Global Environmental Problems

David P. Chynoweth University of Florida

Outline Of Problems (1)

Atmosphere
green house gases (climate change) acid rain ozone (uv light penetration)

Outline Of Problems (2)

Ecosphere
habitat loss freshwater supply bioinvasion alteration of fire cycles persistent organic pollutants nitrogen pollution overfishing

Outline Of Problems (3)

Social Sphere
population growth infectious disease economic exploitation natural resource exploitation human resource exploitation

Global Warming

What is Global Warming?

SOURCES OR CAUSES OF INCREASES IN GASES (1)

Carbon Dioxide Fossil fuel combustion Deforestation Methane Flooded soil crops (e.g. rice) Fossil fuel mining Ruminants Landfills Organic wastes Human stimulated eutrophication

SOURCES OR CAUSES OF INCREASES IN GASES (2) Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen fertilizers Fossil fuel combustion

Chlorofluorohydrocarbons
Release of refrigerant CFCs

CONCENTRATIONS AND WARMING POTENTIAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES Gas Conc., ppm 360 1.8 1.1 Atm. Halflife, yrs. 50-100 10-12 150 16 Warming Potential, % 66 18 11 5

CO2 CH4 N2O CFCs

Increase in Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

Potential Effects of Global Warming

Elevated temperatures of the biosphere
melting of polar ice increase in sea level (flooding of major cities) increase of methane from permafrost

Weather extremes
more rainfall during shorter periods more evaporation and soil moisture deficiencies

Ecosystem disruption
stress and death of vegetation migration of animals

Human Health
heat stress migration of disease vectors

CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC C02 AND EARTHS TEMPERATURE CHANGE

REMEDIES FOR GLOBAL WARMING

Reduce use of fossil fuels Reduce energy consumption Replace fossil fuels with energy forms that dont release net carbon dioxide (e.g., solar, biomass, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear) Remove carbon dioxide from combustion gases Increase standing crop of carbon-fixing plants
reduce deforestation

Reduce anthropogenic sources of methane (flooded crops, releases fossil fuel mining, landfills, organic wastes, ruminants) Reduce release of N from fertilizers and combustion

SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES
Developed countries use most of the fossil energy. U.S. has 4% of the world population and uses 25% of the energy Developing countries use about 10% of energy per capita as the U.S. In the U.S., energy use is 36% for building, 32% for transportation, and 32% for industry Power plants waste energy ( a 400 MW plant wastes 800 MW of heat energy) Developed countries have developed on the basis of use of energy and deforestation. How can we ask emerging countries not to do the same?

CO2 EMISSIONS BY COUNTRY

Country United States USSR China Germany Japan India United Kingdom Poland Canada Italy France Mexico South Africa Australia Czechoslovakia Romania Korea Brazil Spain CO2 Emissions 1988 (Millions of Tons) 4804 3982 2236 997 989 601 559 459 438 360 320 307 284 241 234 221 205 202 188 Country United States Canada Czechoslovakia Australia USSR Germany Poland United Kingdom Romania South Africa Japan Italy France Korea Spain Mexico China Brazil India CO2 per Capita (Tons per person) 19 17 15 15 14 13 12 10 10 8 8 6 6 5 5 4 2 2 1 Country China South Africa Romania Poland India Czechoslovakia Mexico USSR Korea Canada United States Australia United Kingdom Germany Brazil Spain Italy Japan France CO2 per GNP (Mt per $1000 GNP) 6.0 3.6 2.8 2.7 2.5 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.3

Acid Rain

Diagram of Acid Rain

World Sulfur and Nitrogen Emissions from Fossil Fuels, 1970-94

80.0 70.0
Million Tons

60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Nit

Average Annual Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations, Selected Cities, 1985 and 1995

Micrograms Per Cubic Meter

200 150 100 50 0

C ai ro

ha ng ha i S

Te hr an

ei jin g

Compiled by Worldwatch 1985 1995

C al c

ut ta

Reduction in SO2 Emission from Utilities in U.S.

Relative Contribution of Sources of SOx and NOx

Acid Rain Effects in U.S.

Acid Rain Effects in Europe

Effects of Acid Rain

Acidification of lakes, streams, and soils direct and indirect effects (release of metals, e.g. Al; wash away of nutrients) Kill of wildlife (trees, crops, aquatic plants, and animals) Decay of building materials and paints, statues, and sculptures (e.g. Mya Ruins in Yucatan) Health problems (respiratory, burning skin and eyes)

Correctives (1)
Remove SOx and NOx from stacks (scrub with water and lime) Use low sulfur fuels Remove NOx from auto exhaust (catalytic converters) Use less energy (conservation) Replace fossil fuels with alternative energy forms (biomass, wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear)

Correctives (2)
Restore environment (liming, replanting) Emissions monitoring
SO2, NOx, CO2, vol. flow, and opacity Use continuous emission monitoring system

Fines for excess pollutant release

Ozone

The Pros of Ozone

Ozone is a Natural Atmospheric Component that Filter Out Dangerous Uv Irradiation Ozone cleanses the air and is produced naturally by lightning Ozone can be used to disinfect air and water

The Cons of Ozone

Ozone reacts with other pollutants to product photochemical smog, e.g. LA The ozone layer is being depleted by halogenated compounds which will allow toxic levels of UV light to pass through the atmosphere Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent and toxic at levels exceeding 0.1g/m3 (100)ppm.

Ozone Sources, Anthropogenic and Natural

Ozone Depletion

Effect of Ozone on UV Transmision

Ozone Levels VS Latitude

CFCs as a Function of Altitude

Development of Ozone Hole

Consequences of Ozone Layer Depletion

caused by chlorofluorohydrocarbons (e.g. freon) effect is 30 years delayed lets more uv light in causes rise in skin cancer, cataracts weakens immune system harms photosynthesizers

Ozone Level in North Americal

Solution
Stop using CFSs Atmosphere will recover in 50 years

World Production of Chlorofluorocarbons, 1950-97

1,400 1,200
Thousand Tons

1,000 800 600 400 200 0 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Ozone Reduction

Population Trend

Population Trend

Fresh Water Supply

The Problem (1)

Fresh water supplies are being depleted Use of fresh water from aquifers, groundwater, and lakes is exceeding replenishment by rainfall Freshwater supplies are being polluted by toxic organic and inorganic compounds

The Problem (2)

Dams supply water to some and deprive it from others and have ecological impacts Overuse of fresh water is causing salt water intrusion of groundwater supplies

Global Irrigation Water Use, 1940-95

3000 2500
Cubic Kilometers Per Year

2000

1500

1000

500

0 1920

1940

1960

1980

2000

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Average Yields on Rain-fed and Irrigated Land, Developing Countries

14.0 Rain-fed 12.0
Tons Per Hectare

Irrigated

10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0

e Ba rle y es Pu ls e W M ab le s he at Ri c ai z

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Ve ge t

World Irrigated Area, 1900-98

350 300 250
Million Hectares

200 150 100 50 0 1900

1920

1940

1960

1980

2000

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

World Irrigated Area Per 1,000 People 1950-1998 with Projections to 2050
0.050

0.040

Hectares

0.030

0.020

0.010

0.000 1950

1970

1990

2010

2030

2050

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Solutions
Conserve water use, especially in industry and agriculture Move population centers near water supply Reuse water Reduce deforestation to maintain hydrological cycle

Land Use

World Grain Production, 195099

2000 1600
million tons

1200 800 400 0 1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute

World Grain Production Per Person, 1950-99

400 300
Kilograms

200 100 0 1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute

World Grain Harvested Area Per Person, 1950-98 with Projections to 2050
0.250

0.200
Per Capita (hectares)

0.150

0.100

0.050

0.000
19 50 19 60 19 70 19 80 19 90 20 00 20 07 20 17 20 27 20 37 20 47

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

World Fertilizer Use, 1950-99

World Fertilizer Use, 1950-99 160 140 120
Million Tons

100 80 60 40 20 0 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

World Fertilizer Use Per Person 1950-99

160.0 140.0 120.0
Kilograms

100.0 80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Causes of Land Degradation by Region

Region OverGrazing (percent) Deforestation (percent) CropLands (percent) Other (percent) Total (million hectares) 746 494 244 220 158 103 1,965 Degraded Area as Share of Total Vegetated Land (percent) 20 22 14 23 8 13 17

Asia Africa South America Europe N. & Cent. Amer. Oceania World

26 49 28 23 24 80 35

40 14 41 38 11 12 30

27 24 26 29 57 8 28

7 13 5 10 8 0 8

Note: "Other" includes exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (133 million hectares) and bioindustrial activities such as pollution (22 million hectares).

Number of Pesticide Resistant Species, 1908-98

600 Insect and Mites 500 Plant Diseases Weeds

400
Number

300

200

100

0 1908 1918 1928 1938 1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Deforestation by Area
Region Forested Area Per Capita 1995 2050 (hectares) (hectares) 0.32 0.12 1.1 2.07 3.32 2.14 0.59 0.11 0.08 1.28 1.54 2.02 1.30 0.36

Africa Asia Europe and Russia North and Central America Oceania South America World

Forest Cover by Region

Forest Cover and Frontiers by Region, Mid-1990s Total Frontier Forest Remaining As Share of As Share of Total Remaining Original Forest Forest (percent) Region Orignal Forest (thousand square kilometers) Total Remaining (thousand square kilometers) Net Annual Change 1991-95

Africa Asia North & Central America Central America North America South America Russia and Europe Europe Russia Oceania WORLD

6,799 15,132 12,656 1,779 10,877 9,736 16,449 4,690 11,759 1,431 62,203

2,302 4,275 9,453 970 8,483 6,800 9,604 1,521 8,083 929 33,363

-0.7 -0.7 -0.1 -1.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

34 28 75 55 78 70 58 32 69 65 54

23 20 41 18 44 65 36 1 43 34 40

Ecological Problems
Destruction of natural habitats Accumulation of toxic compounds Decreased diversity Species extinction Overharvesting of natural environment Nitrogen accumulation Resource depletion

Other

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Catch 1880-1993

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1880

Thousand Tons

1900

1920

1940

1960

1980

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Environmental Heavy Weights

Eight Environmental Heavyweights Share of Gross World Product 1994 Share of World Carbon Carbon Emisssions 1995 (percent) 23 7 5 4 13 4 1 1 58 Share of World Forest Areas 1990 Share of World Flowering Plant Species 1990 Country Share of World Population 1996

United States Russia Japan Germany China India Indonesia

5 3 2 1 21 17 4 3 56

26 2 17 8 2 1 0.7 2 59

6 22 0.7 0.3 4 2 3 16 54

8 9 2 1 12 6 8 22 --

E8 Total

Projected Water Supply

Selected Water-Scarce Countries, 1990 and 2025 Water Supply 1990 2660 2360 2080 1790 1690 1510 1420 1070 880 750 590 470 260 160 160 Water Supply 2025 1000 980 960 980 960 610 790 620 350 380 190 310 80 60 50 Country Nigeria Ethiopia Iran Peru Haiti Somlia South Africa Egypt Rwanda algeria kenya Israel Jordan Libya Saudi Arabia

Compiled by Worldwatch Institute from: Peter H. Gleick, "Water and Conflict," in Occasional paper No. 1, Project on Environmental Change and Acute Conflict, American Academy of Arts and Sciences and University of Toronto, September 1992.

Perceived Corruption Levels

Perceived Level of Corruption in Selected Countries, 1998 Country Average Score from Surveys and Polls (lower score=more reported bribe taking) 1.9 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.9 3.0 3.3 3.5 4.0 4.2 4.5 5.0 5.3 5.3 5.8 6.8 7.5 7.8 7.9 9.1 9.2 10.0 Nigeria Indonesia Colombia Russia Kenya India Thailand Mexico China Brazil South Korea Italy Hungary Malaysia Taiwan Japan Chile U.S. Hong Kong Germany Singapore Canada Denmark

Worldwide Mergers & Acquisitions 1980-99

Billions of 1998 Dollars

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 Compiled by Worldwatch Institute Crossbor Total

Internet Host Computers, 1981-99

80,000,000 70,000,000 60,000,000
Number

50,000,000 40,000,000 30,000,000 20,000,000 10,000,000 0 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute

Telephone Lines Worldwide, 1960-98

1000 800

million

600 400 200 0 1960 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 Compiled by Worldwatch Institute

Cellular Mobile Telephone Subscribers Worldwide, 198598

350 300 250

million

200 150 100 50 0 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Compiled by Worldwatch Institute