Humans vs. the Environment

1. Humans vs. the Environment

2. How have Humans impacted the environment of Northern Utah? We know we’ve “been bad.” How can we “payback” the environment?

3. 1- View Lot Homes • Building a big house on the hill gives a great view of the valley • Status Symbol

4. 1- View Lot Homes • Require some habitat destruction • Birds • Deer • Elk • Rodents • Reptiles

5. 1- View Lot Homes • Require some removal of vegetation, which allows erosion to occur faster • Better views = steeper slopes = more erosion

6. 1- View Lot Homes • Create lots of construction waste

7. View Lot Homes - Payback • Create areas for wildlife in the landscape • Provide nesting boxes and year-round food for birds

8. View Lot Homes - Payback • Re-plant native vegetation • Do not use insecticides or pesticides

9. View Lot Homes - Payback • Slow erosion by planting trees • Use erosion control fabric on steep slopes • Place large boulders or imbed logs along pathways

10. View Lot Homes - Payback • Recycle household trash as much as possible • Look for the recycle symbol • JUST DO IT!

11. 2- High Energy Demands • Here in the west, most people drive large vehicles to get around • They require more fuel and create more pollution

12. 2- High Energy Demands • Oil has to be refined into gasoline before it can go into our vehicles • Refineries create more pollution

13. 2- High Energy Demands • We have many homes and businesses which means that we need lots of electricity

14. 2- High Energy Demands • Electricity is produced by burning coal, which pollutes the air • (That’s why electric cars only solve half of the pollution problem.)

15. 2- High Energy Demands • The coal is dug from a mine (probably in eastern Utah) • This mining requires more energy output and more pollution • This mining contributes to erosion.

16. High Energy Demands - Payback • Use frontrunner for commuting (if possible)

17. High Energy Demands - Payback • Carpool to school and combine trips to the store

18. High Energy Demands - Payback • Become part of the team that creates an alternate fuel source • (The mother of all science fair projects)

19. High Energy Demands - Payback • Program your thermostat at home drop the temperature when no-one is home

20. High Energy Demands - Payback • When regular bulbs burn out, replace them with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs

21. High Energy Demands - Payback • Turn off stuff when you’re not using it! • Unplugging it is even better 

22. High Energy Demands - Payback • Buy energy efficient appliances

23. High Energy Demands - Payback • Support programs to use alternate energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal energy, and hydro-electric power

24. 3- Urban Sprawl • Most people want to move to “the open” • With lots of new houses, comes new roads and new shopping centers and new hospitals – bingo – we have unplanned sprawl with no “open”

25. 3- Urban Sprawl • Urban Sprawl creates habitat fragmentation

26. 3- Urban Sprawl • The areas of “open space” left after the humans move in are too small to support wildlife • Think “over the hedge”

27. 3- Urban Sprawl • High concentrations of humans pollute the water

28. 3- Urban Sprawl • High concentrations of humans pollute the air • (This is an actual photo of Salt Lake City)

29. 3- Urban Sprawl • We dry up the wetlands to build houses, and destroy wildlife habitat • Yes, we have wetlands in Utah.

30. Urban Sprawl - Payback • Make areas where animals can move from the “invading city.”

31. Urban Sprawl - Payback • Create natural areas in your yard where wild animals are welcome

32. Urban Sprawl - Payback • Try not to use chemicals on your lawn or trees

33. Urban Sprawl - Payback • Become a city planner or serve on your city council to promote “smart growth.” • Plan for wild spaces

34. JUST DO IT! • You owe it to the environment!