1.1 E Global Issues Physical Geography

How has humanity contributed to global warming?

• The burning of fossil fuels has produced carbon dioxide which has deteriorated the ozone.

• Urban sprawl has deteriorated the earth crust creating unstable plates and earthquakes.

• Cigarette smoke has created air pollution causing a rise in humidity in the biosphere.

• Volcanic eruptions cause more damage to the ozone than any destruction caused by humanity.

How has the overuse of pesticides caused water pollution?

• Runoff from farms often pollutes the watershed even aquifiers as chemicals seep into the ground water.

• Pesticides often kill insects such as mosquito which regulate the balance of life in the hydrosphere.

• Too much pesticide use has caused insects such as the tse-tse fly to adapt and grow stronger.

• Farm pesticides do little to cause pollution and actually reverse the detrimental effect of trash in river systems.

Which of the following techniques best prevents soil exhaustion from destroying the biosphere?

• crop rotation

• animal grazing

• pesticide usage

• hydroelectric irrigation

Which is one of the biggest culprits of deforestation?

• urban sprawl

• guerrilla warfare in Africa

• global warming

• acid rain

What health effects has acid rain caused on human populations?

• chronic bronchitis

• lung cancer

• black lung

• dementia

Which of the following are the two most commonly depleted natural resources due to human activity?

• oil and water

• natural gas and lumber

• gold and uranium

• copper and zinc

What is the easiest way to prevent global problems created by waste disposal?

• recycle, especially aluminum

• stop using plastics altogether

• use less energy at home

• do not eat fast food

Which of the following is the most important reason for preserving biodiversity?

• nearly all animal and plant life play a role in protecting the ecosystem

• all animals have a right to life and are protected by the worldwide wildlife foundation

• plant life is needed to sustain the availability of our most important resource- children

• a loss in biodiversity can result in a loss of cultural values

Why are GMO foods a concern for the environment?

• Geologists believe the increased toxicity of these plants are harmful to the ecosystem.

• Farmers cannot afford to grow GMO foods and compete with foreign food markets.

• Geographers believe GMO foods are causing soil exhaustion and require more fresh water to irrigate.

• GMO foods are causing substantial human growth.

Why is desertification a global problem?

• Desertification is causing a loss of the savannas where the majority of food is produced in Africa

• Desertification is causing destruction of the tropical rain forest and destroying a valuable oxygen producing biome

• Desertification will make the Arctic uninhabitable by human populations and cause overcrowding in mid-latitude cities.

• Desertification is a major concern because it will destroy the underground aquifiers that supply our fresh water.