Transcript Acid Rain, Air Pollution, and Nuclear Disaster in Europe

Acid Rain, Air Pollution, and
Nuclear Disaster in Europe
GPS SS6G9a. Explain the major concerns of
Europeans regarding the issues such as acid
rain in Germany, the air pollution in the United
Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in
Chernobyl, Ukraine.
Acid Rain in Germany
CAUSES
smoke from factories &
power plants
Car and bus exhaust
EFFECTS
Eats holes in statues & buildings
damages soil and trees
pollutes rivers
kills wildlife
Germany’s Acid Rain Solutions
• Factories can use water power instead of
coal
• Laws reduce car & factory emissions
• Factories clean smoke that leaves
smokestacks
• New energy sources – wind and solar
power
Air Pollution in UK
• SMOG = air pollution caused by
sunlight + car & factory exhausts
• Great Smog 1952: lasted 4 days
– Increased crime
– Slowed transportation
– 1000s died
Causes
• Burning coal
• Car/ diesel exhaust
and
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Effects
Asthma
Pneumonia
Blackens buildings
Threatens wildlife
UK Air Pollution Solutions
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Smokeless zones (no smoky fuels)
Cleaner coal
Increased use of electricity & natural gas
Laws to make cars produce cleaner
exhaust
• People drive less
Chernobyl Disaster
• http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ch
ernobyl+disaster&view=detail&id=4769ED
4A2F97EA6680F9521C66A129BDBA515
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Nuclear Disaster Chernobyl,
Ukraine
• 1986
• Nuclear power station exploded
Effects
1/10 of land and
1 million people
exposed to radiation
Poisoned land
and water
Poisoned air as far
away as
Scandinavia
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Reactor was buried in concrete.
It still is not safe.
28 emergency workers died within months
Cancer rates have increased.
Notice!
• Because of wind currents, a mistake in
one country can affect other countries!
• Read pp.114-117
• Answer questions #288-299.