Ecological Guide - Save the butterflies, save the planet!

7/30/2019 Ecological Guide - Save the butterflies, save the planet!

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.End product created with the financial support of the European Commissiontrough Lifelong Learning Programme , Comenius Multilateral Partnershipssubprogram.

This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commissioncannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the informationcontained therein.

Ecological guide

Save the Butterflies,Save the planet!2010 2012


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All information and

i m a g e s i n t h i secological guide areused for educationalpurposes only and with

no commercial profit.


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This project has been funded with supportfrom the European Commission.

End product created with the financial supportof the European Commission trough LifelongLearning Programme , Comenius MultilateralPartnerships subprogram.

This publication reflects the views only of theauthor, and the Commission cannot be heldresponsible for any use which may be made ofthe information contained therein.


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Table of contentsForewordI.BiodiversityII. Global Warming2.1 General information2.2 Causes of climate change2.2.1 Natural causes of climate change2.2.2 Human causes of climate changeIII. Pollution the main source ofclimate changeIV. The major sources of pollution inmy local areaBulgariaGermanyHungaryItalyLithuaniaPolandRomaniaTurkeyV. Deforestation as a contributor tothe causes for climate changeVI. Effects of climate changeVII. Climate hazardsVIII. Extinction of plant and animalspeciesIX. Climate change and human healthX. Strategies for slowing globalwarmingXI. Project virtual productsXII. Photo documentation of theproject meetings and activitiesXIII. BibliographyXIV. summary

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In a world where countries become more and more industrialized, materialism dominates

motivation and instincts; though Global Warming is regarded as a globally significant

threat, mankind has not managed to acquire environmentally-friendly consciousness.

A world scavenged by stormssocial, technological

and ecological, a world that wishes

and demands change of the old destructive industrial paradigms. Living in a globalized,

information-based world exactly the information is the ship that can help us stay above

the flood. And here we are

8 different countries, 8 different schools and a lot of different

people trying to build this ship for the future generations.

For 2 years the Comenius project SAVE THE BUTTERFLIES, SAVE THE PLANET!

was carried out by:

SCHOOL WITH CLASSES I-VIII , Ivesti, Romania (general coordinator)

SEHIT EVLIYA ILKOGRETM OKULU

, Kahramanmara, Turkey

SZKOA PODSTAWOWA STOWARZYSZENIA PRZYJACI SZKKATOLICKICH W WINOWNIE , Winowno, Poland

ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO STATALE "MONS.V.AGLIALORO ", Caccamo,

Italy

SOU OTEC PAISII , Vratsa, Bulgaria

SIAULIAI AUKSTABALIS SECONDARY SCHOOL, Siauliai, Lithuania

GT LTALNOS ISKOLA, VODA S BLCSDE

TISZAGYULAHZA

LTALNOS ISKOLAI TAGINTZMNY NO3 , Tiszagyulahza, Hungary SECONDARY SCHOOL "HELENE LANGE", Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany

Together we are gathering all the in formation that is needed, so that we can prepare

ourselves for the events of tomorrow.

The title underlines, on purpose, the value and the central role of the butterflies:Butterflies are sensitive to climate change and this makes them ideal indicators for environmental health. Every butterfly bears on its wings a crumb of the Earths b eauty:

the green of the fields ,a branch of a tree from the top of the forests, the flowers p etals,

the freshness of the air,a droplet of pure water.

Each one can be a butterfly to whom we should show that whats happening to t he Earth

it is happening to us and it will affect those who are coming.

This project was created to develop love for nature and desire to protect the environment

in our students and, more generally, in our local communities.

This is just a start in identifying the necessar y conditions to protect nature , to understand

global and regional effects when we get involved in solving env ironmental problems. This

also means getting students, but also teachers, parents, families etc., involved responsibly

in protecting and preserving the environment.

FOREWORD

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A new consciousness is becoming aware of its existence. It is the consciousness that we

are responsible not only for our behavior and habits, but also for the existing situation that

requires our best efforts to repair the things that are broken and restore the harmony and

symbiosis between the human and the planet.

This ecological guide, the final product of our project, is intended to clarify, inform and

make individuals and communities conscious of globally potential risks, threats, well -

proven causes, results and effects of Global Monster , shortly to say, the whole reality

of the Climate Change and increase the level of individual and global aware ness and

consciousness thereby succeeding in handing down to next generations a world which

carries its natural colours and breathable properties. Because, just like a little butterfly

has, we all have the right to live.

We dont have a recipe or a set model, we only have carefully chosen materials to helpyou realize nature is a source of peace , health and beauty. This Ecological Guide just

puts into action teachers and pupils experience throughout the unrolling of the project.

We would like you to join us in the unfolding of this guide, page by page.

Look! the tiny butterflies have already started to lay out of their cocoons, flown into blue

sky and brought us the fragrance of colourful flowers. They fulfilled their ultimate task

and now it is our turn!

Come on! Lets gather for our nature hand in hand and wing in wing.

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What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is one of the big buzzwords of our time. You can hear it on the radio and in

conversation, on TV and in films. It's a w ord frequently found on the lips of politicians,

broadcosters, ecowarriors, business people, students, your friends and acquaintances down

at the cafe or bar, consercationists, and even schoolchildren. But it seems to mean

different things to different peo ple. So we have a subject that many of us would agree is

essential to know something about, even to come to grips with, but one for which few of

us have a clear definition. Fortunately, if you know where to look you can find some

definitions for the word the problem is, if you look quite hard you can find more than

eighty different definitions. We will try to make the term biodiversity clear.

The word biodiversity is a contracted version of biological diversity. This term was

used for the first time by a scientist and conversationist Raymond F. Dasmann in a book

A Different Kind of Country in 1968, but it came into usage in science and

environmental policy after more than a decade. Since this period the term has achieved

widespread use among biolo gists, environmentalists, political leaders, and concerned

citizens. But what exactly does biodiversity mean?

It is the variability among living organisms forms, all sources including [among other

things] terrestial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of

which they are a part including diversity within species, between species and of

ecosystems. In short, biodiversity is the variety of all forms of life, from genes to species,

through to the broad scale of ecosystems.

It is considered to be composed by three types of varieties clearly related to each

other:

Genetic: genetic varieties or sub-specific genetic forms and varieties

Taxonomic: species variety or other taxonomic categories

Ecological: ecosystem variety at any geographic level

I. Biodiversity

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Each ecosystem has organisms that are part of everything, acting reciprocally among

themselves, with the wind, water, and soil. The most remarkable characteristic of

biodiversity is its constant evolution, not only at species level, b ut also over individual

organisms. Besides, it is not uniformly distributed through the whole planet: abundant in

tropical regions, less abundant as you approach to the Polar Regions.

In other words, biodiversity refers to all species plants and animal s - living together into

a space given, including that space.

Biodiversity is important:

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all

have an important role to play.

For example,

A larger number of plant

species means a greatervariety of crops

Greater species diversity

ensures natural sustainabilityfor all life forms

Healthy ecosystems can

better withstand and recover

from a variety of disasters.

And so, while we people dominate this planet, we still need t o preserve the diversity in

wildlife.

A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone :

Ecosystem services, such as

Protection of water resources Soils formation and protection Nutrient storage and recycling Pollution breakdown and absorption Contribution to climate stability Maintenance of ecosystems Recovery from unpredictable events

Biological resources, such as

Food Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs

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Wooden products Ornamental plants Breeding stocks, population reservoirs Future resources Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems Social benefits, such as Research, education and monitoring Recreation and tourism Cultural values

To prevent the well -known and well -documented problems of genetic defects c aused byin-breeding, species need a variety of genes to ensure successful survival. Without this,

the chances of extinction increases.

Species depend on each other . While there might be survival of the fittest within a

given species, each species depend s on the services provided by other species to ensuresurvival.

It is a type of cooperation based on mutual survival and is often what a balanced

ecosystem refers to.

The relationship between soil, plants, bacteria and other life is also referred to as t he

nitrogen cycle:

************************************************************************

Biodiversity makes this planet special and unique . Every species enriches the diversity

of our life experience, just as the diversity of our cultures does.We sh ould care when species and ecosystems disappear because the loss of any species

means the loss of invaluable information that could help us solve future problems. Also,

the more species there are, the better ecosystems can provide us with valuable services.

Finally, nature inspires us with its beauty and perfection.

Extinctions From Human Activity

Despite the knowledge about biodiversitys importance for a long time, human activity has

been causing massive extinctions. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF ) added thatEarth is unable to keep up in the struggle to regenerate from the demands we place on it.

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In the year of biodiversity (2010) Ogilvy Paris andWWFto launch

a thought-provoking campaign aimed to escalatethe conversation ofwhats at stake when biodiversity is notrespected.

The campaignshows wild animals in theirnatural environment tagged by graffiti paint.

Source: http://www.ogilvy.com

Moreover, ecos ystems provide us with a variety of extremely valuable and oftenirreplaceable services. They maintain processes essential to human well -being such as

providing food and medicines, facilitating pollination and water security, and cycling

oxygen, carbon andother important chemicals between the soil, air and water.

The biodiversity crisis is a global environmental crisis

with potentially devastating

consequences for human well -being which are on par with the potential threats posed by

the water crisis and the pollution crisis.

The continuing decrease of plant and animal populations and the resulting extinction of

species and unravelling of ecosystems are still too often considered just sad events

happening somewhere far away, like the disappearance of chari smatic species like tigers

and pandas, but not of a threatening nature to daily life.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that many species are

threatened with extinction. In addition,

At threat of extinction are

1 out of 8 birds

1 out of 4 mammals 1 out of 4 conifers 1 out of 3 amphibians 6 out of 7 marine turtles

75% of genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost 75% of the worlds fisheries are fully or over exploited Up to 70% of the worlds known species risk extinction if the global temperatures

rise by more than 3.5C 1/3rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with extinction Over 350 million people suffer from severe water scarcity

In different parts of the world, species face different levels and types of threats. But

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Human activities greatly diminishbiodiversity:

genetic diversity is lost, species goextinct, ecosystems are degraded and

polluted.

The loss of any species means the lossof invaluable information that couldhelp us solve future problems, eventricky problems such as how to designmore effective medicines, windturbines or buildings.


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overall patterns show a downward trend in most cases.

The rate of biodiversity loss has not been reduced because the 5 principle pressures on

biodiversity are persistent, even intensifying:1. Habitat loss and degradation2. Climate change3. Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution4. Over-exploitation and unsustainable use5. Invasive alien species

Biodiversity crashes have increasing impact on human well -being directly. Especially

the quality of life of the poor and th e rural people, but eventually of everybody will be

more and more influenced when, for example:

- fisheries collapse leaving entire communities unemployed, -pollinators like bees and butterflies disappear, leaving crops unfertilized and harvests

diminished,- damaged ecosystems lose the capability of soaking up and cleaning water, leading to

devastating floods and mudslides and poisoned and diminished ground water all around

the world.

Protected areas are a vital part of mankind's

attempts to preserve the diversity of life on

earth. Flavio Takemoto

The value of ecosystems to poor and rural people

We should ta ke note that it is often the poor and rural people who are directly affected

when biodiversity declines, such as when mining operations or water dams take their land

to provide resources and energy for the better -off people living in urban areas. Often the

economic gain from such developments, e.g., mining, is offset by the economic loss, e.g.,

the loss of fresh water, food and the other services provided by the ecosystem which was

destroyed by the mining. Therefore, destruction of biodiversity is often uneconomical, but

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The value of species to ecosystems

These so-called ecosystem services are not onlyfreely provided by nature, but also essential to

human well-being. And these vital services aremore effective and productive when there aremany species around: the more species thereare, the better ecosystems work.While we cannot say for sure that every singlespecies is of direct value to humans, themultitude of species ensures the good andstable functioning of ecosystems, which, inreturn, provide multiple benefits to humanwell-being


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the gains from that destruction do benefit certain special interest groups, e.g., mining

companies.

Whether the living world should be protected because it has rights of its own or because ofits economic and other benefits to human societies is a difficult moral question, but wecertainly will make it very difficult for us to have a good life on a planet with severely

diminished or collapsed ecosystems.

The European Union has adopted a new 2020 biodiversity target in March 2010 whichaims at halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the

EU by 2020 and restoring them as much as possible. At the same time, the EU will step up

its contribution to averting global biodiversity loss. The adoption of a new EU biodiversity

strategy is envisaged in 2011 to translate the EU target into specific measures.

************************************************************************

. Protecting biodiversity is in our self -interest.Biological resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations.

Natures products support such diverse industries as agriculture, cosmetics,

pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, horticulture, construction and waste treatment.The loss of biodiversity threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and

tourism, and sources of wood, medicines and energy. It also interferes with essential

ecological functions.

- by Hungarian partner -

(GT ltalnos Iskola, voda sBlcsdeTiszagyulahza lt. Isk. Tagint.)

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The global warming is actually a global warning, a warning for misbalance in the

scales between human civilization and nature. It is a warning that if we dont chang e our

ways, thinking in a global scale, a massive ecological disaster may happen. Maybe even

during the time that someone reads this article it may already be too late to prevent it.Global warming is the process of heating up and refers to the rising aver age temperature

of

Earth's atmosphere and oceans, which started to increase in the late XIXth century with

the discovery of fossil fuels and is projected to keep going up. Since the early XXth

century, Earth's average surface temperature has increased by a bout

0.8 C

(1.4

F), with

about two thirds of the increase occurring since 1980.

Warming of the

climate

system is

unequivocal, and scientists are more than 90% certain that most of it is caused by

increasing concentrations of

greenhouse gases

produced by human activities such

as

deforestation

and burning

fossil fuels.

These findings are recognized by the national

science academies of all the major industrialized nations. The Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change claims that during the 21 st

century, the

global surface temperature is

likely to rise a further 1.1 to 2.9 C

in the best case and 2.4 to 6.4 for the worse

expectations.

This increase in global temperature will cause serious rises in sea levels and will

change the amount and pattern of precipi tation, and a probable expansion of subtropical

deserts. For the Arctic it would be devastating to cause retreat of glaciers, permafrost and

sea ice. Other probable effects of the warming include drastic decline of biodiversity.Evidence for warming of t he climate system includes observed increases in global

average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising globalaverage sea level.

One of the biggest reasons for the warming is the greenhouse effect which is the

process bywhich

absorption

and

emission

of

infrared radiation by gases in the

atmosphere

which heats theplanet's lower atmosphere and surface. It was proposed by

Joseph

Fourierin 1824 and was first investigated quantitatively by

Svante Arrhenius

in 1896.

II. Global warming2 . 1 G e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n

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The illustration above showed the basic principles of the greenhouse effect which

is naturally phenomenon which even has a positive effect to some extent. However, in

nature it has some regular levels. For the past XX century, the conditions for the existence

of the greenhouse effect improved because of the human activities and the release of huge

quantities of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

In terrestrial ecosystems, the earlier timing of spring events, and poleward and

upward shifts in plant and animal ranges, have been linked with high confidence to recent

warming. Future climate change is expected to particularly affect certain ecosystems,

including tundra, mangroves, and coral reefs. It is expected that most ecosystems will be

affected by higher a tmospheric CO2 levels, combined with higher global

temperatures. Overall, it is expected that climate change will result in the extinction of

many species and reduced diversity of ecosystems. It may even change the ocean currents

because of the drastic mel ting of the polar ice caps which are the refrigera ting system ofour planet. Thus , research shows that if the global warming continues with this drastic,

rapid progress, a major shift in climate zones is inevitable. For example areas that have

been into the temperate climate zone shift to subtropical climate. Areas in the sub -polar

regions shift into temperate. The fragile balance and symbiosis between habitat and the

species that populate them is violated leading to the extinction of species or unexpec ted

migrations. One of the most obvious examples that can be made is with polar bears -

which are excellent swimmers. Because of the glaziers meltdown, they have to travel to

bigger unexpected distances. The amount of ice which they use as intermediate res ting

zones is reduced. Several cases of drowned polar bears are observed for the past two

decades because of the reduced quantities of ice and the bigger distances between the land

areas and the polar ice.

Every subject in school is important, but probably the most important in the time

after the industrial and modern revolutions is to return the balance between human

civilization and the environment. According to the evolution theory, we as a species are

one of the newest newcomers in this environment, but our existence is becoming more and

more destructive, not symbiotic. If all people on earth disappear, all our lives will flourish

back only for 50 years. If we continue with the current way of life, after 50 years, we will

live in a scavenged world.

Solutions are available perm culture, sustainable housing, sustainable way oflives, independence from fossil fuels by using more and more renewable sources of

energy. Reducing the levels of the greenhouse gasses by making every possible place likerooftops for example - greener and greener.

With a dream of a greener future, we are looking forward to the realization of this

dream. Dream big and everything is possible.

Vasil Angelov and the students from the Small Ecologist Club, Vratsa, Bulgaria

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The earth's climate is dynamic and always changing th rough a natural cycle. What the

world is more worried about is that the changes that are occurring today have been

speeded up because of man's activities. These changes are being studied by scientists all

over the world who are finding evidence from tree r ings, pollen samples, ice cores, andsea sediments.

The causes of climate change can be divided into two categories

- human causes and- natural causes.

The natural variability and the climate fluctuations of the climate system have always been

part of the Ea rths history , however there have been changes in concentrations of

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere growing at an unprecedented rate and magnitude.

Image source: http://dorsi.hubpages.com

2.2 Causes of climate change

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1.The Effect of the Sun:PaalBrekke, one of the knowledgeable scientists of ESA, has stated that

climatologists have studied the 11-year-old orbital cycles of sun spots and that the sun has

had a variation in its radiance during the centuries. As a result, it is highly e stimated thatthe suns magnetic field, protons and solar winds occurring in the shape of electrons areresponsible for being a shelter against the cosmic rays in the solar system. This shield

vulnerable to variable activity by the sun can transmit cosmic rays. The excessive amount

of cosmic rays increase clouds, changes the radiation rate of sun, thereby leading to global

temperature rise.

That the increasing quantity of the cosmic beams from sun causes the earth to possess and

absorb too much heat.This case leads to muchmore heat in the earth than it should be.

The solar ultraviolet rays also bring about a change on the ozone layer forming chemical

reactions (which, as a result, the whole atmosphere.

2.Precision Motion on Earth:

A serbian scientist , MilutinMilankovi emphasized that the earths orbit around thesun gets more and more compressed once each 95000 years .In addition, there exists linear

shift in the axis of the world once every 41000 years as well as circular deviation every

23000 year s. Most of contemporary scientists specify that the world experienced

periodical cold times due to these movements of the earth and during these cool periods

(in periods of 100000 years) , the earth also had hot temperatures every 10000 years. So

this forms the reason of the natural warming of the world.

2.2.1 Natural causes of the

climate change

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The following figures indicate how the precision movement affects the global warming.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

3.The Effect of El-Nino:

The El-Nino movement called The event of South Oscillation warmth led to a rise up to

2.5 C in the heat of sea -surface of eastern Tr opical Pacific Ocean during 1990-1998. It is

widely accepted that 1997 -1998 strong El -Nino winds had a significant impact on theformation of considerably high surface temperatures especially in 1997-1998s. The strong

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El-Nino in 1998 is considered to b e the main factor contributing to the high global

warming of that year.

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Apart from the 3 main factors mentioned above, there are 2 scientific studies and

researches as follows:

a) The plates forming the continents shift from each other approximately 1 -15 cm once250 Million years.

Certain scientists are firmly convince d that the change of the winds direction and

current systems on oceans caused by continental shift is one of the main causes ofclimate change. The figure below indicates the ancient case of the continents and

todays alongside.

CONTINENTS

MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO TODAY

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b) Some large volcanic eruptions throw tiny particles called aerosols high up into the

atmosphere, where they block out some sunlight, cooling the planet down. The eruption of

Mount Pinatubo in 1991 caused a 0.5 C drop in global temperature.

TURKISH TEAMehitEvliya Primary School,

Kahramanmara,Turkey.

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One of the most significant problem of contemporary world is assurance people of

ecological safety. Man and his activities have a huge impact on the environment, on a

local scale in his closest surroundings, and on a global one where Man's impact on theenvironment is world -wide, international. Man because of the pr ogress of civilization,

rising heavy industry and other branches of economy has m ore and more destructive

impact on the world.

Air pollution, chemicals emission, the greenhouse effect, soil, forests and natural

ecosystem degradation, climate modification a re some examples of Man's activities

crippling landscapes and climate.

All changes in our surroundings that come into being because of Man's activities are

called anthropogenic changes, and factors that cause them are antrhopogenic factors. They

are conne cted with each direct or indirect Man's impact on the einvronment and plants

living there. Farming areas are the great example of this impact. Farm business which is

conformed to a superior purpose i.e. magnification of production, often leads to

environmental degradation. As a result of other non farm business there are also many

unfavourable changes, such as reduction of farmlands to public utilities and industrial

development advantage, air, soil and water polluted with industry or river deepening.

As a result of Man's activities, many ecological dangers which are global came into being.

Experts distinguish four groups:

1. spreading of toxic agents chemical or radioactive, that are not biologicallydecomposed,

2. destruction of forests deforestation, and water area acidification,

3. atmospheric pollution hydrochlorofluorocarbons pollute th e air and cause the

ozone layer depletion (the ozone hole) and ultraviolet radiation as a result,

4. the greenhouse effect.Besides, there is constant air pollution which is caused by other elements and chemical

agents, dust, and disastrous growth of an amount of rubbish. The destruction of tropical

forests is a huge problem because it leads to mass and accelerated dying out of many

species.An anthropogenic change is very c onscious or unconscious, intentional or

accidental activity which causes environmental reaction. Some of them can entail very

significant landscape changes at small areas (industry or buildins), and others change

bigger regions but insignificantly (farming ).But landscapes enrichment is not usually

ecological enrichment.

Three kinds of space use are distuinguished:

2.2.2 Human causes of climate change

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- biogenic use forestry, hunting, farming flora and fauna are changed in the first

instance

- geogenic use underground and opencast mini ng the surface area of the Earth is

changed

- technogenic use colonization, industry and transport affect landscapes the most

Anthropogenic disturbances are caused by different kinds of activities. They affect

ecosystems in three ways: mechanically, organizacionally and chemically.

Mechanical influences are noticeable in fields the surface area of soil changes by using

agrotechnical procedures.

Using fertilizers and pesticides, and storing industrial waste people contribute to

chemicalization of environment.

In the last 60 years or so man's activities has contributed to the deterioration of the ozone

layer.

Only 10 or less of every million molecules of air are ozone. The majority of these ozone

molecules resides in a layer between 10 and 40 kilomet ers (6 and 25 miles) above the

Earth's surface in the stratosphere. Each spring in the stratosphere over Antarctica (Spring

in the southern hemisphere is from September through November.), atmospheric ozone is

rapidly destroyed by chemical processes and the ozone hole appears.

The ozone "hole" is really a reduction in concentrations of ozone high above the earth in

the stratosphere. The ozone hole is defined geographically as the area wherein the total

ozone amount is less than 220 Dobson Units. The ozo ne hole has steadily grown in size

(up to 27 million sq. km.) and length of existence (from August through early December)

over the past two decades.

There are four compounds responsible for appearing the ozone hole:

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.

While talking about human causes of climate change, radioactive emissions could not beomitted.

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It is the release of radioactive substances into the environment deriving from nuclear

installations and from min ing, purification and enrichment operations of radioactive

elements.

The next problem is a huge danger nowadays. It is the greenhouse effect -

a process by

which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhousegases, and is re -radiated in all directions. The greenhouse effect is caused by a range of

different gases in the earths atmosphere: water vapour, carbon dioxide and other gases

like methane and nitrous oxide.

Carbon dioxide (also known as CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas after water

vapour and contributes strongly to the greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution,

which began in the 18th century, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increas ed by

about 40 per cent. The concentration of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere is now higher than

at any time in at least the last 800,000 years.

The consequence is that the greenhouse effect is becoming stronger, and therefore the

earth is becoming warmer. How much warmer has, however, been a matter of dispute. The

most recent assessment report from the IPCC is from 2007. It concludes that the earths

average temperature has risen by 0.74 degrees in the period from 1906 to 2005.

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Human activity is ch anging the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in two

important ways:

Deforestation:

Cutting down forests faster than they are replaced (deforestation) is a major contributor to

climate change.

Burning fossils fuels:

When fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas are burned, they release greenhouse gases. In 2005,

burning fossil fuels sent about 27 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

People burn fossil fuels to create energy, which is used for many things including:

heating homes and buildings

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growing, transporting and cooking food

travelling (for example, by car, plane, bus and train)

treating water to make it drinkable, heating it and piping it into homes

manufacturing, using and transporting products, from clothes to fridges, from plastic

bags to batteries

The biggest sources of emissions for most people are likely to be:

using energy in the home (mainly for heating)

driving

air travel

The amount of emissions youre personally responsible for is known as your carbon

footprint. To help tackle climate change, everyone needs to try and reduce their carbon

footprint.

There are many simple ways you can do this for example, switching appliances off

standby or walking short journeys instead of using the car.

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Pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems but still many people do not take

pollution problem seriously as they should be. Many people still think that we can dump

our garbage all over the planet without any conseque nces which is not true. Since the start

of industrial revolution we have been continuously heavily polluting our planet, caring

only for economic development, and not caring at all for the health of environment we live

in. Such lack of ecological conscience has caused severe pollution across the whole planet.

Levels of air, sea, and water pollution are extremely high, and are constantly growing

because industry isnt letting go.

The main sources of pollution are definitely industry and vehicles. Heavy indu stries based

on fossil fuels are especially dangerous for our environment, and if we take a look at

China and India for instance we can see that rapid economic development actually has

rather high environmental price. Heavy pollution not only makes our env ironment uglybut is also the source of many respiratory and waterborne diseases across the south -east

Asia that are taking many human lives year after year.

The world biggest polluter is China but United States are not far behind. These two

countries release majority of worlds total CO2 emissions into the atmosphere that not

only causes pollution but also gives more impact to climate change problem. The main

sources of pollution are dirty fuels such as coal that are releasing harmful gases and

particles into our air and our atmosphere. Sadly air pollution is only one form of global

pollution and there are many other forms of pollution happening on our planet.

People not only care little about the air they breathe but also about water they drink. Water

is so precious to our survival and people are still doing so little to protect water resources

around the globe. In many parts of the world, especially India and China, water is in some

places well below the levels required for safe drinking, with many people dying from

different waterborne diseases and lack of basic sanitation.

Our sea is also heavily polluted. Each day we are dumping new garbage into our oceans ;

luckily oceans are so huge that we are not able to see the actual damage that we are doing

to them which is very likely much bigger than we think it is.

Pollution is basically a form of environmental destruction. Harmful gases and particles,

different t ypes of garbage and waste that is dumped each day into our environment is

destroying inheritance that Mother Nature left us. The only question that remains is how

much more of this abuse can our planet take?

Pollution became a popular issue after World War II, due to radioactive fallout from

atomic warfare and testing. Then a non -nuclear event, The Great Smog of 1952 in

London, killed at least 4000 people. This prompted some of the first major modern

environmental legislation, The Clean Air Act of 1956.

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Pollution began to draw major public attention in the United States between the mid-1950s

and early 1970s, when Congress passed the Noise Control Act , the Clean Air Act ,

the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Smog Pollution in Taiwan

Bad bouts of local pollution helped increase consciousness. PCB dumping in the Hudson

River resulted in a ban by the EPA on consumption of its fish in 1974. Long -

term dioxin contamination at Love Canal starting in 1947 became a national news story in

1978 and led to the Superfund legislation of 1980. Legal proceedings in the 1990s helped

bring to light Chromium-6 releases in California--the champions of whose victims became

famous. The pollution of industrial land gave rise to the name brownfield, a term now

common in city planning.

The development of nuclear science introduced radioactive contamination , which can

remain lethally radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years. Lake Karachay, named by

the Worldwatch Institute as the "most polluted spot" on earth, served as a disposal site for

the Soviet Union throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Second place may go to the area of

Chelyabinsk U.S.S.R. (see reference below) as the "Most polluted place on the planet".

Nuclear weapons continued to be tested in the Cold War , sometimes near inhabited areas,

especially in the earlier stages of their development. The toll on the worst -affected

populations and the growth since then in understanding about the critical threat to humanhealth posed by radioactivity has also been a prohibitive complication associated

with nuclear power . Though extreme care is practiced in that indust ry, the potential for

disaster suggested by incidents such as those at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl pose a

lingering specter of public mist rust. One legacy of nuclear testingbefore most forms were

banned has been significantly raised levels of background radiation.

International catastrophes such as the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz oil tanker off the coast

of Brittany in 1978 and the Bhopal disaster in 1984 have demonstrated the universality of

such events and the scale on which efforts to address them needed to engage. The

borderless nature of atmos phere and oceans inevitably resulted in the implication ofpollution on aplanetary level with the issue of global warming. Most recently the term

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persistent organic pollutant (POP) has come to describe a group of chemicals such

as PBDEs and PFCs among others. Though their effects remain somewhat less well

understood owing to a lack of experimental data, they have been detected in various

ecological habitats far removed from industrial activity such as the Arctic, demonstrating

diffusion and bioaccumulation after only a relatively brief period of widespread use.

Growing evidence of l ocal and global pollution and an increasingly informed public over

time have given rise to environmentalism and the environmental m ovement, which

generally seek to limit human impact on the environment.

Forms of pollution

The major forms of pollution are listed below along with the particular pollutants relevant

to each of them:

Air pollution :- the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere.

Common gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide , sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced

by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as

nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to s unlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust

is characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to PM2.5.

Light pollution:- includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.

Littering:- the criminal throwing of inappropriate man -made objects, unremoved,onto public and private properties.

Noise pollution :- which encompasses roadway noise , aircraft noise , industrialnoise as well as high-intensity sonar.

The Lachine Canal, in Montreal

Canada, is polluted

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Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or undergroundleakage. Among the most signific ant soil contaminants arehydrocarbons, heavy

metals, MTBE, herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Radioactive contamination , resulting from 20th century activities in atomicphysics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weap ons research,

manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the

environment.)

Thermal pollution , is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused byhuman influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.

Visual pollution , which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines ,motorway billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining ), open storage of

trash or municipal solid waste.

Water pollution , by the discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrialwaste (intentionally or through spills) into surface waters; discharges of untreated

domestic sewage, and chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, from treated

sewage; release of waste and contaminants into surface runoff flowing to surface

waters (including urban runoff and agricultural runoff, which may contain

chemical fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching

into groundwater; eutrophication and littering.

Air pollution comes from both natural and man made sources. Though globally man made

pollutants from combustion, construction, mining, agriculture and warfare are increasingly

significant in the air pollution equation.

Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution. China, United

States, Russia, Mexico, and Japan are the world leaders in air pollution emissions.

Principal stationary pollution sources include chemical plants, coal-fired power plants, oil

refineries, petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, incinerators, large

livestock farms (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc.), PVC factories, metals production

factories, plastics factories, and other heavy industry. Agricultural air pollution comes

from contemporary practices which include clear felling and burning of natural vegetation

as well as spraying of pesticides and herbicides.

About 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are generated each year. The United

States alone produces about 250 million metric tons. Americans constitute less than 5% of

the world's population , but produce rou ghly 25% of the worlds CO2, and generate

approximately 30% of worlds waste . In 2007, China has overtaken the United States as

the world's biggest producer of CO2, while still far behind based on per capita pollution -

ranked 78th among the world's nations.

In February 2007, a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),

representing the work of 2,500 scientists, economists, and policymakers from more than

120 countries, said that humans have been the primary cause of global warming since

1950. Humans have ways to cutgreenhouse gas emissions and avoid the consequences of

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global warming, a major climate report concluded. But to change the climate, the

transition from fossil fuels like coal and oil needs to occur within decades, according to

the final report this year from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC).

Some of the more common soil contaminants are chlorinated hydrocarbons (CFH), heavy

metals (such as chromium, cadmiumfound in rechargeable batteries, and leadfound in

leadpaint, aviation fuel and still in some

countries, gasoline), MTBE, zinc, arsenic and benzene. In 2001 a series of press reports

culminating in a book called FatefulHarvest unveiled a widespread practice of recycling

industrial byproducts into fertilizer, resulting in the contaminati on of the soil with various

metals. Ordinary municipal landfills are the source of many chemical substances entering

the soil environment (and often groundwater), emanating from the wide variety of refuse

accepted, especially substances illegally discarded there, or from pre -1970 landfills that

may have been subject to little control in the U.S. or EU. There have also been some

unusual releases of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins , commonly called dioxinsfor

simplicity, such as TCDD.

Pollution can also be the consequence of a natural disaster. For example, hurricanes often

involve water contamination from sewage, and petrochemical spills from

ruptured boats orautomobiles. Larger scale and environmental damage is not uncommon

when coastal oil rigs or refineries are involved. Some sources of pollution, such as nuclear

power plants or oil tankers , can produce widespread and potentially hazardous rele aseswhen accidents occur.

In the case of noise pollution the dominant source class is the motor vehicle , producing

about ninety percent of all unwanted noise worldwide.

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City of Vratsa is located in northwestern Bulgaria in Vratsa district. Population according

to the latest count in 2011 is estimated to be around 60000 inhabita nts. Before the fall of

socialism in 1989 the city was estimated to have around 100000 inhabitants. It was a

major chemical industry centre holding one of the biggest factories for ammonia fertilizers

HIMKO. However the resources for the factory were delivered according to the

agreement between Bulgaria and USSR. After the democratic changes the factory fall

down under the harsh economic condition and it is not operational since at least 10 years.

Because of that present

-

day Vratsa is one of the zones rediscovering ecological tourism

and green culture. An ancient history habitat

-

it is one of the centers of the Thracian

culture. Most of the industrial factories are now closed. The only operational are the ones

connected with fashion industry. Some sources

of pollution still remain

usually

construction wastes that are sometimes thrown away at illegal dump places. The pollution

in Vratsa is connected more with human activities than heavy industry. Utility garbage is

found everywhere in the city and the nearby nature zones. Ecological education seems to

be somewhat rediscovered in the recent years with the founding of the ecological centre

Natura 2000. Since Vratsa is near to one of the biggest national parks with hundreds of

protected species, some steps are made to minimize pollution, but as our project found out

we still need constant ecological care and behavior. Since Vratsa is one of the poorest

cities in Bulgaria, it is very difficult to have high level of ecological culture among the

population of the city. However the project helped our students to understand these facts

better and to define the biggest sources of pollution in the moment.

The first major source of pollution are motor vehicles and exhaust fumes.

Construction waste is the second major source of pollution which is not recoverable for

most of the time.

The third major source of pollution is utility garbage and low ecological culture of the

population.

These three reasons require more efforts and high information accessibility of the

population and strong position from the authorities and institutions located in the area.

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Our local area is the town Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Bitterfeld-Wolfen is situated in the middle of

the Eastern Germany, in the land Saxony-Anhalt. Its on the border with Saxony.

More than 170 years ago, somebody found lignite in Bitterfeld on the Pomselberg near

Holzweiig in the north of Bitterfeld. Holzweiig is a part of the todays town ofBitterfeld-Wolfen. In 1839, the first open -cast mine was built. In the next year one more

mine was opened. So this was the beginning of the industrial area which developed flying.

The mines were followed by the railroads Leipzig -Dessau and Halle-Wittenberg in 1857,

the first briquette factory in 1872, the first big Bucket chain ofexcavators in 1890 and the

beginning of the chemical industries by Walther Rathenau in 1893. As regards the

development of the industries, technology and science, it was a great progress. But from

the point of view of nature, an area of mor e than 100 years disasters began. Nature and

villages were destroyed.

The air pollution was incredible, the ground and sometimes the water were contaminated

by the chemical industries. A lake, called Silbersee (lake of silver), is the result of the

film Factory Agfa/ORWO, producing synthetic fibers etc, between the towns Bitterfeld

and Wolfen. It was an old residual hole of an open -cast mine. But you cannot find silver

there, only other chemical substances. But this is only one example. Other results we re red

pollution in the air, yellow smoke, dead plants and sick people. The region of Bitterfeld -

Wolfen and Dessau was a real industrial area. They did not worry for nature, because it

did not have an industrial value and brought no money. As for the old open-cast mines, the

leadership of the RDA tried to find some solutions and to make them recreation centers for

the people living there and for tourists. This often was not possible. One part of theGoitzsche was still an open -cast mine of lignite and amber . The other part of the

Goitzsche and other former mining areas became Army ownership. It used that territory

for military exercises. In this period Bitterfeld was a synonym with the term dirtiest town

of Europe ( notwithstanding that there were regions equally dirty and more dangerous

because of uranium and other minerals mining).

In 1989, the political change, the Wende, was in Europe and also in Germany. So many

factories didnt have any chance anymore. Most of people in the region lost their jobs.

And so the factories ended or had a new start. This was a chance for a new start of the

nature, too. The Goitzsche and other former open -cast mining, now fruitless, areas were

reforested. They became forests and lakes and a new nature developed. Rare and

threatened animals and plants colonized this region, e.g. osprey and sea eagle.

New chemistry factories, lots of them exist now in our region, were built according to the

new European standards. The production of solar cells and elements replaced the briquet te

factories. They are always chemical industries, but at a new level. It is not beneficial for

nature, but not so dangerous. It was a progress.

People are the greatest danger and fiend for nature. Most of them ignore that our nature

needs our help to sta y alive. They often go by car, throw the garbage in the forests, in thestreets, in the parks and disturb the plants and the animals. Often they are noisy, pollute

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nature with their waste and kill animals. But there are also some people and communities

who want to save our nature and so they help it to resist and to regenerate.

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Tiszagyulahza is a village in Hajd -Bihar county, in the Northern Great Plain region ofeastern Hungary. The county of Hajd -Bihar occupies the eastern part of Hungary. Mostof its territory is completely flat and is a part of the Grand Plain. The wind and rivers

have been forming and shaping the land for thousands of years. There are two great rivers

in this area, the Tisza and the Krs. The Hortobgy area wa s formed by the first one. Itused to be the flood area of the Tisza river and after the river was controlled, the

Hortobgy became dry, resulting in special fauna.As everywhere in the world, the environmental pollution is a big problem for people in

this area, too. What is it in general? The environmental pollution may be physical (noise

pollution, heat pollution, light pollution), chemical or biological. Pollution causes

instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem.

His most general types: the emission of harmful pollutants, air pollution, water pollution

and soil pollution.

There arent sea or nuclear power plants in the area where we live, but there are rivers.

And this region is an industrial area in Hungary. It means that forms of pol lution are in our

area:

Water pollution

Water pollution can come from a number of different sources.

Surface water pollution

Surface waters are the natural water resources. In our area they include

two rivers (Tisza and Saj) and some bigger and smaller lakes.

Groundwater Pollution

Groundwater pollution is often caused by pesticide contamination from

the soil, this can infect our drinking water and cause huge problems.

Microbiological water pollution

Many types of microorganisms bacteria and viruses - live in water and

cause fish, land animals and humans to become ill. Serious diseases come

from microorganisms that live in water.

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Chemical water pollution

Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different

chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it.

There is a big chemical company and a caoutchouc-burner plant in our

area, so it is a big problem here.

Air pollution

Air pollution comes from both natural and man made sources.

Principal pollution sources include in our area, too

o Industrial air pollution:

chemical plants, coal -fired power plants, petrochemical plants, large

livestock farms, PVC factories, plastics factories, and other heavy industry.

o

Agricultural air pollution

Light pollution

Noise pollution

In the case of noise pollution the dominant source class is the motor

vehicle. It is the most dangerous here for employers od factaries.

Soil pollution

As we mentioned our area is one of industrial areas of Hungary. There are more

factories here. Many people in this region work there.

Tiszai Vegyi Kombint Plc .

It is the largest petrochemical complex in Hungary. It makes ethylene and propylene from

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The food industry is the primary user of its state-of-the-art packaging materials.

The construction industry primarily uses its various types of pipe;

The car industry is the number one buyer of its moulds.

AES Hungary and its bussiness units

AES Tisza II Power Plant, the fourth largest power generation plant in the country,

provides 5% of Hungarys total electricity generation.

naphtha and gas oil, that are

processed using world -class

technology, to produce low, medium

and high -density pol yethylene and

polypropylene.

Agriculture is the main user of

its various types of foil.

Business units:

a) Tisza 2 Power Plant

Tisza 2 Power Plant was commissioned in 1977 -78. The

condensing power plant is fuelled using hydrocarbons

(natural gas, fuel oil, inert gas).The symbol of the plant is the 250 m high reinforced-

concrete stack, in which flue gas piping of the boilers

can be found.

The plant received an IPPC license. An online

environmental monitoring system provides control and

metering of pollutants. Waste water generated in the

plant is neutrali zed at the companys own waste water -

treatment system.

Image source: http://ww2.legifotok.hu

Image source:http://fn.hir24.hu/

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b) Borsod Power Plant

As of 2005, due to the air cleanliness protection regulations having become stricter,

between 2002 -2003 the power plant converted two coal dust fired boilers to biomass

firing. The power plant disposes of an operating licence until 2014.

c) Tiszapalkonya Power Plant

The operating license pertaining to the main pieces of equipment allows the plant to

further operate until 31 December 2014.

A caoutchouc-burner plant in Polgr

There is a caoutchouc-burner / gum-burner plant in the outskirts of Polgr. In the vicinity

of the city there is a hill of tyres which takes up a great area. The power plant is very

dangerous, environmental protectionists protested against building it effectless.

They reckon this plant as a big source of air polution, and tyres as hazardous waste that

poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. And they are

right.

Until the establishment of the Borsod industrial

region, the area of the power plant used to be

agricultural land not built on, located in the Saj

river valley. The first unit was commissioned in

1955, but and the official handover took place in

1962.

Image source: http://www.vd.hu

The power plant is a condenser-type facility based

on brown coal firing, operating as a base load

power plant according to a busbar system, with

fresh water cooling.

The commissioning of the power plant was

performed in the period between 1957 and 1959.

Image source: http://kronika.tempobit.hu

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Paints and solvents

Automotive wastes (used motor oil, antifreeze, etc.)

Some specialty Batteries (e.g. lithium, nickel cadmium, or button cell batteries),

etc.

Houshold hazardous waste

Last but not least we have to mention the houshold

hazardous waste, It includes household chemicals and

other substances for which the owner no longer has a

use, such as consumer products sold for home

care, personal care, automotive care, pest control and

other purposes.

It includes e.g.

Electronics (computers, televisions, etc.)

Mercury-containing wastes

(thermometers, switches, etc.)

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Air pollution

Caccamo is a small town near Palermo , on the

Madonie Mountains in the northern part of

Sicily. Caccamo is full of historical monuments

(one of the best preserved Medieval Castle in

Sicily can be visited here) and background.

At first glance, you could think it is a clean and

pollution-free small town, nevertheless

pollution can be easily found even here.

Near Caccamo, about 10 -12 kilometers away , on the

Tyrrhenian Sea coast, there is a Thermoelettric Power

Plant actively working: ENEL, the main society

furnishing electricity in Italy.

The CO2 emissions accumulate in the atmosphere year

after year and sometimes they create a pall of smog

that makes the air unbreathable and thesky strangely and unnaturally cloudy.

In addition, t he coast, which could have become part of a

beautiful sea scape, is now desolate and the beach has no

attraction at all

Another factory present in our zone is

SICILCALCE. It produces bricks. The pollutants

seem to be various and significant:

1. Carbon Monoxide2. Volatile Organic Compounds3. Nitrogens producedby fossil fuel4. Microscopic particle diameter ? 10 uM

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5. Microscopic particles (very thin dust) diam. ? 2.5 uM6. Anhydrides from fossil fuels

Water pollution

Soil pollution

Various zones have been transformed into public landfills. In addition sometimes

uncollected garbage can be seen scattered everywhere.

Asbestos

In Italy, since 1992, the Law prohibited asbestos extraction, import and processing,

because now its huge danger has been proved. Asbestos is formed of very small particles

that, if they are inhaled, accumulate in the bronchial tubes, in the lungs alveoli, in the

pleura, causing unrecoverable tissue damages which can lead to serious respiratory

problems or diseases.

Rosamarina Lake is an artificial lake created to

gather water and give it to many towns in the

province of Paler mo. Unfortunately and

shamefully along its shores non-biodegradable

wastes can be found.

Asbestos belongs to a group of non-combustible minerals,

composed of calcium silicate and magnesium . It was used to

make partition walls, roofs, water pipes, inters paces, plasters,

mastics, sealants, brakes pastilles, ropes, tissues.

It seems that the risk of exposure to asbestos can be concrete

and serious even in the Thermoelettric Power Plant near

Caccamo.

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Specifically, the exposure to asbestos can cause:

Asbestosis: lung tissues form fibrous scars that slow breathing

Pleural Mesothelioma: cancer of the lungs.

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Lithuania's environmental problems include air pollution, water pollution, and the threat of

nuclear contamination. The cement indust ry produces 299,000 metric tons of airborne

pollutants per year. In 1996, industrial carbon dioxide emissions totaled 13.8 million

metric tons per year. A UN report on Lithuania stated that air pollution had damaged

about 68.4% of the nation's forests.

Water pollution results from uncontrolled dumping by industries and the lack of adequate

sewage treatment facilities. In the 1990s, 42% of the nation's treatment facilities were

inoperative.

After the nuclear accident at Chernobyl that contaminated much of Lithuania with

excessive radiation, Lithuanians are concerned about nuclear energy development,

especially the use of nuclear power generated by plants of the same kind as the one at

Chernobyl.

Lithuania's pollution problems have also affected the nation' s wildlife. Although nearly

10% of Lithuania's total land area was protected as of 2001, many of the country's original

animal and plant species are now extinct. Five mammal species and four species of birds

are threatened. Threatened species include the E uropean bison, marsh snail, and Russian

desman.

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For many years, the condition of the environment has deteriorated. Air, water and soil

pollution has constantly increased. It is more and more difficult to find a quiet place for

recreation and body regeneration even in such a small and picturesque village like

Winowno. This is due to the fact that Winowno is situated in the vicnity of the major

Polish communication route, and industralized part of Silesia. Green resources which

create the immediate sorrounding of the village, give the village dwellers a visual pleasure

acting on their sense of beauty. These aesthetic themes of environmenal protection are

often understimated because the influence of nature on the formation of aesteh etic attitude

is not a tangible value.

The development of industry in Silesia, which is about 40km away from our village,

inappriopriate location on industrial facilities, in comparison to nearby natural resources

often results in a decrease in forest and farmland. Valuable plants communities disappear.

There is an urgent need to prevent these negative phenomena. This requires a deliberate

rational action in all areas of our lives, even in our small community Winowno.

Some practices in agriculture pollu te water. This topic, due to the agricultural nature of

our village is the closest to us. Fertilizers and pesticides currently used by most farmers, as

well as manure from the pig, bring the water nitrates. Just as phosphates from washing

powders and nitra tes as well cause eutrophication, namely the rapis growth of algae and

aquatic plants, clogging of water supply equipment and give it its bitter taste.

Most air pollution gets into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels in power plants,

industrial product ion and transport. However, in developed countries, the pollution of

communication play a central role in the cities. In our area the pollution of air is also

caused by gases and smoke released during production and combustion of artificial

Christmas trees.

Soil pollution. What is it?

Contamination of soils and land are all chemical compounds and radioactive elements, and

microorganisms that occur in soils in increasing quantities. The most widespread

pollutants of soils and land use include: organic compounds - pesticides, detergents, heavy

metals - lead (Pb), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and other salts- nitrates, sulfates, chlorides.

The largest amounts of pollutants leak into the soil and ground with the waste water, dust

and solid and liquid waste generated by industry. Mining industry generates huge amounts

of highly saline mine waters. Many industrial plants emit harmful gases into the

atmosphere and dust, which then as a result of deposition from the air contaminate the

soil. All the above mentioned sources as possible reflect the causes of soil degradation in

our area due to the fact that in the near distance is Polish largest coal mining center, as

well as some of the biggest smelters and industrial plants.

In addition, due to improper agricultural activities on soils and land contamination leak

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from used in excess of mineral and organic fertilizers. Particularly hazardous compounds

derived from this industry are pesticides and other agrochemicals. All fertilizers have very

adverse effect on the environment pollution .

The main source of soil contamination in our area is unfortunately human activities.

People throw their rubbish everywhere, especially into forests. They leave cans, bottles,

plastic bags, tyres and many other things that need hundreds of years to be decomposed.

- Cotton fabric 1-5 months - cloth covers 30-50 years

- tissue paper 3 months - aluminum can 50-100 years

- the rind of the fruit 6 months - a small plastic bag 300 years

- woolen material 1-5 years - glass bottle 4000 years

- cigarette 1-10 years

- chewing gum 5 years

In the case of our city, air pollution is a serious problem due to the fact that it is located

near the main road linking the north and south of Poland. A very large impact on air

pollution in Winowno also has a small distance from the cities of Silesia, quite heavily

urbanized, industrialized, and populated by humans. This is due to smoke from factories,

the farms, cars, whi ch directly pollute the air over cities, but these contaminants reach usand adversely affect our environment and health.

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To prevent the total destruction of the soil, we should start to counteract the deterioration

of soils due to human activity. Soil devastated by human activity must reclaim - to restore

their former biological function and value. Deterioration of soils may be limited as a result

of appropriate agricultural practices. To restore soil to its original mineral content in

natural pro portions, should complement the deficiency of vital elements. In order to

prevent excessive acidification of soils, you need to adjust the pH of the soil, for example

by liming.

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Iveti Village, Vaslui County, Romania

According to a research carried out by Reuters Group, Romania ranks among the forty

most polluted states worldwide. Theoretically, the biggest producers of pollutants areurban agglomerations. People from big cities consider that a village is a place where man

and nature live in harmony. It is said that villages are places where air is clean, water is

clear like a crystal, grass is greener and softer than in cities and summer is cooler.

Increasingly, in the most Romanian villages the things began to change, and

unfortunately villages began to resemble cities. Iveti is not an exceptional village and haslately become almost the rule.

Here are some reasons:

In the race for comfort, the villagers have abandoned traditional household goods

that were biodegradable, and they surrounded themselves with all kinds of plasticitems ( kitchenware, PETS, bags, etc. ) .We find them throwing litter about,

although there is a waste collection system.

Septic tank used by citizens is constructed without respect to the European law . Itpollutes groundwater surface, contaminating water with many various agents

harmful to health, and making it non- potable.

Villagers use irrational artificial fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides andfungicides without consultation with a specialist. These chemicals remain in soil or

drain, polluting the environment.

The sheet cots are built randomly and garbage from them is sometimes depositedon banks of rivers or near fountains and springs.

Tutova River, which crosses the village b ecame a real dump, where trash such assewage, waste textiles, vegetable and animal waste, and household waste gathers.

Villagers usually use wood and coal to heat up their houses, but sometimes theyalso burn plastic, rubber or other combustibles that em it toxic gases by burning

them.

To clean up their land, the villagers burn dry vegetation and it disturbs the balanceof nature seriously.

Vegetable crops are stimulated frequentlywith all kinds of chemicals that are found in

products sold in supermar kets. No one

measures the pollution level of these

substances in fruit and vegetables.

Forests around the village no longer exist.The village dwellers had reached to

conclusion that investment in planting trees

is unprofitable. Being a very good area for

agriculture, they prefered to cultivate land

in order to obtain immediate income.

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Looking for guiltiest of all of these is useless and meaningless. Our mission is to rise our

students' awareness of a real danger that hides behind these irresponsible beha viors and to

teach them protecting and respecting nature.

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THEME: MAJOR POLLUTION SOURCES IN LOCAL AREA

THE FACTOR: THERMAL POWER PLANT,ELBSTAN, KAHRAMANMARA

AFFECT: SOIL, AIR, WATER

THERMAL POWER PLANT IN KAHRAMANMARAS EMTS INTO AIR

RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES TWO TIMES MORE THAN THE AMOUNT

OBSERVED IN CHERNOBYL CATASTROPHE

Thermal Power Plant causes deaths in Elbistan, province of Kahramanmaras.

The Thermal Power Plant was founded about 25 years ago in the region

covering Afsin-Elbistan, towns of Kahramanmaras. No filter has ever been installed

in Unit A, the factory which was founded to harness coal basin. Since then, this

factory has continued to spread poison around.

A Thermal Power Plant which has been authorized to function without flue gas

purification filter has spread poisonous chemical and radioactive gases which have caused

agricultural and livestock activities to com e to an end in the neighboorhood. Since the

Unit B was activated, the disaster has doubled up ,which the authorities claimed as

Environmentally friendly realized to be totally wrong. Because, the people and other life

forms are being exposed to tons of ashes emitted from the unit B.

The reason for Cancer

Although the Unit B was legally authorized to function only if the filter must be

located in Unit A, the Unit A maintains its activities without filter. The striking proof is

the explosion of numerous cancer incidents observed in the region ,which the government

ignores unbelievably. Within the last 25 years, the number of cancer -oriented and

respiratory diseases has considerably increased. Ankara Oncology Hospital declares

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bitterly that %60 of the patients come from Afsin-Elbistan.

Most Turkish scientists and doctors state that this factory gives twice as much radi oactive

gas as the one emitted in well -known chernobyl disaster every year. Statistics are horribly

striking in that 4632 peo ple are reported to have died of a variety of diseases, mainly

cancer and lung as a result of being exposed to gas from this factory. One of the mayor ofthe village says that the rate of the air pollution reaches up to 10 times as high as

Standardized ai r pollution rate and adds that this environmental disaster which even

changes the color of snow from white to gray leads to frightening number of cancer

incidents. One of the workers who has already developed cancer states bitterly that he

must continue to work there to support his family. Another worker who also lost his father

due to cancer event shares the same idea. The scientists emphasise that as a result of coal -

burning, the gas and powders are r eleased and these gases lead to chronical lung

complications and asthma. They have observed within the workers such illnesses as

urinary incontinence, hearing loss, stress, ulcer and some metabolic problems. Prof.DoctorMr. Tuncer utters that the concrete results of this factory will be observed in 10 years

time. He also clarifies the fact that people frequently tend to develop lung cancer which

has little chance of survival and adds, the Unit A in the factory emits 15 millions of tons of

solid,liquid and gas disposals every year. The Prof.Doctor Mr. Sahin, the instructor of

Mechanical Engineering Department at Gazi Univesity also says that provided that the

obligatory measurements are not carried out and precautions not taken, the results will be

much more worse. He implies that he disagrees on shutting down the factory but expects

the authorities to install filter and follow the necessary steps to do the radioactive

measurements.

The Thermal Power Plant which has been

in effect for about 25 years despite the lack of

flu gas purification system causes mas sive

environmental disaster. The ash -keeper filters

have been out of order for about 15 years and this

factory continues to discharge 15 millions tons of

solid, liquid, gas and poisonous radioactive

wastes over the people living in the region.

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A representative of non-governmental environmental organisation called Warriors of

Naturesays, the Standard global air pollution values must be 150 micrograms,however,

this value is 1500 micrograms in this factory.Doctor Mr. Agat, the official representative

of TEMA( National Environment Association) declares that sulfur value in one cubic

meter in air must be 1000 nenogram;however, this rate has increased up to higher values

and thus harms to plants considerably.He also stresses out that gases emitted from factory

have caused the herbaceous plants,trees and lands to be infertile.The mayor of a local

province claims that while the number of the patients is expected to be 48200 on average

,this number reaches up to 300000 per year.Most of the people interviewed in Afsin-

Elbistan have contracted Cancer.To illustrate this, a three -year-old boy named Sedat and 6

year-old boy ,Osman have developed skin cancer following being exposed tosmoke and

gas from the factory.The oncology doctors who treated them have declared to them if you

want your children to live,you must move to another city,otherwise, they will lose theirlives in 5 years time.

WARRIORS OF THE WORLD

11 members of an environmental organisation Warriors of the

world(WOFTHEW) ,protested the activit ies of the campaign led by governor

enlightened human,clean environment and livable village project.

The leader of the group,Mr. Igci,bitterly utters that although there exists

devastating environmental disaster with tons of ashes in Afsin -Elbistan Thermal Power

Plant,it seems very absurd and ununderstandable to collect waste papers in the city centre

of Kahramanmaras.

The group which gathered in front of the Private Management Building

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demonstrated and showed banners Environmentally-friendly governor is closing down

the factory The villages are full of ashes not rubbish to point out the situation.

The group coordinator Mr. Coskun states that there is an ongoing environmental

catastrophe in the factory in Afsin-Elbistan. Moreoever, this factory has discharged a

great deal of ashes and wastes into nature and though this place has had no flu gas

purification system, it maintains to cause environmental disaster.A great number of

villages have been destroyed and many people have suffered from diseases and many

others have had to immigrate.

TURKISH TEAM

ehit Evliya Primary School,

Kahramanmara,Turkey

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Deforestation is the elimination of forest and woodland areas on a large scale. It is

a major problem not only in industrialized countries. It is becoming a global problem.

Trees and forests are one of the major filters of the environment that contain CO2 in a

balanced level. Disappearing of major areas of trees and woodlands means that the level of

carbon dioxide raises with no filtering and capturing from the environment, but it is

released in the atmosphere. The major reasons for deforestation are commercial logging,

space for agriculture, building of roads and railways, forest fires, mining and drilling, fuel-

wood collection, taking over woodlands from residential living space,

Deforestation causes problems on both the evolutionary, social, and ecological

scales.

Ecological: Deforestation eliminates key habitats that support highly specialized

and sensitive species, and eliminates the forests ability to act as natural water and airfilters.

Evolutionary: With habitat loss, the loss of highly specialized species, eliminating

continued speciation, and often causing widespread extinctions comes.

Social: In many developing countries deforestation is committed in an attempt to

sustain local human population on the local and global economic scale. It is often done by

cutting out and burning, urbanization, boundary waters and old growth.

The two most commonly cited causes are shifting cultivation and commercial

logging.

Commercial logging is the process of deforestation for the purpose of Business &

Trade. It often exceeds carrying capacity, because of intensive mechanized logging.

Shifting cultivation is indigenous farming of rainforest grazing space.

Sustainability is lost because of insufficient recovery time and intensive/commercial

farming.

The major effects of deforestation are the vanishing rainf orests, topsoil

accumulates slowly and erosion of the soil. This turns a lot of the land into unusable andcauses disastrous flooding. Clearance limited food and shelter. Desertification of major

areas has very negative impact on the climate and helps gl obal warming by not reducing

the green house effect. In the opposite it helps to free more CO2 in the atmosphere

accelerating the global warming. It also has very negative effect on local habitats with

disappearance the way of life, becomes more and more fragmentized.

These are the facts about deforestation. Additional research should be between

atmospheric green house gases concentration and amount of global forested regions. There

is a strong connection between deforestation and desertification.

These big problems cannot be solved using short term solutions. Ecological

V. Deforestation as acontributor to the causes

for climate change

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Education turned into practice is one of the major points to reach greener future.

This tree probably needed centuries to grow, but it was cut for only a day. This is one of

the most terrible photos that someone can make. To be proud of this achievement shows

one of the worse things in our civilization.

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Team from Otets PaisiiHighshoolVratsaBulgaria


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Human health

Overview of main health effects on humans from some common types of pollution.

Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can

cause respiratory disease ,cardiovascular disease , throat inflammation, chest pain,

and congestion. Water pollution causes approximat ely 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due

to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries . An

estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children

die of diarrhoeal sickness every day. Nearly 500 million Chinese lack access to safe

drinking water. 656,000 people die prematurely each year in China because of airpollution. In India, air poll

Ecological Guide - Save the butterflies, save the planet!

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