Chapter 30 Community Services and the Environment

1. Chapter 30 Community Services and the Environment

2. Environmental pollution Air pollution Smog Acid rain Climate change Global warming Greenhouse gases Deforestation Fossil fuels Incineration Intensive livestock rearing Ozone layer Water pollution Biodegradable waste Inorganic waste Recycling Sustainable energy Carbon emissions Community services Community amenities Statutory services Voluntary services 2

3. After completing this chapter and the homework, assignments and activities that accompany it, you should: Be able to define the term environmental pollution and know what human activities cause it. Know what the main causes of air pollution are and what effects it has on our world. Understand what smog, acid rain, global warming and the ozone layer are and what effect they have on our environment. Understand the main causes of water pollution and the effects it has on humans and wildlife. 3 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

4. Be able to differentiate between organic and inorganic waste. Understand and apply the three Rs of waste management: reduce, reuse and recycle. Understand and put into action the ways that you can become a more environmentally friendly person. Know the ways in which our government is trying to promote environmental friendliness. Be able to list the organisations associated with environmental protection. Be able to differentiate between statutory and non-statutory services and give examples of each. Know what the concept of amenities means. Be able to give examples of natural and man-made amenities in your area. 4 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

5. The environment ‘We don’t have to stop using the earth’s resources, but we do have to stop wasting them.’ (ENFO) • Environmental pollution • Environmental pollution is the term used to describe the ways in which the waste products of human activity harm the natural environment. • Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing mankind and all other animals and plants on earth today. • When asked, most people say they would like to see pollution reduced. • Unfortunately, most of the pollution that threatens our health and the health of the planet comes from products people want and are unwilling to do without, e.g. unnecessarily large cars and houses, foreign travel, etc. 5 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

6. Air pollution • About one-fifth of the world’s people are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. • Air pollution occurs when factories and vehicles, etc. release large amounts of gas, smoke and dirt into the air. • The burning of rubbish in incineration plants can release smoke and heavy metals such as mercury into the atmosphere. 6 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

7. Effects of air pollution • Air pollution causes: • Lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis and cancer • Smog • A decrease in the ozone layer • Acid rain • Climate change 7 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

8. Smog • Smog is one of the most common types of air pollution. Smog is a brown, hazy mixture of gases and smoke. • Smog forms when these gases react with sunlight; this reaction then creates hundreds of harmful chemicals that make up smog. Smog is still a problem in many cities today. • It causes many health problems, such as increased lung infections, asthma and irritation of the linings of the eyes, nose and throat. It also decreases the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. • Dublin had a smog problem in the 1980s, which prompted the government to allow only smokeless fuels to be burned in Irish cities and large towns. This action led to a 70% reduction in smog levels in Ireland. 8 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

9. Acid rain • Acid rain is rain or snow that is unusually acidic. • It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, buildings and human health (cancer). • Acid rain is mostly caused by human emissions of sulphur and nitrogen (as a result of burning fossil fuels), which react in the atmosphere to produce acids. Effects of acid rain on forests 9 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

10. Climate change • Climate change is any long-term significant change in expected average weather patterns. • The main reason for climate change is global warming. Global warming occurs because we are producing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat on the earth’s surface, raising the temperature (global warming). 10

11. Causes of increased greenhouse gas production • Increased CO2emissions • Deforestation • Burning waste • Large power plants burning fossil fuels • Intensive livestock rearing 11

12. Effects of climate change • Flooding (because the icecaps in Antarctica are melting) • More stormy, wet weather • The appearance of insects such as mosquitoes in countries like Ireland, which increases the risk of disease in these countries • Previously fertile land becoming dry and barren, resulting in extreme poverty and starvation • Risk to wildlife, e.g. polar bears 12

13. Ozone layer • The ozone layer is a layer of gas (O3) found nine to 18 miles above the earth’s surface. • Ozone is important because it shields us from the sun’s harmful (cancer-causing) UV rays. • During the 1970s, scientists discovered that holes were forming in the ozone layer, mainly as a result of two groups of substances: CFCs and halons. • CFCs were found in aerosol sprays, fridges and freezers, fast food cartons and air conditioning systems, while halons were in some types of fire extinguishers. • There is a ban on CFCs and halons in most countries in the world and the ozone layer is now repairing itself. Experts believe that it will recover fully by 2050. 13

14. Water pollution • Water pollution is the contamination of water by substances such as human sewage, agricultural runoff and chemical waste from industrial plants. • Approximately 5 million people die every year from drinking polluted water. • The main effects of water pollution on humans are diseases such as cholera, dysentery and E. coli poisoning. • Water pollution also causes the death of fish and damage to birds, plants and other wildlife. 14 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

15. Waste disposal • One of the biggest problems facing society is waste disposal. Waste products can be: • Organic or biodegradable • Inorganic • If waste is not recycled, then it must be disposed of in one of two ways: dumped and buried in landfill sites or burned in incinerators. Both of these methods can be damaging to us and the environment. We therefore need to remember the three Rs with regard to waste management. 15 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

16. The three Rs of waste management • Reduce the amount of waste produced. • Reuse goods where possible, e.g. shopping bags, old clothes as polishing cloths. • Recycle both organic waste, e.g. compost bin, and inorganic waste, e.g. bottle bank. 16 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

17. Protecting the environment • What can you do to help protect the environment? • Be an eco-friendly shopper: • Avoid over-packaged goods. • If goods are packaged, make sure the packaging is recycled or recyclable. • Look for the EU Ecolabel. • Bring a shopping bag. 17 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

18. Protecting the environment (continued) • 2. Recycle: • Recycle bottles, cans, paper, plastic, batteries and mobile phones. Recycling symbol • Recycle clothes by donating them to charity shops. • Recycle organic waste, such as vegetable peels, by having a compost bin or compost heap. Compost bin 18 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

19. Protecting the environment (continued) • Don’t litter and don’t tolerate those who do. • Use less water: • Showers use less than half the water baths do. • Fix dripping taps. • Do not turn on the dishwasher or washing machine for small amounts. Use the half-load or economy wash settings if you must wash less than a full load or if the load is not very dirty. • Walk or cycle to school where possible. 19 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

20. Protecting the environment (continued) • Use less energy: • Do not over-heat the home. • Turn off lights when not in use. • Use energy-saving bulbs (CFLs). • When choosing electrical appliances, choose energy-efficient models (A or B labels). 20 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

21. Government action • Plastic bag levy • Car tax based on carbon emissions • Sustainable Energy Ireland • Recycling centres • Government-sponsored websites • What other measures do you think the government could introduce to help us help the environment? 21 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

22. Organisations involved with environmental protection • Environment Protection Agency • Friends of the Earth • Greenpeace • The Green Party 22 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

23. Climate change video link Watch David Attenborough: The Truth About Climate Change (BBC – Part 1) on YouTube, uploaded by Carbon Control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JmrmwIyhAE 23 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

24. Community services • When people live together in urban (city or town) or rural (country) areas, they form a community. • Most communities have a number of services and amenities. 24 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

25. Statutory (government-run) services • Education (schools, some pre-schools) • Gardaí • Health (hospitals, health centres) • Libraries • Local authority housing (council or corporation) • Postal services • Public transport • Social welfare 25 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

26. Voluntary services • GAA, soccer and rugby clubs • Homeless Aid • ISPCC • Meals on Wheels • Neighbourhood Watch • REHAB Foundation • Samaritans • Society of St Vincent de Paul • Youth clubs 26 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

27. Amenities • An amenity is another word for a leisure facility. • Amenities can be natural or man-made. 27 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

28. What is environmental pollution? List two causes of air pollution. What are the five main effects of air pollution? What is smog? What effect does smog have on human health? What is acid rain? What causes it? Define climate change. What is the main reason for climate change? Name a greenhouse gas. Describe five causes of increased greenhouse gas production in modern society. 28 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

29. What are the five main effects of climate change? What is the ozone layer? What caused a hole to develop in the ozone layer during the 1970s? List three causes of water pollution. List two effects of water pollution. What are the two types of waste? Describe the three Rs of waste management. Outline six ways you can help protect the environment. 29 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

30. List three ways the government has tried to reduce environmental pollution. Name four organisations involved in environmental protection. What are statutory services? Give four examples of statutory services. What are voluntary services? Give four examples of voluntary services. Give two examples of natural amenities and two examples of man-made amenities. 30 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

31. Assignment 47 Now test yourself at www.eTest.ie. 31 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition