1. Environmental Challenges

2. Population and Resources
Nearly 80 million person population increase
each year, mostly in developing world
= strained resources and systems

3. Developed World
Nearly 85% of earth’s resources are consumed
by 20% of the world’s population

4. Compliments of Mr. Marshall

5. Global Warming
Global warming= increase in global
temperatures
 abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide
concentrated in the atmosphere

6. Compliments of Mr. Marshall
The recent temperature trend is accompanied by a
similar, highly-correlated upward trend in atmospheric
concentrations of carbon dioxide.
Is it due to human activity?
The "Keeling Curve" of CO2 concentrations as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory
in Hawaii.
Source: http://www.research.noaa.gov/spotlite/archive/images/jimomedal_graph.gif

7. Normal CO2 Levels
Short Wave and Long Wave Radiation
1) Sun emits rays called short-wave radiation
(light rays)
2) Short wave radiation is either absorbed into
the earth’s surface or reflected back into
space

8. High CO2 Levels

10. Compliments of Mr. Marshall

11. Consequences
• Canada’s Arctic regions’ sea ice is shrinking
• Warmer weather= forest fires & Prairie
droughts
• British Columbia- salmon survival decreased
by 1/3 since early 1990s
• Polar bear depletion

12. Kyoto Protocol
December 1997- 180 countries
- agreement among industrialized nations to
reduce emission of six greenhouse gases
Canada- agreed to cut emissions 5.2% (1990
levels) by 2012
US- withdrew in 2001 (US was responsible for
25% worldwide emissions)= big setback for
Kyoto Protocol

13. Ozone Depletion
Ozone layer=naturally occurring protective
shield in the stratosphere, 25 km+ into space
Job= absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation from
the sun
protects humans, plants, and animals

14. Ozone Gaps and Holes
Gaps and holes= harmful rays
How? Scientists think it’s due to human activity

16. CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons= danger gas that
chemically bonds to the ozone layer and eat
away at the o.l.

17. Where do you find CFCs?

18. Consequences?
• Skin cancer
• Altered ocean ecosystems fishing tourism,
logging
• Harmful to flora and fauna of Canada’s north

19. Montreal Protocol
1987- Montreal Protocol- industrial nations
agreed to cut use of CFCs

20. Acid Rain
SO2and NOx carried long distances by strong
winds deposited in acidic
rain, snow, fog, dust

21. Compliments of Mr. Marshall
Deposition Effects

23. Compliments of Mr. Marshall
Cda vs USA?
• 2/3 of CDA’s caused by INDUSTRY
• 2/3 of USA’s from ELECTRICAL UTILITIES

24. Consequences
• Eastern Canada, the Alps, the Appalachians,
the US, and Japan
• Animals and plants
• Ecosystems
• Corrodes steel
• Lung capacity

25. Acid Rain Regime
• Lower emissions fossil fuels
• 1990- Clean Air Act- tradeable permits
• 1991- Air Quality Accord-US and Canada
• 1993-emissions reduced by 30%

26. Environmental Awareness
1962- Rachel Carson- Silent Spring
1987- UN Commission on the State of the
Environment asked people of the developed
world to reduce resource consumption & develop
a sustainability lifestyle
1992- Earth Summit- Agenda 21 (encourage
development of a sustainable world economy)
1992- World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity-
earth stewardship

27. However…
There has been little progress by governments
and corporation
Implementation=Losses