Student+Presentations


 * Air and Water Pollution **

2 Facts:

1. 1.5 billion people who live in or near urban areas breathe very polluted air.

2. There are 56 million deaths per year as a result of pollution.

Questions for Air and Water Pollution Group:

1. How can polluted water in the ocean affect fresh water habitat? In understanding the flow of the water cycle, polluted ocean water reaches our local lakes and streams so an oil spill in the ocean can ultimately affect all of us.

2. How can help prevent pollution from occurring?

We can build machines to help filter contaminants in the water. We can also put more recycling bins in parks and highly populated areas. Although it may not be possible, we could stop drilling oil in the ocean.

** Stop the Oil Spill **

2 Facts:

1. The Exxon Valdez spilled up to 750,000 barrels of oil which filled 11,000 square miles of water.

2. Sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, and sea birds were just a few of the animals that were killed as a result of the spill.

Questions for Stop the Oil Spill:

1. Do you think that we are still seeing the effects of the Exxon Valdez spill from 1989?

I would say that we would most likely still find areas with oil today because in 2001 the survey group found 96 places alone with oil still in the ground.

2. What coastline was affected by the Valdez spill?

Alaska

** The Forest Defenders **

2 Facts:

1. I think the size of Brazil's rain forests that are being affected by deforestation is ridiculous! The amount totals more than 200 football fields!

2. We as humans are contributing to air pollution when we cut down trees since they release carbon dioxide into the air when they are cut down.

Questions for The Forest Defenders:

1. How can cutting down trees in a rain forest affect the habitat?

When trees are cut down in the rain forest, you are most importantly destroying the habitat of many organisms. Secondly, the trees are a source of heat, like a greenhouse. If the trees are cut down, then the temperature will not be sustainable for the creatures that are accustomed to living in these climate changes.

2. Since humans are the primary cause of deforestation, how can we help to prevent deforestation from occurring?

You could educate people about the effects of deforestation. You could also boycott products that come from the forests that are being cut down. You could also refer people to several government organizations that are helping to reduce the acts of deforestation.

** Habitat Heroes **

2 Facts:

1. If the Polar ice caps melt all the way the Earth will flood. Nine percent is melting with each decade.

2. Air pollution that weakens the ozone layer is speeding up the global warming process. This in turn is affecting the polar ice caps.

Questions for Habitat Heroes:

1. In what ways can we help decrease the polar ice caps from melting?

We can stop cutting down rain forests which will release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This will slow down the effects of global warming. We can also put sun reflecting sheets on top of the ice to reduce the amount of melting. We should all attempt to conserve energy by using less water and electricity.

2. How are polar bears being affected by global warming?

They are losing their natural habitat and the prey on their hunting grounds is becoming more scarce. Some of their prey would be penguins and walruses. When these animals lose their habitat, they will go off and search for a new home and source of food.

** Habitat Hazards  ** 2 Facts: 1. Antarctica is considered a desert since it gets less than 10 inches of precipitation per year. 2. According to the World Conservation Union, 80% of the forests that covered the earth 8000 years ago has been cleared or ruined by man. Questions for Habitat Hazards: 1. What does symbiotic mean and what is an example of it? Symbiotic means that animals rely on each other for survival. An example for humans would be our relationship with the bacteria in our stomachs. The bacteria helps us to digest food and in turn it can live in a warm, dark, moist environment. 2. List examples of how Antarctica is being destroyed by mankind. Global Warming, Pollution, Oil Spills, and Fishing all contribute to Antarctica's ice.