Unit 10 Our Future Planet

10A – Climate Change Chp. 16

10B – Sustainable Cities Chp. 10.3

10C – Waste Management Chp. 19

Unit 10 Vocabulary Terms to Define (27)

Carbon footprint Global warming Municipal solid waste

Carbon offset Green building Radioactive waste

Carbon tax Greenway Recycle

City planning Hazardous waste Sanitary landfill

Climate model Incineration Smart growth

E-waste Industrial waste Superfund

Ecological restoration Kyoto protocol Urban growth boundaries

GIS Leachate Waste

Global climate change Mass transit Zoning

10A - Goals

☺Students will understand that our choices today will define the future sustainability of our planet.☺Identify the evidence of global climate change.☺Understand the increase of greenhouse gases is

believed to be the cause of global warming.☺Predict the effects of climate change on ecosystems

and communities.☺List 3 ways to reduce the production of greenhouse

gases.

Chp. 16 Central Case: Rising Seas May Flood the Maldive Islands

☺Read the Case Study on page 483, or the copy provided to you.☺Analyze the case study with the Decision Making Model☺What is the problem? What is your proposed solution?☺3 Pros, 3 Cons, 3 Short-term consequences, 3 Long-term

consequences.☺Now, summarize your decision regarding your proposed

solution, explaining why.

16.1 Our Dynamic Climate: A Review

☺Of all the environmental issues, global climate change may be the one that will have the greatest impact on your future☺Weather refers to the daily changes in

temperature, precipitation, air pressure, etc.☺Climate is an area’s average weather conditions

over a long period☺Three factors that influence climate:☺The sun☺Global wind patterns☺The oceans

Energy from the Sun☺Heating of Earth’s atmosphere by the sun is

influenced by the greenhouse effect latitude, & sunspot cycles.☺The greenhouse effect is a natural process in

which certain gases keep heat near Earth & prevent it from radiating back into space.☺Greenhouse gases – trap/absorb heat and release

it slowly; water vapor, CO2, tropospheric ozone (O3), nitrous oxide, methane (CH4); sunlight/solar energy reaches Earth and is converted into heat energy, which is radiated back into space, most of which is absorbed by these gases; help keep Earth’s surface the temperature it has been (not too cold).

The Effect of Latitude☺Latitude – measurement of a place’s distance

from the equator (0º latitude).☺In general, the rather a place is from the equator,

the cooler its climate. Areas close to the equator are generally warm.☺The sun’s radiation strikes regions of Earth at

different angles, causing unequal heating (tropical, temperate, polar)☺Tropical areas receive direct, concentrated rays

while the Poles receive indirect/spread out rays.☺The seasons change because of the tilt of the

Earth, with each hemisphere either tilted towards or away from the sun.

Sunspot Cycles

☺The sun varies slightly in the amount of radiation it emits, over both short & long periods.☺There is a relationship between sunspots

(dark spots on the surface of the sun) and radiation emitted. ☺The more sunspots present on the surface of

the sun, the more energy the sun gives off. The # of sunspots rises and falls in cycles that last about 11 years. Although sunspot cycles have some effect on global climate, scientists believe it is not a major, long-term effect.

Wind Patterns in the Atmosphere

☺Winds distribute heat & moisture globally.☺Rising warm air & sinking cool air form

convection currents, producing air currents/winds.☺Warm air rises from the equator, and cold air

moves downward from the Poles. This creates global wind patterns called prevailing winds, which move huge air masses around the surface of the Earth (warm air away from the equator & cold air moves opposite). ☺Warm air carries more water vapor, which cools

as it rises and then water vapor condenses to form clouds. ☺Winds move moisture from one location to

another.

The Oceans & Climate☺Oceans affect climate by transporting heat &

absorbing carbon dioxide☺Ocean water exchanges huge amounts of heat with

the atmosphere, and currents move heat energy long distances.☺Worldwide system of ocean currents is caused by

unequal heating of water & unequal salinity.☺The densest water is the coldest, saltiest water.☺Warmer, less salty water moves along the surface.☺Thermohaline circulation – cooler, saltier water at the

poles sinks, and warmer, less salty water from the equator moves to take its place.

☺Oceans hold 50 times more CO2 than the atmosphere.

Other Factors that affect Climate☺Topography – surface characteristics of the area which

includes its elevation & features; the greater the altitude or elevation, the cooler the air temperature will be; rising, cooling air passing over mountains cause precipitation and resulting “rain shadow” side of the mtn.☺Volcanoes – when erupting, expel huge amounts of gases

& particles, which block some sunlight & temporarily cool the atmosphere.☺Regional vegetation – abundant vegetation can promote

cloud formation & rainfall, as well as absorbing large amounts of CO2. Conversely, deforestation can increase the temperature of the atmosphere.☺Changes in Earth’s orbit – minor changes in Earth’s orbit &

in the tilt of Earth’s axis occur in regular cycles, affecting the distribution of solar radiation over Earth’s surface and can affect climate.

16.1 Section Review1. Why does a region’s latitude affect its climate? Include

equator, the poles, & the regions in between the equator & the poles in your answer.

2. How is the behavior of warm air different from that of cold air? Relate this difference to global wind patterns.

3. What happens during El Niño? 4. What is the relationship between altitude & climate?

How does this account for the differences in ecosystems at the base of a mountain and at its peak?

☺Also, complete the 16.1 section review packet.

16.2 Climate ChangeEvidence of a Warming

Earth☺Global Climate change – temperature, rainfall, wind patterns,

storm frequency & other climate characteristics☺Global warming – increase in Earth’s average surface

temperature.1. Rising temperatures – IPCC notes average atmospheric

temperatures have increased by 0.74ºC (1.33ºF), most in the last few decades, with 2005 the warmest ever recorded

2. Changes in precipitation – vary around the world, but heavy rainstorms have increased overall with severe flooding

3. Melting ice – throughout the world, most glaciers are shrinking or even disappearing; ice shelves are melting

4. Rising sea levels – when seawater warms, its volume increases, making sea levels rise

Studying Climate Change1. Direct Measurement of Present Conditions – over time,

records of data such as air temperature & ocean temperature show that modern climate is changing.

2. Proxy Indicators: clues about past climate – types of indirect evidence that serve as proxies/substitutes for direct measurement

3. Clues in Ice – as glacier/ice sheets form, air bubbles are trapped inside; scientists remove long cores of ice and measure the gases trapped in the bubbles, as well as particles

4. Clues in Sediments – ancient sediments under bodies of water show pollen grains & other clues to what plants grew

5. Clues in Tree Rings – light/dark rings indicate 1 year of growth, width of ring reveals how much growth occurred; clues about droughts, fires, hurricane activity

Models: Predicting the Future☺By understanding how climate functions,

scientists try to predict future climate change using computer models.☺Climate models – computer programs that use

what is known about the atmosphere & oceans to simulate/imitate climate processes☺Testing models’ accuracy – researchers use

past climate data to test climate models, comparing the results of the climate model with what actually happened in the past; if a model accurately represents past climate, then it may accurately predict future climate; global climate models can usually produce reliable predictions

Finding the Cause of Climate Change☺Global warming has been caused largely by the

increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

☺In 1958 Charles Keeling started to measure CO2 in the atmosphere every hour at the Mauna Loa Observatory; 315 ppm in 1958 v.s. 387 ppm in 2009

☺Increase in most greenhouse gases – CO2 is so abundant, scientists feel it is the most responsible; comes from human activities such as use of motor vehicles☺Burning Fossil Fuels – carbon-containing fuels release

CO2 when burned; industrial revolution started the shift from farming to industry☺Changes in Use of Land – deforestation increases

greenhouse gases

16.2 Section Review1. What is the main cause of the rise in sea level? How

is this similar to the behavior of the liquid in a thermometer?

2. What are climate models? What information do they use to predict what might happen to climate in the future?

3. How has deforestation contributed to climate change?

4. Industrialization is the process in which a society develops industry & uses machinery on a large scale. Why has industrialization been a cause of global climate change?

• Also, do all of the 16.2 Section Review packet provided.

16.3 Effects of Climate ChangeEffects on Ecosystems & Organisms☺Shifting Habitats – locations of some organisms are

changing, often shifting to places where the climate is cooler (higher latitude or altitude)☺Changing Migration Times – some birds are starting spring

migrations earlier, but sometimes there are problems when they arrive like snow covering their food source still☺Problems Obtaining Food – greatest changes in the Arctic

where sea ice is melting earlier, making it more difficult for polar bears to hunt seals☺Effects of a Changing Ocean – oceans are becoming warmer

& their chemistry is changing; coral reefs are dying worldwide, affecting biodiversity; coral bleaching from algae dying; more CO2 being absorbed forms carbonic acid to form, increasing the oceans’ pH.

Impact on People Right Now ☺Agriculture and Forestry – some crops do well

in heat while others are more suitable to cooler conditions; droughts have reduced crop yields; forestry industry damaged by extensive forest fires from longer, warmer, drier fire seasons; insect and disease outbreaks☺Economic Effects – people working in

agriculture & forestry lose jobs; huge storms cause enormous damage and economic loss; rising insurance payments may indirectly indicate that storms are increasing in severity☺Health effects – severe heat waves can cause

heat exhaustion & heat stroke

Future Impact on People☺Computer models predict that global climate

change will continue to affect people☺Diseases – ranges of animals that transmit

diseases may expand as parts of the world become warmer; Lyme disease from tick bites is spreading northward☺Sea Level – coastal areas worldwide are

concerned; 53% of the U.S. population live in coastal areas☺Water Supply – rising sea levels increase the

possibility that salt water will intrude into freshwater aquifers; glaciers melt slowly, supplying many people with water; dams generating electricity may be impacted with the amount of water in rivers and reservoirs decrease significantly

16.3 Section Review1. Explain 2 ways in which global climate change is

threatening corals.2. What are two ways in which climate change is affecting

the way in which people earn their living?3. What might happen to coastal tourist industries if sea

levels continue to rise?4. Every year, melting water from glaciers helps fill some

reservoirs that people use for water. If melting water is the source of the reservoirs’ water, why is the glacial melting caused by climate change a threat to water supplies?

☺Also, complete the 16.3 Section Review Packet provided.

16.4 Responding to Climate ChangeUse & Production of Electricity

☺We can respond to climate change by adapting or mitigation☺Adaptation protects people from the effects of global

warming☺Mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas

emissions, lessening the severity of future climate change☺Includes strategies like improving energy efficiency,

preventing deforestation☺Carbon footprint – amount of carbon dioxide emissions for

which an individual or group is responsible; each of us should be trying to reduce our carbon footprint☺Electricity generation is the largest source of US greenhouse

gases; fossil fuel combustion generates about 70% of the electricity in the US; energy efficiency, conservation, renewable

Efficiency and Conservation☺Efficiency – accomplishing a job with as little energy

as possible☺New technologies such as high-efficiency light bulbs,

appliances☺EPA offers technological solutions through Energy Star

program☺Energy Guide labels give consumers information about the

energy efficiency of these appliances

☺Conservation – reducing energy use☺Individuals make lifestyle choices that reduce electrical use☺Turn off lights, computers, tvs when not in use☺Wash only full loads in dishwashers and clothes washers☺Unplug appliances you seldom use☺Unplug cell phone chargers once the phone is charged☺Use microwave oven instead of conventional oven to heat

food

Alternate Sources of Electricity☺Energy sources that produce electricity

without using fossil fuels are another way to reduce greenhouse gases☺Nuclear power uses reactions taking place in

atoms☺Solar power uses energy from the sun☺Wind power depends on wind to make

electricity☺Hydroelectric power uses the movement of

water☺Geothermal power makes use of heat

trapped underground☺All of the above energy sources do not give

off greenhouse gases, are clean, and renewable

Transportation☺By choosing more efficient cars, driving less, and using

public transportation, people can reduce greenhouse gas emissions☺After electricity, transportation is the next largest

source of US greenhouse gas emissions☺More than 85% of the fuel does something other than

move the car down the road….not very efficient☺Technology exists to make cars/trucks more fuel-

efficient, but may take gov’t regulation & consumer demand☺Hybrids combine electric motors & gas-powered

engines

☺Alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas & H2

☺Drive less, use public transportation to save energy and reduce pollution

Other Approaches to Reducing Greenhouse Gases

☺Agriculture & Forestry – soils & forests absorb CO2; preventing erosion, plant new trees, rice cultivation, livestock & manure are all potential ways to reduce greenhouse gases☺Cap-and-Trade – gov’t puts a limit (cap) on the

amount of greenhouse gases that can be released by industries & power plants; those that release less can sell their leftover allowances to industries that are less efficient☺Carbon tax – fee that a gov’t charges polluters for

each unit of greenhouse gases they emit; gives polluters a financial incentive to reduce their emissions; several European nations have established carbon taxes

Other Approaches, continued☺Carbon Offsets – voluntary payment made

when one industry or person pays another group or person to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions instead of reducing its own; airplane passenger pays carbon offset to plant trees; difficult to establish effective systems of exchange☺Carbon Sequestration – consists of ways of

storing captured carbon emissions from power plants; ex. Carbon might be stored underground, but no guarantee it will not leak out

Cooperation Among Nations☺Kyoto Protocol – 2005 international agreement that

seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions; unlike previous voluntary agreements, Kyoto Protocol is binding; nations that signed the treaty committed to reducing emissions to levels below those of 1990☺US did NOT sign as some US leaders called the treaty

unfair because it required developed nations to reduce emissions but not the same of developing nations such as China & India; supporters said developed nations created the greenhouse gas problem & US should take the lead☺In 2009 delegates from 192 nations met in Copenhagen

to try to develop an international agreement to address climate change, Copenhagen Accord let developed nations help fund mitigation & adaptation strategies & developing nations agreed to set specific targets for emission reduction by 2020.

16.4 Section Review1. Which is more important in addressing global climate

change: conserving electricity or finding new ways of producing it? Explain your answer.

2. What factors are likely to make consumers in the US prefer small, fuel-efficient cars to larger vehicles?

3. Describe an example of how you or your family might sue a carbon offset.

4. What is a major limitation of the Kyoto Protocol?☺Also, complete the 16.4 Section Review packet provided.

Unit 10B – Sustainable Cities Chp. 10.3

☺Unit 10B Goals:1. Identify the characteristics of a sustainable city.2. Describe the tools used by city planners to make

cities more livable.3. Understand the principles of smart growth and the

new urbanism4. Identify the key components of a green building

design

City Planning☺The attempt to design cities so as to maximize their

functionality and beauty; goal is to plan & manage urbanization so that the cities that develop are sustainable☺City planners advise city policymakers on

development options, transportation needs, public parks, etc. and use zoning, urban growth boundaries, ideals of smart growth, and the concepts of new urbanism.☺Geographic information system (GIS) is a

computerized system for storing, manipulating, and viewing geographic data used by city planners.☺Data includes location of roads, parks, bodies of water,

sewer lines, etc. and the GIS can then layer multiple maps so planners can see conflicts, etc.

4 Components of City Planning

1. Zoning – the practice of classifying areas for different types of development & land use; controls what can be built where, can restrict areas to single use; involves gov’t restriction on the use of private land & limits personal property rights

2. Urban Growth Boundaries – a line drawn on a map to separate urban areas from rural areas; it limits sprawl by containing future growth; goals: concentrate development, prevent sprawl, and preserve orchards, ranches, forests, & working farms; building up, not out

4 Components, continued3. Smart Growth – philosophy of urban growth that focuses on economic &environmental approaches that lead to sustainable growth & the avoidance of sprawl; combines land use policies with urban growth boundaries; aims to maintain open spaces by developing existing urban areas, waterfronts, & former industrial sites (redevelopment); requires building up not out.4. “New Urbanism” – a movement that seeks to design neighborhoods with homes, businesses, & school close together so that most of one’s needs can be met without driving; typically zoning rules limit the density of development & may exclude businesses in residential areas; ex’s: Celebration in Orlando, Seaside, FL

Transportation Options☺Public transportation is a key factor in the quality of

urban life☺Establishing Mass Transit – difficult once roads,

homes & businesses are built; people resist change; mass transit is usually cheaper, more energy-efficient, & cleaner than roadways filled with cars☺To encourage mass transit & discourage urban car

use, gov’ts can raise fuel taxes, tax fuel-inefficient modes of transportation, reward carpoolers with carpool lanes, ban on-street parking or remove parking places, & encourage bicycle use & bus riding☺Many successes, including New York, Washington

D.C., Boston, San Francisco, Portland, etc.

Open Space☺Parks & open space are key elements of livable cities,

providing greenery, scenic beauty, freedom of movement, & places for recreation as well as regulating climate, producing oxygen, filtering air & water pollutants, and providing habitat for wildlife.☺Urban Parks & Forests – established beginning in the late

1800’s to help make crowded & dirty cities more livable; ecological restoration is the practice of restoring native communities☺Other Public Spaces

☺Playgrounds provided places for children to be active outdoors☺Community gardens give people places to grow their own

vegetables & flowers in an urban area☺Greenways are strips of vegetated open space that connect

parks or neighborhoods & often help protect water quality, include rail-trails, bike paths, habitat corridors

Green Building Design☺Goal is to save energy and other

resources without sacrificing people’s comfort☺Sustainable architecture that has

been successful in residences, commercial & industrial buildings☺Energy-saving features may include:

motion- & light-sensitive lighting & heating, rooftop solar panels to generate electricity, sophisticated climate-control system, recycling of excess hot air from rooms into a heating system, using natural light to reduce electric lights

Urban Sustainability Successes☺Many cities have managed to improve both their

environmental sustainability and the standard of living of their residents☺Curitiba, Brazil – highly efficient & well-used bus

transit network, city provided recycling, environmental education, job training for the poor, free health care; resulting in citizens who are unusually happy & better off economically than people living in other Brazilian cities☺New York City – PlaNYC aims to reduce energy use

& greenhouse gas emissions, improve mass transit, plant trees, clean up polluted land & rivers, and improve access to parks & greenways; significant progress in encouraging alternatives to car transportation and in planting trees

10.3 Section Review1. Briefly describe how city planners use zoning, UGBs,

smart growth, and new urbanism.2. How is a successful mass transit system important

to improving the quality of life in a city?3. Give 2 reasons why open space is important to

people who live in cities.

4. What are 4 possible features of a green building?5. Give 2 reasons why the progress toward

sustainability in New York City and Curitiba is important to the rest of the world.

• Also, complete the 10.3 section review packet provided.

Unit 10C – Waste Management Chp. 19☺Goals:

1. Identify the 3 main categories of waste & the principle ways in which they are disposed of

2. Realize that the most efficient way to manage solid waste is to reduce the amount we generate

3. Explain how recycling works to minimize waste4. Define hazardous waste, list 3 examples and their

sources5. Identify hazardous waste disposal methods & explain

why it is esp. important to dispose of this waste properly.

6. Explain how gov’t regulations, prevention and/or treatment programs decrease the effects of pollution in the environment

19.1 Municipal & Industrial Waste☺Waste – any unwanted material or substance that results from a human activity or process☺3 main categories of waste:1. Municipal solid waste – nonliquid waste that

comes from homes, institutions, and small businesses

2. Industrial waste – waste that comes from the production of consumer goods, mining, agriculture, and petroleum extraction and refining

3. Hazardous waste – solid or liquid waste that is toxic, chemically reactive, flammable, or corrosive

Municipal Solid Waste☺Waste that is produced by consumers, public

facilities, & small businesses, commonly referred to as trash, garbage☺In US, main components are paper, yard debris,

food scraps & plastics☺A large portion comes from packaging & non-

durable goods (discarded after short period of use)☺As we acquire more goods, we generate more

waste☺Since 1970, plastics have accounted for a

significant increase in solid waste☺Industrial waste – waste that is neither hazardous

nor municipal solid waste; factories, farms, mines, refineries, construction site

Methods of Solid Waste Disposal☺Open dumping & burning still occur throughout much of the world☺Unregulated dumping & burning damages people’s health and degrades the environment☺Most industrialized nations now bury waste in landfills or use incinerators to burn waste

Sanitary Landfills☺Engineered to prevent waste from contaminating soil & groundwater and to reduce soil & air pollution; waste is buried in the ground or piled up in large, carefully engineered mounds☺Most municipal landfills in the US are regulated locally or by the states, but must still meet national standards set by the EPA☺Waste is partially decomposed by bacteria and compressed under its own weight; layered along with soil to speed up decomposition, reduce odor and infestation by pests☺Landfills must be located away from wetlands & earthquake-prone faults & at least 20 ft. above a water table

Layers of a Landfill – top to bottom☺Grass and soil☺Solid waste in layers☺Granular drainage layer☺Gravel with leachate collection pipes☺Plastic liner – lines sides and bottom☺Compacted impermeable clay 2-4 ft. ☺Soil☺Also systems of pipes, collection

ponds & treatment facilities to collect & treat leachate (liquid that results when substances from trash dissolve in water as rainwater percolates downward)

Closing Landfills☺After it is closed, a landfill is capped with an engineered cover that must be maintained☺The cover is a barrier of plastic that prevents water from seeping down & gas from seeping up; a gravel layer above the barrier drains water off; a soil barrier of at least 24” and a topsoil layer of at least 6” to encourage plant growth & stop erosion☺Landfill managers must maintain leachate collection systems for 30 years after closing as well as monitor groundwater regularly for contamination☺Many landfills have been converted to recreational areas.

Drawbacks of Landfills☺Leachate may escape from even well-lined landfills☺Liners can be punctured and leachate collection systems eventually cease to be maintained☺Dry landfills decompose slowly☺Finding suitable areas to locate landfills is becoming a problem due to NIMBY (not in my backyard)

Capturing Energy from Landfills

☺Deep inside landfills, bacteria decompose waste in an anaerobic environment☺Anaerobic decomposition produces landfill gas, which is about 50% methane☺Methane gas is then collected, processed, and used the same way we use natural gas☺At FreshKills, NY landfill, collection wells pull landfill gas upward by vacuum pressure and the tapped gas provides enough energy for 25,000 homes.

Incineration☺Controlled process in specially constructed

facilities in which mixed garbage is burned at very high temperatures; pollution control technology removes most of the pollutants from the emissions☺Waste is sorted and metals removed, then the

waste is chopped into small pieces so it burns more easily; weight is reduced up to 75%, volume up to 90%☺Particulate matter removed by huge filters

called a baghouse☺Scrubbers chemically treat the gases produced

in combustion to remove hazardous components and neutralize acidic gases, turning them into water & salt

Drawbacks & Energy from Incineration

☺Simply reducing volume & weight does not get rid of toxins, therefore the ash must be disposed of in hazardous waste landfills.☺Hazardous chemicals can be created &

released into the atmosphere (sulfur dioxides, heavy metals, PCBs)☺Most N. American incinerators today are

waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities. They use the heat from burning waste to make electricity. Revenues are usually not enough of offset financial cost of building & running incinerators, so often municipalities must guarantee a minimum amount of garbage

Luscious Layered LandfillMaterials: (students sign up for):

• Oreo cookies (whole) – Base• Graham crackers – 2’ of clay• Fruit Roll-Ups – 16 mil. liner• Peanuts – Layer of pebbles• Twizzlers – Leachate pipes• Crushed vanilla wafers – 2’ of sand• Choc. pudding w/M&Ms – Class I Waste• Grape Nuts cereal – Coarse fill• “Recees” cereal – 18” of fill dirt• Crushed Oreos – 6” of top soil• Green whipped topping – Vegetative cover

19.1 Section Review1. Define waste. What are the 3 main categories of

waste?2. When it comes to solid waste disposal, how does

incineration affect landfills?3. Do the costs of incineration outweigh the

benefits?• Also, complete the 19.1 section review packet provided.

19.2 Minimizing Solid Waste☺One of the best ways to manage solid waste is to

reduce the amount we generate! This potentially saves industries, municipalities, & consumers $ & resources.☺We must rely on reduction, reuse, recycling, &

composting to deal with our waste☺Source reduction – preventing waste generation by

reducing the amount of waste results in lowering the cost of disposal & recycling while conserving resources & producing less pollution. Achieved through less consumption, less packaging, banning certain plastics & designing goods that last longer.☺Habits as simple as bringing your own coffee cup or

sturdy reusable cloth bags to the grocery store can have a substantial effect, as well as buying used items.

Reduce Packaging & Use of Plastics

☺Packaging can serve worthwhile purposes but too much is extraneous. ☺Consumers can help reduce packaging waste by

choosing goods with minimal packaging, buy in bulk, & buy unwrapped fruits & vegetables. Manufacturers can help by using packaging that is more recyclable.☺Each year Americans discard 100 billion plastic

grocery bags which are not biodegradable and are a major source of waste & litter.☺Most plastic material can last for centuries in the

environment, and can choke & entangle wildlife.☺Several nations tax or ban the use of plastic bags, &

San Francisco is the 1st city to ban nonbiodegradable plastic bags.

Design Goods to Last & Financial Incentives

☺Increasing the lifetime & durability of good helps reduce waste.☺Planned obsolescence creates new goods to

replace those that wear out or become outdated☺Some states/municipalities use economic

incentives to reduce waste, including “pay as you throw” approach to garbage collection☺“Bottle bills” in 11 states allow consumers to

return empty bottles/cans to stores or collection facilities and receive a refund (usu. 5 cents/bottle or can). The first bottle bills were passed in the 1970s to reduce litter, but they have served to decrease waste; great success in Michigan especially.

Waste Recovery☺When we recover waste, we take material out of the

waste stream so it doesn’t end up in a landfill/incinerator.☺In 2007, we recovered almost 1/3 of our municipal solid

waste by recycling or composting it, saving energy equal to more than 10 billion gallons of gas.☺Composting is the conversion of organic waste into

mulch or humus through natural biological processes of decomposition, which can then be used to enrich soil. Nearly ½ of US states now ban yard waste from municipal trash collection.☺Recycling is the collection of materials that can be

broken down & reprocessed to make new items, reducing the amount of waste going to landfills/incinerators. 3 steps: collection & processing, manufacturing, and purchasing recycled products.

Recycling1. Collection of recyclable items is the 1st step to a

successful program; drop off locations or curbside pickup

2. Material recovery facilities (MRFs) are places where collected recyclables are sorted & prepared for reprocessing; magnetic pulleys, optical sensors, waters currents & air classifiers separate items

3. Purchasing recycled products completes the loop; post consumer paper, benches, glassphalt, clothing, etc.

☺Limits of recycling: growth propelled by economic forces, desire to reduce waste, & satisfaction. Many popular municipal recycling programs run at an economic loss. We need to develop new uses of recycled materials in new ways, and consumers need to continue to purchase these products!

19.2 section review1. Why is it important to reduce the amount of our

waste?2. How does recycling save energy and money?3. Suppose you are the director of a company that

makes boxes that hold soups & juices. These containers are not easy to recycle because they are made up of layers of paper, plastic, and aluminum foil. These are hard to separate in recycling efforts. How can you improve the company’s environmental practices while not cutting into profits?

• Also, complete the 19.2 section review packet provided.

19.3 Hazardous Waste☺Ignitable, corrosive, chemically reactive, or toxic waste

that can be liquid, solid, sludge or gas.☺Ignitable – can easily catch on fire; natural gas, gasoline,

waste oils, oil-based paints, solvents, alcohol☺Corrosive – can eat through or dissolve metal storage

tanks & equipment; strong acids such as sulfuric acid & hydrochloric acid and bases such as potassium hydroxide & sodium hydroxide☺Reactive – chemically unstable & can easily react with

other compounds, exploding or producing toxic fumes; old ammunition, fireworks, lithium sulfur batteries, bleach, ammonia☺Toxic – harmful or fatal when inhaled, ingested or

absorbed through the skin, and can contaminate groundwater

Sources of Hazardous Wastes☺Industry, mining, households, small businesses, agriculture,

utilities, and building demolition☺Most nations regulate industrial waste generation &

disposal, resulting in households being the largest source of unregulated hazardous waste.☺Include paints, batteries, oils, solvents, cleaning agents,

lubricants, & pesticides, with the average household containing 100 lbs. of it in sheds, basements, closets & garages. ☺Synthetic organic compounds resist decay but make them

persistent pollutants (pesticides, solvents, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood preservatives).☺Heavy metals are widely used for wiring, electronics, metal

plating, metal fabrication, pigments & dyes; paints, electronic devices, batteries, fishing weights, hunters’ lead shot, lead pipes

E-Waste☺Electronic waste which has increased

rapidly because people quickly judge these devices obsolete and most are discarded after a couple of years; computers, printers, VCRs, fax machines, cell phones, MP3 players, etc.☺Most is disposed of in landfills as solid

waste, however most electronic products contain heavy metals and toxic flame-retardants☺Research says e-waste should be handled

as hazardous waste, and the EPA is moving to keep e-waste out of conventional sanitary landfills☺Most municipalities are now collecting used

electronics for reuse or recycling.

Disposal of Hazardous Wastes1. Landfills – specifically designed for hazardous

wastes, stricter standards than sanitary landfills & include solid & watertight liners and leachate removal systems

2. Surface impoundment – shallow pits lined with plastic & an impermeable material such as clay; water is mixed with the hazardous waste, forming a residue as it evaporates; eventually the residue is removed & transported elsewhere for permanent disposal; rainfall can cause overflow, underlying layer can crack

3. Deep-well injection – intended for long-term disposal; a well is drilled deep beneath the water table into porous rock, then waste is injected into it; wells can corrode & leak wastes into the soil

Radioactive Waste☺Waste that gives off radiation and is harmful to

humans & the environment☺High level wastes emit large amounts of

radiation, and include wastes from nuclear power plants; very dangerous to handle and dispose of.☺Low level wastes are not as radioactive;

produced by hospitals, laboratories, uranium mines; pose less danger but are more common☺Difficult to dispose of because of their long half-

life makes them persistent in the environment, so they must be sealed in containers that will not corrode for thousands of years and stored deep under ground.

Hazardous Waste Regulation☺Hazardous waste is regulated & monitored, but illegal

dumping is a problem (contaminates groundwater/soil)☺Current US law makes disposing of hazardous waste

quite costly, so many companies illegally dump waste☺Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) – 1976,

EPA sets standards by which states are to mange hazardous waste, requires industries that generate large amounts to obtain permits & track wastes “from cradle to grave.”☺Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation

& Liability Act (CERCLA) – 1980, established a federal program to clean up US sites polluted with hazardous waste from past activities; Superfund identifies sites polluted with hazardous chemicals; objective is to charge the polluting parties for cleanup of their sites

19.3 Section Review1. What is hazardous waste?2. What is the largest source of unregulated hazardous

waste in the US?3. Of the 3 methods of hazardous waste disposal, which

one do you believe is the safest? Explain.4. Why is radioactive waste so dangerous?5. Who should be responsible for cleaning up

brownfields? Explain.• Also, complete the 19.3 section review packet provided.