STS-G-4

Biodiversity and
Healthy Society
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY.
GROUP 4
Introduction
• Biodiversity, the variety of plant and animal species and
their habitats on Earth, is essential for our survival,
providing food, water, clean air, and shelter. This diversity
acts as a safety net, with each species contributing to a
stable ecosystem. However, human activities like
deforestation, overfishing, and destruction of wetlands
have weakened this safety net, threatening nature’s ability
to support us and increasing climate change risks. Now,
with a better understanding of these impacts, we have an
urgent need to repair and protect biodiversity to prevent
catastrophic changes to our planet.
The Impact of Biodiversity on
Human Life
• Humans, though similar to other species in their need for
resources, are unique in their ability to use technology. This
capability has led to rapid population growth and
environmental impacts, such as pollution and habitat
destruction, which reduce biodiversity and threaten all life on
Earth. To ensure our survival, it’s crucial to preserve
biodiversity and the natural environment. While some progress
has been made, much work remains. Global education and
environmental awareness are essential, requiring collaboration
among governments, industries, and the public to mitigate the
harmful impacts of human activity on Earth's ecosystems.
Human Population Growth
• Human population growth has surged over the past centuries due
to advances in medical and agricultural technology. While these
advancements have lowered disease and famine in developed
nations, the growing population and its supporting technologies
have put significant strain on natural ecosystems. In less
developed areas, population growth has outpaced food supply,
leading to famine, poverty, and a resurgence of diseases, forcing
many to abandon their homes. These crises are worsening and may
eventually affect developed countries as well. Humanity is
approaching a critical point where continued population growth
may no longer be sustainable.
Pollution and Destruction in our
Environment
• Technological and industrial activities have produced
harmful chemicals and by-products that pollute air, water,
and soil, endangering natural species and human health.
Pollutants like acidic ions and pesticides contaminate the
environment, making survival challenging for many
species. Industrial by-products, such as dioxins, pose
similar threats. Acid rain, formed when acidic ions mix
with atmospheric water, further harms ecosystems by
acidifying lakes and disrupting natural habitats.
Destruction of Habitat
• Human activities like deforestation, wetland alteration, and

land development have caused extensive habitat
destruction, displacing plant and animal species crucial for
ecosystem balance. Agriculture has further harmed the
environment through practices like failing to use cover
crops, leading to soil erosion and water sedimentation, over-
cropping, which depletes soil nutrients, and overgrazing,
which damages land by exceeding its capacity to support
livestock.
Exploitation of Animals and
Plants
• Modern technologies have enabled humans to exploit
exotic animals and plants for pets, products, and economic
gain. Animals like monkeys, parrots, and tigers are
captured or killed for their value, leading to species
endangerment and ecosystem disruption. Direct
harvesting of plants, including tropical hardwoods and
forest trees, has also reduced biodiversity and caused
widespread habitat destruction. The removal of forest
trees, especially in mountains and rainforests, results in
soil erosion and the degradation of entire ecosystems.
Signs of Environmental
Contamination
• Numerous warning signs suggest a harmful imbalance in ecosystems
due to environmental contamination. Toxic chemicals, heavy metals,
pesticides, and pharmaceuticals have been linked to increased
illnesses, deformities, and deaths in wildlife. For example, hormone-
disrupting chemicals in agricultural runoff may contribute to
deformities and population declines in frogs, while pesticides like DDT
disrupt bird reproduction. Oil spills and coastal pollutants have led to
deaths and disorientation in birds, fish, and marine mammals.
Humans, particularly infants and young children, are increasingly
vulnerable to these pollutants, with rising cases of birth defects,
childhood cancer, asthma, and chronic lung diseases in contaminated
areas worldwide.
Consumption of Energy
• Industrialization has led to a global surge in energy
consumption, with major industrialized nations like the United
States, England, and, more recently, China consuming large
amounts to support their economies. Traditional energy
sources like water, wood, coal, and oil are increasingly being
replaced by natural gas, wind, solar, tidal, nuclear, geothermal,
and fuel cell technologies. However, developing these new
energy sources often requires significant land, impacting
valuable agricultural areas. Industrial energy demands
continue to have both positive and negative effects on people
and ecosystems.
Fossils for Fuels
• Fossil fuels, including oil and gas, have been a primary

energy source for over 200 years, though they are non-
renewable. Burning fossil fuels releases pollutants into the
atmosphere, causing air pollution and acid rain, which forms
when sulfur and nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric
water. Acid rain disrupts aquatic ecosystems, harming acid-
sensitive species. Fossil fuel combustion also contributes to
global warming, further impacting the environment.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!
• LEADER: Kian Peladra
• MEMBER:
Francine Kate Ukat
Angelo Pajela
Daisy Joy Sagun Junio
Mark Jhon O Londres
Mitch Gijapon

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Biodiversity and

• Human activities like deforestation, wetland alteration, and

• Fossil fuels, including oil and gas, have been a primary

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