Environmental Threats
What Types of Environments Exist on Earth?
Wherever we look on Earth, the planet has the most amazing habitats
for its millions of species (types of living things): the deepest oceans;
the wettest rainforests; the driest deserts; the coldest ice floes; the
highest mountains and every other environment (the surroundings
in which species live) in-between.
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© Adriano Gambarini / WWF Living Amazon Initiative
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© WWF-US / Elisabeth Kruger
Each of these environments contains ecosystems. An ecosystem is a
community of plants, animals and the environment around them. All
parts of an ecosystem rely on each other. When an ecosystem faces a
threat to its environment, there is a risk to the survival of many of the
plants and animals that live within it.
© WWF / Steve Morgan
© WWF / Helmut Diller
The Tasmanian wolf became extinct
in 1936, mostly due to hunting and
habitat destruction by humans.
© WWF / Helmut Diller
The Pyrenean Ibex became extinct
in 2000, mostly due to hunting by
humans and disease.
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Land Development
Much of the Earth’s land is changing irreversibly.
Human population continues to grow every year
and so the demand for food increases. Many
forests, hedgerows and meadows (important
habitats for the world’s wildlife) are continually
being cleared for farming purposes, such as
grazing livestock or growing crops.
© Luis Barreto / WWF-UK
Forests are home to 80% of plants and animals that live on land. They are important
to the Earth because they provide oxygen and take in a greenhouse gas called carbon
dioxide. Deforestation is a huge threat to all the species that inhabit forests and to
the local communities who rely on them. As well as cutting down trees to clear land
for farming cattle, other reasons for the loss of forests include logging for timber, fires
and mining.
Ocean Struggles
Pollution, especially plastic waste, poses a huge threat to
ocean and polar wildlife. Microplastics are so tiny that they
can be eaten by some of the oceans’ smallest living things.
These creatures are important food sources for other ocean
dwellers and these plastics might then be passed on along
the food chain, causing health problems for many other
animals, including humans.
© naturepl.com / Alex Mustard / WWF
The demand for fish as a healthy source of food is increasing and many people rely on
fishing as their way of earning money. Overfishing is when so many fish are caught that
there are too few left to reproduce and so stock levels decrease. Many fish are also caught
accidentally and are thrown away unnecessarily. Since other sea and land animals eat
different species of fish, this can threaten the survival of other living things too.
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Climate Change
Climate change due to global warming (the gradual increase in the overall temperature
of the Earth’s atmosphere due to human activity) poses a huge threat to the world’s
species. Our planet is warming up so polar ice caps are melting and then sea levels are
rising. Longer and more severe periods of drought or flooding threaten wildlife, fresh
water and crops in deserts, wetlands and grasslands. Warmer, wetter, drier or colder
seasons in different parts of the world could also be damaging to the habitats and food
sources of many of the Earth’s living things.
© Roger Leguen / WWF
© Thomas Cristofoletti / WWF-US
Fascinating Facts
• Over 150 chemicals have been found in bee pollen across the world, often because of
pesticides used on crops to control pests.
• 17% of the Amazon rainforest has disappeared in 50 years.
• 2.6 billion people worldwide eat fish as part of their diet.
• It can take over 400 years for plastic to break down in the ocean.
• 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water; however, only 1% of this is fresh water
that humans can drink.
It will take all humans working together to reduce the effects
of our actions on the planet’s land, oceans and climates in
order to protect the world for all of its living things.
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Questions
1. List two of the Earth’s different environments mentioned in the text.
2. The author explains that an ecosystem has two things that rely on each other as well
as on their environment. List those two things.
3. In the ‘Land Development’ section, what does the author mean by ‘changing
irreversibly’?
4. What do forests provide that is important to the Earth?
5. What types of plastics are so tiny that they can be eaten by the smallest ocean
animals?
6. What two things are happening to oceans and seas because of climate change?
7. The author talks about flooding and wetter seasons. What type of weather is more
likely to cause these?
8. Why are pesticides used on crops?
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9. How many years can it take for plastic to break down in the ocean?
10. Read the last sentence. State one action you could take to make a difference to the
Earth.
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Environmental Threats
What Types of Environments Exist on Earth?
Wherever we look on Earth, the planet provides the most amazing
habitats for its millions of species (types of living things): the deepest
oceans; the wettest rainforests; the driest deserts; the coldest ice
floes; the highest mountains and every other environment
(the surroundings in which species live) in-between.
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© Adriano Gambarini / WWF Living Amazon Initiative
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© WWF-US / Elisabeth Kruger
Each of these environments contains ecosystems: communities in which
plants, animals and the environment all rely on each other. When an
ecosystem faces a threat to its environment, the entire web of life is at
risk, leading to a reduction in or even the extinction of some species.
© WWF / Steve Morgan
© WWF / Helmut Diller
The Tasmanian wolf became extinct
in 1936, mostly due to hunting and
habitat destruction by humans.
© WWF / Helmut Diller
It is thought the Pyrenean Ibex
became extinct in 2000, mostly due
to hunting by humans and disease.
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
Page 1 of 3
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Land Development
Much of the Earth’s land is changing
irreversibly. The huge demand for food due
to human population growth means large
amounts of land are cleared for farming.
Forests, hedgerows and meadows are all
important habitats for the world’s wildlife
but they are under threat as land is used
for grazing livestock and growing crops.
© Luis Barreto / WWF-UK
Forests are home to 80% of plants and animals that live on land. They are important
to the Earth because they provide oxygen and absorb a greenhouse gas called carbon
dioxide. Deforestation is a huge threat to all the species that inhabit forests and to
the local communities who rely on them. As well as cutting down trees to clear land
for farming cattle, other reasons for the loss of forests include timber logging, fires,
mining and human resettlement.
Ocean Struggles
Plastic pollution and other debris pose a huge threat to
ocean and polar wildlife. Microplastics are so tiny that they
can be eaten by some of the oceans’ smallest living things.
These creatures are important food sources for other ocean
dwellers and these plastics might then be passed on along
the food chain, causing health problems for many other
animals, including humans.
© naturepl.com / Alex Mustard / WWF
The demand for fish as a healthy food source is increasing and many people rely on
fishing as their source of income. Overfishing, which is when some species of fish are
caught more quickly than they can replenish themselves, can create a lack of food for
a range of marine life. Many fish are also caught accidentally and are thrown away
unnecessarily.
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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More carbon dioxide is entering the Earth’s atmosphere because of deforestation
and the use of fossil fuels. This carbon dioxide enters the oceans and mixes with
seawater to create a mild acid, which can damage some wildlife, including
shellfish and corals.
Climate Change
Climate change due to global warming (the
gradual increase in the overall temperature of
the Earth’s atmosphere due to human activity)
poses a huge threat to the world’s species.
Warmer temperatures are melting polar ice
caps, causing rising sea levels. Longer and more
severe periods of drought or flooding threaten
wildlife, fresh water and crops in deserts,
wetlands and grasslands. Warmer, wetter, drier
or colder seasons in different parts of the world
could also be damaging to the habitats and food
sources of many of the Earth’s living things.
© Roger Leguen / WWF
© Thomas Cristofoletti / WWF-US
Fascinating Facts
• Over 150 different chemicals have been found in bee pollen across the world, often
because of pesticides used on crops.
• 17% of the Amazon rainforest has disappeared in 50 years.
• 2.6 billion people worldwide rely on fish as a healthy food source in their diet.
• It can take over 400 years for plastic to break down in the ocean.
• 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water; however, only 1% of this is fresh water
that can be accessed easily.
Only as humans working together can we attempt to reduce the effects of
our actions on the planet’s land, oceans and climates in order to protect
the world for all of its living things.
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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Questions
1. List two of the Earth’s different environments mentioned in the text.
2. The author explains that an ecosystem includes three things that rely on each other.
List those three things.
3. In the ‘Land Development’ section, what does the author mean by ‘changing
irreversibly’?
4. What two things do forests do that are so important to the Earth?
5. What types of plastics are so tiny that they can be eaten by the smallest ocean
animals?
6. What dissolves in seawater to create a mild acid?
7. Name one way that climate change is affecting the Earth.
8. In the ‘Fascinating Facts’ section, why has the author emphasised the word ‘only’?
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9. Near the end of the text, what does the author suggest needs to be done by
people?
10. Read the last sentence. What actions could you take to reduce the effects of
environmental threats on the Earth?
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charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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Environmental Threats
What Types of Environments Exist on Earth?
Wherever we investigate on Earth, the planet provides the most
amazing habitats for its millions of species: the deepest oceans;
the wettest rainforests; the driest deserts; the coldest Polar ice
floes; the highest mountains and every other environment
(the surroundings in which species live) in-between.
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© Adriano Gambarini / WWF Living Amazon Initiative
© Martin Harvey / WWF
© WWF-US / Elisabeth Kruger
Each of these environments contain diverse ecosystems: communities in
which plants, animals and environmental factors are interdependent.
When an ecosystem faces a threat to its environment, the entire web of
life is at risk of endangerment, leading to the diminishment of certain
species or even their ceasing to exist at all.
© WWF / Steve Morgan
© WWF / Helmut Diller
‘The Tasmanian wolf became extinct
in 1936, mostly due to hunting and
destruction of their habitats by
humans.’
© WWF / Helmut Diller
‘It is thought the Pyrenean Ibex
became extinct in 2000, mostly due
to poaching by humans and disease
within the species.’
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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Land Development
Many of the Earth’s vast landscapes are
changing irreversibly. The huge demand for food
due to human population growth means large
amounts of land are cleared for agricultural
use. Forests, hedgerows and meadows, all
essential habitats for the world’s wildlife, are
under threat as they disappear rapidly in
favour of livestock grazing and crop production.
© Luis Barreto / WWF-UK
Forests are essential to the existence of millions of living things, not least because of
the life-giving oxygen they provide and their absorption of carbon dioxide, a type of
greenhouse gas. Deforestation is a huge threat to the 80% of the Earth’s land species
and to the local communities who rely on them for hunting, medicine and other
useful products. In addition to cutting down forests for agriculture, timber logging,
fires, cattle ranching, mining and human resettlement are all contributing to the
global loss of forests.
Ocean Struggles
Plastic pollution and other marine
debris pose a huge threat to ocean
and polar wildlife. Microplastics are
so minute that they can be consumed
by some of the oceans’ smallest living
things. These creatures are important
food sources for other ocean dwellers
and these plastics might then be passed
on along the food chain, causing longlasting impacts on the health of many
other animals, including humans.
© naturepl.com / Alex Mustard / WWF
© WWF-Aus / Veronica Joseph
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© naturepl.com / Chris Gomersall / WWF
The demand for fish as a healthy source
of protein is increasing globally and many
people rely on fishing for their livelihoods.
Overfishing, however, which is when different species
of fish are caught more quickly than they can
replenish themselves, can affect whole ecosystems
and create a lack of food for a range of other marine
life. Many fish are also caught accidentally and are
discarded when a fishing vessel is trying to catch a
particular species of fish.
The increase of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities,
including deforestation and the use of fossil fuels, is causing a change in the delicate pH
balance of the oceans. Carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater creating a mild acid: this
is known as ocean acidification. The impact of this on some marine wildlife, including
shellfish and corals, could affect entire ecosystems.
Climate Change
Climate change due to global warming (the gradual increase in the overall temperature
of the Earth’s atmosphere due to human activity) poses a huge threat to the world’s
species. Warmer oceans, melting glaciers and rising sea levels are affecting the
sustainability of polar and ocean habitats. Longer and more intense periods of drought
or flooding threaten wildlife, fresh water and crop production in deserts, wetlands and
grasslands. A shift in worldwide weather patterns bringing warmer, wetter, drier or
colder seasons in different parts of the world are equally detrimental to the habitats,
food sources and reproduction rates of a large proportion of the Earth’s living things.
© Roger Leguen / WWF
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
© Thomas Cristofoletti / WWF-US
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Fascinating Facts
• Over 150 different chemicals have been found in global bee pollen, much of which comes
from pesticides used on agricultural crops.
• 17% of the Amazon rainforest has disappeared in 50 years.
• 2.6 billion people worldwide rely on fish as a valuable source of nutrients in their diet.
• It can take over 400 years for plastic to decompose in the ocean.
• 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water; however, only 1% of this is easily
accessible fresh water that is suitable for animal consumption.
Only by working together, as the Earth’s human inhabitants, can we
attempt to reduce the effects of our actions on the planet’s land, oceans
and climates in order to protect the world for all of its living things.
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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Questions
1. List three of the Earth’s different environments mentioned in the text.
2. In the fact file, the author mentions ‘ecosystem’. What do you think an ecosystem is?
3. In the ‘Land Development’ section, what does the author mean by ‘changing
irreversibly’?
4. Why are forests so important to the Earth?
5. How do plastics impact on food chains?
6. What dissolves in seawater to create a mild acid?
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7. Name one way that climate change is affecting the Earth.
8. In the ‘Fascinating Facts’ section, why has the author emphasised the word ‘only’?
9. Near the end of the text, what does the author suggest humans need to do?
10. Read the last sentence. What one action could you take to make a difference?
© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWF” Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered
charity (1081246) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee (4016725)
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