Transcript Chapter 8 Humans and the Environment “Nothing can be forgotten only left behind” Joy Harjo - Native American.

Chapter 8
Humans and the Environment
“Nothing can be forgotten only left
behind” Joy Harjo - Native
American
Society and Sustainability
Remember the definition of sustainability?
Sustainable means:
We can maintain our current standard of living
without negatively impacting the environment
or depleting the resource.
 We need to adjust our way of thinking and be
prepared to alter our lifestyles to obtain a
sustainable way of life.
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Problem:
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Earth’s resources are NOT distributed evenly.
Despite the desires of certain segments of the
population, all resources are not created equal.
The U.S. has 5% of the Earth’s population and
consumes 24% of all commercial energy resources.
We exist within a GLOBAL economy. Equitable
distribution of our limited resources must occur to
avoid continued strife.
Solutions:
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Conservation: the careful, managed use of a resource
so that the supply of that resource will last longer.
Can one person make a difference?
Can a small group of committed people make a
difference?
History has shown, that is the only thing that ever
has!
See page 203 for some ideas of how YOU can make
a difference.
Your Turn!
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Read page 204 and answer questions 1 – 7 on
page 205 related to the reading.
Results? Can Pennsylvania replace our
current dependence on fossil fuels with
sustainable energy resources?
Human Dependence on Natural
Resources
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Why are cities located where they are?
Why would anyone want a city located near
the water?
Look at Pittsburgh – Three Rivers –
Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio.
Look at New Castle – Two Rivers –
Mahoning and Shenango.
Why?
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When this county was being opened in the
1600’s & 1700’s, people needed a ready made
transportation system.
River traffic provided the solution.
Easy to get to and from distant locations
fairly rapidly.
Not as dangerous as traveling over the land.
History of Dependence
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Edwin Drake 1859 – First oil well in
Titusville/Oil City area.
Look at the area now.
Depressed, dirty and for the most part,
vacated.
The citizens gave up on oil long ago.
The Very Near Future
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Do you think it’s time we stopped thinking
like colonial settlers and started thinking like
21st century global citizens?
Conservation & Sustainability – Our keys to a
more promising tomorrow?
Consider the example given by California.
Human Impacts on the Environment
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What is the fastest growing industry in
Pennsylvania?
Garbage!!!
That’s right, Pennsylvania has become the
countries’ largest importer of municipal solid
waste!
Pa. is now America’s garbage dump!
How and Why?
List 10 things that you throw away
every day.
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How many of us eat in the cafeteria?
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Name some of the things that get thrown
away there..
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Are any of them recyclable?
Describe New Castle’s Waste
Disposal System…..
PA Imports Trash
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There are communities that are embattled
over where to send trash.
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Profitable Business
Define Solid Waste
Solid Waste is any discarded material that is
not a Liquid or Gas.
How much do we throw away?
We generate approx 10 billion tons per year in
America alone.
This is double since 1960
Why do you think there is an increase?
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We have an ever-growing dependence on
plastic.
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Own more things
Plastics
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Why is this a problem?
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Non-Biodegradable
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What is plastic made of?
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Chemical bond between H & C
What do we make from plastic?
Biodegradable
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it can be broken down by the elements of
nature (light, water, microbes)
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Examples?
Non biodegradable
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Cannot be broken down by natural elements.
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Examples?
What is plastic made of?
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Chemical bond between Hydrogen & Oxygen
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Is it biodegradable?
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Why or why not?
Waste Production
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56% Manufacturing
26% Mining
6% Hazardous Waste
2% Municipal Solid Waste
9% Agriculture
1% Other
Municipal Solid Waste
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Accounts for 2% of the total disposal.
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Defined as the waste generated by homes and
businesses. (Schools)
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Where is the most waste generated?
Manufacturing
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Accounts for 56% of all waste generated
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Are we responsible for this waste?
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Yes! Why do you think?
Mining
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Accounts for 26% of all waste produced.
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Are we responsible for this?
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For ever ton of mineral extracted one ton of
waste is produced.