The document discusses why the environment is important. It explains that the environment is where humans live and get resources for survival. All living things on Earth are connected through food chains, with the sun providing energy that plants use and animals consume plants or each other. Within the global biosphere, smaller ecosystems like rainforests and deserts interact; problems in one area affect the whole planet. However, environmental degradation through pollution and overuse of resources like water and fossil fuels endangers these systems. Protecting the environment is important because Earth is the only home humans have.

1. Why is our environment
important?

2. The simplest explanation about why the
environment matters is that, as humans, the
environment-the Earth-is our home. It is where
we live, breathe, eat, raise our children, etc. Our
entire life support system is dependent on the
well-being of all of the species living on earth.

3. Food Chain

4. Food chain
The food chain is an example of this.
The sun provides light and heat for plants. The
plants are consumed by animals who are in turn
consumed by other animals who may in turn, be
consumed by humans. Or perhaps they are used for
material, clothing, etc. Even insects like mosquitoes
play a role and of course bees pollinate plants.

5. Ecosystem

6. Ecosystem
Within the overall biosphere, or ecosystem, there
are smaller ecosystems like the rainforests, marine
ecosystems, the desert and the tundra. When any of
these systems are off kilter, it impacts the entire
planet. All of the environmental problems that exist
have far-reaching implications for the health of our
planet and its inhabitants.

7. Threat of Environmental
Degradation

8. The deterioration of the environment, often
referred to as environmental degradation,
threatens the earth's natural resources such as
our clean water supply, fossil fuels for energy
and food supply. Many of these resources are
nonrenewable so when they run out we will be
forced to find new alternatives.

9. Danger

10. Danger
Unfortunately the planet is in danger. Many
species of animals and plants are nearing
distinction. Our clean water supply is at risk and
more and more of our beautiful, open spaces are
disappearing as new buildings and factories are
built.

11. Earth Is Our Only Home

12. Earth
Why is our environment important? It is the only
home we have. Many experts believe that we can
reverse some of the harm the planet has suffered.
The challenge is getting enough people to take
drastic enough action so that we can make a
difference in our lifetime.

13. Ways to Protect the
Environment

14. Simple Things to Do at Home
Light bulbs are an easy switch. Compact fluorescent bulbs last longer and
use less energy than incandescent bulbs, so you will save money by using
them.
Many municipalities already offer good recycling programs. All glass, cans
and paper should be recycled, along with as much plastic as possible.
Invest in a set of canvas bags. You can use these for a lot of shopping. Most
people use them for groceries, but bring them along when buying books,
toys or even clothes.

15. Use heavy curtains on your windows. Heavy curtains play a great dual purpose in your home when it
comes to energy savings. Not only will they help keep sunlight and heat out of your home in the
summer, but they also help retain heat during the winter. This way, you aren't using up as
much energy to heat and cool your home.
When possible, buy bamboo kitchen tools. Spatulas, spoons, and salad tossers are generally very easy to
find in bamboo. Bamboo grows quickly and bamboo fields use very little space to yield a productive
crop.
Buy second-hand clothing at thrift stores. The cotton industry is another industry that uses an obscene
level of pesticides, and there is a lot of energy that goes into creating even a blank t-shirt.

16. Take shorter showers. Most people don't really realize how much water is
used in every shower they take, and water conservation is quickly
becoming one of the most important environmental issues facing
humanity.
Repair your clothes when they tear. The clothing industry is simply enormous,
and a lot of people will buy a new pair of jeans every time they tear a
little hole in the old ones. This is a massively wasteful process, and it
can be easily mitigated by simply taking some time to repair your
torn clothes.
Unplug your appliances when you're not using them. Some people don't
realize that their appliances pull electricity from the grid even when
they're powered down. This is what's known as a "vampire draw,"
and it accounts for an average of 5 percent of the yearly electrical
usage in American homes.

17. Instead of using foil or plastic wrap to store leftovers, use reusable
containers. Glass is your best option and it has the advantage
of being microwaveable.
Old clothes that are unsuitable for charity shops can be cut up into
rags, so that you can stop using paper towels. They won't take
up much more space in the washing machine.

18. Dictionary:
Environment- środowisko
Food chain – łańcuch pokarmowy
Pollinate – zapylać
Marine ecosystems - ekosystem morski
Deterioration- pogorszenie; niszczenie
Fossil fuels-paliwa kopalniane
Compact fluorescent- świetlówki kompaktowe
Municipalities – zarząd miasta
Crop - plony

19. Sylwia Szczepańska
Patrycja Zaborowska
2a