Mining
What is a pro and what is a con of subsurface mining?
PROS -
Better for the Environment
CONS -
More expensive
More dangerous
What is a Pro of a CAFO
Produce meat quickly
Cheaper for the consumer
Uses less land
What can lead to saltwater intrusion
Depletion of Aquifers
Coastal Cities
Our ability to use resources without depleting them for future generations is known as
Sustainability
What is the vast majority of our freshwater needed for?
Irrigation
What is one negative impact of mining practices?
Destruction of habitats
MORE sedimentation in our rivers
Contamination of groundwater
Dust pollution and methane gas emissions
What is a benefit of free range grazing?
Animals are fed naturally (grass not grain)
No antibiotics or growth hormones
Waste can be used as fertilizer
What are some negative aspects of urbanization
Increased landfill demands
decreased groundwater infiltration
Increase flooding
Higher cost of water treatment
What is 1 of the best things you can do to lower your ecological footprint
Eat less meat
This process causes a buildup of minerals toxic to plant growth in soil over time
salt salinization
What are mining wastes considered?
Overburden, Slag, Tailing
Name 3 benefits of eating less meat
Reduction of greenhouse gases
Less water used
Improved topsoil
reduction in antibiotic and growth hormones
More impervious surfaces leads to what?
More flooding
Depletion of aquifers
increased runoff
warmer temperatures
The amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing the available supply is known as...
Sustainable yield
Waterlogging, leading to roots being starved of oxygen, is caused by this method of irrigation
Flood irrigation
What is a type of subsurface mining that involves the removal of vegetation leading to an area being more susceptible to erosion?
Strip mining
What does accessing lower grade ore increase?
The amount of resources needed
The amount of pollution generated
The overall cost of the ore
What are 2 things that urban sprawl can lead to?
Increase in fossil fuel use
More impervious surfaces
Building out not up
Name a benefit and a drawback of drip irrigation
Benefits:
- Conservation of water
- Minimizes soil salinization
Drawbacks:
- Cost, in both money and labor
What is a downside of the type of irrigation that most often is used in developed countries because it involves complex technology that senses the soil, pumps water up from the ground, and waters the crops as needed?
It is expensive and involves the use of fossil fuels
What are 2 ways to limit human impact on the oceans?
Aquaculture
Laws that prevent bycatch
Strict enforceable rules regarding catch limits
What are 2 of the 3 types of fisheries?
Recreational
Commercial
Sustenance
What is a negative aspect of aquaculture?
It can lead to more fish waste
High population density can lead to disease spread
Fish may escape
What is a benefit of aquaculture?
Reduces the number of fish caught from the ocean.
How can mass transit in an urban area benefit the environment
Less Co2 goes into the atmosphere
Less cars = less impervious surfaces