Environmental Issues in Europe Air pollution in the United Kingdom Acid Rain in Germany Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine Air pollution in the United Kingdom Acid Rain in Germany Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine

Standard SS6G9 The student will discuss environmental issues in Europe. a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine. SS6G9 The student will discuss environmental issues in Europe. a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Essential Question What are the major environmental issues in Europe?

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom  Causes  Power Stations (industry and power generation  Vehicle emissions  Causes  Power Stations (industry and power generation  Vehicle emissions

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom Effects –Damage to vegetation –Harm to the atmosphere –Harm to human beings –Causes acid rain –Air pollution from the United Kingdom spreads to nearby countries

London Fog

Acid Rain in Germany  Causes –Acid rain forms when water vapor in the air reacts with certain chemical compounds.  These compounds, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, come largely from the burning of coal, gasoline, and oil.  Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn such fuels for energy.  Causes –Acid rain forms when water vapor in the air reacts with certain chemical compounds.  These compounds, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, come largely from the burning of coal, gasoline, and oil.  Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn such fuels for energy.

Acid Rain in Germany  Effects  Damage to vegetation and aquatic life  Contamination of drinking water  Damage to physical structures such as buildings and monuments  Acid rain moves from Germany to surrounding countries.  Effects  Damage to vegetation and aquatic life  Contamination of drinking water  Damage to physical structures such as buildings and monuments  Acid rain moves from Germany to surrounding countries.

 There are many forms of acid rain that are seen around the world. In Germany, the forests are believed to be dying because acid rain is harming them. Scientists say that acid rain damages the waxy outer coating that protects the leaves.

 The German government take environmental issues in the country extremely seriously and the inclusion of the Green party in the ruling coalition over the past few years has greatly influenced Germany's energy and environmental policy objectives. Despite this however, emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries are contributing to air pollution and acid rain in Germany, and are damaging the country’s forests.

Acid Rain

Chernobyl, Ukraine Nuclear Accident  Cause  A nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine overheated and exploded.  Cause  A nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine overheated and exploded.

Chernobyl Nuclear Accident  Consequences  Land Evacuation  Land contamination  Economic hardships on East and North European Farmers  High rates of cancer, birth defects, and in some cases death  Consequences  Land Evacuation  Land contamination  Economic hardships on East and North European Farmers  High rates of cancer, birth defects, and in some cases death

The problems caused by the disaster were not isolated to Chernobyl. The problems spread to surrounding countries through air currents. Much farmland is still unusable today.