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Transcript
Change is in the Air: How are changes in the atmosphere altering our environment? Key Points: The terrible 3 changes in our atmosphere 1.Ozone Layer Depletion 2.Acid Precipitation 3.Global Climate Change Possible environmental solutions • REAL Framework Issue #1: Ozone Layer Depletion What is it? The OZONE LAYER is in our upper atmosphere It absorbs harmful ULTRAVIOLET (UV) RAYS from the sun. What do UV rays do? Cause skin cancers and eye problems Damages or kills animal and plant species Hole in the Ozone! Cause of Ozone Layer Depletion CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCs) A chemical that destroys the ozone layer CFC’s are found in older refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans SURPRISE! Things are getting better…. The MONTREAL PROTOCOL (signed in Canada in 1987) Encouraged countries to put a ban on all products that produce CFC’s Since the ban, countries have been cooperating By 2009, 97% of all CFCs have been phased out Hopefully if improvements continue the ozone layer will heal! Issue #2 Acid Precipitation Effects of Acid Rain Forests, plants and soils become highly acidic and die Water and lakes become toxic Buildings and stone are worn down Who is Affected? Why do you think most Acid Rain is concentrated in the north central part of Canada? Issue # 3: Global Climate Change What exactly is it? Watch the short film clip. What does the film say: Are the causes of GCC? Are the effects of GCC? Are solutions for GCC? Global Climate Change: Definition: Global climate change is a change in the long-term weather patterns that characterize the regions of the world. Here’s the dirty truth: • The world temperature has risen 0.74C in the past 100 years • The ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic are melting with increasing speed •Canadians have some of the worst CARBON FOOTPRINTS in the world Do you know the cause of Global Climate Change? Do you think you will be able to a give a better answer than these guys? The Greenhouse Effect Human Causes: Industrial and Technological Development FACTORY EMISSIONS and other FOSSIL FUEL burning mechanisms DEFORESTATION of “the lungs of the earth” Melting PERMAFROST releases lots of CO2 Problem: These activities release a massive amount of chemicals into the atmosphere called GREENHOUSE GASES Major Greenhouse Gases THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT Who is causing Global Warming? Climate Change Brainstorm: Task: INDENDENTLY, Use your brainstorm, the maps provided and your text pgs. 440-443 to identify the major possible Effects of Global Climate Change Think: Chain Reaction Possible Effects of Climate Change 1. Warmer Oceans Temperatures : Destruction of sea life 1. Increase in natural disasters: Increase in poverty 1. Rising Sea Levels : Estimated 25 million environmental refugees 4. Shift in Seasons: Longer growing season 5. Drought & Flooding : Food shortage and increased pressure on fresh water supply 6. Increase in pests & infectious diseases Water: We need it to live…. Water: Where is it? Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface All of the water on earth circulates through the water cycle, and takes on different forms Only 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh water Most fresh water is locked in glaciers, ice sheets or underground and is difficult to access Where do we get fresh water? The water we use is either: Groundwater found in Aquifers and underground streams (majority that exists) Can be difficult to access Surface water from lakes, rivers, melting glaciers (majority that we use) Ogallala Aquifer One of the largest aquifers in the world Provides 30% of the groundwater used for agricultural irrigation in the U.S. Is depleting quickly because of heavy use for agriculture and watering golf courses Major Threats to Fresh Water OVERUSE POLLUTION Major Threats to Fresh Water Overuse Pollution Urban environments Increasing Population Waste from factories and mills Rising living standards Household wastewater Contains detergent, human waste, prescription drugs Sewage causes growth of algae and weeds Agricultural chemicals Pesticides and Herbicides Oil Refineries Logging, mining, construction More people eating foods like meat Falling groundwater tables Groundwater does not replenish quickly Diversion of water for agricultural irrigation: #1 use of fresh water Increased demand for food Overpumping of ground water with more advanced technology Industrial use: oil sands, factories What can we do to better manage our water sources? R: Realistic Repair leaks in homes and public spaces Install water meters to monitor water use Operate dishwashers and laundry-machines only when fully-loaded E: Educate Implement public education programs Include water issues in school curriculum A: Alternatives Minimize effects of tanker accidents by changing tanker design Install water-conserving devices Faucets, toilets, showers L: Legislate Implement water restrictions Create economic incentives for water-conserving devices Create regulations that restrict the threat of: Herbicides, Pesticides Industrial Pollution Sewage So what do we do? Think: SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY: An approach to RESOURCE MANAGEMENT where decisions are made to ensure resources last for generations to come with minimum long-term effects on the environment Here is a framework that will help you identify solutions to environmental problems. “REAL” SOLUTIONS Realistic Solutions Educate the public Alternatives can be helpful Legislate – laws and regulations Think of an example for each for solutions to global water issues Let’s apply REAL to the problems facing our environment: How could you: Change your lifestyle to have a more environmental ‘carbon footprint’ (Individual Solution) Support or lobby for changes that our government could implement in our country (National Solution) Brainstorm ways that the global world could work together to enact positive change (Global Solution)