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Environmental IssuesLecture 2

Environmental Degradation

exceeding a resources naturalreplacementshrinking of available supply

examplesurbanization of productive landexcessive erosion of topsoildeforestationdepletion of groundwaterreduction of biodiversity

pollution (air, water)

Effects

disruption of life-support systems forhumans and other speciesdamage to wildlife, human health,and propertynoise, unpleasant smells, and sights

Possible Root Causes

rapid population growthlittle emphasis on pollutionpreventionpovertyfailure of economic and politicalsystemslittle knowledge about theenvironment

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the distinct change in measures ofclimate lasting for a long period of timemajor changes in temperature,rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lastingfor decades

Climate Change

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html

natural factors (suns intensity,Earths orbit around the sun)natural processes (ocean circulation)human activities (burning of fossilfuel, deforestation, urbanization)

Causes

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html

sea level riseshrinking glacierschanges in the range and distributionof plants and animalstrees blooming earlierlengthening of growing seasons

ice on rivers and lakes freezing laterand breaking up earlierincreased risk of some infectiousdiseases

Environmental and Health Effects

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html http://health.state.tn.us/images/ClimateChangeImpacts.jpg

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Global Warming

refers to an increase in averageglobal temperatures near the Earths

surface and in the lowest layers of theatmosphere (troposphere)caused by natural events and humanactivities

caused by increase ingreenhouse gas (GHG) emissionssuch as CO2

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html

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Greenhouse Effect

energy from the sun drives theearths weather and climate, and heats

the earths surfacethe earth radiates energy back intospacebut atmospheric gases trap some ofthe outgoing energyCO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6

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http://www.iea.org/co2highlights/co2highlights.pdf

450 Scenario

to limit long-term concentration ofGHG in the atmosphere to 450 ppmCO2equivalentglobal temperature rise 2oC (pre-industrial)heavy development and

implementation of energy efficienttechnologies

http://www.energyboom.com/emerging

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450 Scenario

low-carbon energy technologies willproduce 60% global electricityby 2030, renewable (37%), nuclear(18%), plants w/ CCS technology (5%)$10.5 Trillion investment

http://www.energyboom.com/emerging

The Ozone Layer

it protects all life on earth from theharmful effects of the suns rays

global warming leads to a weakerozone layer

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ozone hOlethe ozone hole over Antarctica is threetimes the size of the USin Punta Arenas, Chile 120,000 residentswere exposed to very high levels of UVradiationits depletion causes cancer in humans andanimals

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GlobalDimming???

reduction of heat reaching the earthcaused by burning fossil fuelsby-product pollutants e.g. SO2, soot, ashcauses changes in the properties of cloudspolluted air has more larger number ofdropletscauses acid rain, smog, and respiratoryproblems

2. Biodiversity Loss

human activity causes massive extinctionsone-third to two-thirds of all species ofplants, animals, and other organisms wouldbe lost during the second half of the nextcenturymany plants and animals are being lostbefore being identifiedlost of forest equates to a lost of manyspecies

Biodiversity of Plants and Animals

benefits:protection of water resourcesnutrient storage and recyclingpollution breakdown and absorptionfoodmedicinal and pharmaceutical drugs

wood productsdiversity in genes and speciesresearch and educationrecreation

Threats to Biodiversity

1. Habitat lossconversion of terrestrial ecosystems toindustrial or urban userivers are altered for irrigation

2. Overexploitation of speciesharvesting of plants/animals for food

more than the reproductive capacity ofthe population to replace itselfoverfishing, huntingrelated to overharvesting of timber

2010 and Beyond: Rising to the biodiversity challenge, WWF

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Threats to Biodiversity

3. Pollutionexcess nutrient loading causeseutrophication and oxygen depletiontoxic chemicals from farming andindustry wastesacidification of oceans due to increasedlevels of CO2in the atmosphere

2010 and Beyond: Rising to the biodiversity challenge, WWF

Threats to Biodiversity

4. Spread of invasive species or genesbecomes competitor, predator, andparasites of indigenous speciescauses the decline of populationsmain cause of extinction amongendemic species

5. Climate changeno ecosystem will be immune to risingair temperatures and changing weatherpatterns

2010 and Beyond: Rising to the biodiversity challenge, WWF

is an indicator of the state of globalbiological diversitybased on trends in vertebratepopulation species from around theworld WWF

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WWF

measure of the productive capacity ofthe biosphere used to provide naturalresources and absorb wastes

WWF

an addition to air, water, soil, or food thatthreatens the health, survival, or activities ofhumans or other living organismscan enter the environment through naturalmeanscan enter the environment through human

activities

3. Pollution

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Water Pollution

caused by toxic substances thatenters in lakes, streams, rivers, etc

Sources:domestic sewageagricultural runoffindustrial effluents

4. Natural Disasters

Earthquakes and tsunamiSink holesFloodsStorm (hurricane and cyclone)Epidemic diseasesExtreme temperaturesWildfireVolcanic eruption

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Sink Holes

depressions that occur when soil orbedrock has been removed leaving aironlywhen rock below the surface islimestonerocks are dissolved by groundwaterand creates spaces (suffosion)

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Storms

caused by changes in theatmosphere (T, P, or water level) thatinvolves heavy rains and strong windswhen a system of low pressure air issurrounded by high pressure airthunderstorm, hail storm, rainstorm,sand/dust storm, cyclone, hurricane,tornado

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Team Activity #1

WEB-vocacy

Create a poster of advocacy regarding

discussed environmental issues

Post the picture in one of your

members facebook account (after the

teachers approval)

Invite your friends to like and write

relevant comments in your post

The most number of likes and different

comments gets +5 on our first quizDuration: July 1118

Assignment #2

Write a reaction paper or critique on one

of the following environmental reports.

a. Global Environment Outlook

b. Living Planet Report

c. World Energy Outlook

d. World Population Data Sheet

Be ready for recitation next meeting!