Environmental Impacts of Human Population Growth

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Environmental Impacts of Human Population Growth
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Acid Rain Formation

• Acid rain is formed as coal is burned by
  electrical power plants.
• Sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere
  and combines with water to form sulfuric acid.

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Acid Rain Formation

• As human population increases and the need for
  electricity grows, more acid rain is produced.

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Acid Rain Formation
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Global Warming

• Is due mainly to the increase in CO2 in the
  atmosphere
• Most CO2 is produced by the burning of fossil
  fuels in cars, for electricity, or for home
  heating.

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Habitat Destruction

• As our population grows, we need more space.
• Humans are destroying forests, natural wetlands,
  rainforests, etc to build cities, farms, etc.

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Habitat Destruction in Search of Resources

• As our need for oil, coal, natural gas, and other
  resources increases, we are destroying more and
  more natural habitat in search of them.
• Examples reclaimed strip mined area, acid mine
  drainage, oil spills, etc.

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Rainforest Destruction
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More endangered/extinct species

• Most species that are endangered or extinct are
  so because their habitat is being destroyed
• As human population increases, we are destroying
  more and more natural habitats to build cities,
  farms, etc.

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Destruction of the Ozone Layer

• The ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays
  from the sun.
• Chemicals in refrigerants we use in air
  conditioners, refrigerators, etc are destroying
  the ozone layer.
• As a result the number of cases of skin cancer is
  up dramatically.

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