Chapter 32 Section 1

1. Chapter 32 Section 1

2. I. The Environmental Crisis • A. In 1962, American scientist Rachel Carson warned that the use of pesticides was harmful to the environment • 1. This warning gave rise to a new field of science called ecology- the study of the relationship between living things and their environment

3. B. Deforestation- The clearing of forests destroys the natural homes for plants and animals. • 1. The rapid destruction of tropical rain forests is worrisome because they support 50 % of the world’s species of plants and animals

4. C. Many scientists believe that the release of chlorofluorocarbons is destroying the ozone layer- thin layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that shields earth from the sun

5. D. Other scientists believe that greenhouse effect creates global warming by causing a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere • 1. Global warming could cause sea levels to rise and the flooding of coastal areas

6. E. Another problem is acid rain- rain caused when sulfur from factories mixes with moisture in the air • 1. Acid rain is killing forests in North America and Europe

7. F. Major ecological disasters, such as the release of chemical toxic fumes in Bhopal, India, and a nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, have occurred in the last 20 years. • 1. Various programs and meetings have been started to help address these problems.

8. II. The Technological Revolution • A. Modern transportation and communication systems are changing the world. • 1. The internet provides quick access to an enormous amount of information • 2. The development of the World Wide Web in the 90’s made the internet accessible to people everywhere • 3. Other technology, such as satellites and cell phones allow people to communicate instantly with others around the world

9. B. In 1969, the American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon

10. C. New medicines and new technologies help doctors treat more illnesses than ever before • 1. Some scientists question whether genetic engineering might create new strains of deadly bacteria • 2. Stem-cell research and cloning have also caused great debate

11. D. The green revolution has increased crop yields, but large amounts of chemical fertilizers are needed to grow the new strains of crops • 1. The pesticides needed to control the insects for the new crops damage the environment

12. E. Nuclear weapons continue to spread, making a regional nuclear war possible. • 1. Biowarfare and Bioterrorism, or the use of biological and chemical weapons in wartime and in terrorist attacks, remain a threat despite attempts to limit the use of such weapons

13. III. Economic and Social Challenges • A. Since World War II, countries of the world have developed a global economy- an economy where production and sale of goods is world wide • 1. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995

14. B. The global economy has created a large gap between rich industrialized nations and the poor developing countries that are primarily farming nations with little technology. • 1. Population growth and hunger are staggering problems • 2. Civil wars in countries such as Sudan often lead to food shortages

15. C. In Western countries the gap between the status of men and women has steadily been narrowing • 1. Women in developing countries continue to face difficulties in obtaining education, property rights, or decent jobs.

16. IV. Political Challenges • A. Most African and Asian leaders wanted democracy after WWII. • 1. Developing countries, however generally replaced democratic systems with military dictatorships or one-rule governments

17. B. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in democratic systems In parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America • C. Regional, ethnic, and religious differences continue to create conflict around the world. • 1. Also, international terrorist groups are trying to wreak havoc throughout the world