Debates About the ENVIRONMENT After 1900 [AP World History Review, Unit 9 Topic 3] 1900-Present

Heimler's History
29 Mar 202105:32
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script discusses the significant environmental implications of globalization post-1900, highlighting issues such as deforestation, desertification, air quality decline, water supply pressure, and global temperature increase. It attributes these problems to industrialization, population growth, and urbanization, emphasizing the strain on resources like oil and fresh water. The script also covers international efforts to combat climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, stressing the need for global solutions in an interconnected world.

Takeaways
  • 🌳 Deforestation increased due to the growing need for agricultural land to feed the rising global population.
  • 🏜 Desertification occurred as a result of deforestation, drought, and harmful agricultural practices, turning fertile lands into deserts.
  • 🌫️ Air quality declined significantly after 1900, with events like the Great Smog of London in 1952 highlighting the dangers of industrial emissions.
  • 💧 Pressure on the world's fresh water supply grew due to the increasing population and the need for water in agriculture and daily life.
  • 🌡️ Global temperature rose as a consequence of increased greenhouse gas emissions from industrialization and modern transportation methods.
  • 🌐 Globalization and industrialization led to higher demand for energy resources and put a strain on the environment.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Population growth and urbanization contributed to environmental issues by increasing the demand for goods and services, and by disconnecting people from the environmental impact of their consumption.
  • 🏢 The rise of the middle class in developing nations increased the demand for industrial goods, further straining environmental resources.
  • 🛢️ Non-renewable resources like oil and fresh water are being depleted due to increased competition and the growing needs of the global population.
  • 🔄 International agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement were established to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions, although participation and compliance have varied.
  • 🌱 The script emphasizes the need for global solutions to environmental problems in a world that is increasingly interconnected and faces growing challenges due to population growth.
Q & A

  • What are the main environmental problems discussed in the video?

    -The main environmental problems discussed are deforestation, desertification, decline in air quality, increased pressure on the world's fresh water supply, and an increase in global temperature.

  • What was the primary cause of deforestation after 1900?

    -The primary cause of deforestation was the increased need for food due to population growth, which required more land to be devoted to agriculture.

  • How does desertification occur?

    -Desertification is a process where fertile land becomes desert-like due to deforestation, drought, and harmful agricultural techniques.

  • What major event in 1952 exemplified the dangers of poor air quality?

    -The Great Smog of London in 1952 exemplified the dangers of poor air quality, where industrial coal emissions combined with fog to create a poisonous smog that killed and made thousands of people ill.

  • What are the two main causes of environmental changes after 1900 mentioned in the video?

    -The two main causes are globalization and industrialization, and population growth and urbanization.

  • How has the rise of the middle class in developing nations impacted the environment?

    -The rise of the middle class in developing nations has led to an increased demand for industrial goods, which puts further strain on the environment.

  • What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol in addressing environmental issues?

    -The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement established in 1997 aimed at reducing carbon emissions, with the regulatory burden placed on developed nations.

  • What was the main goal of the Paris Agreement?

    -The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to legally bind member countries to limit the increase in global temperature to no more than two percent compared to previous industrial levels.

  • What is the projected situation regarding clean drinking water by 2025 according to the World Health Organization?

    -The World Health Organization estimates that by 2025, half of the world's population will lack access to clean drinking water.

  • How has the United States' participation in international environmental agreements changed over time?

    -The United States initially signed the Kyoto Protocol but later withdrew. However, with the new president Joe Biden, efforts are being made to rejoin the Paris Agreement.

  • What is the overarching message of the video regarding environmental issues after 1900?

    -The overarching message is that the world has faced serious environmental problems after 1900, and with the growing global population, these problems will continue to persist, necessitating globalized solutions.

Outlines
00:00
🌏 Globalization's Impact on the Environment

This paragraph introduces the topic of the video, focusing on the environmental effects of globalization after 1900. It outlines the learning objective to explain the causes and effects of environmental changes during this period. The main environmental issues discussed are deforestation, desertification, decline in air quality, pressure on fresh water supply, and increase in global temperature. The paragraph sets the stage for a deeper analysis of these problems and their causes, such as globalization, industrialization, population growth, and urbanization.

05:01
🌱 Causes and Effects of Environmental Changes

The second paragraph delves into the main causes of environmental changes, including globalization and industrialization, which led to increased demand for energy resources and industrial goods. It also addresses population growth and urbanization, explaining how they contribute to the strain on environmental resources. The paragraph then explores the major effects of these changes, such as competition for non-renewable resources like oil and fresh water, and climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions. It mentions international efforts like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, highlighting the global nature of the solutions required to address these environmental challenges.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Globalization
Globalization refers to the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries worldwide, leading to the spread of technology, ideas, and culture. In the context of the video, it is a key driver of environmental changes after 1900, as it has facilitated industrialization and the demand for resources, contributing to issues such as deforestation and climate change.
💡Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of large areas of forest, often for agricultural purposes or due to industrial activities. In the video, it is highlighted as an environmental problem that has arisen after 1900 due to the need for more land for agriculture to feed the growing global population, resulting in the loss of trees and habitats.
💡Desertification
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert-like, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices. The video discusses desertification as a significant environmental issue after 1900, where land that was once productive becomes unproductive and less capable of supporting plant life and agriculture.
💡Air Quality
Air quality refers to the measure of how clean or polluted the air is in a given area, which can have significant impacts on human health and the environment. The video mentions the decline in air quality after 1900 due to industrial emissions, with the Great Smog of London in 1952 serving as a dramatic example of the health hazards posed by poor air quality.
💡Fresh Water Supply
Fresh water supply refers to the availability of water that is safe and clean for human consumption and use. In the video, it is noted that there has been increased pressure on the world's fresh water supply due to the growing population and their needs, leading to concerns about water scarcity and access to clean water, especially in developing nations.
💡Global Temperature
Global temperature refers to the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, which has been rising due to the buildup of greenhouse gases. The video discusses the increase in global temperature as a significant environmental problem after 1900, linked to industrialization and the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, leading to potential consequences such as melting ice caps and rising sea levels.
💡Industrialization
Industrialization is the period of transition from manual production methods to those powered by machines, often marked by the replacement of agrarian economies with industrial ones. In the video, industrialization is identified as a cause of environmental changes, as it has led to increased demand for energy resources and the production of industrial goods, which in turn has put a strain on the environment.
💡Population Growth
Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people living in a particular area or globally. The video highlights population growth as a contributing factor to environmental issues, as a larger population requires more resources, leading to increased pressure on the environment, including the need for more food, water, and energy.
💡Urbanization
Urbanization is the process by which more people move from rural areas to cities, leading to the growth of urban areas. In the context of the video, urbanization is linked to environmental problems as city dwellers tend to produce more waste and are disconnected from the process of food production, which can lead to increased demand for resources without a full understanding of the environmental costs.
💡Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, particularly a rise in global temperatures due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The video discusses climate change as a major effect of environmental changes after 1900, emphasizing the role of industrial activities in releasing pollutants and the need for international agreements to address the issue.
💡Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and it is extremely likely that human-made CO2 emissions have predominantly caused it. In the video, the Kyoto Protocol is mentioned as an example of a global effort to address climate change by setting targets for reducing carbon emissions, with developed nations taking on a larger regulatory burden.
Highlights

The video discusses the environmental changes from 1900 to the present, focusing on the effects of technology and globalization.

Deforestation increased due to the growing need for agricultural land to feed the rising global population.

Desertification became a significant issue as fertile land turned into desert-like conditions due to deforestation and poor agricultural practices.

Air quality declined after 1900, with events like the Great Smog of London in 1952, where industrial emissions combined with fog to create a deadly smog.

Pressure on the world's fresh water supply increased due to the growing population and industrial demands.

Global temperature increased due to the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from industrial activities.

Globalization and industrialization led to a rise in demand for energy resources and industrial goods, straining the environment.

Population growth and urbanization contributed to the environmental problems by increasing waste production and separating people from the environmental impact of their consumption.

As the population grows, competition for scarce non-renewable resources like oil increases, with about half of the world's oil being used since the Industrial Revolution.

Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce, with only three percent of the world's water being usable by humans and a rising demand due to population growth.

Climate change is a major effect of environmental changes, with carbon dioxide emissions being the primary culprit.

The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement were established as international efforts to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

The United States initially signed but later withdrew from the Paris Agreement under President Trump, with President Biden working to rejoin.

The world faces serious environmental problems due to the growing global population, and globalized solutions are necessary to address these issues.

The video is part of a series covering AP World History, aiming to help students understand the historical context and implications of globalization after 1900.

Environmental changes have had profound impacts on human health, agriculture, and the overall ecosystem.

Transcripts

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GlobalizationEffectsEnvironmentalHistoryIndustrialImpactResourceScarcityClimateChangeKyotoProtocolParisAgreementUrbanizationPopulationGrowth