Endangered Species

An endangered species is a group of organisms that are at risk of becoming extinct.

Birds
1,200 of the 10,000 bird species are listed as threatened or endangered.

Fish
Overfishing, pollution and habitat loss are likely the leading causes of fish decline.

Mammals
20% of the known mammal species are thought to be threatened or endangered.

Amphibians
There are more amphibian species that are under threat than any single animal group.

Learn more:
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/endangered/endangered.html

Air We Breath

What is the Ozone Layer?

• The ozone layer forms a thin shield high up in the sky. It protects life on Earth from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (cloro-floro-carbons) or CFCs, were invented, and were used to to keep things cold and to make foam and soaps. Since then invention of the CFCs, billions of CFC molecules were released into the air.
• The chemicals that make up CFCs, mainly chlorine and fluorine, would float around the stratosphere (one of the layers of the atmosphere), breaking up ozone molecules.
• Scientists realized that the ozone layer was going away or being depleted because of such chemicals as CFCs.

Learn more:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/air/ozonlayr.htm

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/kids/kids_ozone.html

Water

WHAT CAN WE DO?

• Recycle.
  
• Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves and debris out of street gutters and storm drains—these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers and wetlands.
• Plant a tree. Trees can provide much-needed shade in the summer, reducing energy bills and fossil fuel use.
• Encourage people with cars to have their air conditioners fixed by mechanics. Mechanics have to be specially certified to work with CFCs.
• Protect your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays when you're outside.

Learn more:
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/what_you_can_do/ten-personal-solutions-to.html