Global Environmental Concerns Flashcards
What are the main causes of damage to the environment? (4)
Alien species
Transforming landscape
Pollution
Over exploitation
What is causing a threat to forests?
Wood and paper
Fuel
Agriculture
Infrastructure projects
Cattle
What are the areas of greatest concern to humanity?
Food
Water
Energy
Climate change
Bio-diversity
Pollution
Why is agriculture a problem?
Water use
Deforestation
Increasing demand as population grows
Greenhouse gases
Why is industry an issue?
Fossil fuels
Mining
Chemicals
Oil spills
What issues relate to the atmosphere?
Smog
Acid rain
Climate change
Ozone layer
What is the issue with fresh water?
Only 0.08% of it is usable
Worries of water shortage
Uneven distribution
Rising population
Inefficient use
Pollution of supply
Who was Thomas Robert Malthus?
A political economist and demographer who was alive between 1766 and 1843
He predicted the world’s population would overtake its ability to sustain itself.
What issues does energy production and use cause?
Smog
Acid rain
Climate change
Use of finite resources
What affect are humans having on biodiversity
Huge decline in biodiversity
Habitat loss
Illegal wildlife trade
Non-native species affecting eco-system
What issues concern marine habitats?
Overfishing
Reefs disappearing (coral bleaching)
By-catch
Petro-chemicals
What is the human population now? And what is it’s limit?
Current pop = 8.1 billion
Limit 13-15 billion
What are the reasons for humanity population increase?
No natural predators
Medicine, technology and science advances
Agriculture allows us to supply more people than a natural ecosystem could sustain
What are the main health threats considerations as an EHP?
Occupational health
Operational
Geographic
Accomodation
Climatic
Leisure
What factors contribute to habitat loss?
Agriculture
Fire
Urban envelopment
Roads
Water supply
Pollution
Fire suppression
Recreation
