1. Change is in the Air: How are changes in the atmosphere altering our environment?

2. Key Points: The terrible 3 changes in our atmosphere
Ozone Layer Depletion
Acid Precipitation
Global Climate Change
Possible environmental solutions
REAL Framework

3. Issue #1: Ozone Layer Depletion
What is it?
The OZONE LAYER is in our upper atmosphere
It absorbs harmful ULTRAVIOLET (UV) RAYS from the sun.
What do UV rays do?
Cause skin cancers and eye problems
Damages or kills animal and plant species

4. Hole in the Ozone!
Where is this?

5. Cause of Ozone Layer Depletion
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCs)
A chemical that destroys the ozone layer
CFC’s are found in older refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans

6. SURPRISE! Things are getting better….
The MONTREAL PROTOCOL (signed in Canada in 1987)
Encouraged countries to put a ban on all products that produce CFC’s
Since the ban, countries have been cooperating
By 2009, 97% of all CFCs have been phased out
Hopefully if improvements continue the ozone layer will heal!

7. Issue #2 Acid Precipitation
Poison Rain

8. Effects of Acid Rain
Forests, plants and soils become highly acidic and die
Water and lakes become toxic
Buildings and stone are worn down

9. Who is Affected?
Why do you think most Acid Rain is concentrated in the north central part of Canada?

10. Issue # 3: Global Climate Change What exactly is it?
Watch the short film clip. What does the film say:
Are the causes of GCC?
Are the effects of GCC?
Are solutions for GCC?

11. Global Climate Change:
Definition:
Global climate change is a change in the long-term weather patterns that characterize the regions of the world.

12. Here’s the dirty truth:
The world temperature has risen 0.74C in the past 100 years
The ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic are melting with increasing speed
Canadians have some of the worst
CARBON FOOTPRINTS in the world

13. Do you know the cause of Global Climate Change?
Do you think you will be able to a give a better answer than these guys?

14. The Greenhouse Effect Human Causes:
Industrial and Technological Development
FACTORY EMISSIONS and other FOSSIL FUEL
burning mechanisms
DEFORESTATION of “the lungs of the earth”
Melting PERMAFROST releases lots of CO2
Problem:
These activities release a massive amount of chemicals into the atmosphere called GREENHOUSE GASES

15. Major Greenhouse Gases

16. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

17. Who is causing Global Warming?

18. Climate Change Brainstorm:
Task:
INDENDENTLY, Use your brainstorm, the maps
provided and your text pgs
to identify the major possible
Effects of Global Climate Change
Think: Chain Reaction

19. Possible Effects of Climate Change
Warmer Oceans Temperatures : Destruction of sea life
Increase in natural disasters: Increase in poverty
Rising Sea Levels : Estimated 25 million
environmental refugees
4. Shift in Seasons: Longer growing season
5. Drought & Flooding : Food shortage and increased
pressure on fresh water supply
6. Increase in pests & infectious diseases

20. Water: We need it to live….

21. Water: Where is it? Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface
All of the water on earth circulates through the water cycle, and takes on different forms
Only 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh water
Most fresh water is locked in glaciers, ice sheets or underground and is difficult to access

22. Where do we get fresh water?
The water we use is either:
Groundwater found in Aquifers and underground streams (majority that exists)
Can be difficult to access
Surface water from lakes, rivers, melting glaciers (majority that we use)

23. Ogallala Aquifer One of the largest aquifers in the world
Provides 30% of the groundwater used for agricultural irrigation in the U.S.
Is depleting quickly because of heavy use for agriculture and watering golf courses

24. Major Threats to Fresh Water
OVERUSE
POLLUTION

25. Major Threats to Fresh Water
Pollution
Urban environments
Waste from factories and mills
Household wastewater
Contains detergent, human waste, prescription drugs
Sewage causes growth of algae and weeds
Agricultural chemicals
Pesticides and Herbicides
Oil Refineries
Logging, mining, construction
Overuse
Increasing Population
Rising living standards
More people eating foods like meat
Falling groundwater tables
Groundwater does not replenish quickly
Diversion of water for agricultural irrigation:
#1 use of fresh water
Increased demand for food
Overpumping of ground water with more advanced technology
Industrial use: oil sands, factories

26. What can we do to better manage our water sources?
R: Realistic
Repair leaks in homes and public spaces
Install water meters to monitor water use
Operate dishwashers and laundry-machines only when fully-loaded
E: Educate
Implement public education programs
Include water issues in school curriculum
A: Alternatives
Minimize effects of tanker accidents by changing tanker design
Install water-conserving devices
Faucets, toilets, showers
L: Legislate
Implement water restrictions
Create economic incentives for water-conserving devices
Create regulations that restrict the threat of:
Herbicides, Pesticides
Industrial Pollution
Sewage

27. So what do we do? Think: SUSTAINABILITY
An approach to RESOURCE MANAGEMENT where decisions are made to ensure resources last for generations to come with minimum long-term effects on the environment

28. Alternatives can be helpful Legislate – laws and regulations
Here is a framework that will help you identify solutions to environmental problems.
“REAL” SOLUTIONS
Realistic Solutions
Educate the public
Alternatives can be helpful
Legislate – laws and regulations
Think of an example for each for solutions to global water issues

29. Let’s apply REAL to the problems facing our environment:
How could you:
Change your lifestyle to have a more environmental ‘carbon footprint’ (Individual Solution)
Support or lobby for changes that our government could implement in our country (National Solution)
Brainstorm ways that the global world could work together to enact positive change (Global Solution)