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Impact of Humans on Biosphere II

Impact of Humans on Biosphere II. Over-Consumption. Who in the world?. See cartoon!. 10% of World’s Population. Consumes 90% of World’s resources Including energy consumption  GHG Including raw materials  wastes, dumps Including 90% chemical wastes. World Consumption Classes.

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Impact of Humans on Biosphere II

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  1. Impact of Humans on Biosphere II Over-Consumption

  2. Who in the world? • See cartoon!

  3. 10% of World’s Population • Consumes 90% of World’s resources • Including energy consumption  GHG • Including raw materials  wastes, dumps • Including 90% chemical wastes

  4. World Consumption Classes • Where do we (U.S. society) live? • Which is healthiest?

  5. World Consumption Classes • Why do we stay where we are???????

  6. World Consumption Classes • What if we want to change? • Should we recycle?

  7. Old “Rs” • Reduce • Reuse • Recycle (last, has role, but consumes fossil fuels, pollutes)

  8. Four R’s of Sustainability • RETHINK! • Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

  9. RETHINK • Lifestyle • Not doable in a “top ten list” • Requires change in values, commitment, resolving old problems • Examples:

  10. “Rethink”: A few starter questions? • Why do we choose disposable plastic (toxic!) when we DINE IN KU? • Why do we drive when walking or biking would only take 10 – 15 minutes?..... And then pay to use an exercise facility? • Why do we use lawn-mowers that hurt our grass, our atmosphere and our wallet?

  11. “Rethink”: A few starter questions? • Why do we manufacture containers (manufacturing pollutes) and sell essentials (water, milk for infants) that we can get for free? • Why do we use light-bulbs which hurt our atomosphere and wallets?

  12. REDUCE • Buy only what you need!(less consumption of resources, etc) • Virtually 100% of what you buy eventually end up in a landfill But also, what if all Americans reduced: • Their personal GHG emissions? • Their consumption of red meat, beef • The amount of electricity/gas they used? • The amount of raw material they consumed? • The amount of disposables they used? • Reduction is underappreciated! Ecological actions do not have to be “All or nothing!”

  13. REUSE • Economical $$$$$$$$$ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • Buy for durability! • (less consumption of resources, pollution, etc) • Examples:Use washable dishes in KU!, Ask parents for cloth napkins,

  14. RECYCLE • Recycling Aluminum yields best results(Mining & extracting pure Al is VERY energy/fossil fuel intensive; recycling takes minimal energy)

  15. Finally…. • You know the history of the world • Life began about 3 ½ bya • Life colonized land ~ ½ bya • The first humans (Genus “Homo”) appeared ~ 2 million ya

  16. Finally…. • Our own species, modern H. sapiens appeared “only” ~100,000 ya • Life (microbes) produced our oxygen atmosphere • Now once again, life is changing the very chemistry of our planet

  17. Finally…. • I am writing your final exam, but • YOU are helping to write the next chapter of the natural history of our planet… by how you choose to live! • Good luck on finals!

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