The Environment Global energy and environmental problems

Environmental Issues harmful aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment Such as: – Pollution – air and water – Climate change – Environmental degradation – Environmental depletion – Greenhouse gases

Kyoto Protocol According to the the UN: The Kyoto Protocol = an international agreement on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. developed countries are responsible for the high levels of GreenHouseGas emissions in the atmosphere

Greenhouse gases emissions

Natural = movement of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and Earth's land and oceans – photosynthesis an estimated 4.1 billion metric tons are added to the atmosphere each year. Results = increase of imbalance greenhouse gases. – warm the planet Rising temperatures may produce changes in – precipitation patterns – storm severity – "climate change."

Polar vortex circulation of strong, upper-level winds that normally surround the northern pole in a counterclockwise direction – cold air locked in the Arctic – not a single storm Sometimes it becomes distorted and dip much farther south than you would normally find it

Energy What is energy? – Heat (thermal) – Light (radiant) – Electrical – Chemical – Nuclear energy

nonrenewable – electricity in our home coal, nuclear, hydroelectric plant – fill up a gas tank petroleum or ethanol Renewable – Solar energy from the sun – Wind – Geothermal energy from heat inside the Earth – Biomass from plants (wood, ethanol, biodiesel) – Hydropower from hydro turbines at a dam

Energy in the United States Second largest consumer Not participants in Kyoto Protocol According to the Energy Information Administration: – The United States produced about 17% of the world's total energy-in 2011 – 86% of greenhouse gases emitted were energy related – 92% of those energy-related gases were carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Air pollution Air pollutants is caused by industrialization (industry and cars) Air pollution = air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful amounts. – carbon monoxide from car exhausts – sulfur dioxide from the combustion of coal. – Smog Larger the city = more pollution

Waste

Waste in the United States trash (municipal solid waste) – packaging, food waste, grass clippings, sofas, computers, tires, and refrigerators. Solid waste – 4.40 pounds per person per day The recycling rate – 34 percent Disposal of waste to landfills – decreased to 54 percent