The document discusses various topics related to Earth and the environment, including ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and conservation. It provides background on these topics, threats like habitat destruction and pollution, and potential solutions through renewable energy, education, and international cooperation on issues like the Kyoto Protocol. Specific examples are given ranging from the fragility of Antarctica's ecosystem to challenges facing developing nations.

1. EARTH WEEK With Stephen Fenech

6. The Preconception

7. The Reality

8. Overpopulation

9. The First Step The First Step

11. Pioneering . & Learning

12. Proof is In The Pudding The Native Spirital Connection To The Land

14. Ecology –Gk (oikos -home) Science of the relationship between organisms and their environments . Draws on many different science fields. .

16. Organism Plant

17. Organism Animal

18. Organism Microbial

19. Terrestrial Habitat

20. Limnology Habitat

21. Oceanography Habitat … all together comprise the Biomes that make up our Biosphere

22. … Life is based on cycles and begins with the SUN Water Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen

23. The Food Web (another cycle) Energy Photosynthesis Herbivores (producers) ….

24. Carnivores (consumers)

25. Decomposers (includes bacteria, fungus )

26. The Whole process can ONLY be replenished by Green Plants ’ exposure to the SUN … Eventually if undisturbed the Ecosystem or Biome goes through a process of Succession ….

27. Climax Communities Tundra

28. Grassland

29. Desert

30. Ecological Crisis Occurs when there is a loss of the adaptive capacity and resilience of the environment, species or population. They evolve in an unfavourable way OR they can’t cope with a disturbance in the Ecosystem.

31. 2 Kinds of Crisis GLOBAL – Rise in Sea Level

32. LOCAL – Oil Spill

33. Endangerment Can cause Extinction but will definitely affect quality of life of remaining individuals (reduction in air quality, living space, famine, disease ) Examples: HABITAT DESTRUCTION INTRO EXOTIC SPECIES OVEREXPLOITATION

34. Habitat Destruction Panama

41. Introduction Of Exotic Species

42. Overexploitation Chinese Apothecary

43. EXTINCTION 1. STABLE - Cessation of a species or group reducing biodiversity Classification

44. 2. THREATENED

45. 3. CRITICAL

46. 4. EXTINCT Every species is unique and so is it’s extinction

47. 5. LAZERUS TAXON

48. EXTERPATION local extinction

49. Pseudo Extinction A daughter species survives but doesn’t carry all the original DNA

53. 4. Co-Extinction The loss of one species may lead to the inevitable loss of another. Damming a river, the beaver creates a niche for several other animals dependant on the created lake. If the beaver is lost so too are the dependant animals or fish. Parasitic insects losing their host is another example. If Bees become extinct it is widely believed that it would precipitate our co-extinction shortly after

57. 3 Levels of Biodiversity 1. Genetic DNA are the building blocks and represent the Raw material for evolution. More diverse the DNA the more it evolves and adapts

58. 2. Species Focus because it’s easier to work with (Leopard)

59. 3. Ecosystem Very Complex -deals with species’ distribution, community, associations - examines levels on the Food chain and species on each - difficult to define Transitions Shift gradually not sharp

61. Island could be a lake or an isolated patch of unique habitat Anton Valley

62. Ocelot

64. Loch Ness Speciation

65. Galapagos Islands Immigration

66. Succession Lake Nakuru

68. Disturbances

69. Eliminates population and keeps area at an early level of succession

70. Threats to Biodiversity Species are the Foundation to the Ecosystem.

71. Habitat Destruction Pollution

72. Human Consumption

73. Industrialization

74. ACID RAIN : an end result From Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide released into atmosphere by industry 1960 recognized 1980’s acted upon 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act 1995 43% reduction 1980 BUT… acid precipitation will continue to damage sensitive ecosystems even if all targets are met

75. Exotic Species By bringing goats to the Galapagos Islands, man introduced 2+ species that never would have met under natural circumstances

76. Man can also be the invader

77. Climate Change and Natural Changes can threaten Biodiversity

78. Conservation: 2 Types In situ setting up protected areas

79. Ex situ nurseries protecting large populations

80. Virunga Forest in the D.R.O.C .

84. CLIMATE CHANGE Climate: long term statistical expression of Short term weather Climate Change Change in a region’s average temperature and weather patterns or basically the expected weather

91. Glaciers and the Ice Cap reflect light and heat back into space. Without them we can absorb more heat from the sun

92. FACT: Ocean Variability The Ocean and Atmosphere are constantly interacting exchanging energy, Co2 etc. Anomalies such as El Nino can drastically alter weather around the World.

93. FACT: Climate Memory Climate Variance can stem from the history of how it got there . Long Droughts in areas can lead to diminished rainfall for years after the drought is finished. Ethiopia

94. Non Climate Factors Driving Warming 1. Greenhouse Gases Co2 absorbed by Forests & Ocean Radiative Forcing

95. 2. Plate Tectonics

96. 3. Volcanism Part of Co2 cycle

98. 5. Solar Variation Sun’s getting brighter 6.Orbital Variation our orbit can lead to changes in distribution & abundance of sunlight

99. EVIDENCE OF CHANGE mostly indirect Glacial Geology Glacial Geology Moraines left Behind (Mt. Cook)

100. Ice Cores Tree Rings Glacial Retreat Sea Levels

101. Historical Records

102. The real effect Permafrost

103. Desertification

107. Other Effects Rising Sea Levels Cryosphere If all the Ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts sea levels could rise by 70 m

108. … Will cause Flooding

109. Extreme Weather

111. Extreme Weather

115. Human Health

116. REFUGEES Forced Migrations Inland

117. Crowding of Cities: Shanty Towns

118. Disease & Pestilence Pandemics Swine Flu in Mexico

119. Effect on Developing Countries Worse AIDS Orphanage in Burkina Faso

120. Remoteness Climate Change lies strictly out of the influence of the Poor

121. Political Turmoil

122. Civil Unrest

123. Severe Impact on Flora and Fauna Etosha National Park, Namibia

126. Implementing Kyoto: Developed Country OVERVIEW AUSTRALIA Renewable and non-renewable Export coal =economics Air quality pollution issues Solar, Wind, Biomass Water Crisis compared to American Dustbowl of Thitrties try implement Wave Power

130. Industrializing Nations: CHINA 3 Gorges Dam + 3 more 2009 Shanghai sediment landslides 50m tsunamis deaths

131. Lesson learned or not in Lesotho

132. Industrializing Nations: INDIA

133. MORE SUPPLY AND DEMAND

134. Different Ideology: INDONESIA

137. Beacons of Hope: ANTARCTICA

138. Montreal Protocol: ... 1982 signed …1999 success The Antarctic Convergence CFC’s were killing Ozone (filters radiation) effect on microscopic marine life, skin cancer, immunity

139. Ecotourism: A mandate of IAATO

141. And by protecting the krill you protect …

145. Antarctica has one of the most fragile of all ecosystems

146. Malaysia

151. Continued Research: International Polar Year From March 2007, 10 000 Scientists began conducting 2 year study of the polar regions (most sensitive) co-ordinate research initiative and inspire new scientists. They will reconvene on August 2009 to present their findings

152. Green Energy Initiatives Renewable Energy Sources that do not damage the environment

153. Brazil: Ethanol from Sugar Cane Excellent subsidies for farmers but Low EROI

154. BIOMASS Power Wood & Animal Dung FACT The potential energy wasted every year from wood and paper being thrown away by North Americans could supply 5 million people for 200 years !

155. WIND Power Enough Wind Resources to meet twice the Global Need in 2020 New Windmills Stay aloft in the Jet Stream powerful untapped resource

156. TIDE Power Lumkara in Russia Bay of Fundy in Canada

157. HYDRO Electricity

158. SOLAR Power There is enough energy generated from the Sun to meet 10 000 times our global need

160. GEOTHERMIC Power Pingveller Iceland

163. Education: A lesson from Bhutan Their Practical Zen

165. In a recent study Kyoto and Beyond it has been proven that we can cut Greenhouse Gases in half with existing technology while maintaining our quality of life and economic growth in a business as usual policy. The Key is Motivation and Knowledge. SUSTAINABILITY Planned Cities William Macdonough

171. It’s All About Cycles Natural Cycles (recycling) Causal Cycles (Feedback Loops) Perpetual Motion and Getting The Ball Rolling

172. We Need To Take Serious Stewardship Of Our Planet. Natural Systems work because there Are No Design Flaws. We are Solely Responsible for introducing those flaws to the Planet. Ergo It is our Duty To Remove Them EQUILIBRIUM

173. It’s Your Future Crisis is the Impetus Of Creativity

174. The End