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 Depletion2.Acid Precipitation3.Global Climate Change

Possible environmental solutions

• REAL Framework

Issue #1:Ozone Layer Depletion

What is it?The OZONE LAYER is in our upper atmosphereIt 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’sSince 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 #2Acid Precipitation

Effects of Acid RainForests, 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 EffectHuman 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 AquiferOne 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

PollutionUrban environments

Waste from factories and mills

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

OveruseIncreasing Population

Rising living standards 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)