Environmental Issues in Europe

Air pollution Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odor are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant life. http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/what-is-air-pollution.html

AIR POLLUTION IN LONDON, England

Causes Directly caused from vehicle and factory emissions Burning coal and other fossil fuels

Effects Reduces quality of air Endangers human, animal, and plant life Causes acid rain in other Western European countries

Solutions Government asks citizens to drive less Government created smokeless zones Limits placed on industries burning fossil fuels

Acid rain Acid gases are produced when fossil fuels like coal and oil are burned in power stations, factories and in our own homes. Most of these acid gases are blown into the sky, and when gases mix with the clouds it can cause rain - or snow, sleet, fog, mist or hail - to become more acidic. http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/acidrain.html

Causes Acidic air mixes with the clouds Smoke from factories and power plants Cars & buses burn gasoline and diesel

Effects Destroying trees in Germany’s Black Forest Erodes stone statues, buildings, and monuments Pollutes rivers (Danube and Rhine)

Solutions Developing new types of energy (wind and solar) Passed laws to reduce factory and car emissions Building taller smokestacks that scrub smoke

ACID RAIN: How IT Works

ACID RAIN: Impact on nature

ACID RAIN: Impact ON Buildings & Statues

Nuclear disaster (Chernobyl) A nuclear disaster occurs when massive amounts of radioactive materials are released into the environment.

Causes Nuclear reactor exploded Reactors not always used for intended purpose

Effects Radiation sickness Radioactive material fell onto other countries Fish were not safe to eat

Solutions Reactor was buried in concrete Became a nuclear-free country