TuesdayAugust 28, 2012

(People and the Environment; Natural

Resources)

Please take out (or get) a sheet of paper and put your proper heading

in the upper-right corner.

Write the following question:

What are the four major topics that are studied in Earth and Space Science?

The Launch PadTuesday, 8/28/12

The Launch PadTuesday, 8/28/12

Astronomy

GeologyMeteorolo

gyOceanography

Announcements• Please remember that we will

have our first Quiz on Friday.• Please have your composition

book by Thursday.

Assignment Currently Open

Summative or

Formative?Date Issued Date Due Date Into

GradeSpeed Final Day

ESS Class Information Sheet F 8/27 8/28

ESS Class Procedures and Expectations F 8/27 8/29

Earth Science Earth Science encompasses all sciences

that seek to understand Earth and Earth’s place in space.

Earth Science includes:• Astronomy – the study of the universe • Geology – literally the “study of Earth” • Meteorology – the study of the atmosphere

and the processes that produce weather • Oceanography – a study of the ocean

In your SLC, discuss which of the above topics you are most interested in, and why,

People and the Environment

Environment • An environment surrounds and influences organisms .• The physical environment encompasses water, air, soil, and

rock.• The term “environmental” is usually reserved for those aspects

that focus on the relationships between people and the natural environment .

Resources • Resources are an important focus of the Earth sciences.• Resources include water, soil, minerals, and energy.• Two broad categories of resources:

• Renewable – can be replenished (examples include plants and energy from water and wind)

• Nonrenewable – cannot be replenished (examples include fossil fuels)

• Renewable resources can become nonrenewable through misuse.

Improper Use of Natural ResourcesMadagascar’s unique biodiversity is facing numerous threats, but deforestation is among the most serious. Small-scale, but widespread clearance of vegetation,

primarily for slash and burn agriculture and for firewood and charcoal production, is the main cause

of forest destruction and degradation.

As Madagascar's forests continue to be cut, all that remains is a red trail that runs down the rivers into the

sea. Soil erosion, which corresponds to the loss

of topsoil, is leaving the land naked and unfit for agriculture. Downstream,

increased sediment loads are silting estuaries and smothering sensitive marine habitats. As a result, marine species lose their habitat. Farmers and fishermen lose their source of income. Deforestation also

increases greenhouse gas emissions. In your SLC, discuss what you would do to

solve this problem, if you think it can be solved..

People and the Environment

Population • The population of the planet is growing

rapidly. • The rate of mineral and energy usage has

climbed more rapidly than the overall growth of population.

Environmental Problems• Local, regional, and global • Natural hazards

• Earthquakes and tsunamis• Volcanoes and Landslides • Floods• Hurricanes and tornadoes

• World population pressures • Human-induced and accentuated

• Urban air pollution• Acid rain (> pH of oceans)• Ozone depletion• Global warming (> CO2 conc.)

SLC Debrief Distinguish between the terms

“environment” and “environmental.” Differentiate between renewable and non-

renewable resources, including examples of each.

How can renewable resources become non-renewable?

Describe the effects human populations have on Earth’s resources.

Compare and contrast natural hazards with human-induced and accentuated hazards.