Global Environmental Global Environmental IssuesIssuesPart IIPart II

Economic Development v Economic Development v Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

For most of our history it has taken 2000 For most of our history it has taken 2000 years to double our population rate, since years to double our population rate, since 1900 we have quadrupled our population.1900 we have quadrupled our population.

1900=1.6 billion1900=1.6 billion

1960=3 billion1960=3 billion

1970=3.7 billion1970=3.7 billion

1980=4.5 billion1980=4.5 billion

2006=6.5 billion2006=6.5 billion

What are the reasons for What are the reasons for population growth?population growth?

Improvements in sanitation & medicine Improvements in sanitation & medicine have lowered the death rates.have lowered the death rates.

Agricultural techniques have increased Agricultural techniques have increased food production and feed large food production and feed large populations.populations.

Predictions of widespread starvation and Predictions of widespread starvation and shortages were common.shortages were common.

Does the planet have enough Does the planet have enough resources for the world’s population?resources for the world’s population?

New exploration and extraction techniques New exploration and extraction techniques have increased supplies of energy.have increased supplies of energy.

New materials are replacing scarce New materials are replacing scarce materials.materials.

Innovation has changed gears Innovation has changed gears concentrating on new methods of energy.concentrating on new methods of energy.

However, the fact remains we are using However, the fact remains we are using resources faster and many are non-resources faster and many are non-renewable.renewable.

Energy ResourcesEnergy Resources

Energy is at the crux of today’s Energy is at the crux of today’s environmental dilemma.environmental dilemma.

The industrial revolution fueled the use of The industrial revolution fueled the use of fossil fuels.fossil fuels.

Substituting natural gas for oil and coal Substituting natural gas for oil and coal could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it provides almost ¼ of the world’s energy. provides almost ¼ of the world’s energy. However, it too is in limited supply.However, it too is in limited supply.

Gas GuzzlingGas Guzzling

The most recent gas shortage and price The most recent gas shortage and price hikes have finally fueled auto makers to hikes have finally fueled auto makers to look at alternative fuel car possibilities.look at alternative fuel car possibilities.

Most automakers are now investing in Most automakers are now investing in alternative or hybrid models that use an alternative or hybrid models that use an energy source other than fossil fuels.energy source other than fossil fuels.

Ethanol is a moot point.Ethanol is a moot point. WE MUST decrease our dependence on WE MUST decrease our dependence on

foreign oil.foreign oil.

What are the alternatives to fossil What are the alternatives to fossil fuel?fuel?

Nuclear=14% of the world’s power.Nuclear=14% of the world’s power. Hydroelectric power=19% of the world’s power.Hydroelectric power=19% of the world’s power.

Both offer reductions in emissions of greenhouse gas.Both offer reductions in emissions of greenhouse gas. Nuclear energy does present some problems, most Nuclear energy does present some problems, most

notably Chernobyl and Tokaimura, Japan.notably Chernobyl and Tokaimura, Japan. France meets 77% of their energy needs using France meets 77% of their energy needs using

nuclear power.nuclear power. Some critics of hydroelectric power say it disrupts the Some critics of hydroelectric power say it disrupts the

natural flow of rivers and the fragile ecosystem of natural flow of rivers and the fragile ecosystem of these rivers.these rivers.

What about wind and solar power?What about wind and solar power?

Both are safe and envrironalmentally Both are safe and envrironalmentally friendly.friendly. Hampered by cost and feasibility.Hampered by cost and feasibility. Low fuel prices made developing these Low fuel prices made developing these

alternatives unrealistic monetarily.alternatives unrealistic monetarily. Large power plants, oil companies and gas Large power plants, oil companies and gas

and coal companies lobby against and coal companies lobby against development of alternative fuel sources.development of alternative fuel sources.

HOWEVER…HOWEVER…

Closing the gap.Closing the gap.

Yet in the last few decades wind power Yet in the last few decades wind power production cost have dropped 90% and are production cost have dropped 90% and are closing in on natural gas prices.closing in on natural gas prices.

Germany gets 6.4% of its energy from wind Germany gets 6.4% of its energy from wind power. Extensive new “wind farms” are cropping power. Extensive new “wind farms” are cropping up in the U. S. and Brasil.up in the U. S. and Brasil.

Solar energy has seen significant advances, yet Solar energy has seen significant advances, yet the U.S. has of yet to jump on this bandwagon, the U.S. has of yet to jump on this bandwagon, while Germany and Japan have taken the lead while Germany and Japan have taken the lead on developing this form of alternative engery.on developing this form of alternative engery.

What else is out there?What else is out there?

Geothermal and hydrogen energy are not widely Geothermal and hydrogen energy are not widely used today, but are expected to become more used today, but are expected to become more accessible in the near future.accessible in the near future. Geothermal energy is energy gathered from the Geothermal energy is energy gathered from the

earth’s core and produces no waste and is accessible earth’s core and produces no waste and is accessible all over the world.all over the world.

Hydrogen fuel is abundant and efficient, it is the most Hydrogen fuel is abundant and efficient, it is the most common element in the world (hydrogen) and is common element in the world (hydrogen) and is completely clean. The process for making hydrogen completely clean. The process for making hydrogen fuel is called electrolysis which is the separating of H fuel is called electrolysis which is the separating of H from H2O. When H and O are fused into water, from H2O. When H and O are fused into water, energy is produced and can be stored in fuel cells.energy is produced and can be stored in fuel cells.

FusionFusion

Fusion is a more experimental energy Fusion is a more experimental energy source that is still in its infancy.source that is still in its infancy.

This would be an endless supply of This would be an endless supply of radioactive free energy.radioactive free energy.

An international project to build a test An international project to build a test reactor is scheduled for completion in reactor is scheduled for completion in 2016.2016.

Resource ConsumptionResource Consumption

Little population growth in developed countries Little population growth in developed countries 1.2 billion people who live in these countries 1.2 billion people who live in these countries consume well over half of the world’s resources.consume well over half of the world’s resources.

The average person living in the US consumed The average person living in the US consumed almost ten times as much energy as the average almost ten times as much energy as the average person living in Asia.person living in Asia.

Shortages of clean water , food, land and fuel Shortages of clean water , food, land and fuel are some of the environmental factors that are some of the environmental factors that frequently spark conflict.frequently spark conflict.

What is sustainable development?What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is a way of using Sustainable development is a way of using resources that protects both environmental resources that protects both environmental and human well-being in the long term.and human well-being in the long term.

The goal of sustainable development is to The goal of sustainable development is to meet the social and economic needs of meet the social and economic needs of the present generation w/o depleting the present generation w/o depleting resources for future generations.resources for future generations.

Examples of Sustainable Examples of Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment

Using fabric bags rather than plastic bags.Using fabric bags rather than plastic bags. In Paris, France they are offering bike rentals rather than In Paris, France they are offering bike rentals rather than

using cars in order to reduce traffic congestion, using cars in order to reduce traffic congestion, emissions, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.emissions, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Developing countries don’t have to sacrifice progress for Developing countries don’t have to sacrifice progress for the environment either, solar power is used in the the environment either, solar power is used in the Philippines to pump and purify water.Philippines to pump and purify water.

In the Andean villages of Peru they are harnessing In the Andean villages of Peru they are harnessing electricity from the high levels of rainfall and networks of electricity from the high levels of rainfall and networks of rivers and streams. All of this improves health, education rivers and streams. All of this improves health, education and employment opportunities.and employment opportunities.

Competing interests?Competing interests?

Continued economic growth w/o Continued economic growth w/o environmental over site would be environmental over site would be disastrous for the world’s ecology.disastrous for the world’s ecology.

Policy makers and economists say that the Policy makers and economists say that the developing countries can “grow green” by developing countries can “grow green” by using technologies that were not available using technologies that were not available when the developed nations were first when the developed nations were first industrialized.industrialized.

Industrialized Counties: what environmental Industrialized Counties: what environmental challenges do wealthy countries face?challenges do wealthy countries face?

Over consumption: these countries Over consumption: these countries produce over ½ of the world’s wealth, produce over ½ of the world’s wealth, consume most of the world’s resources consume most of the world’s resources and generate the bulk of pollutants. The and generate the bulk of pollutants. The U.S. alone contributes 1/5 of the world’s U.S. alone contributes 1/5 of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Although we carbon dioxide emissions. Although we are the third leading producer of oil, are the third leading producer of oil, imports amount to 58% of world imports amount to 58% of world consumption.consumption.

More issues.More issues.

Because the wealthy countries industrialized Because the wealthy countries industrialized first, they are often the most polluted, i.e. many first, they are often the most polluted, i.e. many of Britain’s cities are soot covered and suffer of Britain’s cities are soot covered and suffer from health problems related to polluted air and from health problems related to polluted air and water.water.

The U.S. has cities such as L.A. who rely heavily The U.S. has cities such as L.A. who rely heavily on cars therefore they have a severe air on cars therefore they have a severe air pollution problem. In Colorado many cities have pollution problem. In Colorado many cities have banned the burning of firewood because of the banned the burning of firewood because of the pollution it causes. pollution it causes.

The Former Soviet UnionThe Former Soviet Union

Under went a crash industrialization phase Under went a crash industrialization phase that has produced terrible long term that has produced terrible long term results. Yet, because of the type of results. Yet, because of the type of government (communism) failed to attain government (communism) failed to attain the wealth of their counterparts in the the wealth of their counterparts in the west. This has left a legacy of pollution west. This has left a legacy of pollution and poorly monitored nuclear plants, there and poorly monitored nuclear plants, there are 66 plants across the FSU.are 66 plants across the FSU.

Newly industrializing countriesNewly industrializing countries

Most in Asia, the Middle East and Latin Most in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America have embarked on fast paced America have embarked on fast paced industrialization plans.industrialization plans.

They rely heavily on fossil fuels and do not They rely heavily on fossil fuels and do not have environmental standards in place.have environmental standards in place.

China overtook the U.S. as the leading China overtook the U.S. as the leading emitter of carbon dioxide in 2006 as the emitter of carbon dioxide in 2006 as the result of production of goods, mainly sold result of production of goods, mainly sold in the U.S.in the U.S.

E-wasteE-waste

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghttp://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/video/video_index.htmlhana804/video/video_index.html

Pollution caused by industrialization has Pollution caused by industrialization has become a world problem.become a world problem.

This pollution has caused stunted growth This pollution has caused stunted growth in children in cities such as Cairo, Egypt.in children in cities such as Cairo, Egypt.

In China a mere 1% of 560 million people In China a mere 1% of 560 million people breath air that is deemed safe by breath air that is deemed safe by European standards.European standards.

Inadequate sanitation and waste disposal Inadequate sanitation and waste disposal are major causes of disease.are major causes of disease.

Less-developed counties: how do Less-developed counties: how do environmental concerns affect these environmental concerns affect these

countries?countries? Growing number of people relying on land for Growing number of people relying on land for

food.food. Deforestation & desertification are widespread.Deforestation & desertification are widespread. Use of land for exportable crops rather than Use of land for exportable crops rather than

sustainable crops for food production.sustainable crops for food production. Because of over use hundreds of thousands Because of over use hundreds of thousands

starved to death in Sudan, Ethiopia and starved to death in Sudan, Ethiopia and elsewhere in the region.elsewhere in the region.

These lessons have opened the minds of These lessons have opened the minds of governments to pursuing sustainable governments to pursuing sustainable development procedures.development procedures.

Part III: Environmental Issues on Part III: Environmental Issues on the International Agendathe International Agenda

Historically when nations came together to Historically when nations came together to discuss world issues such as war and trade, discuss world issues such as war and trade, issues such as the health of the environment issues such as the health of the environment were rarely discussed.were rarely discussed.

In recent years, however, environmental issues In recent years, however, environmental issues have been brought to the forefront by concerned have been brought to the forefront by concerned scientists.scientists.

Global environmental issues have become an Global environmental issues have become an important international topic of concern and important international topic of concern and debate.debate.

What is the North-South divide?What is the North-South divide?

Regarding the issues of environmental Regarding the issues of environmental debate the world has been divided by the debate the world has been divided by the northern and the southern. The northern northern and the southern. The northern countries are typically the wealthier, more countries are typically the wealthier, more industrialized nations, while those nations industrialized nations, while those nations in the southern part of the globe typically in the southern part of the globe typically are poorer and less industrialized. This are poorer and less industrialized. This divide is not about the issues themselves, divide is not about the issues themselves, but is a question of responsibility and but is a question of responsibility and obligation.obligation.

North v SouthNorth v South

The northern countries point to the rapid The northern countries point to the rapid population growth and industrialization of population growth and industrialization of southern countries as the chief threat to southern countries as the chief threat to the environment.the environment.

They want these countries to curb They want these countries to curb population growth and address issues of population growth and address issues of pollution and deforestation.pollution and deforestation.

North v South cont’dNorth v South cont’d In contrast: the southern hemisphere countries note that the In contrast: the southern hemisphere countries note that the

northern consume most of the world’s resources and emit most of northern consume most of the world’s resources and emit most of the pollution.the pollution.

They feel they their need for economic development cannot be They feel they their need for economic development cannot be overlooked in efforts to clean up the environment.overlooked in efforts to clean up the environment.

They feel the rich societies should absorb the majority of the cost of They feel the rich societies should absorb the majority of the cost of helping developing countries meet international environmental helping developing countries meet international environmental standards.standards.

The southern countries are at a distinct disadvantage in areas of The southern countries are at a distinct disadvantage in areas of climate change, i.e. rising seal levels (many developing nations are climate change, i.e. rising seal levels (many developing nations are below sea level and therefore at greater risk). They also argue they below sea level and therefore at greater risk). They also argue they suffer from the effects of the greenhouse gases the richer countries suffer from the effects of the greenhouse gases the richer countries have caused.have caused.

What are the origins of the disagreements What are the origins of the disagreements btwn the global North and South?btwn the global North and South?

The North and the South have deep historical The North and the South have deep historical issues. issues.

In the early 19In the early 19thth and 20 and 20thth centuries, many centuries, many Northern countries colonized Southern countries Northern countries colonized Southern countries and established industries in these countries to and established industries in these countries to harvest and manufacture goods using the harvest and manufacture goods using the Southern countries raw materials, such as Southern countries raw materials, such as timber, spices, ore, gold, diamonds and much timber, spices, ore, gold, diamonds and much more.more.

Colonial RuleColonial Rule

By the 20By the 20thth century almost all of Africa and century almost all of Africa and Asia were under the rule of Britain and Asia were under the rule of Britain and France. U. S. colonies included the France. U. S. colonies included the Philippines and Cuba.Philippines and Cuba.

Imperial rule ended by the 1960’s but Imperial rule ended by the 1960’s but colonization left lasting effects on the colonization left lasting effects on the Southern countries. These effects are the Southern countries. These effects are the source of many of these countries current source of many of these countries current problems.problems.

The Environment and International The Environment and International SecuritySecurity

The environment is closely linked to The environment is closely linked to international security.international security.

Scientist believe that climate change will Scientist believe that climate change will have increasingly negative effects on have increasingly negative effects on world stability.world stability.

An example is the period btwn the 14An example is the period btwn the 14thth & & 1919thth centuries when the world experienced centuries when the world experienced dramatic winters that caused persistent dramatic winters that caused persistent crop failures which resulted in famine.crop failures which resulted in famine.

DestabilizersDestabilizers DeforestationDeforestation Urbanization Urbanization Water pollution Water pollution Are all considered major destabilizes in the Southern Are all considered major destabilizes in the Southern

hemisphere.hemisphere. In the Southern countries where governments are not In the Southern countries where governments are not

equipped to handle major catastrophic events a series of equipped to handle major catastrophic events a series of poor harvests or destruction of a fishing ground could poor harvests or destruction of a fishing ground could cause millions of refugees to cross borders causing cause millions of refugees to cross borders causing violence or governmental collapse. This has already violence or governmental collapse. This has already happened in Sudan.happened in Sudan.

This threat could lead to more authoritarian governments This threat could lead to more authoritarian governments thus reducing democracy in the world. thus reducing democracy in the world.

Destabilizers con’tDestabilizers con’t

An example of this destabilization occurred in the An example of this destabilization occurred in the country of Myanmar (Burma) a cyclone devastated the country of Myanmar (Burma) a cyclone devastated the country and displaced one million people from their country and displaced one million people from their homes. Because of the structure of the government no homes. Because of the structure of the government no humanitarian aid was sent to the millions affected. humanitarian aid was sent to the millions affected. Starvation and disease was rampant.Starvation and disease was rampant.

Unstable weather such as droughts, and hurricanes Unstable weather such as droughts, and hurricanes leave many without clean water and food supplies, this in leave many without clean water and food supplies, this in turn creates tension and the feeling of protectionism.turn creates tension and the feeling of protectionism.

The violence after Katrina is another example of how The violence after Katrina is another example of how precariously we sit and how desperate people may precariously we sit and how desperate people may become.become.

International Environmental International Environmental AgreementsAgreements

1992-The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992-The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The UN Framework Convention on Brazil. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed by 150 countries Climate Change was signed by 150 countries here.here.

1997-The Kyoto Conference was a result of the 1997-The Kyoto Conference was a result of the Earth Summit as well. The Kyoto Protocol was Earth Summit as well. The Kyoto Protocol was developed here. Stakeholders from developed here. Stakeholders from environmentalist to multinational corporation environmentalist to multinational corporation continue to meet yearly to address continue to meet yearly to address environmental concerns.environmental concerns.

Yet…Yet…

Unfortunately, the 800 page document that Unfortunately, the 800 page document that resulted by the Earth Summit avoided resulted by the Earth Summit avoided many of the thorniest issus.many of the thorniest issus. The developing nations pressured that there The developing nations pressured that there

would be little said or insisted upon would be little said or insisted upon concerning population control.concerning population control.

The developed nations (industrialized) The developed nations (industrialized) succeeded in protecting the wealthy succeeded in protecting the wealthy multinational corporations from the new multinational corporations from the new environmental regulations.environmental regulations.

How was climate change addressed at the How was climate change addressed at the Earth Summit in Rio?Earth Summit in Rio?

The UN Framework Convention on The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCG) was an Climate Change (UNFCCG) was an agreement among countries to reduce or agreement among countries to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions.prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

It also developed a system through which It also developed a system through which countries could continue to meet in order countries could continue to meet in order to eventually reach the general goals set to eventually reach the general goals set forth in Rio. (Western European were the forth in Rio. (Western European were the most enthusiastic supporters).most enthusiastic supporters).

The U. S. RoleThe U. S. Role

The U.S. was less enthusiastic they opted The U.S. was less enthusiastic they opted not to set targets to reduce emissions.not to set targets to reduce emissions.

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions increased U.S. carbon dioxide emissions increased by about 39% from 1990-2006.by about 39% from 1990-2006.

China and India insisted that the global China and India insisted that the global North must reduce greenhouse emissions North must reduce greenhouse emissions before we could expect the global South to before we could expect the global South to accept restriction.accept restriction.

What was the purpose of the Kyoto What was the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol?Protocol?

Intended to put teeth into the international efforts Intended to put teeth into the international efforts to contain climate change.to contain climate change.

Established specific binding limits for the Established specific binding limits for the emissions of six greenhouse gases.emissions of six greenhouse gases.

Political jockeying went on and the global South Political jockeying went on and the global South joined with Western European countries insisting joined with Western European countries insisting that the global North dramatically reduce their that the global North dramatically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while rejecting any greenhouse gas emissions while rejecting any constraints on their own economic growth.constraints on their own economic growth.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Protocol is a legally binding treaty as of The Protocol is a legally binding treaty as of February 2005.February 2005.

It affects more than 180 countries.It affects more than 180 countries. Thirty-seven industrialized countries in the world Thirty-seven industrialized countries in the world

must meet their Kyoto targets by 2012 or the must meet their Kyoto targets by 2012 or the targets become more stringent.targets become more stringent. Western Europe is to cut greenhouse gases by 9% of Western Europe is to cut greenhouse gases by 9% of

their 1990 outputs, Japan by 6%. All countries should their 1990 outputs, Japan by 6%. All countries should reduce their gases to 5% below their 1990 levels.reduce their gases to 5% below their 1990 levels.

Yet again…Yet again… The Protocol does not require countries such as The Protocol does not require countries such as

China and India to reduce their emissions, but China and India to reduce their emissions, but calls on other Southern state to voluntarily set calls on other Southern state to voluntarily set targets.targets.

In 2008 scientist determined the global South In 2008 scientist determined the global South emitted more co2 than the global North.emitted more co2 than the global North.

But…over the course of history the northern But…over the course of history the northern countries still outweigh emissions from the countries still outweigh emissions from the southern countries.southern countries.

Most scientist believe the Protocol does not do Most scientist believe the Protocol does not do enough to decrease global warming as much as enough to decrease global warming as much as is needed.is needed.

Yet again…Yet again… Another part of the treaty allows countries to use Another part of the treaty allows countries to use

carbon “sinks” to reduce the presence of co2 in carbon “sinks” to reduce the presence of co2 in the air by reabsorbing it.the air by reabsorbing it.

This encourages countries to improve forest This encourages countries to improve forest management and conserve soils.management and conserve soils.

Critics claim it allows countries to continue Critics claim it allows countries to continue “business as usual.”“business as usual.”

It also allows industrialized countries to assist It also allows industrialized countries to assist developing countries in reducing their emissions, developing countries in reducing their emissions, which then allows the industrialized country to which then allows the industrialized country to meet their own targets without really doing so.meet their own targets without really doing so.