The Environment:

Our Challenges and Responsibilities

Chapter 13

Ms. RossSocial Studies 11

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Riverside Secondary

I HOW POPULATION IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Warmer temperatures Warmer oceans Melting of glaciers and ice Rise in sea level; flooding of

lowlands and coastlines Extreme weather patterns (ice

storms, tornadoes, hurricanes) Drought Forest fires Deforestation Disruption of habitats and food

sources

Statistics 20% of the world consumes 80% of

the world’s resources

Population growth is occurring in developing nations, but with a lower standard of living this population growth is not having as much of a negative impact on resources and the environment vs. if it was happening in developed nations that over consume and “draw down” resources

In the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland, cod stocks were depleted so dramatically that there was a moratorium on cod fishing in 1992 and a complete ban on cod fishing in 2003

90% of organic food bought in Canada is imported

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Statistics on wood resources

Half of the world’s forests have been cleared or degraded

Every day, 350 km2 of forest is lost

In 2003, Canadians used more than 2 million tonnes of paper = approximately 20,000 pages per person

II ISSUES WITH WATER

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Only 2.5% of the Earth’s water is fresh water; of this 70% is in the form of ice, 29.7% is groundwater, and 0.3% is in lakes and rivers

70% of the world’s water is used for agriculture

How much water does it take to make these products?o 1 kg of wheat = 1500 Lo 1 kg of potatoes = 500 Lo 1 L of milk = 1000 Lo 1 kg of beef = 16,000 L

Each person needs 1.8 L of fresh water/day; the average Canadian uses 343 L/day!

Canada has 20% of the world’s fresh water, 7% of world’s renewable fresh water

The Great Lakes contain 18% of all surface fresh water in the world, but they are becoming increasingly polluted

Fears 50% of the world will face severe water shortages by 2030

Reasons for water shortage: over-use, draining groundwater tables/aquifers, diverting water for crop irrigation

Water pollution sources include residential, agricultural, industrial

Acid rain is becoming a concern, especially in the Great Lakes

III ISSUES WITH THE OZONE LAYER

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The ozone layer is a naturally occurring element of the Earth’s atmosphere that helps to regulate the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays

o UV rays are damaging for humans and animals

In 1978 satellites discovered that the ozone layer is depleting or “thinning”

o This occurs over the polar regions each winter and early spring

o In Antarctica up to 60% of the ozone layer can disappear in the spring (but fills back in over the summer months)

The ozone layer is depleting because of the introduction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere

o CFCs have been used in foam, solvents, aerosol cans, and as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners since the 1930s

o Human introduction of CFCs into the atmosphere accounts for 80% of damage to the ozone layer

IV ISSUES WITH GLOBAL WARMING5

Industrialization has been powered by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas; these processes have emitted greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere causing global warming

Data shows since 1990 Canada’s GHG emissions have been increasing; sources include oil and gas production, motor vehicles, and coal

o The tar sand industry in Alberta is the largest contributor to Canada’s growing GHG emissions: natural gas is used to process the tar sands for oil

o Another big concern is the potential release of carbon into the atmosphere from melting permafrost, disturbed peatlands, and dead trees

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GHGs trap heat energy in the atmosphere; it is normal to have some (from volcanic eruptions or meteor impacts), but human consumption of fossil fuels has contributed extra carbon to the air resulting in a change in the Earth’s temperature

o This is known as the greenhouse effecto The earth’s temperature has risen 0.74oC in the last 100 yearso Scientists predict temperatures will continue to rise 0.4oC over the next 20 years

Global warming has negative impacts on climate: heat waves, violent storms, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, changes in seasons, spreading of disease, changes in plant and animal ranges, dying coral reefs

Global warming will have positive and negative impacts for Canadian agriculture (see p. 442 Fig 13-24)

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V INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT

1987: UN World Commission on Environment and Developmento published Our Common Future, a document that asked developed nations to reduce

resource consumption and focus on sustainable development

1987: Montreal Protocolo UN Environment Programme brought industrialized nations together to develop a plan

to phase out the use of ozone depleting chemicalso Developing nations were given until 2000 to meet the targetso By 2009, 97% of all chemicals mentioned in the agreement had been phased outo In 2007, countries part of the original protocol met again in Montreal to address the use

of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – these were used to replace CFCs and are less harmful to the environment, yet still have a negative impact

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HCFCs need to be phased out in developed nations by 2030 HCFCs need to be phased out in developing nations by 2040

1992: World Scientists’ Warning to Humanityo 1700 scientists made a plea for a change in how humans interactive with and use the

environment; need to demonstrate more stewardship (careful management of resources to ensure that they are sustainable)

1992: UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilo 172 nations met to discuss toxic chemicals, alternative sources of energy, and water

scarcityo created Agenda 21: proposed local, national, and international actions to achieve

sustainable development and protect the planet It has not achieved its goal Agreement could not be found amongst nations so environmental action was

postponed for 5 years

1997: Kyoto Protocolo reduce GHG emissions in

industrialized nationso introduce carbon credits (countries

that don’t meet their targets can buy “credits” from lower emission countries to reduce their overall figures)

o Canada signed this agreement and promised to reduce GHG emissions by 6% of 1990 levels by 2012

In 2007, Canada announced it would not be meeting its targets

o The US did not sign the agreement

2007: Balio 189 countries met to prepare a new treaty on climate change to replace the Kyoto

Protocol EU proposed absolute reduction of GHG emissions by 25-40% by 2020 America, Canada, Russia, Japan, APEC members proposed flexible goals that

would reduce carbon intensity

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o Both sides could not agree; the final agreement, the Bali Road Map, could only encourage nations to co-operate in the fight against climate change and share clean, renewable energy

2009: Copenhageno finalize the Bali Rod mapo politics once again hampered efforts

Developing nations China and India argued their industrialization and development would be hampered if they had to limit GHGs; they felt it was unfair that they were being asked to industrialize in a “cleaner” way than those in the past…and it was those in the past that got us into this mess!

o US, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa worked to draft the Copenhagen Accord No specific long term targets Promised $30 billion US in aid to developing countries to help them reduce

emissions Canada supported the accord, but it was not unanimous – others felt is was an

unfair agreement created by a few powerful countries…it did not pass

VI HOW CAN INDIVIDUALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Pressure governments and business to focus on sustainable development (maintain economic growth without damaging the environment)

Pressure governments and business to seek out sustainable energy sources (solar, water, wind, tidal, geothermal, biomass)

Improved farming practiceso Use less fertilizer = less watero Use fewer herbicides and pesticides; find natural ways to limit crop damage (i.e one

ladybug can eat up to 4,000 harmful insects!)o Less reliance on genetically modified foodso More organic farmingo Better irrigation systems so water isn’t wastedo Wind breaks, contour plowing, crop rotationo Buy local food in season to limit transportationo BC government created the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) – saves prime farmland

from development or destruction

Improved forest practiceso Reforestationo Selective loggingo End to clear cut loggingo Ecotourism in ancient forestso BC government created the Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) – preserves 12% of

provincial land for parks, recreation, wilderness

Water conservationo Micro-dams to limit ecosystem damage

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o Rain barrels to collect rain watero Drip irrigationo Low flow toilets and shower headso Water restrictionso Tax or user rates on water useo Consume tap water, not bottled watero Reduce length of showers

Reduce wasteo Reduce, reuse, recycleo Compostingo Reuseable shopping bagso Purchase items with limited packaging

Energy conservationo Reduce use of electricity (i.e. turn off lights, lower thermostat when away from home)o Unplug devices not in useo Walk or take public transito Buy a “green” car

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