7. Environmental Issues in Europe

Essential Question: How does air pollution in the U.K. affect the surrounding countries?

Air Pollution in the UK

• London is famous for its air pollution.

• The word smog was first used in 1905 to describe the air in London.

• Smog happens when water in the air mixes w/ smoke particles.

Why Does It Happen?

• The UK’s major natural resources are oil, natural gas, and coal.

• Coal burns BLACK.• Coal is used to fuel power plants, burn

fireplaces and stoves.• Exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered

vehicles is also a major issue.

The Great Smog of 1952

• London• The smog was so

dense that for 4 days the ppl in London could not see in front of them.

• Transportation slowed, crime increased, and thousands died from pollution

It Gets Worse!

• The UK shares its border with several countries.

• The toxic smoke from the factories is carried by air currents to other places.

• Even though surrounding countries aren't producing the pollution, they still get the effect from it! Not fair!

Air Pollution Effects

• Damage to vegetation• Harmful to the atmosphere (global

warming)• Harmful to human beings

• Air Pollution in the UK causes acid rain in many countries.

Solutions to Air Pollution in the UK

cleaner coals and forms of energy increased use of electricity the government regularly checks air

quality Air pollution in UK continues to cause Acid

Rain in Europe

Acid Rain in Germany

• Germany is a country of old forests, beautiful rivers, and historic artwork and buildings.

• Over the past 30 years, acid rain has taken a toll on these places.

Black Forest

• Acid rain has ruined nearly half Black Forest in Germany.

• It has damaged the soil and the trees growing there.

Black Forest

Black Forest

Why?

• When it comes to the problems of acid rain, Germany is its own worse enemy.

• The main source of acid rain is smoke from factories and power plants.

• Air pollution in the UK travels to Germany causing acid rain

Why?

• Germany depends on manufacturing. The country is one of the leading producers of cars, steel, and chemical products.

• These facilities burn fuels like natural gas, coal, and oil.

• Germans also own more cars than ppl of other countries do.

• The pollution from the cars leads to acid rain.

Acid Rain Effects

• Damage to vegetation• Damage to aquatic life• Contamination of drinking water• Damage to physical structures and

monuments.

Solutions to Germany’s Acid Rain problem

Factories switching to cleaner fuels Decrease the use of fossil fuels like coal

and oil Reducing automobile emissions Developing new types of energy like wind

turbines and solar energy