Around the World in 2 Around the World in 2 Class PeriodsClass Periods

Human Impact on Human Impact on EnvironmentsEnvironments

Getting startedGetting started

►During this trip you will visit several During this trip you will visit several sites around the world. Click on the sites around the world. Click on the underlined linksunderlined links and follow instructions and follow instructions to learn about the areas you visit. to learn about the areas you visit. When finished with a page, “x” out When finished with a page, “x” out and return to the PowerPoint to and return to the PowerPoint to continue your journey.continue your journey.

►Keep your travel log nearby so you can Keep your travel log nearby so you can record your thoughts and answers to record your thoughts and answers to questions as you go! Bon Voyage!questions as you go! Bon Voyage!

First Stop: Greenland and the First Stop: Greenland and the Arctic!Arctic!

► Click Click here to watch to watch a video showing the a video showing the “Frozen Earth”“Frozen Earth”

Travel log Travel log questions:questions:

1.1. What are at least 3 What are at least 3 forms of ice on forms of ice on Earth’s surface?Earth’s surface?

2.2. How does Earth’s How does Earth’s ice help moderate ice help moderate the planet’s the planet’s temperature?temperature?

Greenland

Edge of the Arctic ShelfEdge of the Arctic Shelf

► I hope you packed a coat! We are now I hope you packed a coat! We are now at the at the Arctic Shelf. Select thumbnails . Select thumbnails on the right of the page to view on the right of the page to view images of wildlife and scenery. images of wildlife and scenery. Choose at least 3-5 images to view. Choose at least 3-5 images to view. Make sure you read the provided Make sure you read the provided captions, too!captions, too!

Travel Log Questions:Travel Log Questions:3.3. What are some animals of the Arctic?What are some animals of the Arctic?4.4. Describe the scenery.Describe the scenery.

Importance of IceImportance of Ice

►Examine the Examine the Global Ice Viewer. Click on . Click on ‘Greenland’ and then click on a few red ‘Greenland’ and then click on a few red dots to watch and READ about ice melts. dots to watch and READ about ice melts. Then, click on ‘Arctic’ and follow the Then, click on ‘Arctic’ and follow the instructions to explore how ice levels are instructions to explore how ice levels are changing.changing.

Travel Log Question:Travel Log Question:55. How do sea ice and glaciers change . How do sea ice and glaciers change

Earth’s landscape? Give a specific Earth’s landscape? Give a specific example based on your exploration of this example based on your exploration of this site.site.

The Connection between Ice The Connection between Ice sheets, Sea levels, and Climate sheets, Sea levels, and Climate

changechange► Read the Read the article to understand how climate to understand how climate

change is affecting the world’s ice.change is affecting the world’s ice.

Travel log questions:Travel log questions:6.6. Historically, ice and sea levels fluctuate Historically, ice and sea levels fluctuate

naturally. So, why all the attention to this naturally. So, why all the attention to this data now? In other words, what does the data now? In other words, what does the data show that causes concern?data show that causes concern?

7.7. If ice sheets and glaciers continue to melt If ice sheets and glaciers continue to melt at predicted rates, what effects would that at predicted rates, what effects would that have on Earth’s landscape? have on Earth’s landscape?

Putting it all togetherPutting it all together

►Watch the Watch the Carbon Crisis in 90 seconds. Then, click on . Then, click on “Interactives-“Interactives-Climate Time Climate Time Machine” (left side Machine” (left side of the webpage). of the webpage). Follow the Follow the instructions on the instructions on the page to explore all page to explore all the climate data. the climate data.

Travel log questions:Travel log questions:8.8. How does burning coal and How does burning coal and

other fossil fuels affect other fossil fuels affect levels of COlevels of CO22 in the air? in the air?

9.9. Why does this matter?Why does this matter?10.10. What correlations do you What correlations do you

see when examining the see when examining the COCO22, sea level, ice, and , sea level, ice, and global temperature data?global temperature data?

11.11. How might the Arctic and How might the Arctic and Greenland differ if you “re-Greenland differ if you “re-visited” it in 20 years? visited” it in 20 years? What would it mean for the What would it mean for the rest of the world? What rest of the world? What can be done to help can be done to help preserve it?preserve it?

22ndnd Destination: Yangtze River, Destination: Yangtze River, ChinaChina

► The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia. It’s The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia. It’s waters are used for rice and wheat irrigation, waters are used for rice and wheat irrigation, fishing, drinking, transportation, and hydroelectric fishing, drinking, transportation, and hydroelectric power. It is home to several endangered species.power. It is home to several endangered species.

► Click through the Click through the slideshow and read the captions and read the captions for each picture.for each picture.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and

no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled GNU Free Documentation License.

Water pollutionWater pollution

►To understand more about water To understand more about water pollution, click pollution, click here. Choose at least 3 . Choose at least 3 different sources of pollution to read different sources of pollution to read about (click on their images).about (click on their images).

Travel log question:Travel log question:1212. List several types of pollution that . List several types of pollution that

affect water. For each, describe some affect water. For each, describe some of the problems associated with it AND of the problems associated with it AND possible solutions.possible solutions.

Water pollution: Putting it all Water pollution: Putting it all togethertogether

►Let’s revisit the Let’s revisit the Yangtze to read about to read about specific issues affecting this body of specific issues affecting this body of water. Click on the “threats” and water. Click on the “threats” and “solutions” links on the left and read “solutions” links on the left and read the information.the information.

Travel Log question:Travel Log question:

1313. What particular threats affect the . What particular threats affect the Yangtze River? What are some possible Yangtze River? What are some possible solutions?solutions?

Water pollution: putting it all Water pollution: putting it all togethertogether

► A river extremely close to Charlotte is A river extremely close to Charlotte is considered to be one of the ten most considered to be one of the ten most endangered places in the Southeast United endangered places in the Southeast United States. Click States. Click here to find out more. to find out more. Either watch the video OR read the following Either watch the video OR read the following

sections: “Current Issues,’ ‘Energy-Water sections: “Current Issues,’ ‘Energy-Water Collision’, and at least one more sub heading of Collision’, and at least one more sub heading of your choice.your choice.

Travel log question:Travel log question:

1414. What issues are facing the Catawba River? . What issues are facing the Catawba River? Why should you care?Why should you care?

Final stop: Amazon Final stop: Amazon RainforestRainforest

► Finally, we’ll travel Finally, we’ll travel to South America. to South America. No need for a coat, No need for a coat, now! You’re in the now! You’re in the Amazon, a hot and Amazon, a hot and humid home to the humid home to the largest living largest living collection of plants collection of plants and animal species and animal species in the world! in the world!

► This file is in the This file is in the public domain because it was solely because it was solely created by created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA . NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright material is not protected by copyright unless notedunless noted".".

Amazon RainforestAmazon Rainforest

►To learn more about the amazing To learn more about the amazing Amazon, click Amazon, click here and play the video. and play the video. Also, press “Introduction” in the lower left Also, press “Introduction” in the lower left

of the screen to read about rainforests.of the screen to read about rainforests. Then, scroll down the page to see Then, scroll down the page to see

examples of wildlife found in rainforests.examples of wildlife found in rainforests.

Travel log question:Travel log question:

1515. Describe the Amazon rainforest.. Describe the Amazon rainforest.

Rainforest DestructionRainforest Destruction

► View a View a video about short-term crop about short-term crop planting in the rainforest.planting in the rainforest.

Travel Log Questions:Travel Log Questions:

16.16. Why are rainforests important?Why are rainforests important?

17.17. Describe short-term crop planting. Describe short-term crop planting. Why can’t farmers use the same area Why can’t farmers use the same area of land year after year? of land year after year?

DeforestationDeforestation

►Choose one of the following to watch:Choose one of the following to watch: Deforestation in Bolivia (click ‘view’, then Deforestation in Bolivia (click ‘view’, then

‘play video’)‘play video’) Amazon Deforestation (click the play Amazon Deforestation (click the play

button)button)

Travel Log Question:Travel Log Question:

1818. What does satellite imagery show in . What does satellite imagery show in these areas over time?these areas over time?

Problems in the Amazon: Problems in the Amazon: putting it all togetherputting it all together

► Read the WWF article about problems in the Amazon. Click Read the WWF article about problems in the Amazon. Click on different links under the problems heading. You do not on different links under the problems heading. You do not need to read every word, but get a good idea of the vast need to read every word, but get a good idea of the vast array of problems.array of problems.

► Click here to read about possible solutions to rainforest Click here to read about possible solutions to rainforest destruction (scroll down). destruction (scroll down).

► Also, examine Greenpeace’s economic alternatives to Also, examine Greenpeace’s economic alternatives to logging.logging.

Travel log questions:Travel log questions:19.19. Name 3 ongoing threats to the Amazon. Choose one and Name 3 ongoing threats to the Amazon. Choose one and

describe the complex aspects of it.describe the complex aspects of it.20.20. What are a few solutions to help stop the deforestation of What are a few solutions to help stop the deforestation of

the rainforest? Why do you think it is important to work the rainforest? Why do you think it is important to work with governments and indigenous people, as well as with governments and indigenous people, as well as consumers like you who live far away?consumers like you who live far away?

Welcome Home!Welcome Home!

►Congratulations! You have traveled Congratulations! You have traveled the world and learned about the the world and learned about the important role all humans have in important role all humans have in protecting the environment. protecting the environment.

►Your teacher will give you one final Your teacher will give you one final assignment to assess your assignment to assess your understanding of global environmental understanding of global environmental concerns. Please see her for more concerns. Please see her for more information.information.