sustainable + env exam 2 set 2

Clean air act

One of the most successful environmental laws in US history

Results of CAA

Reduced sulfur dioxide (SO₂), Reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx), Reduced particulate matter (PM), Reduced acid rain, Reduced premature deaths, Increased life expectancy

National ambient air quality standards

The EPA sets standards for six major pollutants: Carbon Monoxide (CO), Lead (Pb), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Ozone (O₃), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Particulate Matter (PM)

Cross state air pollution rule

requires upwind states to reduce emissions that affect downwind states.

Benefits of CSAPR

Fewer asthma attacks, Fewer emergency room visits, Lower mortality, Improved air quality

Cause of acid rain

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

effects of acid rain

Acidifies lakes and streams, Damages forests, Harms aquatic organisms, Corrodes buildings

Particulate matter

PM10

Particles smaller than 10 microns.

PM2.5

Particles smaller than 2.5 microns.

Why is PM2.5 more dangerous

Enters deep into lungs, Can enter bloodstream, Linked to cardiovascular and respiratory disease

Cap and trade

Government:

1. Sets pollution cap

2. Issues permits

3. Allows companies to trade permits

Advantages of cap and trade

Cost-effective, Encourages innovation, Reduces pollution efficiently

Disadvantages of cap and trade

May create local pollution hot spots

Environmental justice

Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, income, or ethnicity in environmental decision-making. Pollution burdens are not equally distributed

Climate change threat multiplier

Climate change makes existing environmental and social problems worse.

Affects Water resources, Agriculture, Ecosystems, Public health, Economies, Infrastructure

Temperature changes

Average temperatures rising, Hot extremes becoming more common, Heat waves increasing

A small increase in global temperature can cause large increases in extreme weather events.

Water and drought

More evaporation, longer droughts, reduced water availability, altered rainfall patterns

Agriculture impacts with climate change

Heat stress, reduced grazing quality, lower yields, greater water demand, increased vulnerability to drought

Biodiversity loss

Habitat shifts, temperature changes, drought, extreme weather.

Species must adapt, migrate or face population declines

Phenological mismatch

timing of natural events becomes out of sync

Plants bloom earlier, pollinators emerge later

Disrupted ecosystem relationships

Forest impacts

Warmer winters allow beetles to survive

Tree mortality, increased wildfire risk, reduced carbon storage

Fewer trees = less carbon absorption = more warming

Oceans and climate change

Marine ecosystem stress, stronger hurricanes

Ocean acidification

Occurs when oceans absorb CO2

Damages shell forming organisms, threatens marine food webs

Coral bleaching

Occurs when water temperatures become too high

Coral death, biodiversity loss, fisheries decline

Human health impactes

Higher CO₂ → more pollen production.

Disease Spread

Warmer temperatures expand habitats for: Mosquitoes, Disease vectors

glacier retreat

Evidence of long term warming

Ice sheet loss

Green land, Antarctica

Consequences of ice loss

Rising sea levels, coastal flooding, reduced freshwater storage

Climate change increases risk of

Heat waves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, wildfires

Economic costs of extreme weather

Infrastructure damage, agricultural losses, health care costs, disaster recovery costs

Climate change is causing

Higher temperatures, More extreme heat days, Increased water stress, Sea-level rise, Stronger hurricane impacts, Economic losses and population shifts

Climate zone shift

U.S. climates are moving northward, Areas may experience climates similar to locations hundreds of miles south of them today, Higher greenhouse gas emissions produce larger climate shift

future climate depends heavily on emission choices

Texas climate

Every Texas county has experienced warming, Warming is occurring in both urban and rural areas, Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising throughout the century.

Impacts of Texas climate change

Heat stress, higher electricity demand, increased drought risk, public health concerns

100th meridian shift

Historically separated humid east from dry west, climate change is pushing this boundary eastward

Water demand

Hotter temperatures increase evaporation and water use, Texas water demand is projected to rise significantly.

Sea level rise

Texas coast is experiencing measurable sea-level rise, Flooding risks increase as sea levels rise.

Houston flooding

Future sea level rise exposes more people and infrastructure to flooding

Hurricane impacts

Warm ocean water: fuels stronger storms, can increase rainfall intensity

Mitigation

Reduces causes of climate change, focuses in emissions reductions, long term prevention

Adaptation

Adjusts to impacts, focuses on resilience, short term protection

Mitigation examples

Renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, smart growth and planning

Adaptation examples

Flood barriers, water conservation, energy preparedness, climate resilient infrastructure

Climate policy at local government

Cities and counties, Zoning, Building codes, Transportation planning

Climate policy at state government

Climate action plans, Renewable energy standards, Greenhouse gas targets

Climate policy at federal government

Funding, regulations, national climate programs

Climate policy at international level

Global agreements, scientific assessments, international cooperation

Bottom up climate policy

Policies originate at local levels and spread upward to states and the federal government.

Advantages of bottom up climate policy

Better knowledge of local conditions, Greater public participation, Stronger stakeholder involvement, Faster innovation

State climate leadership

Climate Action Plans, Emissions reduction goals, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Adaptation plans

Renewable portfolio standards

Require or encourage utilities to generate electricity from: Wind, Solar, Other renewable sources

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.

Adaptation planning

addresses impacts that are already occurring.

Examples: Flood protection, Drought management, Coastal resilience, Infrastructure upgrades

Texas risks

Extreme heat, Drought, Hurricanes, Flooding, Water shortages

Paris agreement

International agreement adopted in 2015 to: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Limit global warming, Encourage national climate commitments

Houston has developed

Climate Action Plans, Green power programs, Sustainability initiatives, Flood resilience efforts

Why has Houston taken action for climate change

Hurricane Harvey, Repeated flood events, Growing climate risks