Current Events

Environmental Problems

”…we discuss Darfur in a convenient military and political shorthand -- an ethnic conflict pitting Arab militias against black rebels and farmers. Look to its roots, though, and you discover a more complex dynamic. Amid the diverse social and political causes, the Darfur conflict began as an ecological crisis, arising at least in part from climate change.” Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations

Climate Change The overall temperature of the planet is rising due to human activities. Effects: Melting Ice = rise in sea levels, coastal cities and low countries in danger Strange weather phenomena Spread of tropical diseases Loss of farmland

Deforestation

Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation Loss of Amazon rainforest Causes: slash & burn agriculture to create farm and grazing land Effects: Species extinction Increase in CO2 Endangering indigenous civilizations

Desertification Expanding deserts = less arable land = less food = starvation & more conflict (Darfur)

Air Pollution

Pollution Industrial manufacturing, farming, and power production are polluting the air and water supplies Garbage, especially plastic is accumulating in large masses in the oceans Overfishing is rapidly changing the marine habitat & causing species extinction

Water Pollution

Overfishing

Dependence on Fossil Fuels Problems: Most oil located in unstable places Price of oil controlled by OPEC Demand > supply (population growth in Brazil, China, & India) Environmental damage due to oil spills (Exxon Valdez in Alaska & BP Deepwater drill in Gulf coast)

Oil Spills

Global Economic Interdependence

Free Trade & Economic Cooperation 1) NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) = no trade barriers between USA, Mexico, & Canada. Result: loss of US jobs & increased illegal immigration from Mexico & South America

2) E.U. The European Union Goal: increased trade & travel between European countries Single currency to simplify exchanges Result: Weakness in the economy of one Euro zone country results in overall E.U. weakness (Spain ¼ unemployment & Greece) Increased prices in poor (former Soviet) Eastern European countries who convert to Euro.

Global Economic Collapse

Economic Collapse Because all countries in the world are dependent on international trade, an economic disaster in one country can spark a global economic recession. Because of international trade, people may unknowingly purchase hazardous products.

Interconnected computer & financial networks

Hackers & cybercrime

Overpopulation

The population of developing countries is rapidly increasing Effects: Demand for food and fuel will increase causing conflict Increased poverty China is attempting to solve their population problem through the “One Child Policy.”

Nuclear Proliferation Many countries currently have nuclear weapons Countries such as Iran and North Korea are trying to create nuclear weapons Since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. many nuclear weapons are still unaccounted for.

Terrorism Countries such as India, China, Israel, & The USA have been attacked by Islamic fundamentalist groups recently. Not all terrorist groups are Islamic extremists. Many are nationalists such as the Tamil Tigers of Southern India

Rouge States Some nations are unwilling to abide by United Nations rules or international laws Iran & North Korea have violated international law by supporting terrorist organizations and enriching uranium (for nuclear weapons) Russia recently ignored international law and annexed the Crimean Peninsula

Civil Wars & Unstable Governments There are many civil wars currently taking place in sub-Saharan Africa Syria is in the midst of a 3 year civil war. Governments across North Africa and the Middle East have been unstable since 2011. Somalia does not have a working government.

Deforestation; Brazil

Desertification; Sahara Desert

Color code and label the rest of the world’s problems on both the map and notes where the effect is most significant; e.g. Rouge States = N. Korea & Iran

Homework Of the ten problems identified, which do you think is the most important? Why? What makes it more important than the 9 other problems? Paragraph form. 10 sentences minimum, 1st person OK.