Environment - The Future of Planet Earth

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radiation · long-term problem of disposing of nuclear waste. - conserve energy, alternative sources of energy - wind /solar energy → renewable energy →new economic opportunities. Biofuels • made from crops like corn and palm oil + release as much carbon as they absorb increased the rate of deforestation (unsustainable) → global warming. destruction of ecosystems animal habitats are destroyed → extinction of species Plastics in the Oceans -plastic bags, bottles, containers washed up on the shore 4thrown away on land and washed out to sea - -every year 100m tonnes of plastic are turned out by factories all over the world → only 5% is recycled ·most plastic items are used once and then thrown away 270k tonnes of plastic articles in the oceans plastic is breaks light weight, comes in all shapes and sizes, long-lasting up into smaller and smaller pieces (plastic particles, microplastics) turning the ocean into a sort of plastic trash - can strangle sea birds, turtles, seals Soup - smaller pieces are eaten by fish, turtles, seabirds, turtles → mistake them for food over a million dead animals each microplastics gradually make their way up the food chain to humans year Fracking • recover methane. gas from layers of shale rock companies claim that it'll reduce coal /oil emissions and it's a green energy source process generates toxic waste water, earthquakes - not sustainable fossil fuel + can't get enough energy from renewables fracking has less emissions than coal + + all forms of energy production have environmental consequences * don't rely on other countries, national production is cheaper • boost our economy, less imports + new jobs have been created coal, oil, gas FOSSIL FUELS -providing us with energy -have serious disadvantages - burning them releases carbon dioxide ↳major contributor to global warming. Sulphur dioxide gas Lacid rain damaging the habitats of organisms oxides of nitrogen -growing global population ↳ breathing problems especially for people who suffer with asthma. of 7.5 billion-increasing energy ·more environmentally friendly cleaner renewable alternatives demands Other facts swimming pools are wasted money and water (estimated 1.1m pools in California) status symbol, expensive, not important for survival Consequences unsustainable future → future generation will find it increasingly hard to survive. Sustainable behavior -vegeterian/vegan lifestyle buy local and organic food - use more public transport, bikes, car-sharing or walk - avoid plastic and buy unpackaged articles-reduce waste - separate the garbage. - buy second-hand - use renewable energy → low energy homes -shower cold or don't shower everyday safe water -grow vegetables and fruits using natural fertilizer and pesticides → collect rainwater for watering -participate in a beach cleanup -support organizations adressing pollution PLASTICS + convenient + cheap + many industries rely on plastics - littering + there are even worse materials -not biodegradable. out there + no other product can replace plastic yet + variety of uses + hygienic packaging material other packaging materials would increase product prices. + lightweight + odorless + + can be used multiple times + not fragile →long lifespan. → durable potential eco-friendly plastics. in the future. + made our life a whole easier + transparent theat resistant + adaptable material! 1-not sustainable -hurt environment. -water /air pollution - acid rain. - recycling plastics may not be pos- sible non-renewable -land/visual/soil pollution -resource exploitation -global warming - endangerment and extinction. of species -public health problems -burning of plastics releases toxic chemicals - mikroplastics and toxic chemicals -eating food out of plastic contai- hers may cause cancer - its cost of recycling is very high. -threatens wildlife -plastic piles up in the environ- ment Effects of climate change temperatures continue to rise - more droughts and heat waves - hurricanes become stronger and more intense sea level rises -arctic likely to become ice-free-melting ice - extreme weather, shifting rainfall -developing countries depend heavily. on their natural environment - they have the least resources to cope with changing climate - damage to property and infrastructure -heavy costs on society and economy agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism are particularly affected many plants and animal species are struggling to copé increased risk of extinction BIOFUELS +efficient + causes less harmful carbon emission than standard diesel + can be manufactured from a wide range of materials. + cost-benefit + -cleaner fuels (fewer emissions) - less suitable for use in low temperatures. →potential of becoming cheaper more likely to attract moisture than diesel with increased demand -huge amount of land is needed -oils needed easy to source from many different sources such as waste from crops, algae and plants May come from rainforests and other endangered habitats. + renewable crops can be replanted. again and again + reduce greenhouse gases up to 65% →lower levels of pollution. reduce dependence on foreign oil + boost to agriculture industry economic security -high cost of production -use of fertilizers - water pollution. -shortage of food →rise in food prices T -production largely depend on lots of water and oil