1. World Regional Geography Unit I: Introduction to World Regional Geography Lesson 4: Global Environmental Problems

2. Global Environmental Problems Ozone hole Global warming

3. Ozone Hole: Some Questions What is Ozone? What is the Ozone layer? Why is it important for life on Earth? What is the Ozone hole? How do we deal with the problem?

4. Ozone Image Source: http://astrobioloblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/life-in-our-solar-system-–-earth/

5. Ozone Layer Image source: http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/additional/atmosphere.htm Ozone layer protects the earth from harmful UV radiation

6. Ozone Depletion Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:160658main2_OZONE_large_350.png A steady decline in the total volume of Ozone in stratosphere recorded over the past decades (on average 4% per decade) Very large springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone over earth’s polar regions = ozone hole

7. Effects of Ozone Hole Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:160658main2_OZONE_large_350.png Health problems: increased prevalence of skin cancer and cataracts Problems for animal life (e.g. plankton) Problems for plant life (e.g. plants that depend on cyanobacteria)

8. Ozone Hole Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ozone_cycle.svg Chlorofluorocarbons react with stratospheric oxygen and therefore cause ozone depletion

9. Solutions Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ozone_cfc_trends.png Montreal Protocol – Entered into force in 1989 – Bans the production of Ozone-depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons

10. Global Warming Image Source: Continuous rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans Most likely caused by human activities that increase concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and therefore strengthen the greenhouse effect

11. Global Warming Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2000_Year_Temperature_Comparison.png

12. Greenhouse Effect Image Source:

13. Greenhouse Gases Image Source: Water vapor (36 – 70% of Greenhouse Effect) Carbon Dioxide (9 – 26% of Greenhouse Effect) Methane (4 – 9% of Greenhouse Effect) Ozone (3 – 7% of Greenhouse Effect)

14. Greenhouse Gases Image Source: Increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2, the most important greenhouse gas Human activity (fossil fuel burning) contributes to the increase

15. Predicted Effects of Global Warming Image Source: Temperature changes Extreme weather Changes in precipitation patterns Glacier retreat, decrease in snow cover Ocean acidification Sea level rise Food supply challenges

16. Greenhouse Gases Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GHG_by_country_2005.png Production of GHGs by country, 2005

17. Greenhouse Gases Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GHG_per_capita_2005.png Production of GHGs per capita, 2005

18. Global Warming: Solutions Image Source: Cap-and-trade mechanisms Carbon tax Develop technology to: – Sequester carbon produced by human activities – Allow geoengineering – Deal with the adverse effects of global warming

19. Image Source: Homework due on October 10 Prepare for in-class debate on “Global policy to fight Global Warming” Students form three groups that will argue for different approaches to CO2 emissions reduction – Group A: Cap-and-trade mechanisms – Group B: Carbon tax – Group C: No restrictive policies, invest in research that will produce technology capable of dealing with carbon emissions such as carbon sequestration Each group is required to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three approaches Each group will present the advantages of its own approach, and try to “sell it” to the rest of the class