Global Environmental Problems David P. Chynoweth University of Florida.

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

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


Thou

sand

Ton

s

Ozone Reduction

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Catch 1880-1993

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980


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


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


Num

ber

Telephone Lines Worldwide, 1960-98

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1960 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997


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


mill

ion

Global Environmental Problems David P. Chynoweth University of Florida.

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Transcript of Global Environmental Problems David P. Chynoweth University of Florida.