Environmental Problems and Solutions

Acid Rain

The fuels used for locomotion and electricity generation emit sulfur and nitrogen oxides. These chemicals react with water in the clouds and produce acids.

Consequences:

• The soil and the water of lakes and rivers acidify.
• Trees and aquatic organisms become ill and can die.
• The acids attack and dissolve limestone.

Solutions:

• Decrease the consumption of fossil fuels.
• Eliminate the sulfur before using the fuel.
• Eliminate oxides before releasing them into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Effect

The problem appears when the presence of carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor in the atmosphere is larger than normal. The abuse of fossil fuels is the source of carbon dioxide. Farts and escapes from underwater methane are the main sources.

Global Warming:

An increase in the average temperature of the Earth.

Consequences:

• Melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, so sea level is higher.
• Increase in drought and atmospheric phenomena.
• Increase of wildfire risk.
• Extinction of species.

Solutions:

• Reduce the use of fossil fuels by promoting renewable energy sources.
• Control the amount of livestock used for food by responsible consumption.

Origin of the Ozone Layer Hole

CFCs are man-made gases used for several things. When CFCs come in contact with UV rays at the higher layers of the atmosphere, they react with the ozone molecules, breaking them. The ozone layer absorbs the main part of the UV radiation. As a result of the hole in the ozone layer, the amount of UV radiation reaching Earth's surface is higher.

Consequences:

• Skin burn
• Skin cancer
• Blindness
• Lethal mutations

Solutions:

• To reduce the emission of CFCs.

Chemistry and the Environment