Sustainability: EnvironmentLesson 2
Review: 1. What chemical is the cause of ozone
layer depletion? 2. What is the main source of SO2 and
NO2 pollution that causes acid rain? 3. What are some of the causes of
Carbon Dioxide emissions in the atmosphere?
4. What region of the world suffers from high levels of skin cancer?
Acidification of lakes, rivers = negative effects on fish/wildlife
“His nose is missing”
Ozone Hole ~ shrinking? Thanks to Montreal Protocol
Climate Change Issue
Carbon Cycle & Tetris https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ztWHqUFJRTs
CausesIndustrial Pollution ~ Coal
Vehicle Emissions
Deforestation ~ Amazon
Melting of Permafrost“Drunk Trees”
Emissions by Region of World Highest greenhouse gas emissions are by countries in
the developing world Brazil (Amazon) China (coal, factories) India (coal, factories) BUT ~ MOST POLLUTION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS IS
ACTUALLY BY-PRODUCT OF NORTH AMERICAN CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE OUTSOURCED..
But Canada ranks 3rd highest in world per capita due to oil sands production ~ with Kinder Morgan + Gateway, rates will skyrocket
Time Lapse Photo ~ google Earth http://world.time.com/timelapse/
Human Causes KEY ACTIONS:
Cars Factory Emissions - this is the BIG ONE Deforestation of “the lungs of the earth” Cattle Ranching ~ production of meat Coal Use ~ specific regions of world
Other Factors ~ melting of permafrost, releasing stores of carbon dioxide
Effects of Warming on Environment Melting ice caps – which adds freshwater to ocean
decreasing its salinity – affects ocean currents ~ rising sea levels
Melting permafrost – storage basin for massive amounts of CO2 – tipping point
“Weird Weather” – increasing numbers of storms, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes
Shifts in Climate Zones and Vegetation Patterns Disease ~ Pine Beetle, etc. Species Extinction Wildfires
Devastating Effects
Effects of Warming on Humans Displaced peoples – currently 25
million environmental refugees Destruction of property, infrastructure Increased poverty, and competition
for resources Increased drought – more pressure on
fresh water Increased famine – crops do not grow
Flooding in India - 2008
Connection to Poverty 25 million environmental refugees ~
more than number of political refugees from places of war and conflict
Major cause of poverty and stops people from being able to meet their basic needs
Solutions ~ “REAL” R = Realistic E = Education A = Alternatives & Innovation L = Legislation, Laws and Policy
What Can We Do? Kyoto Protocol ~ accord signed to reduce
Greenhouse gasses, Canada refused to re-sign
G15 countries have come together to try and figure out new solutions… very little progress
Millenium Goal ~ Environment**** Push for environmental protection from government
Other Approaches Education ~ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ~ use
less plastic! (oil) Thinking outside the box New Ideas Alternatives ~ Renewable Energy Sources
PASSION + GETTING OUT AND EXPERIENCING NATURE.. SEEING OUR PLANET
What are your ideas? List possible solutions to dealing with
climate change INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS + COLLECTIVE
ACTION
ALTERNATIVES ~ Big Belly & Giant Jelly Fish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ervb
3qX_xi8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0I-3wkH37w
Solar Roadways ~ USA Glass solar
panels~ couple has raised 1 million dollars for project
that will generate electricity and lower energy cost ~ will heat roads + provide light
http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/25/the-crazy-genius-behind-solar-roadways/
Why We Need to Save Our Planet… Hope for the Future…. Political activism
and organization.. Case Study: Sacred Headwaters http://www.ted.com/talks/wade_davis_go
rgeous_photos_of_a_backyard_wilderness_worth_saving