11/9- EQ: How has the European Union impacted the development of Europe?

Living in Europe Chapter 13 Section 1

Changing Economies The European Union- Formed in the 1990s in an effort to make Europe’s economies competitive with those of the rest of the world Member countries agreed to eliminate restrictions on trade and travel among themselves The EU has paved way for a common currency, the Euro; a central bank; and a common foreign policy Member countries have worked to boost trade and to improve economic productivity They have also tried to control government spending for social welfare programs, which many Europeans oppose If you lived in a European country would you be for or against the European Union? Why?

Changing Economies Eastern Europe- Since Communism’s fall in 1989, eastern European countries have been moving from command economies to market economies Loans and investments from foreign countries have helped them in their efforts Many workers have lost the social “safety net” of free health care, child care, lifetime jobs, and other social benefits that were provided by the communist system Would you rather live in a communist country or a capitalist country? Why?

Industry Manufacturing- Great manufacturing centers in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic are located near natural resources such as deposits of coal and iron ore Countries without these resources such as the Netherlands or Denmark, specialize in light industry Service and Technology Industries 60% of workers in western Europe work in services industries such as banking, insurance, and tourism High-technology industries are a growing sector of western Europe’s economy How does European industry compare to that of the United States?

Agriculture % of farmers in each country varies greatly from 2% in the United Kingdom (highly industrialized) to 50% in the largely agricultural Albania Crops vary on climate, Olives fruits, and vegetables in the south; grains and livestock in the north Farming Techniques- Many western Europeans practice mixed farming, raising several kinds of crops and livestock on the same farm Most western European farmers own their land (average is 30 acres) Farm cooperatives, modern equipment, and fertilizers are helping improve efficiency on Europe’s farms Farmers in eastern Europe are adjusting to the change from collective farms to private ownership

Agriculture Agricultural Issues- More and more European farmers are using organic farming methods Genetically altered crops and the use of toxic pesticides are a concern In 2001 an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease severely affected European agriculture In what ways might the European Union benefit farmers?

Transportation and Communication Railways and Highways- Railroads move freight and passengers throughout Europe Trains link cities to airports, industrial centers, and natural resources Europe has a superb highway system Seaports and Waterways- Ports handle more than ½ of the worlds’ international shipping Rhine river is most trafficked Communication Links- Similar to United States- uses cell phones, and internet, etc. Communications in the east lag behind those in the west Why do you think Europeans and Americans own more cars than people in the rest of the world do?

Web Quest! Go to the Website below and answer the following questions: 1. What countries are members of the EU? What are the requirements for membership? 2. Identify the “three pillars” of the European Union? 3. What is the Euro? Describe its appearance 4. Describe the scope and balance of EU-US economic relations 5. Do you think the European nations should unite further and become a united country like the United States? Why or why not?

EQ: What forces work for and against supranational cooperation among nations? Using the Geography Alive books pages complete the following chart in your notes Geoterm and SymbolDefinitionSentence Centrifugal force Centripetal force Common Market Supranational Cooperation

With your group, Read through section 14.3 and answer the following questions in your notes How does a common market Unite Europe? How does the creation of an EU trading bloc unite Europe? How do the differences between western and eastern nations divide the EU? What divisions are created by the use of the euro?

14.4 Reading Questions- Work with your group to read the section and answer these questions: How does the development of a supranational level of government unite Europe? How does the development of a European citizenship unite Europe? How does the desire of European countries to keep their independence divide Europe? How can the expansion of EU membership cause division?

14.5 Reading Questions Work with your group to read the section and answer these questions: How has the European Union united Europe by promoting a common culture? How does increased travel unite Europe? Why do languages divide the European Union? What are some other forces that continue divisions among European countries?

What can we learn from this map? How are different types of international cooperation represented?

Why do some countries have more than one symbol? Which type of international cooperation is most common?

Look for patterns in this map, Where are most international organizations located or grouped? Why do you think this is?

Read 14.7 with you group and answer the following questions: Why do countries join more than one international organization? Are all international organizations like the EU? What force might work for and against supranational cooperation in the United Nations?

EQ: How do Europeans interact with their environment?

People and Their Environment Chapter 13 Section 2

Humans and the Environment Geological forces such as earthquakes and volcanoes helped create the landscape of Europe These forces still affect the region today as do droughts in southern Europe The Delta Project- After a severe flood in 1953 that killed about 1,800 people, a system of dams and dikes was built in the Netherlands to protect its coastline from flooding Floods- Flooding has caused damage in much of Europe in recent years Scientists debate whether the cause of the flooding is a natural climate cycle or global warming Do you think increased flooding in Europe is due to natural climate cycles or to global warming? Why?

Pollution Years of industrialization have had a devastating impact on Europe’s air, water, and soil. Before the collapse of communism in 1989 eastern European countries had almost no laws to control industrial pollution Pollution from factories has also affected the west The European Union now requires environmental protection and cleanup from its members

Pollution Acid Rain- Air pollution containing acid-producing chemicals creates acid precipitation The effects of acid precipitation are especially severe in E Europe where lignite coal is still burned for fuel Pollution from E Europe damages forests, pollutes rivers, and damages artistic and architectural treasures across Europe Air Pollution- Breathing polluted air greatly affects public health in Europe. As a result life expectancy is lower in the more heavily polluted countries in the East Air pollution also poisons crops Europe is taking steps to address air pollution

Pollution Global Warming- Increased carbon dioxide from vehicle exhausts and industrial pollution is responsible for the gradual warming of Earth’s atmosphere Because the problem is global reaching an agreement to reduce greenhouse gasses is difficult Water Pollution- Waste disposal is the source of most water pollution in Europe It harms or kills marine and animal life and endangers the health of people that drink the water or eat the fish The Mediterranean Sea takes almost a century to renew itself (through the strait of Gibraltar) The Danube River is seriously affected by agricultural runoff and untreated sewage How might the European Union reduce pollution in member countries?

Reducing Pollution Concern for the Environment- Europeans today feel responsible for protecting and preserving the environment for future generations They want to preserve that little wilderness area is left Cleanup Efforts- The European Union has strict environmental regulations for its member countries They can face fines and legal action if they do not comply Pollution that crosses national borders requires international cooperation What can Europeans do to reduce the smog from their cars?

Assignment! Using your electronic devices, look up the top 5 European countries that produce pollution. Create a Bar Graph for those 5 countries Then write a 1 paragraph (5 sentences) proposal of what these 5 countries should do to fix their pollution problem