Environmental challenges 1

Environmental Challenges

Population and Resources

Nearly 80 million person population increase each year, mostly in developing world

= strained resources and systems

Developed World

Nearly 85% of earth’s resources are consumed by 20% of the world’s population

Global Warming

Global Warming

Global warming= increase in global temperatures

abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide concentrated in the atmosphere

The recent temperature trend is accompanied by a similar, highly-correlated upward trend in atmospheric concentrations of carbon

dioxide. Is it due to human activity?

The "Keeling Curve" of CO2 concentrations as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.Source: http://www.research.noaa.gov/spotlite/archive/images/jimomedal_graph.gif

Normal CO2 LevelsShort Wave and Long Wave Radiation

1) Sun emits rays called short-wave radiation (light rays)

2) Short wave radiation is either absorbed into the earth’s surface or reflected back into space

High CO2 Levels

Consequences

• Canada’s Arctic regions’ sea ice is shrinking• Warmer weather= forest fires & Prairie

droughts• British Columbia- salmon survival decreased

by 1/3 since early 1990s • Polar bear depletion

Kyoto Protocol

December 1997- 180 countries- agreement among industrialized nations to reduce emission of six greenhouse gases

Canada- agreed to cut emissions 5.2% (1990 levels) by 2012

US- withdrew in 2001 (US was responsible for 25% worldwide emissions)= big setback for Kyoto Protocol

Ozone Depletion

Ozone layer=naturally occurring protective shield in the stratosphere, 25 km+ into space

Job= absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun

protects humans, plants, and animals

Ozone Gaps and Holes

Gaps and holes= harmful rays

How? Scientists think it’s due to human activity

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons= danger gas that chemically bonds to the ozone layer and eat away at the o.l.

Where do you find CFCs?

Consequences?

• Skin cancer• Altered ocean ecosystems fishing tourism,

logging• Harmful to flora and fauna of Canada’s north

Montreal Protocol

1987- Montreal Protocol- industrial nations agreed to cut use of CFCs

Acid Rain

SO2 and NOx carried long distances by strong winds deposited in acidic rain, snow, fog, dust

Deposition Effects

Effects

Cda vs USA?• 2/3 of CDA’s caused by INDUSTRY • 2/3 of USA’s from ELECTRICAL UTILITIES

Consequences

• Eastern Canada, the Alps, the Appalachians, the US, and Japan

• Animals and plants• Ecosystems• Corrodes steel• Lung capacity

Acid Rain Regime

• Lower emissions fossil fuels• 1990- Clean Air Act- tradeable permits• 1991- Air Quality Accord-US and Canada• 1993-emissions reduced by 30%

Environmental Awareness

1962- Rachel Carson- Silent Spring1987- UN Commission on the State of the

Environment asked people of the developed world to reduce resource consumption & develop a sustainability lifestyle

1992- Earth Summit- Agenda 21 (encourage development of a sustainable world economy)

1992- World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity- earth stewardship

However…

There has been little progress by governments and corporation

Implementation=Losses