Meeting Ecological Challenges

Learning Objectives Explain the concept of ecological footprint. Identify the role of ecology in a sustainable future.

Ecological Footprints

The total land and water needed to provide the resources for and absorb the wastes of an individual or population

Comparing Footprints

The average American has an ecological footprint over four times larger than the global average.

Ecology in Action

• Recognizing a problem• Researching to determine cause• Guiding changes in behavior

Case Study: Atmospheric Ozone

The ozone concentration over Antarctica has been decreasing.

Recognizing the Problem: “Hole” in the Ozone Layer

Case Study: Atmospheric Ozone

CFCs act as catalysts to destroy ozone molecules.

CFCs were widely used:

• as propellants

• as coolants

• in plastic foam production

Researching the Cause: CFCs

Case Study: Atmospheric Ozone

191 countries signed the Montreal Protocol.

Changing Behavior: Regulation of CFCs

Case Study: North Atlantic Fisheries

The mass of cod caught has decreased since the 1980s.

Recognizing the Problem: More Work, Fewer Fish

Case Study: North Atlantic Fisheries

Fishing had caused the rates of commercial fish

populations to exceed their rates.birth

death

Researching the Cause: Overfishing

Case Study: North Atlantic Fisheries

U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service created guidelines for commercial fisheries:

• specific number and size of fish

• the Sustainable Fisheries Act (1996)

Changing Behavior: Regulation of Fisheries

Case Study: Climate Change

• an increase in average worldwide temperature

• a rise in global sea level

Recognizing the Problem: Global Warming

Physical evidence:

Case Study: Climate Change

Biological evidence:

Many populations are experiencing rising temperatures.

Recognizing the Problem: Global Warming

Case Study: Climate Change

• Greenhouse gases increased over the last 200 years.

• Models predict average global temperatures will rise.

Researching the Cause: Models and Questions

Case Study: Climate Change

Responses to climate change must be informed by scientific

and .data analysis

Changing Behavior: The Challenges Ahead

Overview1. The average American leaves an ecological

footprint _____ the global average.

a. one-fourth the size of

b. one-half the size of

c. two times larger than

d. over four times larger than

2. Research can have an impact on the environment by:recognizing a problem

researching that problem

guiding changes in behavior