Group 1 – Climate and Water
This group discussed the changes in climate warming and the changes in the environment. For instance, the ocean waters are gradually becoming more acidic, the sea levels are rising, and the top layer of the ocean surface is warming up. This team also mentioned how pollution in one country affects us all worldwide. When carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it is spread around the world and becomes a global issue. The global warming potential (GWP) is used to compare greenhouse gases.
Group 2 – Ecosystems and Habitat
Biodiversity is described as the biological diversity of species and ecosystems. The primary cause of extinction is habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation. A habitat is where living organisms reside and function. Habitat destruction not only disrupts the natural process of the environment but also kills off organisms and forces them to re-adapt. Overexploitation is when humans use natural resources faster than they can be replenished. Examples of this can be; overharvesting fish and other trees or animals.
Group 3 – Pollution and Energy
Renewable energy is energy from sources that can be naturally replenished. It can also be called “clean” or “alternative energy” because it is not a harmful pollutant to the atmosphere, environment, or water. Using it as an alternative to traditional energy reduces the use of fossil fuels, which is the largest source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. There are 7 types of renewable energy; solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, ocean, hydrogen, and biomass. Making the transition to a post-carbon world is a multi-faceted undertaking. Fossil fuels are a one-time, nonrenewable resource; they do not regenerate and can only be depleted. We are far from running out any time soon, but we have run out of sources that are cheap and easy to access.
Group 4 – Green buildings, sites and livable
Buildings are large consumers of natural resources that hugely impact sustainability. Sustainability practitioners require to have basic knowledge of how to connect buildings with sustainability. This calls for designers and sustainability practitioners to collaborate in building nature-friendly architecture. Green buildings are constructed by using multiple stakeholders and sustainability professionals. A green building is designed to mimic living organisms in nature. It uses the free and renewable energy and water that’s available locally; wind, rain, and sunlight. Similarly to living organisms, green buildings can adapt to the specific wheater and environmental conditions where it is located. They are intended to interact with their surroundings and grow as one with nature.
Group 5 – Foods and Products
The green revolution birthed the technology of industrial agriculture, this includes; pesticides, chemical fertilizers, irrigation tools, and hybrid seeds. Though this system and use of techniques improved worldwide malnourishment and hunger, it created detrimental and irreversible consequences to the environment and to nature. Crops are grown using multiple techniques including organic agriculture. This is a process of agriculture that does not require synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. As a replacement, it depends on biological sources. Organic farms replenish nutrients to the soil and ground as compost. This is when plants, animals, and other natural materials decay into a rich source of natural fertilizer. Modern manufacturing of goods and products requires non-renewable materials like stones, metals, and fossil fuel. When these materials are combined or burned, they can create toxic substances that pollute the atmosphere and environment.
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