Impact on Land
Cutting down large areas of forests for farming, housing, or highways.
What is deforestation?
This form of water pollution includes fertilizers from farms that harm aquatic ecosystems.
What is agricultural runoff?
This brownish haze forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen and carbon compounds in the air.
What is photochemical smog?
The rise in Earth’s average surface temperature.
What is global warming?
The three Rs of waste management.
What are reduce, reuse, and recycle?
This process leads to desertlike conditions due to soil erosion and poor land management.
What is desertification?
Most of the water use in the U.S. goes toward this purpose.
What is thermoelectric power?
Harmful gases that trap heat and contribute to global warming.
What are greenhouse gases?
The white surface that reflects sunlight and helps regulate Earth’s temperature.
What is sea ice?
This natural method improves soil using decaying matter like food scraps and leaves.
What is composting?
One way to restore mined land by reshaping and replanting it.
What is reclamation?
Underground layers that store freshwater.
What are aquifers?
This treaty helped reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.
What is the Montreal Protocol?
This ocean phenomenon describes how warmer water expands and contributes to sea level rise.
What is thermal expansion?
This law helps protect drinking water sources in the U.S.
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act?
Farming practice that can reduce biodiversity by focusing on one crop.
What is monoculture farming?
These large blooms can lead to oxygen loss in water and kill marine life.
What are harmful algal blooms?
When fossil fuels are burned, they can cause this acidic form of precipitation.
What is acid rain (acid precipitation)?
Shell-building marine animals are affected by this ocean change caused by carbon dioxide.
What is ocean acidification?
Planting different crops to maintain soil health is a part of this farming method.
What is organic farming?
The process of planting trees to replace those that were cut down.
What is reforestation?
Circular ocean currents where plastic pollution collects.
What are gyres (e.g., the Great Pacific Garbage Patch)?
These tiny particles in the air from dust, ash, or smoke can harm respiratory health.
What is particulate matter?
Coral reefs are harmed when this happens due to temperature stress.
What is coral bleaching?
Undeveloped or lightly developed urban areas that support wildlife and reduce runoff.
What are green spaces?