Mega-structures& the

Environment

How can megastructures impact onthe environment?

POSITIVE IMPACTS NEGATIVE IMPACTS

The Ecological Footprint

How much of the planet’s resources do you take each year? Do you take more than your fair share?

Different lifestyles can have very different impacts on our environment.

Scientists have developed a scale of the impact that our lifestyles may have on our planets resources.

This is called an ecological footprint.

Wh

at

do y

ou

see?

http://wwf.org.au/footprint/calculator/?gclid=CKa7h_eWsqcCFQoY4QodRCFVAg

CALCULATE YOUROWN

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

CALCULATE YOUROWN ECOLOGICAL

FOOTPRINT

http://wwf.org.au/footprint/calculator/?gclid=CKa7h_eWsqcCFQoY4QodRCFVAg

Sustainability…

This is the recognition that, if resources are consumed faster than they are produced or renewed, they can become depleted or used up.

This has serious consequences for our planet.

Many of our resources are finite and, once used, cannot be replaced.

A Pollutant…A pollutant is anything added to the environment that harms living things.

What are some examples???

Habitat vs. Ecosystem…What is a habitat???

It is the name given to a place where an organism lives. It needs to provide conditions that are comfortable to the functioning of the inhabitants.

An ecosystem is made up of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors that interact with each other. An ecosystem contains a number of different habitats.

Draw your habitat withinyour ecosystem…

Include factors whichhelp or harm your habitat

and ecosystem

'Wild capitalism' destroying habitats in BulgariaPublished: 24 August 2010

Environmentalists have called

on the EU to take action against widespread destruction of protected natural habitats in

Bulgaria caused by the construction of tourist resorts, golf courses and ski slopes,

sand and gravel extraction and intensive wood production.

Without action, they warn, the situation could be repeated in

Romania and future EU member states.

A Case Study…QUESTIONS:

1. How might the construction of the proposed resorts, golf courses and ski slopes impact on the environment in the area?

2. If built, how might the propsosed resorts, golf courses and ski slopes impact on the environment?

3. Can you think of anything environmentally positive that can come out of this construction?

How might ourMega-structures influence

the environment?Positive Influences Negative Influences