SOS Planet Earth: A Call to Action

“Our house is on fire” - Greta Thunberg

SOS Planet Earth: A Call to Action

09 Thanks

Index

08 Video

07 Game

06 Conclusion – A Path Forward

05 What You Can Do – Individual and Community Action

04 The Oceans in Crisis

03 Deforestation and Its Ripple Effects

02 Air, Water, and Land Pollution

01 Introduction

The environmental crisis refers to the widespread damage caused by human activities to the Earth's natural systems, leading to serious global challenges. Overpopulation, industrialization, and excessive resource use have overwhelmed the planet’s ability to regenerate.

Contextualizing the Environmental Crisis

The accumulation of greenhouse gases has resulted in global warming, causing melting ice caps, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels

Climate Change

Rapid growth in population and cities has led to overconsumption of resources, loss of habitats, and higher pollution levels.

Population Growth and Urbanization

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation have dramatically increased carbon emissions, contributing to global warming.

Industrialization

Sources: Improper waste disposal, landfills, chemical spills, deforestation.Effects: Soil degradation, loss of arable land, and harm to wildlife.

Land Pollution

Sources: Plastics, agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers), industrial waste.Effects: Destruction of marine ecosystems, health hazards due to water contamination, and economic impact on fisheries.

Water Pollution

Pollution Breakdown

Air, Water, and Land Pollution

Sources: Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, burning fossil fuels.Effects: Air quality degradation, smog, and acid rain. Causes millions of deaths yearly from respiratory diseases.

Air Pollution

Info

Why Deforestation is Critical:Rate of Deforestation: 15 billion trees are cut down annually. Primary Causes:Agricultural expansion (especially soy, palm oil, and cattle ranching).Logging for timber and paper industries.Urbanization and infrastructure development.Consequences:

Deforestation and Its Ripple Effects

Major Threats:

Overfishing: 33% of fish stocks are over-exploited, affecting food security and marine ecosystems.Coral Bleaching: 50% of coral reefs have died since 1980 due to rising ocean temperatures and pollution.Plastic Pollution: 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. Microplastics are now found in the bodies of marine organisms and humans.

Oceans as Climate Regulators: Absorb 25% of CO2 emissions and 90% of the excess heat from global warming.Marine Biodiversity: Home to over 230,000 known species (possibly millions more undiscovered).

The Vital Role of Oceans:

The Oceans in Crisis

Local Climate Initiatives: Support community-based renewable energy projects or local emissions reduction policies.Climate Advocacy: Participate in local government meetings, encouraging adoption of climate-friendly regulations and goals. Community Solar: Advocate for shared community solar programs that provide access to clean energy without individual panel installations. Youth Education: Organize workshops in schools or community centers on climate change and environmental responsibility.

Community Actions:

Reduce Energy Use: Opt for energy-efficient appliances, insulate homes, and turn off lights and electronics when not in use.Sustainable Transportation: Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transit instead of driving; consider switching to electric or hybrid vehicles.Dietary Choices: Reduce meat and dairy consumption, focusing on plant-based foods which have a smaller carbon footprint.Offset Emissions: Offset unavoidable emissions by supporting projects like reforestation or renewable energy.

Individual Actions:

What You Can Do – Individual and Community Action

Urgent action on environmental issues is essential as climate change accelerates, biodiversity declines, and pollution levels rise. Delays increase the risks of irreversible damage, impacting human health, economies, and ecosystems. Immediate individual and community efforts can help preserve resources, stabilize climate, and ensure a livable planet for future generations.

The Urgency of Action:

Conclusion – A Path Forward

we're sorry...

Francisca Mota e Luísa Pontes

Thank you!

National parks protect natural areas, conserving biodiversity, and providing a safe space for wildlife while allowing people to enjoy nature responsibly.

What is the role of national parks in protecting ecosystems?

By fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, taking shorter showers, and collecting rainwater for gardening.

How can individuals reduce their water usage to live more sustainably?

Tropical rainforests.

Which ecosystem is home to the most biodiversity on Earth?

The Paris Agreement.

What international agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. It’s important because it helps ecosystems remain resilient and able to provide essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil.

What does biodiversity mean, and why is it important for ecosystems?

Name one international organization focused on environmental conservation.

Acid rain is rain that has been made acidic by pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. It can harm plants, soil, water sources, and aquatic life.

What is acid rain and how does it affect ecosystems?

Climate Impact: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2. Their removal contributes to higher atmospheric CO2 levels.Biodiversity Loss: Forests contain 80% of terrestrial species; deforestation leads to species extinction.Disruption of Water Cycles: Forests regulate water cycles, and their destruction leads to altered rainfall patterns and increased droughts.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (primarily CO2) that are emitted by an individual, organization, or activity.

What does the term “carbon footprint” refer to?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

Name two greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to climate change.

The Sumatran tiger, mainly due to habitat loss and poaching.

Name one endangered species and the reason for its population decline.

An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads rapidly in a new area, often outcompeting native species for resources and disrupting ecosystems.

What is an invasive species, and how can it harm an ecosystem?

The greenhouse effect is the process where certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the planet.

What is the greenhouse effect and how does it contribute to global warming?

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in size. They are harmful because they can be ingested by small organisms, working their way up the food chain and impacting entire ecosystems.

What are microplastics, and why are they harmful to the environment?

Marine animals can mistake plastic for food, which can lead to choking, poisoning, or starvation when their stomachs are full of plastic.

How does plastic pollution harm marine life?

It’s made primarily of floating plastic debris.

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch made of?

Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally replenish. Examples include solar energy and wind energy.

What is renewable energy, and name two types of renewable energy sources.

Burning of fossil fuels, particularly from transportation, industry, and electricity generation.

Which human activity is the largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions?

Sustainable agriculture aims to produce food in a way that preserves resources, supports biodiversity, and minimizes environmental damage.

What does "sustainable agriculture" aim to achieve?

Deforestation is the clearing of forests for non-forest uses like agriculture or urban development. It leads to habitat loss, increased carbon emissions, and reduced biodiversity.

What is deforestation, and what are its main environmental impacts?

Reforestation helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, restores habitats for wildlife, and helps prevent soil erosion.

Why is reforestation important for combating climate change?