Environmental Summary: Energy Crisis, Water Pollution, Ozone

Lec6 – Energy Crisis What is an Energy Crisis?  It’s when energy demand is much higher than the supply.  Not caused by a lack of energy, but by problems in production and distribution.  Examples: Oil crisis, energy shortages, electricity cuts. 🔥 Causes of the Energy Crisis...

Lec6 – Energy Crisis What is an Energy Crisis?  It’s when energy demand is much higher than the supply.  Not caused by a lack of energy, but by problems in production and distribution.  Examples: Oil crisis, energy shortages, electricity cuts. 🔥 Causes of the Energy Crisis Demand-side:  Overuse/overconsumption due to inefficient energy use  Overpopulation increases energy needs  Due to Climate change more energy needed for heating/cooling of home Supply-side:  Political issues  US authority on Iran, Russia, and Venezuela  Overusing natural resources ⚠️Non-Renewable Energy  Examples: Oil, gas, coal  Can’t be replaced quickly  Causes pollution and releases greenhouse gases Non-Renewable Energy Source Advantages Disadvantages Coal Relatively cheap Non-renewable Oil Short start-up time Non-renewable Gas Slightly cleaner fuel Non-renewable than oil and gas Nuclear power Produces lots of energy Non-renewable,  produces dangerous nuclear waste ☀️Renewable Energy  Can be replaced quickly  Types: o Solar (sun) 10% o Wind (turbines) 10% o Hydroelectric (dams/water) 10% o Geothermal (Earth’s heat) 10% o Tidal (oceans’s waves) 10% o Biofuel 10%  More investment = lower cost, more jobs, and cleaner energy Renewable Energy Advantages Disadvantages Easily regenerated Weather dependency Boost economic growth High installation cost Easily available Noise caused by wind energy Support environment Variation problems (solar) Low maintenance cost Unpredictable issue (wind) Renewable Energy Non-Renewable Energy Continuous supply Limited supply Can be replenished within a short It takes longer time to be time replenished Non-polluting and available locally Cause pollution and global warming 💡 Efficiency vs. Conservation They are the cheapest and cleanest sources of energy.  Efficiency: Using tech to reduce energy waste (e.g., LED bulbs, insulation)  Conservation: Changing behavior (e.g., turning off lights, using less cars) 🇱🇧 Lebanon’s Energy Problems 1. Not enough energy sources 2. Not enough ability to generate electricity 3. Poor laws and institutions 4. Absence of governance and transparency 5. Disagreements on politics 6. Lack of security stability 7. Disputes with Israel over gas fields 💥 Impacts of the Crisis in Lebanon  Negative effects on the economy and development  Expensive and relies on polluting generators  Harms environment and health (air pollution, cancer risk) Solutions for Lebanon  Use more solar and wind energy  International support and partnerships  Policy changes  Community engagement: involves citizens, raise awareness  Path Forward: renewable energy, development, community involvement Lec7 –Water Pollution 💧 What is Water Pollution?  Any harmful change in water that makes it unsafe for people or the environment.  Caused by chemicals, waste, or harmful things.  Causes illness and death in humans and other species and damages ecosystems.  Sources: o Agriculture activities o Industry facilities o Sewage (household waste) 🚰 Types of Water Pollution Sources  Point Source: Pollution from a specific location (like a pipe or factory), easy to identify, monitor, and regulate.  Nonpoint Source: Pollution from a wide area (like farm runoff); harder to control, difficult to identify and control, expensive to clean up. 🌾 Main Causes of Water Pollution 1. Domestic Sewage – food and vegetables waste, soap and washing powders and detergents containing phosphates, disease-causing bacteria 2. Agriculture – soil erosion, fertilizers, pesticides, livestock waste 3. Industry – harmful inorganic and organic chemicals, plastics 🌍 Climate Change Increases Water Pollution  More rain = more harmful chemicals into waterways.  Less rain = less clean water to dilute pollution ⚠️Effects of Water Pollution  Infectious Diseases from dirty water and crops  Loss of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems reduces plants/animals life span and ability to reproduce.  Economic damage high costs (health care, farming, etc.)  Political conflicts and instability of countries  Limit development and economic growth 🧪 Major Problems Caused by Water Pollutants  Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Depletion o Biodegradation uses up oxygen in water. o Low levels can kill aquatic life.  Bio-magnification o Harmful chemicals increase as they move up the food chain (like DDT, mercury, and radioactive isotopes) o Concentrations increase as they move up the food web.  Eutrophication o Natural or human-caused nutrient enrichment (mainly nitrates and phosphates) in lakes and streams. o Sources: agricultural runoff, animal farms, sewage. o too many nutrients → algae grows → oxygen drops → aquatic life dies  Effects of Man-made Eutrophication o Algal blooms (too much algae growth). o More bacteria, less oxygen (DO). o Causes hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and death of aquatic organisms.  Prevent: remove nitrates/phosphates  Clean: remove weeds, use safe chemicals, pump in air Groundwater Pollution  Pollution from chemicals leak into underground water.  Very expensive to clean → Prevention is the most effective and least expensive solution to protect it.  Lebanon has a water law, but it's poorly enforced. 🍼 Is Bottled Water a Good Solution?  Only short-term  Expensive and bad for the environment 🌊 Ocean Pollution  Most ocean pollution comes from land  Includes oil, chemicals, plastics  Solution: reduce land and air pollution flowing into oceans How to Reduce Water Pollution  Prevent it before it happens  Use natural methods to treat sewage  Reduce poverty and population growth  Enforce laws to control pollution 🚽 Sewage Treatment  Septic Tank Systems – for rural homes  Sewage Treatment Plants: 1. Primary – removes solids (physical process) 2. Secondary – uses bacteria to break down waste  3. Tertiary/advance – special filters, bleaching/chlorine 🌟 3 Big Takeaways 1. Pollution control is the cheapest and best way to protect water. 2. Protecting oceans starts with reducing land pollution. 3. To reduce water pollution: prevent it, reduce waste, and protect the poor and environment. Lec8 - Ozone Layer and Its Depletion 1. Structure of the Atmosphere  The atmosphere has 5 layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.  The ozone layer is in the stratosphere (18–26 km above Earth) and contains 90% of atmospheric ozone. 2. Formation and Function of Ozone  Ozone (O₃) forms when UV rays split oxygen molecules (O₂), creating individual oxygen atoms (O) that combine with O₂.  The ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation, protecting life on Earth from its damaging effects. 3. Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion  Main pollutants: CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, methane, and nitrous oxide.  CFCs are the most harmful: used in refrigerants, solvents, and spray cans.  Under UV light, CFCs release chlorine radicals that repeatedly break down ozone molecules: o Example:  CF₂Cl₂ → Cl + CF₂Cl  Cl + O₃ → ClO + O₂  ClO + O → Cl + O₂ (catalytic cycle continues) 4. History of CFCs  Invented in 1928 as a safer alternative to toxic refrigerants.  Branded as Freon; became widely used during WWII.   Though not toxic to humans, CFCs severely damage the ozone layer and remain in the atmosphere for up to 100 years. 5. Effects of Ozone Depletion  Increased UV radiation leads to: o Higher risk of skin cancer and cataracts o Weakened immune systems o Harm to phytoplankton and aquatic ecosystems o Damage to DNA and nucleic acids in organisms 6. Montreal Protocol (1987)  An international treaty to reduce production and use of ozone- depleting substances.  Part of the 1985 Vienna Convention.  Has led to a decline in CFC use and signs of ozone layer recovery, especially over Antarctica. Lec9 – Air Pollution In Lebanon 1. Air Pollution Overview: o Caused by pollutants like PM2.5, ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), primarily from fossil fuel combustion, traffic, industrial emissions, and waste burning. 2. Health Impacts: o Children are especially vulnerable due to developing lungs and immune systems. Effects include respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis), cognitive impairments, and pregnancy complications. 3. Photochemical Smog: o Forms when sunlight reacts with NOₓ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), creating ground-level ozone, which is harmful to health and the environment. 4. Lebanon’s Air Quality: o Unhealthy due to fossil fuel use, diesel generators, and poor waste management. Major pollutants include PM2.5, ozone, and SO₂. o Solutions: Transition to renewable energy, improve waste management, promote green policies, and raise public awareness. 5. Protection Measures: o Use air purifiers (HEPA filters), wear N95 masks, monitor air quality indices, and reduce outdoor activities during high pollution.