Why is the Coral Reef important- have wildlife and act as a protective barrier for coastal regions.
Direct negative impacts of increased carbon dioxide- Ocean acidification and "Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the water cause additional damage to corals, leaving them defenseless against storm damage and erosion." Primary source is fossil fuel combustion near the coast
Economic impact and conservation efforts- Costs a lot maintain a clean coral reef and an unhealthy coral reef could reduce tourism. Coral monitoring is being done to reduce the harm to the coral reefs.
Walleye importance- Unofficial fish of Ohio.
Direct negative impacts of increased carbon dioxide- Carbon pollution is killing off the walleye and more frequent heat waves. Primary source is burning of fossil fuels.
Economic impact and conservation efforts- The walleye are fished by anglers for money and the pollution cuts down on recreation. The national wildlife federation is trying to cut down on hunting and fishing of the walleye.
Ozone discussion-
Tropospheric Ozone- formed from water, oxygen, VOCs and NOXs. It harms the respiratory functions of the lungs and is damaging to plant tissue.
Stratopheric Ozone blocks UVC and UVB radiation. It absorbs UVB radiation and is responsible for many skin problems.
Positive and Negative feedbacks-
Positive- More energy use+Co2 emissions- climate warms- use more air conditioning
Negative- Ice melts at the poles. Freshwater released from the ice caps melting stops sinking of cold salty water at the poles. Thermohaline circulation shuts down. Poles no longer heated. Ice forms on larger surface area. Albedo increases, world cools.
Big Picture discussion-
Economic Impact- The major industries cause a lot of the environmental impact mainly for economic gain. All the laws have somehow harmed certain industries vast profit with their rules. The melting of the ice also can harm tourism but help agriculture because there is more available land to cultivate.
Environmental Impact- the depletion of the ozone can destroy many of the animals environments. It also affects the carbon cycle by bringing in extra CO2 that the cycle isn't accustomed to processing.
Government legislation-
Montreal Protocol- international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
Kyoto Protocol- set limits on emissions of greenhouse gases on developed countries but not developing countries. Not ratified by the USA
Clean air act- usa law to control air pollution on a national level
Human Impact- Humans cause a lot of impact on the earth and the only one that they don't necessarily contribute to is water vapor.
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