climate change

The Third Challenge Assignment is about preserving biodiversity and climate change. This
assignment is worth 30 points and is due at 11pm on Sunday, May 7th. You may work with a friend,
but EVERY student must submit their own assignment. If you work together, type your partners
name at the top of the assignment.
Step 1: Review Climate Change Module in the Why Biology etext and refer to class notes from the
Climate Change lectures (Weeks 10-13).
Step 2: Watch the video “Crash Course: Ecology – 5 Human Impacts on the Environment” that
explains how people are damaging the natural environment.

Step 3: Here is a list of key words to consider. You will find some of these in the e-text and some in
the video.
biodiversity
extinction
pollution
greenhouse effect
global warming
invasive species
overexploitation
deforestation
desertification
Step 4: Your assignment is below. Type your answers to each question directly into the text box OR
upload a Word.doc file.
1. List two ways in which global warming impacts human society, and two ways in which it damaging
to natural ecosystems or species.
2. Define deforestation. Where in the world is deforestation most prevalent? Is deforestation a problem
in Louisiana and explain your reasoning?
3. The greenhouse effect is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, life on Earth would be
impossible without it; on the other hand, it may cause billions of dollars in future damage to our
society, as well as destroy countless ecosystems.
3a. What is the greenhouse effect?
3b. How does it contribute to global warming?
4. New Orleans is especially vulnerable to climate change because of its location and topography of
the area. The shrinking of our coastal marshes and a sinking city are manmade problems that could
exacerbate impacts of climate change. What are four causes that are resulting in loss of marshland in
coastal Louisiana. Browse the internet to find some possible causes.
5. How do invasive species disrupt natural ecosystems? Provide at least two examples.
6. Each of us can have a significant impact on where this planet is heading in the future by changing
our personal attitudes and practices. What are three things that you as an individual can do at home to
reduce your personal consumption of resources?