Norhanah Bongaros

BSENTrep 1-2

Overfishing
Overfishing is a serious environmental issue and is essentially catching too many
fish. This depletes the adult fish population and does not leave enough fish to
breed and restock their numbers so that they can be sustainable. Overfishing can
also be defined as fishing aggressively to decrease the stock levels to such an
extent that they can no longer support the necessary amount of fish needed for
'harvest'.

Cause

The reasons that cause overfishing are in a large part due to the worldwide fishing
fleets that are five times as large as then what is actually necessary to catch fish
that our oceans can realistically support. Globally our active fishing fleets have the
capacity to cover at least 4 planets that are the size of earth.

Effect

As mentioned earlier, millions of people rely on fishing for their livelihood and
nutritional needs. For decades, oceans have provided us with a bounty of seafood
for these needs, but there is a limit to everything. Unsustainable fishing practices
and overfishing over the last few decades have pushed our oceans to the limit
and they may now be on the verge of a collapse, thereby affecting the everyday
way of life and source of income of those who depend on them. With no
productive fish left in the sea to fish, fishermen and fisheries are bound to go out
of business in no time.

Program

Ecosystem overfishing occurs when the balance of the ecosystem is altered by

overfishing. With declines in the abundance of large predatory species, the
abundance of small forage type increases causing a shift in the balance of the
ecosystem towards smaller fish species.
Norhanah Bongaros
BSENTrep 1-2

Acid rain

Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of
precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the
ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog,
hail or even dust that is acidic.

Cause

Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise
very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and
other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

Effect

The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments,
such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be harmful to fish and other
wildlife. As it flows through the soil, acidic rain water can leach aluminum from
soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes.

Program

DescriptionThe Acid Rain Program is a market-based initiative taken by the United

States Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reduce overall
atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain
Norhanah Bongaros
BSENTrep 1-2

Deforestation

Deforestation, clearance, clearcutting or clearing is the removal of a forest or

stand of trees from land which is then converted to a non-forest use.
Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban
use. The most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests.

Cause

Mining. The increase of mining on tropical forests is furthering damage due to the
rising demand and high mineral prices. Paper. America, China, Japan, and Canada
make up more than of the world’s paper production—400 million tons a year.
Overpopulation Due to overpopulation, more land is needed to establish housing
and settlements. Logging. Wood-based industries such as paper, matchsticks, and
furniture need a substantial quantity of wood. Agriculture Expansion & Livestock
Ranching. A major cause of deforestation is agriculture plantations. Climate
Change. Forests are essentially the lungs of our planet. All plants take in carbon
dioxide and release oxygen.

Effect

When they are degraded, it can set off a devastating chain of events both locally
and around the world. Loss of species: Seventy percent of the world's plants and
animals live in forests and are losing their habitats to deforestation, according to
National Geographic. Loss of habitat can lead to species extinction.

Program

Ending deforestation is our best chance to conserve wildlife and defend the rights
of forest communities. On top of that, it’s one of the quickest and most cost
effective ways to curb global warming. That’s why we’re campaigning for a
deforestation-free future.