Sustainability: Environment

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