Environmental Issues in Europe

Environmental Issues in Europe

Air pollution in the United KingdomAcid Rain in Germany

Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine

Air pollution in the United KingdomAcid Rain in Germany

Nuclear Disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine

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• SS6G9 The student will discuss environmental issues in Europe.

• a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.

• SS6G9 The student will discuss environmental issues in Europe.

• a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Essential QuestionEssential Question

• What are the major environmental issues in Europe?

• What are the major environmental issues in Europe?

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom

Causes Power Stations (industry

and power generation Vehicle emissions

Causes Power Stations (industry

and power generation Vehicle emissions

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom

Effects– Damage to vegetation– Harm to the atmosphere– Harm to human beings– Causes acid rain– Air pollution from the United Kingdom

spreads to nearby countries

London Fog

Acid Rain in GermanyAcid Rain in Germany

Causes– Acid rain forms when water vapor in the

air reacts with certain chemical compounds. These compounds, including sulfur dioxide and

nitrogen oxides, come largely from the burning of coal, gasoline, and oil.

Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn such fuels for energy.

Causes– Acid rain forms when water vapor in the

air reacts with certain chemical compounds. These compounds, including sulfur dioxide and

nitrogen oxides, come largely from the burning of coal, gasoline, and oil.

Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn such fuels for energy.

Acid Rain in Germany

Effects Damage to vegetation and aquatic life Contamination of drinking water Damage to physical structures such as

buildings and monuments Acid rain moves from Germany to

surrounding countries.

Effects Damage to vegetation and aquatic life Contamination of drinking water Damage to physical structures such as

buildings and monuments Acid rain moves from Germany to

surrounding countries.

There are many forms of acid rain that are seen around the world. In Germany, the forests are believed to be dying because acid rain is harming them. Scientists say that acid rain damages the waxy outer coating that protects the leaves.

There are many forms of acid rain that are seen around the world. In Germany, the forests are believed to be dying because acid rain is harming them. Scientists say that acid rain damages the waxy outer coating that protects the leaves.

The German government take environmental issues in the country extremely seriously and the inclusion of the Green party in the ruling coalition over the past few years has greatly influenced Germany's energy and environmental policy objectives. Despite this however, emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries are contributing to air pollution and acid rain in Germany, and are damaging the country’s forests.

The German government take environmental issues in the country extremely seriously and the inclusion of the Green party in the ruling coalition over the past few years has greatly influenced Germany's energy and environmental policy objectives. Despite this however, emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries are contributing to air pollution and acid rain in Germany, and are damaging the country’s forests.

Acid RainAcid Rain

Chernobyl, Ukraine Nuclear Accident

Chernobyl, Ukraine Nuclear Accident

CauseA nuclear reactor in Chernobyl,

Ukraine overheated and exploded.

CauseA nuclear reactor in Chernobyl,

Ukraine overheated and exploded.

Chernobyl Nuclear AccidentChernobyl Nuclear Accident Consequences

Land Evacuation Land contamination Economic hardships on East and North

European Farmers High rates of cancer, birth defects, and in

some cases death

Consequences Land Evacuation Land contamination Economic hardships on East and North

European Farmers High rates of cancer, birth defects, and in

some cases death

The problems caused by the disaster were not isolated to Chernobyl.

The problems spread to surrounding countries through air currents.

Much farmland is still unusable today.