Unit 7: Social and environmental responsibility Flashcards
What is environmental degradation
The deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems, the extinction of wildlife, and pollution.
Greenhouse effect
All the gases and substances released into the earth’s atmosphere change the atmosphere, which causes radiation from the sun to be trapped, making the earth warmer
What is habitat fragmentation?
A process through which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated habitats
harmful substances
A harmful biological substance is a bacterium, virus, microorganism, or toxic substance derived from or produced by an organism that can lead to injury, disease, or death in humans, animals, or plants.
Organic farming
A method of crop and livestock production characterized by not using pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Livestock receives attentive care that promotes their health and meets their behavioral needs
Urbanisation
the change in a country or region when its population migrates from rural to urban areas
Benefits of organic farming
Minimises chemical usage
Promotes biodiversity
Improves soil health with organic farming practices
Only natural methods are used
Characteristics of conventional farming
Uses unnatural farming methods
Ignores time-consuming natural methods
Uses chemicals, synthetics, and other materials to manage weed and pests
How to live an organic life
- By eating organic food, you benefit from a healthy ecosystem whic produces food where workers are safe from chemicals
- Buy your food locally and eat wht is easonal. Local food generally uses less packaging , is fresher and tastier.
- Make compost from your leftovers, such as fruit- and vegetable peels. composting leftovers will give you fertile soil and keep your kitchen dustbin from smelling
- Start your own vegetable garden
- Eat more raw food
- Ease up on the meat. Meat production requires huge amounts of water, grain and land
primary cause of environmental degradation
human disturbance and interference. The plants, animals and humans that inhabit a soecific environment will determine the impact of that environment
the environments degradation impact on animals
Some wildlife species requires large stretches of land to meet all of their needs for food, habitat, migration and other resoures
the environments degradation Land disturbance
has an even vigger impact. many weed plants become active with the disturbance of their habitat and can take over a large area, displacing the natura flora of that environment
Factor on how environmental degration occurs
Urbanisation Population explosion Intensification of agriculture Increase in energy usage Increase in transportation
The primary cause of environmental degradation
urbanisation
Causes of population explosion
The population explosion is putting more pressure on planet Earth due to the need for more cars, houses, and roads. All these demands contribute to greater levels of pollution. There is also a need for the intensification of agriculture and an increased need for energy. The population explosion also leads to higher rates of poverty and unemployment
Agriculture
The production of modern-day food plays a central part in the degrading of the environment. Over 30% of all greenhouse gases are released by the use of petrochemicals in agriculture and by factory farms
Energy use and production
Energy plays an important role in many aspects of our lives like electricity for lighting and cooling, and fuel for transportation, heating, and cooling. Water consumption, the use of goods and services, transportation, land use, production growth, and economic growth depend on the use of energy. Fossil fuels are mostly used to produce energy
Increased transportation
The more the population grows, the more transport is needed and the more roads that need to be built
Increased transportation
The more the population grows, the more transport is needed and the more roads that need to be built. The effects of transport on public roads and highways are noise pollution, air pollution, and the destruction of natural habitat. Wider effects include habitat fragmentation, ecosystem degradation, and climate change from all the gas emissions from vehicles. The construction of roads is known to cause significant damage to streams and wetlands
Other forms of pollution
Noise
Radioactive
light
visual
Noise pollution
as an undesirable level of noise caused by human activity that disrupts the standard of living in the unaffected area
Noise pollution is caused by
traffic airports manufacturing plants construction of demolition lour music
Radioactive pollution
This kind of pollution is very rare but extremely dangerous. It causes birth defects, cancer, sterilization, and other health problems for human and wildlife populations. It can also sterilise the soil and contribute to water and air pollution
Radioactive pollution is caused by
uranium mining operations
improper nuclear waste disposal
nuclear power plant accidents and leakage
Light pollution
is the over-illumination of an area and is sometimes considered obtrusive. It makes it impossible to see stars and it interferes with astronomical observation, circadian rhythm
Light pollution is caused by
over-illumination of the outdoors in large cities
billboards and advertising
night time sporting events and other entertainment
Visual pollution
also called eyesores and is caused by undesirable, unattractive views and it may lower the quality of life in a certain view
Visual pollution is caused by
power lines construction areas billboards and advertising neglect of empty sites and abandoned buildings
The effects of air pollution
- it weakens the lungs and restricts their functioning
- It causes irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat
- It brings asthma attacks
- It leads to respiratory diseases such as bronchitis
- It may cause cancer
The effects of water pollution
- It can cause rashes, earaches, and pink eyes
- May cause infections in the respiratory systems
- Can cause hepatitis, encephalitis
- Hazardous chemicals in water can cause cancer and hormonal problems, harm to the nervous system, and damage to the liver and kidney
The effects of land pollutions
- Polluted soil may cause cancer
- Lead in soil can retard brain growth in young children
- Mercury increases the risk of kidney cancer
- Polluted land can cause neuromuscular blockade
- Can cause headaches, nausea, eye irritation, and skin rash
How to avoid air pollution
- Install solar power to obtain your electricity from the heat of the sun
- Avoid smoking indoors
- Minimise the use of air freshener
4.
How to avoid water pollution
- Don’t litter
- Use green household cleaners and laundry detergents
- Use organic lawn fertilisers instead of chemical fertilisers
- Organise a community clean up event
How to avoid soil pollution
- Follow the same rule as for water pollution
- Join a community effort to plant trees
- Buy reusable cloth grocery bags instead of plastic bags
- Recycle paper, plastics and aluminium cans to reduce the garbage
Causes of Home fires
- Faulty wiring (old or damaged wiring is the main cause of a fire in the house)
- Unattended cooking. ( Make sure the area around the store is clear of curtains or anything that can catch fire)
- Heaters. heaters are often used to dry laundry or damp shoes. These items can easily catch fire
- Electrical appliances. make sure that you don’t overload your power boxes with too many appliances at one time
Step to follow in case of a fire
- react as soon as possible because time is everything. your first priority is to ensure you and your family members get out as soon as possible there is no time to stop to get values
- Call the emergency services immediately
Rules for exiting through doors
- if there is smoke under a door, don’t go through that door
- f there is not smoke, touch the door with the back of your hand to make sure it not hot, if it’s not hot then go through that door
- If there is a door open and there is a fire, close that door
Protect yourself from smoke inhalation
- Crawl on your hands and knees to evade the smoke
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet shirt or rag
If your clothes catch fire
- don’t run because it will fan the flames
- Drop and roll on the ground until you put the fire out
- Cover your face with your hand to protect yourself when you are rolling around
If you are trapped in a room
- Don’t panic
- Stay low to the ground to evade all smoke
- Close the door and cover all the vents to keep the smoke out for as long as possible
How to stay safe during a flood
- Have an emergency kit in your house
- Switch off electriciy and water supply
- If you are in a car, dont drive through flood water
- If you are on foot, avoid fast- flowing water
5.
What must you do after the flood
- Return to your house if it is safe
- Boil drinking water
- Throw away anything that cannot be cleaned or disinfected
- Watch out for holes in the floor, broken glass, and other potentially dangerous debris
- Don’t switch on devices before they are properly checked
What is global warming
The rising of average global temperature near the earth surface
Cause of global warming
Mostly caused by the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which is causing climate patterns to change
The impact of climate change will
affect our water supply power and transport might be affected polar ice shields are melting sea levels rising oceans are getting warmer
Consequences of climate change
Rising sea levels
- Rising sea levels. oceans are getting warmer and as they expand, sea levels rise. The freshwater from melting glaciers flows into the ocean which causes sea levels to rise even more. The rising sea threatens dense coastal populations and damage property and destroys the ecosystem.
Consequences of climate change
Storms, droughts, and floods
Climate change is intensifying droughts, storms, and floods around the world and putting whole communities at risk because of the severity of these natural disasters
Consquences of climate change
economic imact
The fishing industry and the agricultural industry will feel the log term impact of climate change
Causes of climate change on agriculture
it can lead to crop losses when it becomes too hot to grow certain crops and severe storms and floods will also damage crops
Causes of climate change on energy (temperature)
Higher or cooler temperatures will create a need to be kept cool or warm by using air conditioners and electrical heaters, resulting in a higher level of electricty
Causes of climate change on water
Dams are at an all-time low and there is extreme drought
Cause of climate change on health
Heatwaves, storms, and air pollution will increase with global climate change. people at risk are the poor, very young, and the elderly, or those living in coastal areas or big cities
Cause of climate change on spreading diseases
Climate change might allow some infectious diseases to spread. Ticks and mosquitoes have developed a resistance and stayed alive for longer periods of this year
Cause of climate change on forests
Forests are sensitive to climate change. Wildfires will become a common threat due to extremely dry conditions
Solutions to climate change for agriculture
Farmers can plant crops during different times of the year
Solutions to climate change for energy
People can plant trees near offices and houses to provide shade and keep them cool or use fans or AC
Solutions to climate change for water supply
We need to use less water and we can collect our own water by installing water tanks and collecting water from our roofs
Solution for climate change for health
People should keep cool and prepare for severe storms and extreme weather and avoid effects of air pollution ASAP
Solutions to climate change for spreading disease
We just take proper precautions to control mosquito and spreading infectious disease and we should try to reduce greenhouse effects
Solutions for climate change for forests
We should prepare for increased risk of wildfires and taking extra precautions to prevent fires
