Chapter 1: Problem 3

Cite four global trends that indicate that the health of planet Earth is suffering.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Four indicators that reflect the deteriorating health of planet Earth include global warming characterized by increased global temperatures; loss of biodiversity due to various human-induced factors; rampant deforestation causing habitat loss, disruption of water cycles and increased carbon dioxide; and ocean acidification caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide by the ocean, adversely impacting marine life.

Step by step solution

Identification of Global Environmental Trends

Identify four global environmental trends that indicate the health of planet Earth is suffering. These trends could be based on various parameters such as increased global temperatures, declining biodiversity, deforestation, ocean acidification, etc.

Explaining Global Warming

Explain the trend of global warming. Global warming is marked by an increase in average global temperatures. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to rapid increase in Earth's temperatures. This in turn results in climate change, causing extreme weather conditions, melting of ice caps, and sea level rise.

Explaining Decline in Biodiversity

Explain the trend of declining biodiversity. Earth is witnessing a great loss of biodiversity due to habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, pollution, etc. Many plant and animal species are becoming endangered, and this loss of biodiversity affects the functionality of ecosystems.

Elucidating Deforestation

Explain the trend of deforestation. Rapid deforestation is leading to loss of habitats for millions of species, disruption of water cycles, and more carbon dioxide in the environment due to less absorption by trees. Deforestation is largely caused by human activities such as logging, agriculture, and urbanization.

Explaining Ocean Acidification

Explain the trend of ocean acidification. The ocean absorbs around 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, leading to its acidification, which adversely affects marine life especially those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, like molluscs and coral reefs.

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Cite four global trends that indicate that the health of planet Earth is suffering.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identification of Global Environmental Trends

Explaining Global Warming

Explaining Decline in Biodiversity

Elucidating Deforestation

Explaining Ocean Acidification

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