1. Topics in Today's World #2: The Environment
Presentation slide for courses, classes, lectures et al.
World History (NDP); Shuler

2. How important are these issues in terms of our own self-interest?
Opening Discussion
What are the biggest environmental issues facing us today?
How important are these issues in terms of our own self-interest?
How important are they in terms of the Catholic doctrine of the stewardship of creation?

3. Global Warming/Climate Change
Evidence: Glacier National Park photos…
Highest scientific certainty
The theory makes several claims…
The AVERAGE temperature is increasing globally at an unusually rapid rate
Human activities are a major cause of warming (post-Industrial Revolution)
Of those activities, production of greenhouse gasses is the most important cause of warming
In the long run, the disadvantages of global warming will outweigh the advantages for people and other species
but NOT the end of the world as some seem to think
Becoming “greener” now will reduce global warming and save money and species in the long run
Lower(?) scientific certainty

4. Famous Environmental Issues: Past & Present
DDT pesticide use
Oil spills (Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon, etc.)
Deforestation, esp. the Amazon rainforest
Air pollution: London Smog of 1952 (12,000 dead) and acid rain
Great Pacific Garbage Patch (top image)
Chernobyl Nuclear Meltdown
-Clean Air Act (1970)
-Clean Water Act (1972)
=Some problems CAN be fixed

5. Developing Nations Suffer More
China especially embraced industrial development at the expense of the environment
(Top image)Air pollution kills 1 million people annually in China (and another million in India)
(Bottom image) The Yangtze River turned red… about 40% of rivers are polluted and 20% toxic (2012)

6. Living with Pollution
VICE News “Linfen: The Most Polluted City on Earth” / “The Devastating Effects of Pollution in China”
Part 1:
Part 2: