Check out the videos on the right to see real life examples of consequences and causes of habitat destruction. The first video shows the negative impact humans have on the earth's environment. The second video shows live action of habitat destruction. The videos address the problem to the public and show what is happening currently in the world today.
Also under the videos, do not forget to vote on the poll!
Vote your favorite way for going green!
For additional information on Habitat Destruction visit some of these links to learn more!
http://www.evergreen.ca/nativeplants/learn-more/02_sar_habitat.php
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/causes_of_endangerment.htm
http://www.conservationinstitute.org/ocean_change/habitatloss.htm
Sunday, May 31, 2009
What is the problem, causes and consequences of Habitat Destruction?
The main problem of habitat destruction is human beings acting carelessly towards the earth. Humans are only concerned about their own needs and put the earth second on their priority list. Humans want their society bigger and better and they are not thinking of the impact it has on nature. The main causes with connection to humans are air pollution, global warming, climate changes, expanding agriculture, developing houses and cities, wiping out forests, and fires.
Air pollution includes the excessive use of cars, buses, factories and smokers. Global warming and climate changes are the results of air pollution and carelessness of humans. Agriculture, houses and cities are expanding into animal’s habitats, which leads to animal population decreasing. Human’s irresponsibility to their own actions is one of the causes of forest fires.
If we do not address this problem now then our earth will slowly fall. Some of the consequences are animal species dying out, the lose of plants and natural areas, a decrease of necessities such as oxygen with the result of tree lose, and humans bathing in their own filth. This problem needs to be addressed to the public in order to take action!
Source:
"Habitat destruction is the largest of the many threats to biodiversity." BirdLife International - conserving the world's birds. 31 May 2009
What is happening in our community today?
The Beaverton Valley Times recently posted a news article in their Sustainable Life section that discusses a green solution to developing urban areas and the necessity of green spaces. This news article shows that current resolutions are being made to help the environment by preserving natural spaces locally near Portland, Oregon. By asking voters for money for this worthy cause, available land can be bought to keep it as a natural area particularly where houses could be built instead. Since 1980, the Portland Audubon Society and supporters have been interested in this idea to provide parks and natural settings in the urban area of Portland. Since the 1970’s Portland developed the idea of the urban growth boundary to keep development inside a set area to protect the farm and forest land. The problem was that it was also important to keep green spaces within the developing areas near where people lived as well, but sometimes that meant losing area to develop. In 1992, a group of environmental organizations gathered enough money for Metro to survey potential green space areas. In addition they learned how San Francisco was able to pass bonds to purchase green spaces. The first Metro bond measure passed in 1995 to purchase 8,200 acres of green spaces in the Portland area. Another bond passed in 2006 to purchase 4,000 acres. Metro’s main objectives when providing more green spaces are to purchase land that provides a natural setting inside or near urban areas, land that provides for fish and wildlife habitat and available from willing sellers.
Our biology class has learned the importance of habitats to help animals survive; if habitats are destroyed then animals that depend on that land will start to disappear. We also have learned the importance of trees and their benefits to the health of our air; trees take in carbon dioxide, clean our air and give us valuable oxygen in return.
This article is so relevant to our cause to create a blog to promote the importance of creating green spaces in the urban areas and the importance of making sure we keep habitat areas for animals, thus only making our world a better place. It is important to keep this vision that Metro and the voters wanted; to keep Oregon green by preserving green spaces for our future generations and the future of our environment. We should promote our chosen green way of life, be proud of what Oregonians want and remind the world this is the way. We need to continue to spread this message to the rest of the world that may not see as green as we do. More research needs to continue on the benefits of green spaces and preserving natural habitats so other cities around the country and world go green too.
Link to article: http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=123429028727016900
Our biology class has learned the importance of habitats to help animals survive; if habitats are destroyed then animals that depend on that land will start to disappear. We also have learned the importance of trees and their benefits to the health of our air; trees take in carbon dioxide, clean our air and give us valuable oxygen in return.
This article is so relevant to our cause to create a blog to promote the importance of creating green spaces in the urban areas and the importance of making sure we keep habitat areas for animals, thus only making our world a better place. It is important to keep this vision that Metro and the voters wanted; to keep Oregon green by preserving green spaces for our future generations and the future of our environment. We should promote our chosen green way of life, be proud of what Oregonians want and remind the world this is the way. We need to continue to spread this message to the rest of the world that may not see as green as we do. More research needs to continue on the benefits of green spaces and preserving natural habitats so other cities around the country and world go green too.
Link to article: http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=123429028727016900
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
What is currently being done to address the problem? Is it working? What progress has been made?
People are beginning to take action into solving the issue of habitat destruction in several ways. Many citizens are offering to monitor the environment around their homes by reporting water quality and any damage being done to the land around them. By providing this information, policy makers are able to identify the causes and find more solutions to prevent any more damage to the environment. Policy makers have limited land use, created marine reserves and approved and banned fishing in certain areas to slow the destruction that is being done to the environment.
Many organizations are currently working to ensure that the planet is healthy by conserving its natural habitats. Organizations like World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation help to preserve species that are becoming endangered due to habitat destruction and loss. Many animals lose their homes from natural causes as well as causes influenced by humans every year. These organizations step in to help and take action in caring for our earth and its creatures. Other organizations like the Wilderness Society and the Environmental Defense focus on the well-being of the earth’s ecosystems. They try to set good examples as to how stewards of the earth should really be. Through their work, the Wilderness Society passed the Wilderness Act that protected at least 107 million acres of nature around the world.
Many organizations are currently working to ensure that the planet is healthy by conserving its natural habitats. Organizations like World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation help to preserve species that are becoming endangered due to habitat destruction and loss. Many animals lose their homes from natural causes as well as causes influenced by humans every year. These organizations step in to help and take action in caring for our earth and its creatures. Other organizations like the Wilderness Society and the Environmental Defense focus on the well-being of the earth’s ecosystems. They try to set good examples as to how stewards of the earth should really be. Through their work, the Wilderness Society passed the Wilderness Act that protected at least 107 million acres of nature around the world.
Sources:
"About Us | The Wilderness Society." Homepage | The Wilderness Society. 31 May 2009
"Habitat Conservation - MarineBio.org." MarineBio.org - Marine Biology, Ocean Life Conservation, Sea creatures, Biodiversity, Oceans research... 31 May 2009
What Can Others and Our VC Community Do To Help Habitat Destruction?
Anyone can get involved! Although the issue of habitat destruction is world-wide, students and staff in our Valley Catholic community can still help in a small way. One way to help is to get active and maintain your home yard. In our community we can help benefit plants and animals by keeping up the maintenance in the yard. If gardening and planting is an interest, plant trees and bushes at your home. When gardening, decrease the chemical fertilizer used in planting. When going to the grocery store, reduce the use of disposable bags, or other containers used at home. Think smart when driving, lower time spent on the road, there are solutions like carpooling and cutting down gas usage. Save energy in your homes, turn off the light or use natural light during the day time. Inform companies that send out catalogs to reduce their use of paper. If people want to get more involved, contact an organization and ask for other ways to help. Make it public that you want to help! Do not sit back and watch habitats get destroyed, take action!
Source:
http://www.eternalforest.org/images/Buttons/get_involved.gif
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
