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Published byJoleen Tyler Modified over 9 years ago
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The Environment Global energy and environmental problems
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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
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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
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Greenhouse gases emissions
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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."
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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
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Energy What is energy? – Heat (thermal) – Light (radiant) – Electrical – Chemical – Nuclear energy
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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
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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.
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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
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Waste
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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
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