Environment 2015

EnvironmentalEnvironmental
ConcernsConcerns

Human Impact on Greenhouse GasesHuman Impact on Greenhouse Gases

Global Warming - ReasonsGlobal Warming - Reasons
 Carbon dioxide gases released intoCarbon dioxide gases released into
environmentenvironment

Due to massive amounts ofDue to massive amounts of non-renewablenon-renewable
fossil fuelsfossil fuels being burned by humans,being burned by humans,
including:including:
• CoalCoal
• OilOil
• Natural gasNatural gas
Non-renewable resources -Non-renewable resources -
cannot be created over again andcannot be created over again and
our supply of them is limited; onceour supply of them is limited; once
they run out, the resource is gonethey run out, the resource is gone
forever.forever.

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Some naturally occurring contributors toSome naturally occurring contributors to
global warmingglobal warming:: volcanic eruptions & meteorvolcanic eruptions & meteor
impactsimpacts

Most Global Warming ImpactsMost Global Warming Impacts
caused by Climate Changecaused by Climate Change

ClimateClimate
 Climate is commonly defined as theClimate is commonly defined as the
weather (temperature and rainfall)weather (temperature and rainfall)
averaged over a long period of timeaveraged over a long period of time
 The climateThe climate
of a locationof a location
is affected byis affected by
its latitude,its latitude,
terrain,terrain,
altitude, icealtitude, ice
or snowor snow
cover, as wellcover, as well
as nearbyas nearby
water bodieswater bodies
and theirand their
currents.currents.

Effects / Results of Global WarmingEffects / Results of Global Warming
 Rising incidence ofRising incidence of violent stormsviolent storms

North American Hurricane Season 2005North American Hurricane Season 2005

 Rising incidence ofRising incidence of heat wavesheat waves (Europe(Europe
2003)2003)

 Above average temperaturesAbove average temperatures meltingmelting
glaciers and sea levels are risingglaciers and sea levels are rising as aas a
resultresult

 Rising Sea LevelsRising Sea Levels

 Diseases are spreading more quickly andDiseases are spreading more quickly and
easilyeasily

extending their ranges because of warmerextending their ranges because of warmer
temperaturestemperatures

Many diseases, especially those in water,Many diseases, especially those in water,
reproduce more rapidly in warmer weatherreproduce more rapidly in warmer weather

 Earlier arrival of springEarlier arrival of spring in some parts ofin some parts of
the world –the world – impacting global agriculturalimpacting global agricultural
patternspatterns

 AsAs permafrost meltspermafrost melts, Arctic communities, Arctic communities
lose valuable shorelinelose valuable shoreline

 CausesCauses polar bears to starvepolar bears to starve becausebecause
they cannot use the ice to hunt sealsthey cannot use the ice to hunt seals
 Now onNow on
endangeredendangered
species listspecies list

 Canada’sCanada’s
Arctic regionsArctic regions
–– sea icesea ice
shrinkingshrinking

CausesCauses
sinkingsinking
shorelinesshorelines
and death ofand death of
some Arcticsome Arctic
animalsanimals

Global Warming in CanadaGlobal Warming in Canada

 In BC – increasing water temperaturesIn BC – increasing water temperatures
have contributed tohave contributed to salmon spawningsalmon spawning
numbers being 1/3 of what they were innumbers being 1/3 of what they were in
1990s1990s

 While warmer temperatures couldWhile warmer temperatures could
lengthen Canada’s short growing seasonlengthen Canada’s short growing season
– also– also higher risk of drought and foresthigher risk of drought and forest
firesfires

 Warmer weather causesWarmer weather causes increasingincreasing
numbers of forest fires and more droughtsnumbers of forest fires and more droughts
in Canada’s prairie areasin Canada’s prairie areas

 Canada’s oceansCanada’s oceans

Increasing surfaceIncreasing surface
water temperatures,water temperatures,
fewer nutrients arefewer nutrients are
brought to the surfacebrought to the surface
by the movement ofby the movement of
colder water from deepcolder water from deep
in the oceanin the ocean

Nutrients support andNutrients support and
maintain zooplankton –maintain zooplankton –
beginning of the foodbeginning of the food
chain of sea lifechain of sea life

Kyoto Protocol - 1997Kyoto Protocol - 1997
 Agreement among 180Agreement among 180
industrialized nations toindustrialized nations to
reduce greenhouse gasreduce greenhouse gas
emissionsemissions
 Canada promised toCanada promised to
reduce greenhouse gasreduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 6% of theemissions by 6% of the
1990 level by 20121990 level by 2012
 Countries not meetingCountries not meeting
their reduction targetstheir reduction targets
could buy credits fromcould buy credits from
other countriesother countries
 USA withdrew in 2001USA withdrew in 2001

Arguments against KyotoArguments against Kyoto
 Concerned that meetingConcerned that meeting
goals will involve highgoals will involve high
costs to businesses andcosts to businesses and
government and possiblegovernment and possible
loss of jobsloss of jobs
 Provincial governmentsProvincial governments
must regulate pollutingmust regulate polluting
industries despite the factindustries despite the fact
that the federalthat the federal
government signed thegovernment signed the
agreement withoutagreement without
consulting the provincesconsulting the provinces
 Some argue not enoughSome argue not enough
evidence that globalevidence that global
warming to blame forwarming to blame for
climate changeclimate change

Kyoto & CanadaKyoto & Canada
 2006 - Canada's2006 - Canada's
greenhouse gasgreenhouse gas
emissions were upemissions were up
by 24%by 24%
 far from thefar from the
government'sgovernment's
commitment to meetcommitment to meet
a target 6% belowa target 6% below
the 1990 levelsthe 1990 levels

Kyoto & CanadaKyoto & Canada
 Election of a ConservativeElection of a Conservative
government in 2006government in 2006
brought about a reversal inbrought about a reversal in
Canada's climate changeCanada's climate change
policypolicy
 2007 –2007 – GovernmentGovernment
announced plans toannounced plans to
introduce legislation thatintroduce legislation that
would regulate industrialwould regulate industrial
pollutants as part of thepollutants as part of the
Conservatives' proposedConservatives' proposed
Clean Air ActClean Air Act, to take effect, to take effect
in January 2010.in January 2010.
 said Canada will notsaid Canada will not
attempt to meet Kyoto'sattempt to meet Kyoto's
greenhouse gas targetsgreenhouse gas targets

Possible Solutions –Possible Solutions –
Renewable Energy ResourcesRenewable Energy Resources
 SustainableSustainable
sources ofsources of
energy couldenergy could
lessenlessen
dependence ondependence on
fossil fuels, suchfossil fuels, such
as:as:

Wind TurbinesWind Turbines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg9fiDUroo4

Solutions - Solar Power PanelsSolutions - Solar Power Panels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG7FNcw7a5c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hCggdtEU-M&feature=related

Solutions – Tidal PowerSolutions – Tidal Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRUl1mJQHmc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0mzrbfzUpM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VamSAbwgJKk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBACzRE3Gw&feature=related

Solutions – Ground Source EnergySolutions – Ground Source Energy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUvdNrOD4PY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD82e5RYfW8&feature=related

Solutions – BiofuelsSolutions – Biofuels
 Ethanol – some made from CornEthanol – some made from Corn

Ethanol – ConcernsEthanol – Concerns
o Ethanol – while reduces levels
of carbon monoxide and other
toxic air pollutants, corn-
based ethanol production is
energy intensive, and in some
instances uses nearly as
much energy to produce
(including the energy needed
for farming and making
fertilizers) than it supplies,
although new technologies
are improving the efficiency of
production.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9QQcP_Y1II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R012X3tU6Y&feature=related

Biofuels – instead of gasolineBiofuels – instead of gasoline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRB5VQMb5RI

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy
 Heat from the ground harvestedHeat from the ground harvested

Alternatives toAlternatives to ReduceReduce Fossil Fuel UseFossil Fuel Use
 Hydrogen or methanol fuelled power cellsHydrogen or methanol fuelled power cells
for automobilesfor automobiles

 Reduce, re-use, recycleReduce, re-use, recycle

 Carpool, use public transportation, rideCarpool, use public transportation, ride
bicycle or walkbicycle or walk

Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion
 Ozone layer –Ozone layer –
region of theregion of the
atmosphereatmosphere
containingcontaining
relatively highrelatively high
concentrations ofconcentrations of
ozone – approxozone – approx
19-48km above19-48km above
the Earth’s surfacethe Earth’s surface
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSycyCuQmUA&feature=related

Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion
 Ozone is formedOzone is formed
by the action ofby the action of
solar ultravioletsolar ultraviolet
light on oxygenlight on oxygen
 It’s the only gasIt’s the only gas
able to block outable to block out
the ultravioletthe ultraviolet
rays from the sunrays from the sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9fqpnkiUi0&feature=related

Ozone - DamageOzone - Damage
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Have done 80% of the damage to the OzoneHave done 80% of the damage to the Ozone
Layer (creating “holes”)Layer (creating “holes”)

Widely used in coolants for refrigerators andWidely used in coolants for refrigerators and
air conditioners, solvents, and aerosol cansair conditioners, solvents, and aerosol cans

Results of Ozone DepletionResults of Ozone Depletion

 Higher incidences of skin cancerHigher incidences of skin cancer

 Reduction of microscopic marine life likeReduction of microscopic marine life like
phytoplankton which will impact the foodphytoplankton which will impact the food
chainchain

 Mutations of genetic structure of plantsMutations of genetic structure of plants
and animalsand animals

 Reduces rateReduces rate
ofof
photosynthesisphotosynthesis
in plantsin plants
(lowers energy(lowers energy
output ofoutput of
producers)producers)

Possible Responses to Ozone DepletionPossible Responses to Ozone Depletion
 Montreal ProtocolMontreal Protocol
– 1987– 1987

AgreementAgreement
between allbetween all
industrial nationsindustrial nations
to cut use ofto cut use of
CFCs in an effortCFCs in an effort
to eliminate theseto eliminate these
chemicals bychemicals by
20002000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn3KvZ_Xyqs&feature=related

 Avoid using plastic foam packaging andAvoid using plastic foam packaging and
goods that use CFCs (some aerosol cans)goods that use CFCs (some aerosol cans)

 Dispose of oldDispose of old
refrigerators,refrigerators,
freezers, andfreezers, and
airair
conditionersconditioners
safelysafely

Fresh Water SuppliesFresh Water Supplies
 70% of Earth’s Surface – covered by70% of Earth’s Surface – covered by
waterwater
 However- most not readily accessible forHowever- most not readily accessible for
human usehuman use

Fresh WaterFresh Water
 Water stored in:Water stored in:

SoilSoil

AquifersAquifers
(Ground water)(Ground water)

LakesLakes

RiversRivers

streamsstreams

Fresh WaterFresh Water
 Only 3% fresh water – 78% of which isOnly 3% fresh water – 78% of which is
stored in ice caps and glaciersstored in ice caps and glaciers
 Canada has 18% of all surface fresh waterCanada has 18% of all surface fresh water
on Earthon Earth
 LargeLarge
portion ofportion of
this inthis in
Great LakesGreat Lakes

Fresh Water IssuesFresh Water Issues
in Developing Worldin Developing World
 Mismanagement / OveruseMismanagement / Overuse
 Limited accessLimited access
 Lack of proper sanitationLack of proper sanitation
systemssystems
 Lack of water treatmentLack of water treatment
facilitiesfacilities
 DroughtDrought
 Privatization (water isPrivatization (water is
owned by a privateowned by a private
company and is expensivecompany and is expensive
to buy)to buy)
 Cost (poorest of poorCost (poorest of poor
cannot afford)cannot afford)

Threats to Water Quality andThreats to Water Quality and
Supply in CanadaSupply in Canada
 ContaminationContamination

Oil tanker accidentsOil tanker accidents

Natural causesNatural causes

Dumping of wasteDumping of waste


AgriculturalAgricultural
• Chemicals used in herbicides / pesticidesChemicals used in herbicides / pesticides
• Can seep into nearby streams and ground waterCan seep into nearby streams and ground water


IndustrialIndustrial
• By-products of production in oil refineries, pulpBy-products of production in oil refineries, pulp
mills, nuclear reactors, and chemical factoriesmills, nuclear reactors, and chemical factories


MunicipalMunicipal
• Raw sewage, detergents, and solventsRaw sewage, detergents, and solvents

 MisuseMisuse

67% of accessible67% of accessible
surface water issurface water is
used by agricultureused by agriculture

When farmers tillWhen farmers till
land – lose moistureland – lose moisture
– so land is– so land is irrigatedirrigated
– watered by– watered by
artificial meansartificial means

 MisuseMisuse

19% fresh water used for industry19% fresh water used for industry

9% for municipal / residential services9% for municipal / residential services

 GroundwaterGroundwater
DepletionDepletion

Over pumping ofOver pumping of
aquifersaquifers
(underground layer(underground layer
of water-of water-
permeable rock)permeable rock)
which replenishwhich replenish
slowly reduces theslowly reduces the
water table (top ofwater table (top of
saturated layer ofsaturated layer of
porous rock –porous rock –
ground water)ground water)

 Groundwater DepletionGroundwater Depletion

Digging deeper wells which could potentiallyDigging deeper wells which could potentially
tap harmful minerals like arsenic and fluoridetap harmful minerals like arsenic and fluoride

 Water ExportsWater Exports

The transfer water over long distancesThe transfer water over long distances

Example: California would like to buy BC water;Example: California would like to buy BC water;
however, this could influence water table levels in BChowever, this could influence water table levels in BC

 Increasing PopulationsIncreasing Populations

Main threat to world’s freshwater supply’sMain threat to world’s freshwater supply’s
shortages threaten world agriculturalshortages threaten world agricultural
production as the amount to irrigated land hasproduction as the amount to irrigated land has
more than doubled in the 2more than doubled in the 2ndnd
half of the 20half of the 20thth
CC

PossiblePossible SolutionsSolutions to Water Supply Threatsto Water Supply Threats
 Treatment technologies (Water TreatmentTreatment technologies (Water Treatment
Plants)Plants)

Possible Solutions to Water Supply ThreatsPossible Solutions to Water Supply Threats
 DesalinationDesalination of sea water (remove salt)of sea water (remove salt)

 Reclaimed or recycled water technologiesReclaimed or recycled water technologies
 Rainwater harvestingRainwater harvesting

 ConservationConservation
 Low energy sprinkler systems andLow energy sprinkler systems and
washing machineswashing machines
 Low flush toilets and other small-scaleLow flush toilets and other small-scale
supply systemssupply systems
 Water Management technologyWater Management technology

 Farmers change watering schedules toFarmers change watering schedules to
coincide with seasonal rainscoincide with seasonal rains
 Shallow wells or use new technology /Shallow wells or use new technology /
techniques in well drilling so farmers aretechniques in well drilling so farmers are
able to tap groundwater in aquifersable to tap groundwater in aquifers
 Drip irrigationDrip irrigation
which directswhich directs
water to plant roots –water to plant roots –
less evaporationless evaporation

 Micro-damsMicro-dams rather than large-scalerather than large-scale
projects that cause major harm to theprojects that cause major harm to the
environmentenvironment
 StrongerStronger government regulationsgovernment regulations
 Taxes or user ratesTaxes or user rates
could be introduced tocould be introduced to
encourageencourage
conservationconservation
 SetSet watering patternswatering patterns
within municipalitieswithin municipalities

Acid RainAcid Rain
 PrecipitationPrecipitation
(rain, snow, hail,(rain, snow, hail,
or fog) with aor fog) with a
pH level of lesspH level of less
then 5.6then 5.6
 Caused byCaused by
heavy industrialheavy industrial
activity withactivity with
acids likeacids like
sulphur dioxide,sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen oxide,nitrogen oxide,
and burningand burning
fossil fuelsfossil fuels

Acid RainAcid Rain
 Can poison plant lifeCan poison plant life
and wildlife of an areaand wildlife of an area
 Cause geneticCause genetic
mutationsmutations
 Decrease growth ratesDecrease growth rates
of treesof trees
 Corrode steelCorrode steel
 Affect lung capacity inAffect lung capacity in
humanshumans
 Especially predominantEspecially predominant
in Great Lakes areain Great Lakes area

Acid Rain - ResponseAcid Rain - Response
 Canada- United StatesCanada- United States Air QualityAir Quality
AgreementAgreement signed by Canada and thesigned by Canada and the
US in Ottawa - 1991US in Ottawa - 1991
 addresses transboundary air pollutionaddresses transboundary air pollution
leading to acid rainleading to acid rain

DeforestationDeforestation
 The permanent loss of old growth forestsThe permanent loss of old growth forests
 Has a drastic effect on the forests of the worldHas a drastic effect on the forests of the world
 Important to the recycling of carbon dioxide, andImportant to the recycling of carbon dioxide, and
the release of oxygen into the atmospherethe release of oxygen into the atmosphere
 Leads to moreLeads to more
global warmingglobal warming
 Survival of someSurvival of some
species threatenedspecies threatened

DeforestationDeforestation
 Brazilian RainforestBrazilian Rainforest

Develop rainforestDevelop rainforest
through farming,through farming,
cattle ranching,cattle ranching,
mining, andmining, and
lumberinglumbering

Often no reforestationOften no reforestation
occurs and removaloccurs and removal
of forests lead to dryof forests lead to dry
wastelandswastelands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqk_sre54WA&feature=related

 Nearby bodies of waterNearby bodies of water
because soil no longerbecause soil no longer
covered by forest, itcovered by forest, it
becomes stripped away bybecomes stripped away by
rain or snowrain or snow
 Washed-out soil raisesWashed-out soil raises
riverbeds, which leads toriverbeds, which leads to
flooding, clogs reservoirs,flooding, clogs reservoirs,
and shortens life of damsand shortens life of dams
 Also contributes toAlso contributes to
formation of new islands,formation of new islands,
which depletes coastalwhich depletes coastal
fisheriesfisheries
 Many insect, animal, andMany insect, animal, and
plant species have becomeplant species have become
extinct or endangered dueextinct or endangered due
to deforestationto deforestation
Deforestation AffectsDeforestation Affects

Canada’s ForestsCanada’s Forests
 Canada has:Canada has:

¼ of the world’s¼ of the world’s
temperatetemperate
deciduous coastaldeciduous coastal
forestforest

1/3 of world’s1/3 of world’s
boreal coniferousboreal coniferous
forestforest

Virtually all of theVirtually all of the
world’s old growthworld’s old growth
pinepine

Decline of Canada’s Forests due toDecline of Canada’s Forests due to
 Forest firesForest fires
 IndustrialIndustrial
developmentdevelopment
 LoggingLogging
 In BC:In BC:
Pine BeetlePine Beetle
EpidemicEpidemic
• Largely due toLargely due to
global warmingglobal warming
• Winters not coldWinters not cold
enough to killenough to kill
themthem

DesertificationDesertification

 Expansion of desertsExpansion of deserts
due todue to
mismanagement of themismanagement of the
land in agricultureland in agriculture

Using too muchUsing too much
irrigation and artificialirrigation and artificial
fertilizers to grow foodfertilizers to grow food
out of season can makeout of season can make
soils too salty tosoils too salty to
continue to grow cropscontinue to grow crops

Farmland can becomeFarmland can become
a wasteland or deserta wasteland or desert
on which very little canon which very little can
grow or survivegrow or survive

 process whereby the productivity of drought-process whereby the productivity of drought-
prone land decreases because of a variety ofprone land decreases because of a variety of
factors including:factors including:
 overgrazing (poor rangeland management),overgrazing (poor rangeland management),
 poor irrigation (waterlogging and salinization),poor irrigation (waterlogging and salinization),
 deforestation,deforestation,
 Over-cultivation,Over-cultivation,
 drought,drought,
 soil erosion,soil erosion,
 chemical actionchemical action
 and other practices.and other practices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLBYfyp24Xc&feature=related

Desertification and Global WarmingDesertification and Global Warming
 One of the impactsOne of the impacts
which global warmingwhich global warming
may have on themay have on the
surface of the Earthsurface of the Earth
is to exacerbate theis to exacerbate the
worldwide problem ofworldwide problem of
desertification.desertification.
 A decrease in theA decrease in the
total amount oftotal amount of
rainfall in arid andrainfall in arid and
semi-arid areas couldsemi-arid areas could
increase the totalincrease the total
area of drylandsarea of drylands
worldwide, and thusworldwide, and thus
the total amount ofthe total amount of
land potentially atland potentially at
risk fromrisk from
desertification.desertification.

Environment 2015

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