America the Endangered?Science World's seventh Environmental Almanac almanac, originally, a calendar with notations of astronomical and other data. Almanacs have been known in simple form almost since the invention of writing, for they served to record religious feasts, seasonal changes, and the like. focuses on the U.S. The issue also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2000. For the first time in Earth Day's history, chairman Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio (born November 11 1974[1]) is a three-time Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American actor who garnered world wide fame for his role as Jack Dawson in Titanic. and 3,200 organizations from 167 countries will zero in on a single issue: global warming global warming, the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. , the heating of the planet's climate due in part to increased waste gases in the atmosphere. Signals of global warming include melting polar ice caps
tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. plant and animal species. "I personally feel this is the most highly ignored, yet important issue facing the world today," says DiCaprio. This year's Earth Day theme: Clean Energy Now! DiCaprio will kick off Earth Day 2000 at the Mall in Washington, D.C. Environmental events are planned for an entire month worldwide, including car-free days in some cities! Are you ready to do your part? To learn how, go to www.earthday.net RELATED ARTICLE: Quiz A quiz is a form of game or mind sport in which the players (as individuals or in teams) attempt to answer questions correctly. Quizzes are also brief assessments used in education and similar fields to measure growth in knowledge, abilities, and/or skills. How Much Do You Know? Scientists help measure the state of Earth's environment by gathering statistics on issues from energy use to endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. . They use "enviro-stats" to size up problems and devise solutions. Do you know some "numbers" that impact your life? Read each question below and circle the correct answer. 1 Since 1970, global use of energy (coal and natural gas, for example) has increased by a) 50% b) 60% c) 70% 2 The average American uses this amount of paper each year: a) 233 lbs b) 700 lbs c) 550 lbs 3 How much recycled paper does it take to save 3 cubic yards of landfill space? a) 500 lbs b) 400 lbs c) one ton 4 Leaving tap water running while brushing your teeth may waste this amount of water: a) 3 gallons b) 5 gallons c) 7 gallons 5 Using a gas-powered lawnmower for one hour produces as many harmful gas emissions as driving a car for a) 25 hours b) 50 hours c) 75 hours 6 Your family car may emit this much carbon dioxide each year: a) 4,000 lbs b) 8,000 lbs c) 12,000 lbs 7 Global pesticide use has increased by 30 times since 1945. Now, the world uses this much per year: a) 3 million lbs b) 4.1 billion lbs c) 5 billion lbs 8 Of 28 commonly used pesticides, how many are believed to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing)? a) 14 b) 23 c) 28 9 Each hour, the average number of species that go extinct is: a) 1 b) 3 c) 6 |
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