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Environmental Degradation
Environmental Issues
Lecture 2
exceeding a resources natural replacement shrinking of available supply examples urbanization of productive land excessive erosion of topsoil deforestation depletion of groundwater reduction of biodiversity pollution (air, water)
Effects
disruption of life-support systems for humans and other species damage to wildlife, human health, and property noise, unpleasant smells, and sights
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Environmental Issues
1. Climate Climate science, carbon footprint 2. Water Water pollution, drinking water 3. Air Air pollutants, air quality
http://www.chanrobles.com/legal9.htm
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/learn.htm
Environmental Issues
4. Wastes and Pollution Toxics, oil spills 5. Human Health Pesticides, Mercury, Lead 6. Biodiversity Depletion Destruction of habitat 7. Ecosystems
1. Climate Change
"the phrase 'climate change' is growing in preferred use to 'global warming' because it helps convey that there are [other] changes in addition to rising temperatures.
- National Academy of Sciences
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/learn.htm
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Climate Change
the distinct change in measures of climate lasting for a long period of time major changes in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for decades
Causes
natural factors (suns intensity, Earths orbit around the sun) natural processes (ocean circulation) human activities (burning of fossil fuel, deforestation, urbanization)
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html
Environmental and Health Effects sea level rise shrinking glaciers changes in the range and distribution of plants and animals trees blooming earlier lengthening of growing seasons ice on rivers and lakes freezing later and breaking up earlier increased risk of some infectious diseases
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 average global temperatures near the Earths surface and in the lowest layers of the atmosphere (troposphere) caused by natural events and human activities caused by increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as CO2
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html
12/2/2013
Greenhouse Effect
energy from the sun drives the earths weather and climate, and heats the earths surface the earth radiates energy back into space but atmospheric gases trap some of the outgoing energy CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6
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450 Scenario
to limit long-term concentration of GHG in the atmosphere to 450 ppm CO2 equivalent global temperature rise 2oC (preindustrial) heavy development and implementation of energy efficient technologies
http://www.iea.org/co2highlights/co2highlights.pdf
http://www.energyboom.com/emerging
12/2/2013
450 Scenario
low-carbon energy technologies will produce 60% global electricity by 2030, renewable (37%), nuclear (18%), plants w/ CCS technology (5%) $10.5 Trillion investment
http://www.energyboom.com/emerging
12/2/2013
ozone hOle
the ozone hole over Antarctica is three times the size of the US in Punta Arenas, Chile 120,000 residents were exposed to very high levels of UV radiation its depletion causes cancer in humans and animals
12/2/2013
Global Dimming???
reduction of heat reaching the earth caused by burning fossil fuels by-product pollutants e.g. SO2, soot, ash causes changes in the properties of clouds polluted air has more larger number of droplets causes acid rain, smog, and respiratory problems
2. Biodiversity Loss
human activity causes massive extinctions one-third to two-thirds of all species of plants, animals, and other organisms would be lost during the second half of the next century many plants and animals are being lost before being identified lost of forest equates to a lost of many species
Threats to Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss conversion of terrestrial ecosystems to industrial or urban use rivers are altered for irrigation 2. Overexploitation of species harvesting of plants/animals for food more than the reproductive capacity of the population to replace itself overfishing, hunting related to overharvesting of timber
2010 and Beyond: Rising to the biodiversity challenge, WWF
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Threats to Biodiversity
3. Pollution excess nutrient loading causes eutrophication and oxygen depletion toxic chemicals from farming and industry wastes acidification of oceans due to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
Threats to Biodiversity
4. Spread of invasive species or genes becomes competitor, predator, and parasites of indigenous species causes the decline of populations main cause of extinction among endemic species 5. Climate change no ecosystem will be immune to rising air temperatures and changing weather patterns
2010 and Beyond: Rising to the biodiversity challenge, WWF
is an indicator of the state of global biological diversity based on trends in vertebrate population species from around the world
WWF
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measure of the productive capacity of the biosphere used to provide natural resources and absorb wastes
WWF WWF
3. Pollution
an addition to air, water, soil, or food that threatens the health, survival, or activities of humans or other living organisms can enter the environment through natural means can enter the environment through human activities
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Water Pollution caused by toxic substances that enters in lakes, streams, rivers, etc Sources: domestic sewage agricultural runoff industrial effluents
4. Natural Disasters
Earthquakes and tsunami Sink holes Floods Storm (hurricane and cyclone) Epidemic diseases Extreme temperatures Wildfire Volcanic eruption
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Sink Holes depressions that occur when soil or bedrock has been removed leaving air only when rock below the surface is limestone rocks are dissolved by groundwater and creates spaces (suffosion)
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Storms caused by changes in the atmosphere (T, P, or water level) that involves heavy rains and strong winds when a system of low pressure air is surrounded by high pressure air thunderstorm, 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 quiz Duration: July 11 18
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!
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