Understanding Our Impact on the Environment

How long have people been studying the impacts of humans on the environment?

• 75 years

• 20 years

• 100 years

• 50 years

What is one of the consequences of human activity mentioned in the text?

• Increased production of honey

• Extinction of nearly 1000 plant and animal species

• Decrease in global temperatures

• Improvement in air quality

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

What are ecosystems doing for us every day?

• Producing video games

• Reducing the number of species

• Increasing plastic production

• Filtering water and producing food

What is the estimated monetary value of the services provided by ecosystems?

• $46 trillion/year

• $10 billion/year

• $100 trillion/year

• $1 million/year

Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?

• It makes ecosystems less resilient to change

• It increases the risk of ecosystem collapse

• It makes ecosystems more resilient to disturbances

• It has no impact on ecosystems

What is one of the top five ways we're messing up the environment?

• Recycling more

• Using less water

• Deforestation

• Planting more trees

What is a consequence of deforestation?

• Erosion and changes in water quality

• More habitat for polar bears

• Lower temperatures worldwide

• Increased oxygen production

What causes desertification?

• Overgrazing by cattle and over-irrigation

• Decreased use of fossil fuels

• Too much rainfall

• Planting too many trees

What is a major driver of global warming?

• Reducing CO2 emissions

• Burning fossil fuels and deforestation

• Increased polar ice levels

• More efficient energy use

What is an example of a provisioning service provided by ecosystems?

• Video game development

• Food and water

• Plastic production

• Internet services