SS6G8: THE STUDENT WILL DISCUSS/EXPLAIN ENVIRONMENTAL

ISSUES IN EUROPE

Environmental Issues in Europe

Air pollution in the United Kingdom

Acid Rain in Germany

Areas of focus

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom

London (capital of UK is famous for air pollution)

The word smog was first used to describe the air in London.

SMOG-Air pollution caused by sunlight acting on the gases from automobiles and factory exhausts.

Hangs over cities in the UK

Cause?

Water in the air mixes with smoke particles from a coal fire

UK’s major natural resources: Oil, natural gas, and coal

Manufacturing uses these resourcesCoal is cheap and available and was used

during the Industrial RevolutionCoal still continues to fuel the UK’s power

plants and burns in fireplaces/stoves

The Great Smog of 1952Smog was so dense that, for four days, the people in London could not see what was in front of them.

Effects?

-Transportation slowed

-Crime increased

-Thousands of people died from the pollution

-People began to worry about the quality of air they were breathing in.

Sources of air pollution?

Smoke and sulfur dioxide from burning fossil fuels

Exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles

Sources of air pollution

Effects?

Asthma and pneumonia are linked to vehicle emissions.

Burns lungs, nose, and eyes and endangers human life.

Keeps children and senior citizens indoorsBlackens buildings and threatens wildlife

Effects

Solutions?

Banning coal fires?Smokeless zones for smokeless fuels?Cleaner coals?Increased use of electricity?Use of gasLimits on industryLaws to build vehicles that produce less

harmful exhaustChecks of air qualityDrive less and use cleaner forms of energy

Acid Rain in Germany

Precipitation(hail, rain, sleet, snow) that has become acidic

ACID RAIN

Tall smokestacks in urban areas have allowed winds to spread more pollutants further away and increased the spread of acid rain into rural areas.

Causes

Pollution in the airWater vapor in the air reacts with certain

chemical compounds Ex: Sulfur Dioxide reacts to form sulfuric acid

Comes from the burning of fossil fuels Coal, gasoline, and oil

Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn these fuels for energy.

Effects

Harms thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams worldwide

Kills fish and other wildlifeDamages buildings, bridges, and statues.High levels can harm forests and soil

Reducing acid rain

Devices that remove sulfur and nitrogen compounds from fuels or industrial emissions.

Compounds are removed before they reach the atmosphere

Adding lime to lakes and rivers and their drainage areas neutralizes acidity temporarily

EXIT TICKET

On an index card write the causes, effects, and sources(where does it come from?) of air pollution

On the other side of the index card describe acid rain, its causes/effects, and solutions for reducing acid rain.

On the acid rain side describe how air pollution and acid rain are related to one another.