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The changing atmosphere at Bigtown
All molecules aren't crazy about their journey through Bigtown, a city with several industries sending emissions into the air which contribute to the smog hanging over the city. Both the human population and the automobile population seem to have doubled during the past ten years and they all seem to be on the road at the same time.
 This is not an area where any molecule wants to evaporate because it immediately comes in contact with any number of unpronounceable pollutants in the air. And there's no telling where they might go. Winds can blow them from one end of the country to the other, carrying their unpleasant cargo with them.
Some of the materials which go into the atmosphere also contribute to climate change, the depletion of the ozone layer, and acid rain.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Atmosphere knows no political borders
Because air currents carry smog from cars, diesel engines and factories far away from the pollution source, airborne pollutants from Russia, Europe, and North America contribute to a haze in the Arctic.
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Fun time
Atmosphere
You (or your team) have 15 minutes. See who can find the most four-letter words in the word atmosphere.
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A report on climate change
Each of us in a small way can play a direct role in combatting climate change. What can you do?
Present a report to your class on simple measures that they and their families can take.
Examples: Use the new fluorescent light bulbs that take only one-quarter the energy of others; walk, ride your bike or take a bus – don't get your parents to drive you everywhere; plant trees; recycle papers. Advertise your report with a poster.
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Mount St. Helens
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. On May 22, 1980, fine grey ash from the volcano was scattered in Atlantic Canada.
- Where is Mount St. Helens?
- How far did the ash travel?
- What is significant about this information in terms of environmental pollution?
Fuel
What does "fossil" mean? Why are these fuels called "fossil"? What other kinds of fuels are there besides fossil fuels?
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Climate change
Natural greenhouse gases in our atmosphere act like a blanket, or the glass of a greenhouse to trap the sun's heat and keep the Earth warm. Unfortunately, increases of gases like carbon dioxide from human activities add to this naturally occurring greenhouse effect and trap more heat than we need in our atmosphere. This causes the Earth to "heat up". It is predicted that over the next century, global temperatures may rise from 1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celsius. This global warming could have serious impacts.
The main greenhouse gases are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) – emitted through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil and wood. Driving your car, heating your home, and most production processes increase CO2.
- Methane – produced when vegetation is burned, digested or rots without the presence of oxygen. Large amounts of methane are released by garbage dumps, rice paddies and grazing livestock.
- Nitrous Oxide – produced in the soil and water and acts as a natural plant fertilizer. However, the burning of fossil fuels and wood, and the use of chemical fertilizers have increased the amount of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. One third of the nitrous oxide found in the atmosphere comes from human sources.
- Ozone – a natural gas which acts as a shield in the upper atmosphere to protect us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. In the outer atmosphere, however, it is a major component of urban smog and comes mostly from automobile exhaust and coal-burning plants.
- Chlorfluorocarbons (CFCs) – used in the production of some plastic foam insulation and electronic equipment; contained in car air conditioners, refrigerators, spray cans, and other products. CFCs destroy ozone in the stratosphere and account for 15%-20% of the increasing greenhouse effect.
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Ozone depletion
The protective ozone layer high in the atmosphere is threatened by CFCs which slowly float upward from the lower atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere the intense ultraviolet rays break down the CFCs to other chemicals which destroy the ozone. This results in the gradual thinning of the ozone layer and allows more ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth's surface.
Good News:
- CFCs have been removed from all aerosol spray cans sold in Canada (except for certain limited medical use).
- Food packaging foam (egg cartons, meat trays, fast-food containers, foam cups) no longer contains CFCs when sold in Canada. However, these items tend not to be recyclable and contribute to ever-increasing amounts of garbage.
- Small portable fire extinguishers no longer contain halogens, a chemical product that destroys the ozone.
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Change automobile use
Your group has been asked to study the implications of decreased automobile use in Canada and to make suggestions for decreasing automobile use.
- How would this affect the Canadian economy?
- What affect could it have on the global environment?
- How would it affect your family? (Brainstorm: Who would object to this decease? Why? List.)
- What are your suggestions for changing the way we use automobiles?
- What would be the advantage if your family bought a car without air conditioning?
- How could buying a smaller car help the environment?
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Acid rain
Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The main sources of sulphur dioxide are coal-fired power generating stations and non-ferrous ore smelters. The main sources of nitrous oxide emissions are vehicles and fuel combustion.
Once these emissions are released into our atmosphere, they can be carried long distances by winds and returned to earth in the form of acid rain, snow, fog or dust. Acid rain increases the acidity of soil, water and shallow groundwater, which in turn, threatens forests, aquatic species and waterfowl species.
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Atmospheric news!
Organize a newsletter to inform others about threats to our atmosphere.
- Research the impact on all parts of the ecosystem such as trees, wildlife, groundwater, lakes, etc., in your area.
- What laws are in place right now to protect our atmosphere?
- What laws are planned for the near future?
- Look for "good news" stories.
- Are there people in your area you could interview, like scientists, environmental experts, politicians, etc.?
- Prepare drawings, illustrations, pictures.
- Write stories, poems, songs, puzzles to increase awareness.
- Organize a bulletin board for news articles.
- Arrange an eyecatching layout for your newsletter.
- Include a "What you can do" section.
- Write letters to politicians. If you have not been politically active before, now is the time to start. Make sure your letters are properly written. Check with teachers and parents before mailing them. You do want to be taken seriously.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Historic Sites
All across the country there are over 100 Historic Sites which are administered by Parks Canada. They preserve, for all of us, examples of Canadian history. Maybe there is a historic site in the area you live.
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Problem solving and air pollution
Automobiles account for more of the world's air pollution than any other source.
You are the world's expert on problem solving and air pollution. You recognize that each of the following groups has helped contribute to the problem and each has to help with the solution:
- Consumers
- Automobile manufacturers
- Politicians
- Oil and gas industry
As a consultant to each of the four groups, you have two tasks:
- Identify how they have been part of the problem;
- List ways they can be part of the solution. (What advice can you give to your parents about controlling automobile pollution?)
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