The Growing Human Footprint: Environmental Consequences of Affluence
As affluence increases, so does the human footprint on the environment, leading to dire consequences. Air pollution, global warming, and water contamination are just a few outcomes of industrial and urban expansion. The misuse of resources like energy and water exacerbates these issues, while acid rain, heavy metal toxins, and habitat fragmentation threaten biodiversity. This situation is critical, particularly in regions like the Northeast USA, where the effects of industrial pollution remain profound. Urgent action is required to mitigate these impacts for future generations.
The Growing Human Footprint: Environmental Consequences of Affluence
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Presentation Transcript
Consequences Human Footprint grows with affluence!
Food Fig. 11.7
Energy In USA
Energy • Air pollution (the most widespread and obvious form of environmental damage) • Global Warming • Acid Rain • Lead and Mercury • Ozone, etc. • Water pollution • Oil spills (surface water) • leaking gas tanks, gas additives (ground water)
Pollution from Power Plants • Sulfur (90% of urban S is anthropogenic) • Combines with water in air to make sulfuric acid • Nitrogen (60% from fossil fuel burning) • Nitrogen oxides combine with water in air to make nitric acid • Lead and Mercury • Metal toxins
Prevailing winds SW to NE 9
Toxics Concentrated in Eastern states TX: Industry Self- Regulated 10
CS Fig. 16.22 “Although some emissions that cause acid rain have been reduced, the Northeast is still suffering its harmful effects with far greater damage to the environment than previously thought, according to a major new study by the nation's leading acid rain researchers.” SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST Monday, March 26, 2001 11
Forestry • Fragmentation of habitats • Loss of biodiversity (extinctions) • Clear cutting • Soil erosion • Water quality
Urban Sprawl • Fragmentation of habitats • Loss of Biodiversity (extinctions) • Water pollution • Runoff from lawn fertilizers/pesticides • Blacktop keeps water from percolating into soil where some pollutants filled out – hard on streams • In developing countries – raw sewage!!
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