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Environmental Issues

Learn about the greenhouse effect, its causes, greenhouse gases, consequences like sea level rise and beach erosion. Explore issues related to coral reefs and how human actions affect our environment.

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Environmental Issues

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  1. Environmental Issues

  2. Greenhouse EffectWhat is it? • Process by which gases in the atmosphere trap and retain heat • Short wavelength radiation penetrates atmosphere; long wavelengths from Earth’s surface trapped • Amount of energy coming in should equal amount of energy going out • Maintains temperature to sustain life

  3. Greenhouse EffectEnhanced • Human actions increase amount of greenhouse gases • Increased gases lead to increased global temperatures

  4. Greenhouse EffectGases • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Burning of oil, coal, and natural gas; deforestation • Methane (CH4) • Digestive process of animals; rice cultivation • Nitrous Oxide (N20) • Burning vegetation, industrial emissions • Refrigerants, aerosols

  5. Greenhouse GasesConsequences Greenland • Increase in temperature from 1.4°C to 5.8°C by 2100 1992 2002 Summer slush expanding • Increase temperatures result in glacier and ice sheet melting • Produce global sea level rise

  6. Sea Level Rise • Global sea level rise estimated to have risen 10-25 cm over last 100 years • The next 100 years average sea level projected 50 cm higher

  7. Sea Level RiseConsequences • The oceans are predicted to rise about 0.5 – 10.0 meter by 2100 • Beach retreat and flooding pose a high risk along east coast and gulf state • Bluff collapse is greatest threat along California

  8. Beach ErosionCalifornia • Beach erosion is a serious problem for coastal communities • 86% of California coasts are classified as actively eroding • 1 in 4 homes within 500 feet of coast will be lost to erosion in 60 years • Some causes: • Sea level rise • Building near coast • Efforts to reduce erosion

  9. 2004 2002 2005 Beach ErosionCalifornia Santa Barbara, California

  10. Ocean PollutionSources • Oil spills • Toxic wastes • Debris • Raw sewage

  11. Coral Reefs • Provide natural habitat for 25% of marine life • Serve as breeding ground for marine organisms • Natural breakwater for strong waves

  12. Coral ReefsIssues • Pollution • Human waste, fertilizer, and pesticides • Destructive fishing methods • Dynamite and cyanide • Global warming • Fragile living conditions • At the present rate of destruction, 70% of world’s coral reefs will be gone in the next 20-40 years • Completely gone by 2100

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