Environmental Impact Concepts

Greenhouse Gas

• A gas that contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer

• Any gas such as Carbon Dioxide which goes into the atmosphere and traps sun's energy leading to global warming

• A type of gas that is harmless to the environment

• A gas that cools the Earth's atmosphere

Ozone Layer (Ozone Shield)

• The layer of ozone gas in the upper atmosphere which protects us from the sun's rays

• A layer of carbon dioxide that traps heat in the atmosphere

• A region of the atmosphere where weather occurs

• A layer of nitrogen that supports life on Earth

Industrialization

• The development of an economy where machines make most of the products people use day to day.

• The process of reducing the use of machines in production.

• A method of increasing agricultural output through manual labor.

• The transition from a service-based economy to a technology-based economy.

Deforestation

• The removal of forests for various reasons, including farming, mining, and housing, which leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

• The process of planting trees to restore forest areas.

• The practice of cutting down trees for timber without replanting.

• The conservation of forests to protect wildlife and ecosystems.

Renewable Resource

• A resource which can be replaced.

• A resource that is finite and cannot be replenished.

• A resource that is only available in certain seasons.

• A resource that is harmful to the environment.

Global Warming

• The steady increase of Earth's temperature. Results from fossil fuels

• A sudden drop in Earth's temperature due to volcanic activity

• The cooling of the Earth's surface caused by increased cloud cover

• A natural cycle of temperature fluctuations over centuries

Invasive Species

• Any species that is not native to an ecosystem or region

• A species that is beneficial to the ecosystem

• A species that is native to the region

• A species that has been extinct for over 100 years

Pollution

• A beneficial change in the chemical makeup of the soil, water, or air.

• A harmful change in the chemical makeup of the soil, water, or air. Spreads throughout the habitat.

• A natural process that purifies the environment.

• An increase in biodiversity in a given area.

Water Cycle

• The cycling of water through the Earth System

• The process of photosynthesis in plants

• The movement of tectonic plates

• The formation of clouds in the atmosphere

Nuclear Fuel

• Energy that results from splitting atoms

• Energy generated from chemical reactions

• Energy produced by solar panels

• Energy derived from fossil fuels