Earth is the only planet in our solar system that provides a suitable environmen

Question

Earth is the only planet in our solar system that provides a suitable environment for life as we know it. Sustaining these conditions requires a constant recycling of materials between the living and nonliving components of eco-systems.

Select one of material cycles (water, nitrogen, carbon, sulphur and phosphorus) and identify elements of your lifestyle that impact the cycle.

a.   What are the most considerable impacts you make?
b.   How might it change your life if you were to reduce your impacts? What would you need to give up?
c.   How difficult is to balance personal choices with environmental considerations?

Your answer should be between 700–900 words long and should include introduction and conclusion sections.

Explanation / Answer

I choose water cycle. As mentioned in the question, life is possible on Earth due to the fact that there is a balance between various components on Earth. One of them is water.

Now we know how the heat from the Sun makes the water in seas and oceans evaporate. This forms clouds when the water vapors reaches the cold upper layers of atmosphere. These clouds bring rain when they become saturated or strike against mountains.

Also our lifestyle does have an impact on such a water cycle.

This is because we are also a vital part of the ecosystem and play a considerable role in maintaining the ecological balance.

The rivers and seas help in creating the water vapor density to form clouds. But the industrial waste if thrown in these water bodies, creates a layer of the chemicals on the surface and lessen the evaporation process.

We are also indulging in mass deforestation due to industrialization. The trees play a vital role in water cycle as they attract rainfall. So due to deforestation, the amount of rainfall on land decreases creating an ecological imbalance.

Also the air pollution caused by our cars and other vehicles leads to acid rain. This leads to harmful effects on crops , monuments etc.

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