Anthropocene Flashcards
Human population is?
> 7 billion
What was a milestone in human population?
1 billion in 1800
What revolutions have driven growth?
- agriculture
- industrial
- medical/sanitary
- technological
- green (agriculture)
- gene (biotechnology)
What is an ecological footprint?
Cumulative amount of land and water required to provide the raw materials that a person or population consumes and to dispose of or recycle the waste that is produced
Currently how much of the world’s population uses 80% of the resources
20% of the population uses 80% of the resources
The remaining 80% of the population uses only 20% of the resources
Why is there greater pressure on Earth’s resources/ecosystems?
Growing populations in developing countries
Greater consumption in developed countries
List 3 human impacts
- Population growth and increased consumption
- Demand for energy - fossil fuels
- Climate change
- Ocean acidification
- Demand for agricultural land - deforestation
- Demand for water for food production
- Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
- Use of chemical biocides - pesticides/antibiotics
- Over-harvesting resources
- Invasive species
Canada has the highest energy consumption per individual
TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Fossil fuels do what?
More fossil fuels used produces more CH4 and CO2 emissions resulting in a disruption of the carbon cycle
Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation, surface increases in temperature and emits infrared radiation. This is the greenhouse effect.
TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Define what a greenhouse gas is then list them
Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation to varying degrees Water vapour Ozone CO2 Methane Chlorofluorocarbons
Define global warming. Why is it happening?
An increase in Earth’s average temperature
Rapid climatic changes occurring now are due to human activity
What are plant responses to climate change?
- flower earlier
- altered growth
- migrate northward
Ocean acidification occurs when:
(A) CO2 levels increase then pH increases
(B) CO2 levels decrease then pH increases
(C) CO2 levels decrease then pH decreases
(D) CO2 levels increase then pH decreases
(D)
Ocean acidification has lead to decreased or increased calcification of shelled organisms?
Decreased
List 1 of 3 impacts of modern agriculture
- Massive use of chemicals and water
- Conversion of habitats for agriculture
- Poor management of farmland (erosion/desertification)
Deforestation causes increase CO2 levels from burning and reduced vegetation.
TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Most water is used for industries and domestics uses and not agriculture
TRUE OR FALSE?
FALSE: most is used for agriculture
Chemical fertilizers lead to…
Eutrophication-nutrient enrichment
Chemical fertilizers result in dead zones where?
Aquatic ecosystems
The affects of biocides include: (A) concentration through food chain/web meaning higher concentrations at the top of food chains (B) concentration through food chain/web meaning lower concentrations at the top of food chains (C) stores in human's fatty compounds (D) destruction of pest forever (E) eventual resistance from pests (F) biodegradable compounds (G) compounds that never biodegrade (H) A, C, E and G
(H) A, C, E and G
Fisheries are collapsing because of climate change and exploitation of resources
TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Invasive species cause…
Disruption of ecological networks including mutualistic interactions
List some solutions to human impacts
- Environmentally-friendly cleaner energy sources
- Vertical, urban farming
- Reduce population and consumption
- Be mindful
