Human Population Growth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpopulation

Human Population Growth

Summary:
The Human population has been increasing rapidly since the 1400's. Most of the increase has happened in the past 50 years, due to medical advancements. The human population reached 7 billion this year and is still growing. Due to the excessive amount of humans we have been causing the environment much harm. There has been an increase in Carbon dioxide, which may be linked to global warming and climate change. Scientists feel that the earth may not be able to keep up with our growing population and in years to come there may not be enough natural resources left.


This shows the human population growth throughout history. As you can see in 2025 the population is estimated to be greater than 8 billion. Meaning the population will increase by over a billion within 13 years.

Opinion:
In my opinion I believe over time population growth will become a problem. How quickly the numbers are rising over the years is to fast for all the natural resources we need to keep up. I believe they need to start raising awareness of this problem. All of us humans are contributing to destroying the planet we live on, and overtime the problems we think are small now and don't matter will eventually become bigger.

Questions:

1. Do you believe that the human population growth is a problem?

2. Why do you think what you do?

3. What are some ways we can help slow down the population growth?

4. Do you believe that overtime this may or may not be an issue?

Scientists Provide First Large- Scale Estimate Of Reef Shark Losses in the Pacific Ocean

Scientists recently discovered the loss of Reef Sharks. The decrease in their population is due to them being poached for their fins. The loss of the Reef sharks is affecting the other animals in the food chain.  Scientists discovered their loss by conducting under water surveys over the past twelve months. Another major factor due to their loss is recreational fishing. Many people choose to fish for Reef sharks because their big and put up a fight. The species is almost extinct and that is causing major problems. The scientists estimate that nearly 90% of the Reef Shark population has dropped around populated islands due to those two reasons. They did a special survey called "Towed Diver Survey" That is where they take a shark census while being pulled by a boat. The team crunched the numbers from over 1600 towed surveys. The model showed the impact that humans have on the shark population. " In short humans and sharks just don't mix" - Marc Nadon (Institute for marine and atmospheric research.)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120427100109.htm

Picture:
This picture shows the destruction of
Reef sharks due to the human impact on
their environment. As you can see theres a dead shark laying there. The people look stunned because its very rare to see a dead washed up shark. Humans are destroying the Reef Sharks ecosystems.

My opinion on this article is that these sharks should not be hunted and killed for their fins. That is animal cruelty and it can really harm our ecosystem. The demise of these sharks lead to changes in the food wed and they are the highest organism on that specific food web. They are a Keystone species. That is what I think of this topic.

Questions:

Do you think Reef Sharks should be hunted for their fins?

How do you think this will affect the food web?

Do you think the sharks will recover from this crisis?

Major Changes Needed to Protect Australia's Species and Ecosystems

Major Changes Needed to Protect Australia's Species and Ecosystems

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120919103616.htm

Picture:

This picture and quote show that we should take better care of our ecosystems.  Many people take advantage of the environment, and the ecosystems are paying for that. 

Summary:

Recently a study was done in Australia showing how the ecosystem is being affected by the environment.  Climate change in Australia is having a major impact on the plant and animals species.  It is predicted that by 2030 many natural landscapes will be transformed due to climate change.   Most of the plants and animals are predicted to be extinct by 2070, and the climate change causing widespread problems.  By the time Australia strategizes ways to help the climate, I will be too late and the damage will not be able to be fixed.

Opinion:

I was surprised by the numbers in this article.  To see the actual years written down is shocking.  I believe people not only in Australia, but worldwide should be more aware about the environment.   Once the resources on the Earth are gone, they cannot be replenished or replaced.

 

 

Questions:

1-      Why do you think people should be worried about the environment, and trying to preserve it?

2-      How would it affect the ecosystems worldwide if the plants and animals in Australia went extinct?

3-      If you could, how would you make a change to help the environment?