Pollution & EvolutionPollution & Evolution

How human pollution impacts the survival of species on earth.

How human pollution impacts the survival of species on earth.

Benefits of Active Transportation

Benefits of Active Transportation

Exercise, clean air, no traffic, and fun!

Charles Darwin

Natural Selection

Evolution &

Extinction

Charles Darwin

Natural Selection

Evolution &

Extinction

Natural Selection, Evolution, Extinction

Natural Selection, Evolution, Extinction

•Species best adapted to environment survives.

•When environment changes species evolve or go extinct.

Today, you are a bird.Today, you are a bird.

And there is nothing birds like better than fat, juicy moths.

You will catch them with your “Beak”

There are two colors of moths.

And there is nothing birds like better than fat, juicy moths.

You will catch them with your “Beak”

There are two colors of moths.

2 Peppered Moths2 Peppered Moths

Both taste good.

Both have equal nutritional value.

Your job? Eat as many moths as you can in 60 seconds.

Both taste good.

Both have equal nutritional value.

Your job? Eat as many moths as you can in 60 seconds.

THE RULESTHE RULES

One ‘Beak’ (tweezers)

60 seconds. Catch as many moths

as you can and put them in the cup.

At the end, tally up all your moths by color, and fill out the tally sheet provided.

One ‘Beak’ (tweezers)

60 seconds. Catch as many moths

as you can and put them in the cup.

At the end, tally up all your moths by color, and fill out the tally sheet provided.

Moth Tally SheetMoth Tally Sheet

ON BLACK# Black Moths caught# Pepper caughtTotal caught =% Black (Black/Total)%Peppered

(Peppered/Total)

ON BLACK# Black Moths caught# Pepper caughtTotal caught =% Black (Black/Total)%Peppered

(Peppered/Total)

ON PEPPER# Black Moths

caught# Pepper caughtTotal caught =% Black

(Black/Total)%Peppered

(Peppered/Total)

What did you notice?What did you notice?

Which color moth did you get more of on the peppered background?

What about on the black background? Why do you think that is? Which moth color would survive

better?

Which color moth did you get more of on the peppered background?

What about on the black background? Why do you think that is? Which moth color would survive

better?

The Real Peppered MothThe Real Peppered Moth

Hard to see?

The peppered moth uses CAMOUFLAGE, the same color and pattern as the bark of the trees.

Hard to see?

The peppered moth uses CAMOUFLAGE, the same color and pattern as the bark of the trees.

“Black” Peppered Moth “Black” Peppered Moth

Which is easier to see?

The fact that it probably gets eaten more is NATURAL SELECTION.

Black moths were rare! Only 1 black moth had

ever been documented.

Which is easier to see?

The fact that it probably gets eaten more is NATURAL SELECTION.

Black moths were rare! Only 1 black moth had

ever been documented.

Manchester, England- Air PollutionManchester, England- Air Pollution

In the early 1800’s, the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION began.

Factories were powered by burning coal (a oil based fossil fuel).

Burning of coal created heavy soot pollution. It “snowed” black ashes.

In the early 1800’s, the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION began.

Factories were powered by burning coal (a oil based fossil fuel).

Burning of coal created heavy soot pollution. It “snowed” black ashes.

Soot Covered EVERYTHING.

Black moths became 98% of the population.

Soot Covered EVERYTHING.

Black moths became 98% of the population.

Pollution changes our environment.

Pollution changes our environment.

Smog (smoke fog) is a problem. Look at LA!

Air pollution has dangers you can’t see: Carbon Dioxide

Smog (smoke fog) is a problem. Look at LA!

Air pollution has dangers you can’t see: Carbon Dioxide

CO2 - Invisible PollutionCO2 - Invisible Pollution

Carbon Dioxide , CO2 is a clear gas that occurs when anything is burnt.

Too much CO2 makes the planet warmer, faster than species can adapt.

If the environment warms a few degrees, many species will go extinct.

Carbon Dioxide , CO2 is a clear gas that occurs when anything is burnt.

Too much CO2 makes the planet warmer, faster than species can adapt.

If the environment warms a few degrees, many species will go extinct.

Severe CO2 causing “shortness of breath”

Severe CO2 causing “shortness of breath”

Ask the cyclists of the first “Tour of Beijing.”

The CO2 was at least 5x the legal limit in Europe.

Riders complained that there was not enough oxygen to breath.

Ask the cyclists of the first “Tour of Beijing.”

The CO2 was at least 5x the legal limit in Europe.

Riders complained that there was not enough oxygen to breath.

Carbon Dioxide DemonstrationCarbon Dioxide Demonstration

Can we see an invisible gas?

CO2 that is HEAVIER than most gases in the atmosphere.

CO2 will “sink” creating a bottom layer of gas.

Can we see an invisible gas?

CO2 that is HEAVIER than most gases in the atmosphere.

CO2 will “sink” creating a bottom layer of gas.

What does CO2 do to other species?

What does CO2 do to other species?

CO2 adds to Global Climate Change

Changing the environment means many species will go extinct.

Unlike natural selection, we are causing the extinction.

CO2 adds to Global Climate Change

Changing the environment means many species will go extinct.

Unlike natural selection, we are causing the extinction.

Can humans go extinct???Can humans go extinct???

What do humans need to survive?

No one knows how the climate will react to the greenhouse gases.

What do humans need to survive?

No one knows how the climate will react to the greenhouse gases.

The best way to reduce air pollution & CO2?

Transportation

The best way to reduce air pollution & CO2?

Transportation

Walk, bike, carpool, and take public transport. Avoid unnecessary trips!

61% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in Marin County are from vehicles.

Electric engines also help reduce CO2.

Walk, bike, carpool, and take public transport. Avoid unnecessary trips!

61% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in Marin County are from vehicles.

Electric engines also help reduce CO2.

ConclusionConclusionPollution can

greatly impact life

Pollution can greatly impact life

Charles Darwin

Natural SelectionExtinctionEvolution

Peppered Moths