A growing mass of plastic garbage is collecting in an area of the Pacific Ocean. This is caused by plastic
garbage that is discarded by people, and it ends up in rivers that carry it to the ocean. Over time, ocean
currents cause it to accumulate in this area of the Pacific. Currently, the mass is estimated to cover an area
of ocean twice the size of Texas. As these plastics slowly break down, chemicals enter the water, and can
enter ocean organisms that we might eventually use for food. This sequence of events illustrates that
(1) humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, consumption, and technology
(2) human activities that degrade ecosystems result in an increase in diversity of ecosystems
(3) when humans alter ecosystems by adding specific organisms, serious consequences could result
(4) industrialization brings a reduced demand for fossil and nuclear fuels
