Environmental Issues
of Europe
SS6G9: The student will discuss
environmental issues of Europe.
a. Explain the major concerns of
Europeans regarding the issues such as
acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the
United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster
in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
Environmental Issues
European nations have to deal
with problems that have been
causes by man.
Factories, heavy traffic, and
large populations produce
pollution.
AIR QUALITY
Air quality in major cities such
as London are caused by
overcrowding, factories, and
heavy traffic. The air pollution
affects the environment and
the health of the people.

ACID RAIN
Pollutants get
trapped in the
atmosphere. Many of
these pollutants fall
to earth again when
it rains. These rains
are filled with
pollutants called
acid rain. The rain
can be very
unhealthy and can
damage the
environment. It is a
major concern in
Germany.
NUCLEAR DISASTER


Nuclear energy can be more
efficient, cleaner, and cheaper
than other forms of energy. But, it
can also be dangerous. If it is not
managed properly deadly
radiation may be released.
In 1986, a deadly nuclear accident
happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
Many people died from cancer
and other sickness causes by the
radiation. Wind spread radiation
into other countries of Europe.
Many people got sick and the
animal and dairy products were
contaminated.
Since
many of the world’s largest and most
Review
industrialized cities are in Europe, what is of
major environmental concern for European
countries?
A.Deforestation
C. Air quality and
water pollution
B. Pollution of the
Great Lakes
D. Overfishing
Review
When rain that has been polluted falls
to the earth, it is called:
A. Nuclear
disaster
C. Pollution
B. Acid Rain
D. Air Quality
Review
Overcrowding, heavy traffic, and
factories have caused poor
__________ in Europe.
A. Nuclear
disaster
C. Pollution
B. Acid Rain
D. Air Quality
Environmental Concerns
In Europe, farmers use
almost half of the land for
agriculture. When so much
land is used for agriculture,
groundwater, surface
water, and sea water are
all affected. Pesticides
residues and nutrients
used on crops run off into
water sources.
 Chemicals
Biodiversity
cause
biodiversity loss.
 Biodiversity is the
living organisms in
an environmental
system.
 The EU’s Common
Agricultural Policy
(CAP) made efforts
to make some
reforms.
Ozone Layer



Air pollution comes
from things like
ozone (a byproduct
of automobile
exhaust and
industrial
production).
Too much ozone
negatively affects
people’s health.
Under the Kyoto
Protocol, EU nations
have agreed to a
program to reduce
emissions of
greenhouse gases.
Global Warming



Europeans are concerned
about global warming, or
climate change. By 2100,
temperature are expected to
climb 5.8◦C. European
temperatures will probably be
higher which will affect the
availability of water, flood
hazards, agricultural
productivity, and natural areas.
Water is needed for drinking
and irrigation.
Pesticides and nitrates from
fertilizers cause water pollution.
Activity
Students will choose one of three
activities.
1 – Students will create a graphic
organizer summarizing the
information
2 – Students will create a poster to
summarize the information
3 – Students will create a
rap/poem/song to summarize the
information