Download Environment issues

Environmental Issues
Issues, Solutions, Obstacles and Next
Steps!
Big Ideas – Carrying Capacity
• Carrying Capacity
– How many people can
the world manage to
carry?
– Global Population
combined with our
Standards of Living and
our impact on the planet
• How much can the globe
handle?
Sustainability and Stewardship
• Sustainability
– A sustainable practice is one
that can be continued over
time
• Fishing a certain amount to be
sure the stock can replenish
• Stewardship
– Responsibility for the
environment
• Making decisions in regards to
managing the environment
considering future generations
• Impact of a hydro dam in 7
generations not just 2
Ecological Footprint
• Ecological Footprint
– The impact we have on
the environment around
us
– ‘When a Canadian is
born Mother Nature
cries!’
• Carbon footprint is a part
of this
» How do you travel
to school?
» Diet? Etc
Agriculture - Issues
• Issues
– Population Growth
• So many mouths
• Some really big mouths
– Cash crops
– Tillable Soil (running out)
– Pesticides and
Herbicides
– Water Use
– Key cause of
deforestation
• Ranch land (cattle)
Agriculture - Solutions
• Change our diet
– Less waste in developed
world
– Eat Locally and in season
• Urban farming
– Organic
– Eat food that is less water
reliant
• Less Beef!
• GMO (Genetically Modified
Organisms)
– Crops that are more resilient
– Also an issue – are they safe?
Forestry Issues
• Deforestation
– Results in
• Releases the greenhouse gas
Nitrous Oxide NO3
• Lost Biodiversity
• Forests are a Carbon Sink (along
with the Ocean and Peat) and
when they disappear less CO2 is
removed from atmosphere
• Flooding
• Mosquito breeding grounds
– Caused by
• Agriculture (main cause)
– Cash Crops
• Need for lumber, paper etc
• Climate Change
– Pine Beetle
Forestry Solutions
• Change our diet
– Use less foods and
products being grown
and raised on former
forests (like Amazon)
• Continue to replant and
focus on sustainable
practice
• Use less paper/lumber
• Move away from cash
crops
Fresh Water Issues
• Only 3% of worlds water is fresh
– Most water in Aquifers (under
ground)
• Very slow to replenish
– Some water is in glaciers
– Very little water where needed
(Developing nations)
• Agriculture is using most water
– And polluting water with pesticides
• Acid Rain (Precipitation)
– Pollution comes down in rain and
changes PH in water
• Killing fish and other wildlife
• Climate Change
– Melting glaciers
Fresh Water Solutions
• Decrease Pollution
• Change our diets
– Use less water dependant
crops
• Slow Climate Change
• Locally
– Use low flo appliances
– Toilets, washing machines
• Change habits
• shower length
• Use local fauna in yards
• Lose your lawns!
Ozone Layer – Issue and Solution!
• The Ozone Layer protected
the earth from harmful
radiation from the sun
• Ozone layer was being
decreased by
Chlorofluorocarbons
– CFC’s were released by
aerosol cans and in other
products
• Montreal Protocol 1989
– Countries agreed to stop the
use of these products
• Ozone Layer has begun to
improve
Climate Change - Issues
• Causes
– The Greenhouse Effect
– Greenhouse gasses like
CO2 and NO3 build up in
the atmosphere and heat
does not escape
– Effect is an overall
warming of the planet
– Causes are CO2 emissions
• Fossil fuel use in developed
world
• Industrialization in
developing world
Climate Change - Issues
• Severe Storms
– Warming oceans
• Melting ice caps
– Raising Sea Levels
• Changed seasons for
Agriculture
– Drought
• Deforestation
– Pine Beetle BC
– Severe forest fires
• Melting Glaciers
– Decreasing access to fresh
water
Climate Change - Solutions
• Use less fossil fuels
• Kyoto Accord
– International agreement to cut
CO2 emissions
– Some countries did not sign on (US
– Australia)
– Canada signed
• Canada withdrew later
• Development of green energy
– Solar and Wind Power
– Electric and Hybrid Cars
• Smaller Homes
– Use less energy
• Energy efficient appliances
• Change our diets
– Eat Local
Obstacles to all of the Environmental
Solutions
• Convenience
– Car pooling vs. driving alone or
transit!
– Drive through Meals
• Comfort
– Air conditioning
– Asparagus in January
• Cost
– Hybrid cars
– Lo Flow high efficiency appliances
• Jobs
Wait…
You said all we have to
do is personally
sacrifice a bit of our
standard of living?
– Especially oil gas industry
• Habit and Routine
– Big vehicles are cool
– Love my lawn!
LOL