Chapter 32 Section 1Chapter 32 Section 1

I. The Environmental CrisisI. The Environmental Crisis

• A. In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson warned that the use of pesticides was harmful to the environment– 1. This warning gave rise to a new field of

science called ecology- the study of the relationship between living things and their environment

• A. In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson warned that the use of pesticides was harmful to the environment– 1. This warning gave rise to a new field of

science called ecology- the study of the relationship between living things and their environment

• B. Deforestation- The clearing of forests destroys the natural homes for plants and animals. – 1. The rapid destruction of tropical rain forests

is worrisome because they support 50 % of the world’s species of plants and animals

• B. Deforestation- The clearing of forests destroys the natural homes for plants and animals. – 1. The rapid destruction of tropical rain forests

is worrisome because they support 50 % of the world’s species of plants and animals

• C. Many scientists believe that the release of chlorofluorocarbons is destroying the ozone layer- thin layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that shields earth from the sun

• C. Many scientists believe that the release of chlorofluorocarbons is destroying the ozone layer- thin layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that shields earth from the sun

• D. Other scientists believe that greenhouse effect creates global warming by causing a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere– 1. Global warming could cause sea levels to

rise and the flooding of coastal areas

• D. Other scientists believe that greenhouse effect creates global warming by causing a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere– 1. Global warming could cause sea levels to

rise and the flooding of coastal areas

• E. Another problem is acid rain- rain caused when sulfur from factories mixes with moisture in the air– 1. Acid rain is killing forests in North America

and Europe

• E. Another problem is acid rain- rain caused when sulfur from factories mixes with moisture in the air– 1. Acid rain is killing forests in North America

and Europe

• F. Major ecological disasters, such as the release of chemical toxic fumes in Bhopal, India, and a nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, have occurred in the last 20 years.– 1. Various programs and meetings have been

started to help address these problems.

• F. Major ecological disasters, such as the release of chemical toxic fumes in Bhopal, India, and a nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, have occurred in the last 20 years.– 1. Various programs and meetings have been

started to help address these problems.

II. The Technological RevolutionII. The Technological Revolution• A. Modern transportation and

communication systems are changing the world.– 1. The internet provides quick access to an

enormous amount of information– 2. The development of the World Wide Web in

the 90’s made the internet accessible to people everywhere

– 3. Other technology, such as satellites and cell phones allow people to communicate instantly with others around the world

• A. Modern transportation and communication systems are changing the world.– 1. The internet provides quick access to an

enormous amount of information– 2. The development of the World Wide Web in

the 90’s made the internet accessible to people everywhere

– 3. Other technology, such as satellites and cell phones allow people to communicate instantly with others around the world

• B. In 1969, the American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon

• B. In 1969, the American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon

• C. New medicines and new technologies help doctors treat more illnesses than ever before– 1. Some scientists question whether genetic

engineering might create new strains of deadly bacteria

– 2. Stem-cell research and cloning have also caused great debate

• C. New medicines and new technologies help doctors treat more illnesses than ever before– 1. Some scientists question whether genetic

engineering might create new strains of deadly bacteria

– 2. Stem-cell research and cloning have also caused great debate

• D. The green revolution has increased crop yields, but large amounts of chemical fertilizers are needed to grow the new strains of crops– 1. The pesticides needed to control the

insects for the new crops damage the environment

• D. The green revolution has increased crop yields, but large amounts of chemical fertilizers are needed to grow the new strains of crops– 1. The pesticides needed to control the

insects for the new crops damage the environment

• E. Nuclear weapons continue to spread, making a regional nuclear war possible.– 1. Biowarfare and Bioterrorism, or the use

of biological and chemical weapons in wartime and in terrorist attacks, remain a threat despite attempts to limit the use of such weapons

• E. Nuclear weapons continue to spread, making a regional nuclear war possible.– 1. Biowarfare and Bioterrorism, or the use

of biological and chemical weapons in wartime and in terrorist attacks, remain a threat despite attempts to limit the use of such weapons

III. Economic and Social ChallengesIII. Economic and Social Challenges

• A. Since World War II, countries of the world have developed a global economy- an economy where production and sale of goods is world wide– 1. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was

established in 1995

• A. Since World War II, countries of the world have developed a global economy- an economy where production and sale of goods is world wide– 1. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was

established in 1995

• B. The global economy has created a large gap between rich industrialized nations and the poor developing countries that are primarily farming nations with little technology. – 1. Population growth and hunger are

staggering problems– 2. Civil wars in countries such as Sudan often

lead to food shortages

• B. The global economy has created a large gap between rich industrialized nations and the poor developing countries that are primarily farming nations with little technology. – 1. Population growth and hunger are

staggering problems– 2. Civil wars in countries such as Sudan often

lead to food shortages

• C. In Western countries the gap between the status of men and women has steadily been narrowing– 1. Women in developing countries continue to

face difficulties in obtaining education, property rights, or decent jobs.

• C. In Western countries the gap between the status of men and women has steadily been narrowing– 1. Women in developing countries continue to

face difficulties in obtaining education, property rights, or decent jobs.

IV. Political ChallengesIV. Political Challenges

• A. Most African and Asian leaders wanted democracy after WWII.– 1. Developing countries, however generally

replaced democratic systems with military dictatorships or one-rule governments

• A. Most African and Asian leaders wanted democracy after WWII.– 1. Developing countries, however generally

replaced democratic systems with military dictatorships or one-rule governments

• B. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in democratic systems In parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America

• C. Regional, ethnic, and religious differences continue to create conflict around the world. – 1. Also, international terrorist groups are

trying to wreak havoc throughout the world

• B. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in democratic systems In parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America

• C. Regional, ethnic, and religious differences continue to create conflict around the world. – 1. Also, international terrorist groups are

trying to wreak havoc throughout the world