geography.test - unit 6.2 (study cases)

transboundary pollution

Deepwater Horizon

• a series of mistakes and errors lead to a explosion on an oil rig, which resulted in a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico

• 11 people died

• the water was polluted and resulted in animals ingesting toxins (the food chain)

• many industries were impacted, ex. the fishing industry, tourism

• the companies included had to cover their loses (economic aspect)

localized pollution (land)

Athabasca tar sands

• world’s largest reserves of oil are located there

• massive amounts of water and energy is used to extract oil

• waste created during the process pollutes nearby land and water, as well as animals

• locals (native communities) are facing health hazards, ex. higher rates of cancer

uranium mines in Niger

• health hazards for locals

• waste pollutes the water

• political unrest among impacted communities

carbon footprint

the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions

• flows of foods (ex. fertilizers for growth, fuel for transportation, pumped water for irrigation) » 1kg of CO2 is produced per 1kg of beef

• flows of goods (ex. fuel for transportation and machines) » 1kg of Co2 is produced per one book

• flows of people (transport creates carbon emissions) » 170g of CO2 per 1km in a petrol car

polluting manufacturing industries

Kronospan

• located in many facilities across Poland, it’s a company producing wooden products

• it requires great amounts of wood (cutting down trees)

• local communities are experiencing health hazards due to pollution

• additionally it creates a bad smell

food production systems for global agribusiness

palm oil industry in Indonesia

• Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil produces

• it plays a major role in their economy

cocoa in Western Africa, Ivory Coast

• West Africa collectively supplies most of the cocoa supply

• Ivory Coast is the biggest supplier out of those