Human Caused hazards and Disasters

1. Unit III – Chapter 5 Human Caused hazards and Disasters

2. Global Warming Ozone Depletion Loss of Biodiversity Destruction of Ecosystems Deforestation Desertification Introduction of New Species What are they?

3. They affect people in many parts of the world • Their effects are long term – they remain a threat for many years • They cause permanent damage or serious contamination to the environment What are the characteristics?

4. Most serious UN’s International Panel on Climate Change – noted continuous warming of climate Continuous warming is caused by humans (summer temperatures in Ontario in 2010 were 2 degrees higher than normal) Signs: decrease in thickness of Arctic ice cap 1. Global Warming

6. Sea levels will rise by as much as 1 m because of melting glaciersYouTube - Melting Trends: Arctic Ice Completely Gone by 2020? Rainfall and temperature patterns will shift = change in agricultural areas and loss of biodiversity More violent and more intense weather Deforestation due to lack of water Deserts will enlarge Permafrost areas will melt Significant drop in food production – higher temperatures and desertification Why should we be concerned?

7. Oxygen makes up about 20% of Earth’s atmosphere It is essential to life on Earth Ultraviolet UV radiation is found about 25 km above the Earth’s atmosphere (here to Sackville) UV rays split Oxygen into its two separate atoms Free atoms combine with oxygen molecules to form ozone Ozone layer is important because it blocks out radiation that damages cell structure Normally there is balance A 1% reduction in the ozone layer leads to a 2 to 4% increase in melanoma 2. Ozone Depletion

8. In 1930s chemical compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon were created – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Used in aerosol cans, refrigeration systems, air conditioners Stable – very difficult to break down BUT – because of this, they stay in the air for a long time Then they rise up into stratosphere where they are broken down and release chlorine atoms The chlorine atoms react with the ozone and break it down into chlorine oxide (CIO) and O2 – thus thinning the ozone layer Result - Holes are appearing in ozone layer Example - Ozone hole over Antarctica is now a little larger than North America The Human Effect on the Ozone

9. More UV rays are allowed to reach earth Effects: Cataracts Skin cancer Suppression of the immune system in animals and humans Damages plants – affects photosynthesis and growth Damages phytokplankton - affects Earth’s oxygen supply Effects of Ozone Depletion

10. Biological diversity – refers to variety of life forms on Earth 1.8 million species have been identified – many more exist Diversity described at three different levels Genetic Species Ecosystem 3. Loss of Biodiversity

11. Refers to various genetic information that distinguishes species Manipulation of this genetic materials allows the production of variety of grasses and grains Genetic Diversity

12. Describes various life forms that appear in a particular area Species Diversity

13. Indicates different habitats, environments or biological communications that appear in given areas – i.e. coral reefs, deserts, ponds, tropical forest Each provides a habitat for a particular species Habitat destruction is one of the main threats to biodiversity on Earth Ecosystem diversity

14. We depend on plants and animals for our survival Much of the world economy depends on making use of biodiversity Other reasons: Without plant diversity around the world, the balance within the atmosphere would be disrupted Agricultural production would not be possible without different species of birds and insects Ecosystem stability would collapse without species diversity Why is it important?

15. Eliminates the various species of plants and animals that live there Cascading effect - The disappearance of one species affects all around it i.e. if a specific plant disappears, the insects that feed off it are affected, and the birds that feed off the insect are at risk Introduction of a new species of plant or animal into an area also threatens biodiversity – Refireproofing of Florida How it is lost

16. Deforestation Forests are important for fuel, building materials, food and medicinal products Humans viewed forests as a constant With loss of forests: Increased flooding - Landslides, mudslides Soil erosion Increase in wildfires Increase in carbon dioxide from burning plus removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by plants/trees lost Global Consequences Loss of biodiversity for the area Loss of living space and therefore culture Increased global warming 4. Destruction of Ecosystems

17. Desertification Desertification threatens nearly 1/3 of land surface It occurs when productive dry land is degraded to the point that it becomes unproductive desert Causes: Over-cultivation Overgrazing Deforestation Inappropriate irrigation

18. A region of grassy plain along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert Covers 2.5 million square kilometres Includes the following countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia Case Study Overview: Desertification in the Sahel (Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, 2010)

19. Despite 40 years of tree planting, land-use modification and education programs – still a problem Main Causes for Desert Advancement Fragile natural environment Agricultural practices Population growth The Sahel

20. Most fragile ecosystem in Africa Hot, dry climate 60 and 100 mm per rain / year Nova Scotia 1260 to 1600 mm per rain / year Falls only three months a year Nova Scotia precipitation expected every month Droughts are common Nova Scotia – rare High temperatures – 40°C to 42°C Nova Scotia 5°C to 7°C Sandy soil thin, susceptible to damage, slow to recover, easily eroded Vegetation Annual grasses with isolated trees and shrubs The Natural Environment

21. Originally people lived as nomads Kept small herds of animals Rotated crops Each crop area was allowed to restore fertility for about 10 years During 1950s and 60s Farmers moved from south where they were having lots of rain to north Started cultivating cash crops Required heavier land use Improved vet care and creation of more watering holes for animals led to increase in size and number of herds More land clear cut for farming, grazing an firewood This situation depended on high rain falls for sustainability Droughts came from 1968 to 1973 and again in the 1980s 1990s rainfall occurred again with devastating results Flooding, followed by disease Rapid plant growth from rainfall increase insect population – grasshoppers killed more than 19 million hectares of land Agricultural Practices

22. In 1996 – population estimated at 247 million Canada’s population approximately 34 million Annual population growth = 3% In Canada – 1.3% Population increasing but arable land declining Has led to greater degradation of land Hundreds of villages abandoned Thousands have died More have suffered malnutrition – 859,000 children alone – most in Chad and Niger Population Growth

23. Lamprey Eels Introduced into St. Lawrence Seaway Lampreys are parasitic fish that latch on to other fish and kill them Had no natural enemies in the Great Lakes so flourished Threatened several species of fish and completely wiped out lake trout Scientists helped control numbers but could not eliminate them New Species Introduction

24. Purple loosestrife Vigorous and aggressive growth Introduced as an ornamental flower Now threatens wetlands Thick and matted root system Dries out land

25. Hog Wild In 1539 Spaniard Hernando de Soto brought pigs from Spain to Florida Some escaped into Florida swamps and multiplied Only natural enemy was Florida panther which was on endangered list while pigs multiplied Damage ground and plants with sharp tusks and canine teeth (rooting) Damage by wallowing in Everglade water which destroys vegetation Voracious eaters – eat almost anything including salamanders, snakes, newts, worms, snails grubs and even small deer; also alligator and bird eggs Aggressively efficient reproducers – a sow can breed 2 litters a year – each litter has about 6 piglets. In turn these piglets are sexually mature by 6 to 12 months To control pigs – hunting and trapping is encouraged

26. Chapter 6 Pollution and Waste disposal

27. Any material or product produced by humans and disposed of in such a way that it interferes with the health of our world – living organisms, environments and natural processes of Earth (Global Connections, 1999) pollution

28. Persistent – remain in the environment for many years without breaking down Non-persistent – biodegradable pollutants Types of pollutants

29. Two main types: Primary Secondary Air Pollution

30. Carbon dioxide fossil fuels when burned, release CO2 into the atmosphere Carbon monoxide burning fossil fuels are not completely oxidized Odorless Colourless poisonous Hydrocarbons organic compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen waste from production exhausts from factories Cause smog Respiratory problems Primary Air Pollutants

31. Particulates Tiny pieces of solid material dispersed into atmosphere from production Dangerous – act as centers that collect hazardous gases and chemicals Can cause respiratory difficulties Carcinogenic Chief source = smoke Other sources bits of asbestos and insulation fibers dust particles from construction, mining and demolition Sulphur dioxide Burning fossil fuels – factories and power plants Reacts with water, oxygen and other chemicals = sulphuric acid Odor and irritation to throat and lungs Nitrogen oxide Burning fossil fuels Combustion in atmosphere – nitrogen and oxygen combine Harmful to respiratory system

32. Form when primary air pollutants react with one another Smog Acid Rain Secondary Air Pollutants

33. Industrial and photochemical smog Industrial: Build up of particles, smoke and dust released into atmosphere from manufacturing Were common in MDCs Emission controls put in place which has lessened but not removed this Now common in LDCs Manufacturing moved to LDCs No emission controls in place Photo-chemical: Forms over urban centres on hot calm days Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons combine to form ozone and PAN (see Figure 6.4, pg. 133 – Global Connections) Smog

34. Oxides containing sulphur and nitrogen released into atmosphere from burning of fossil fuels and manufacturing Dissolve in cloud droplets and fall to Earth as rain Can move through atmosphere and effect areas far from site of manufacturing – i.e. manufacturing done in Eastern US affects Nova Scotia – acid deposition Acid Rain and acid deposition

35. Contact damages plans Affects soil which in turn affects root systems of plants Pollutes rivers – kills fish stocks Loons in Kejimkujic Lake in NS – have high levels of mercury because they feed on contaminated fish Corrodes buildings, roofs and cars Increase respiratory problems – asthma Effects of Acid Rain and deposition

36. Once thought to be nature’s cleaning system capable of absorbing and purifying waste Water Pollution

37. Rivers are being polluted by human and toxic industrial waste Example: Danube Lakes and inland seas – susceptible because they lack outflows and currents to dilute or remove pollutants Often receptors for rivers that dump waste Oceans are destinations for rivers bringing with them toxic and human waste Rivers, lakes and oceans

38. Disease causing bacteria, viruses and protozoa cause cholera, dysentery and hepatitis Too much nitrogen and phosphorous causes excessive algae growth – blocks light to deeper water Sediment caused by erosion suffocates fish, plants and other organisms Oil spills kills seabirds, fish, and aquatic animals Synthetic compoounds and heavy metals are extremely toxic to many life forms Water Pollution Hazards

39. Algae growth Fish kills Floating aste Oil slicks Foul odours Beach closures Evidence of water pollution

40. Waste Disposal

41. Domestic sewage Solid waste Toxic and hazardous waste Types of waste

42. Produced from homes and commercial buildings Through sinks, toilets, showers and bathtub drains Treatment: Most often dumped directly into rivers, lakes and oceans Municipalities treat sewage by removing solids and most organic materials Aerate the sewage to kill bacteria and allow micro-organisms to decompose solid waste – sludge Some sludge is dried and used in fertilizers No method removes toxic chemicals Domestic sewage

43. Majority is from packaging Paper, plastic, metal, glass and styrofoam Disposal: Burying Incinerating Recycling Solid Waste

44. Early landfills Unslightly dumps Breeding grounds for disease Smell Leeching Current landfills Designed to eliminate above problems Problems: finding adequate space and NIMBY Landfills

45. Advantages: Reduces the volume of waste Heat can be used for electrical or heat generation Disadvantages Increased amounts of carbon dioxide Release of toxic chemicals into the air Incineration

46. REDUCE – most important – cut down on consumption REUSE RECYCLE Recycling

47. Live in chemical age Pesticides, herbicides show up in drinking water People living near dumps sites have higher rates of cancer, congenital defects and other disabilities Chemical spills kill life Toxic and hazardous waste

48. Waste that has dangerous properties that when activated become toxic (poisonous) Inflammable Explosive Chemical What is Hazardous vs toxic waste?

49. Dump into sanitary landfills thus contaminating them Discharge untreated waste into sewers, streams, rivers and lakes High pressure injection to force waste into deep wells Store liquid waste or sludge in surface pits, ponds or lagoons Place solid waste in specially designed dumps Cover waste with soil Store in special containers in abandoned mines or caverns Send it to LDCs for disposal How do MDCs dispose of hazardous waste?

50. Thermal Burn waste in furnaces where the heat can be raised to a very high temperature Costly Must ensure fumes don’t escape Disposal of toxic ash is problem Neutralization Waste can be neutralized through another type of reaction Acidic waste can be treated with an equally strong alkaline solution Micro-organisms can break down some toxic substances (bacteria digest oil spills) Waste produced by one industry can be used by another Only true solution is reduction Hazardous waste destruction