Europe’s Environmental Issues Problem Effects Solution Air Pollution in the United Kingdom Acid Rain in Germany Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine Illustration Illustration Illustration © 2014 Brain Wrinkles

7. Environmental Issues in Europe

Essential Question: How does air pollution in the U. K Essential Question: How does air pollution in the U.K. affect the surrounding countries?

Air Pollution in the UK London is famous for its air pollution. The word smog was first used in 1905 to describe the air in London. Smog happens when water in the air mixes w/ smoke particles.

Why Does It Happen? The UK’s major natural resources are oil, natural gas, and coal. Coal burns BLACK. Coal is used to fuel power plants, burn fireplaces and stoves. Exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles is also a major issue.

Air Pollution in the UK Many of the world’s largest and most industrialized countries are in Europe. Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam These cities tend to have a lot of factories, a lot of traffic, and produce a lot of air pollution. A country that has been greatly effected by this problem is the UK.

UK’s Air Pollution London, the capital of UK, is famous for air pollution. The word “smog” was first used in 1905 to describe air in London (smoke + thick fog). Thick London smog happens when water in the air mixes with smoke particles from a coal fire.

The Great Smog of 1952 London The smog was so dense that for 4 days the ppl in London could not see in front of them. Transportation slowed, crime increased, and thousands died from pollution

It Gets Worse! The UK shares its border with several countries. The toxic smoke from the factories is carried by air currents to other places. Even though surrounding countries aren't producing the pollution, they still get the effect from it! Not fair!

Air Pollution Effects Asthma and pneumonia are linked to vehicle emissions. It burns the lungs, nose, and eyes, and endangers human life. Damage to vegetation Harmful to the atmosphere (global warming) Harmful to human beings

Air Pollution in the UK causes acid rain in many countries.

What is Acid Rain? The rain that falls has weak levels of acid mixed in. It’s not acidic enough to burn your skin, but it is very harmful for the environment.

Solutions to Air Pollution in the UK cleaner coals and forms of energy increased use of electricity the government regularly checks air quality Air pollution in UK continues to cause Acid Rain in Europe

Acid Rain in Germany Germany is a country of old forests, beautiful rivers, and historic artwork and buildings. Over the past 30 years, acid rain has taken a toll on these places.

Black Forest Acid rain has ruined nearly half of the Black Forest in Germany. It has damaged the soil and the trees growing there.

Black Forest

Black Forest

Why? When it comes to the problems of acid rain, Germany is its own worse enemy. The main source of acid rain is smoke from factories and power plants. Air pollution in the UK travels to Germany causing acid rain

Why? Germany depends on manufacturing. The country is one of the leading producers of cars, steel, and chemical products. These facilities burn fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil. Germans also own more cars than ppl of other countries do. The pollution from the cars leads to acid rain.

Acid Rain Effects Damage to vegetation Damage to aquatic life Contamination of drinking water Damage to physical structures and monuments.

Solutions to Germany’s Acid Rain problem Factories switching to cleaner fuels In Germany, power plants that use water power are replacing many coal-burning factories. Developing new types of energy like wind turbines and solar energy Germany’s government has passed laws to reduce emissions from cars and factories.