Post on 30-Dec-2015
Global Environmental Problems
David P. ChynowethUniversity of Florida
Outline Of Problems (1)Atmosphere
green house gases (climate change)acid rainozone (uv light penetration)
Outline Of Problems (2)Ecosphere
habitat lossfreshwater supplybioinvasionalteration of fire cyclespersistent organic pollutantsnitrogen pollutionoverfishing
Outline Of Problems (3)Social Sphere
population growthinfectious diseaseeconomic exploitationnatural resource exploitationhuman resource exploitation
Global Warming
What is Global Warming?
SOURCES OR CAUSES OF INCREASES IN GASES (1)
Carbon DioxideFossil fuel combustionDeforestation
MethaneFlooded soil crops (e.g. rice)Fossil fuel miningRuminantsLandfillsOrganic wastesHuman stimulated eutrophication
SOURCES OR CAUSES OF INCREASES IN GASES (2)
Nitrogen OxidesNitrogen fertilizersFossil fuel combustion
ChlorofluorohydrocarbonsRelease of refrigerant CFCs
CONCENTRATIONS AND WARMING POTENTIAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES
Gas Conc., ppm
Atm. Half-life, yrs.
Warming Potential,
%
CO2 360 50-100 66
CH4 1.8 10-12 18
N2O 1.1 150 11
CFCs - 16 5
Increase in Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
Potential Effects of Global Warming
Elevated temperatures of the biospheremelting of polar iceincrease in sea level (flooding of major cities)increase of methane from permafrost
Weather extremesmore rainfall during shorter periodsmore evaporation and soil moisture deficiencies
Ecosystem disruptionstress and death of vegetationmigration of animals
Human Healthheat stressmigration of disease vectors
CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC C02 AND EARTH’S TEMPERATURE CHANGE
REMEDIES FOR GLOBAL WARMING
Reduce use of fossil fuelsReduce energy consumptionReplace fossil fuels with energy forms that don’t release net carbon dioxide (e.g., solar, biomass, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear)
Remove carbon dioxide from combustion gasesIncrease standing crop of carbon-fixing plants
reduce deforestation
Reduce anthropogenic sources of methane (flooded crops, releases fossil fuel mining, landfills, organic wastes, ruminants)Reduce release of N from fertilizers and combustion
SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUESDeveloped countries use most of the fossil energy.U.S. has 4% of the world population and uses 25% of the energyDeveloping countries use about 10% of energy per capita as the U.S.In the U.S., energy use is 36% for building, 32% for transportation, and 32% for industryPower plants waste energy ( a 400 MW plant wastes 800 MW of heat energy)Developed countries have developed on the basis of use of energy and deforestation. How can we ask emerging countries not to do the same?
CO2 EMISSIONS BY COUNTRY Country CO2 Emissions 1988
(Millions of Tons) Country CO2 per Capita
(Tons per person) Country CO2 per GNP
(Mt per $1000 GNP) United States 4804 United States 19 China 6.0
USSR 3982 Canada 17 South Africa 3.6
China 2236 Czechoslovakia 15 Romania 2.8
Germany 997 Australia 15 Poland 2.7
Japan 989 USSR 14 India 2.5
India 601 Germany 13 Czechoslovakia 1.9
United Kingdom 559 Poland 12 Mexico 1.7
Poland 459 United Kingdom 10 USSR 1.5
Canada 438 Romania 10 Korea 1.2
Italy 360 South Africa 8 Canada 1.0
France 320 Japan 8 United States 1.0
Mexico 307 Italy 6 Australia 1.0
South Africa 284 France 6 United Kingdom 0.8
Australia 241 Korea 5 Germany 0.7
Czechoslovakia 234 Spain 5 Brazil 0.6
Romania 221 Mexico 4 Spain 0.6
Korea 205 China 2 Italy 0.4
Brazil 202 Brazil 2 Japan 0.3 Spain 188 India 1 France 0.3
Acid Rain
Diagram of Acid Rain
World Sulfur and Nitrogen Emissions from Fossil Fuels,
1970-94
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Mill
ion
Tons
Nit
S
Average Annual Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations, Selected Cities, 1985 and 1995
0
50
100
150
200
Compiled by Worldwatch
Mic
rogra
ms P
er
Cubic
Mete
r
1985 1995
Reduction in SO2 Emission from Utilities in U.S.
Relative Contribution of Sources of SOx and NOx
Acid Rain Effects in U.S.
Acid Rain Effects in Europe
Effects of Acid RainAcidification of lakes, streams, and soilsdirect and indirect effects (release of metals, e.g. Al; wash away of nutrients)Kill of wildlife (trees, crops, aquatic plants, and animals)Decay of building materials and paints, statues, and sculptures (e.g. Mya Ruins in Yucatan)Health problems (respiratory, burning skin and eyes)
Correctives (1)Remove SOx and NOx from stacks (scrub with water and lime)Use low sulfur fuelsRemove NOx from auto exhaust (catalytic converters)Use less energy (conservation)Replace fossil fuels with alternative energy forms (biomass, wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear)
Correctives (2)Restore environment (liming, replanting)Emissions monitoring
SO2, NOx, CO2, vol. flow, and opacityUse continuous emission monitoring system
Fines for excess pollutant release
Ozone
The Pros of OzoneOzone is a Natural Atmospheric Component that Filter Out Dangerous Uv IrradiationOzone cleanses the air and is produced naturally by lightningOzone can be used to disinfect air and water
The Cons of OzoneOzone reacts with other pollutants to product photochemical smog, e.g. LA
The ozone layer is being depleted by halogenated compounds which will allow toxic levels of UV light to pass through the atmosphere
Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent and toxic at levels exceeding 0.1g/m3 (100)ppm.
Ozone Sources, Anthropogenic and Natural
Ozone Depletion
Effect of Ozone on UV Transmision
Ozone Levels VS Latitude
CFCs as a Function of Altitude
Development of Ozone Hole
Consequences of Ozone Layer Depletion
caused by chlorofluorohydrocarbons (e.g. freon)
effect is 30 years delayed
lets more uv light in
causes rise in skin cancer, cataracts
weakens immune system
harms photosynthesizers
Ozone Level in North Americal
SolutionStop using CFS’sAtmosphere will recover in 50 years
World Production of Chlorofluorocarbons, 1950-97
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Thou
sand
Ton
s
Ozone Reduction
Population Trend
Population Trend
Fresh Water Supply
The Problem (1)Fresh water supplies are being depletedUse of fresh water from aquifers, groundwater, and lakes is exceeding replenishment by rainfallFreshwater supplies are being polluted by toxic organic and inorganic compounds
The Problem (2)Dams supply water to some and deprive it from others and have ecological impactsOveruse of fresh water is causing salt water intrusion of groundwater supplies
Global Irrigation Water Use, 1940-95
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Cu
bic
Kil
om
ete
rs P
er
Ye
ar
Average Yields on Rain-fed and Irrigated Land, Developing
Countries
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
Whe
atRice
Maiz
e
Barley
Pulses
Veget
ables
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
To
ns
Pe
r H
ect
are
Rain-fed
Irrigated
World Irrigated Area, 1900--98
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Mill
ion
Hec
tare
s
World Irrigated Area Per 1,000 People
1950-1998 with Projections to 2050
0.000
0.010
0.020
0.030
0.040
0.050
1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Hec
tare
s
SolutionsConserve water use, especially in industry and agricultureMove population centers near water supplyReuse waterReduce deforestation to maintain hydrological cycle
Land Use
World Grain Production, 1950-99
0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute
mill
ion
tons
World Grain Production Per Person, 1950-99
0
100
200
300
400
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute
Kilo
gram
s
World Grain Harvested Area Per Person, 1950-98 with Projections to
2050
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2007
2017
2027
2037
2047
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Per
Cap
ita (
hect
ares
)
World Fertilizer Use, 1950-99
World Fertilizer Use, 1950-99
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Mill
ion
Tons
World Fertilizer Use Per Person1950-99
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.0
160.0
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Kilo
gram
s
Causes of Land Degradation by Region
Degraded Area as Over- Defores- Crop- Share of Total
Region Grazing tation Lands Other Total Vegetated Land(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (million
hectares) (percent)
Asia 26 40 27 7 746 20Africa 49 14 24 13 494 22South America 28 41 26 5 244 14Europe 23 38 29 10 220 23N. & Cent. Amer. 24 11 57 8 158 8Oceania 80 12 8 0 103 13
World 35 30 28 8 1,965 17
Note: "Other" includes exploitation of vegetation for domesticuse (133 million hectares) and bioindustrial activities suchas pollution (22 million hectares).
Number of Pesticide Resistant Species, 1908-
98
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1908 1918 1928 1938 1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Nu
mb
er
Insect and Mites
Plant Diseases
Weeds
Deforestation by Area
Forested Area Per CapitaRegion 1995 2050
(hectares) (hectares)
Africa 0.32 0.11Asia 0.12 0.08Europe and Russia 1.1 1.28North and Central America 2.07 1.54Oceania 3.32 2.02South America 2.14 1.30World 0.59 0.36
Forest Cover by Region
Forest Cover and Frontiers by Region, Mid-1990s
Total Frontier ForestRegion Orignal Total Net Annual Remaining As Share of
Forest Remaining Change As Share of Total Remaining(thousand square (thousand square 1991-95 Original Forest Forest
kilometers) kilometers) (percent)
Africa 6,799 2,302 -0.7 34 23Asia 15,132 4,275 -0.7 28 20North & Central America 12,656 9,453 -0.1 75 41 Central America 1,779 970 -1.2 55 18 North America 10,877 8,483 0.2 78 44South America 9,736 6,800 -0.5 70 65Russia and Europe 16,449 9,604 -- 58 36 Europe 4,690 1,521 0.3 32 1 Russia 11,759 8,083 0.1 69 43Oceania 1,431 929 -0.1 65 34WORLD 62,203 33,363 -0.3 54 40
Ecological ProblemsDestruction of natural habitatsAccumulation of toxic compoundsDecreased diversitySpecies extinctionOverharvesting of natural environmentNitrogen accumulationResource depletion
Other
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Catch 1880-1993
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Thou
sand
Ton
s
Environmental Heavy Weights
Eight Environmental Heavyweights
Share of Share of Share of Share ofShare of Gross World Carbon World World Flowering
World World Carbon Forest Plant Country Population Product Emisssions Areas Species
1996 1994 1995 1990 1990(percent)
United States 5 26 23 6 8Russia 3 2 7 22 9Japan 2 17 5 0.7 2Germany 1 8 4 0.3 1China 21 2 13 4 12India 17 1 4 2 6Indonesia 4 0.7 1 3 8
3 2 1 16 22
E8 Total 56 59 58 54 --
Projected Water SupplySelected Water-Scarce Countries, 1990 and 2025
Water Supply Water SupplyCountry 1990 2025
Nigeria 2660 1000Ethiopia 2360 980Iran 2080 960Peru 1790 980Haiti 1690 960Somlia 1510 610South Africa 1420 790Egypt 1070 620Rwanda 880 350algeria 750 380kenya 590 190Israel 470 310Jordan 260 80Libya 160 60Saudi Arabia 160 50
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute from: Peter H. Gleick, "Water andConflict," in Occasional paper No. 1, Project on Environmental Changeand Acute Conflict, American Academy of Arts and Sciences andUniversity of Toronto, September 1992.
Perceived Corruption Levels
Perceived Level of Corruption in Selected Countries, 1998
Country Average Score fromSurveys and Polls(lower score=more reported bribe taking)
Nigeria 1.9Indonesia 2.0Colombia 2.2Russia 2.4Kenya 2.5India 2.9Thailand 3.0Mexico 3.3China 3.5Brazil 4.0South Korea 4.2Italy 4.5Hungary 5.0Malaysia 5.3Taiwan 5.3Japan 5.8Chile 6.8U.S. 7.5Hong Kong 7.8Germany 7.9Singapore 9.1Canada 9.2Denmark 10.0
Worldwide Mergers & Acquisitions 1980-99
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
Bill
ions
of 1
998
Dol
lars
Total
Crossbor
Internet Host Computers, 1981-99
0
10,000,000
20,000,000
30,000,000
40,000,000
50,000,000
60,000,000
70,000,000
80,000,000
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Compiled by the Worldwatch Institute
Num
ber
Telephone Lines Worldwide, 1960-98
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1960 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
mill
ion
Cellular Mobile Telephone Subscribers Worldwide,
1985-98
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Compiled by Worldwatch Institute
mill
ion