Human Impact on the Environment

Air Pollution Air pollution comes from a lot of different sources. Fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil release particles of soot and dust when they're burned. Power plants, factories, and even the furnaces and stoves we use to heat homes and offices add to the air pollution. Cars burn gasoline, and that also adds a lot of dangerous chemicals to the air. Smog is a mixture of fog or haze combined with smoke and other air pollutants . What can you INFERfrom the fact that smog mainly affects cities? People foolishly built cities in areas with heavy smog. Air pollution never affects rural areas. People in cities drive more often than people in rural areas. Air pollution is most serious in areas with many homes, factories, and offices. Which of these is an OPINION about air pollution? It's the biggest threat that humans face. It can be caused by burning fossil fuels. Not all air pollution comes from man-made sources. Humans can take steps to decrease the pollution they release. According to the graph above, which source contributes the greatest amount of air pollution? running factories burning fossil fuels driving cars To reduce air pollution, people can ride bikes and walk for transportation. They can drive hybrid cars as an alternative to traditional gas powered vehicles. People can also insulate their homes, so they don't need so much energy to heat and cool. Every little bit of electricity we save means less that has to be produced by burning fossil fuels. How can insulating your home prevent air pollution? It blocks out harmful gases and smog. It prevents your furnace from releasing gases into the atmosphere. It reduces the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home. It collects solar energy, which does not pollute the atmosphere. Water Pollution Pollution can enter a body of water in a few ways: as acid rain; as eroded soil; as runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides; as chemicals released from industries; or as sewage and other wastes from cities and towns.Quite a bit of water pollution is created by each of us as we go about our business from day to day. Simple activities like flushing waste down our toilets, washing our cars and using laundry detergent in our washing machines release pollutants into the groundwater. Which pollutant is most commonly released into waterways by families and individuals? Laundry detergent Pesticides Acid rain Fertilizers According to the graph above, what percentage of ocean pollution comes from litter? 5% 10% 20% 30% What can youinfer is the most reasonable way to help prevent water pollution? By being careful with household chemicals you dump down the sink. By refusing to use products made in large factories. By nevertaking a bath or shower for more than 10 minutes. By drinking as little water as possible. Erosion The migration of sand down the beaches is a natural process. However, humans can increase coastal erosion with construction on or near the beaches. According to the diagrams, what affect does building a dam have on the beaches? It adds sand to the beaches. It creates deltas where the river enters the ocean. It stops sand from reaching the beaches. It has not affect on the beaches. Humans also increase the rate of erosion if they remove plants and trees.Which of the following statements explains how plants and trees help reduce erosion? Trees give birds a place to live. Trees provide shade on sunny days. Plant roots hold soil together. Plants and bushes stop animals from digging.