• Build more factories and increase resource consumption.

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Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Correction
Technology and engineering only cause environmental problems.	They also create solutions like renewable energy and pollution control.
All ozone is harmful to humans.	The upper ozone layer protects us from the Sun's harmful UV rays.
Weather and climate are the same.	Weather is short-term; climate is the long-term average pattern.
Recycling is the most effective of the 'Three Rs'.	Reducing and reusing are more effective because they prevent waste creation.

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Summary

• Increased human population and consumption of resources negatively impact Earth’s systems.

• Human activities like deforestation and agriculture degrade land and destroy habitats.

• Burning fossil fuels pollutes air, causes acid rain, and releases greenhouse gases.

• We can use conservation and renewable energy to reduce our environmental impact.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about explaining human impact on the environment?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4