Acid Rain In Germany
Acid rain is a major environmental issue in Germany. What is acid rain? It is
rain that is polluted by gases released into the air by the burning of fossil
fuels, such as coal or oil. In the first half of the 1900s. the former country of
East Germany burned massive amounts of brown coal to produce electricity.
When burned, brown coal gives off a gas called sulfur dioxide. This gas mixes
with moisture in the air, so when it rains, the rain is polluted with sulfur
dioxide.
What are some effects of acid rain?
Acid rain has taken a terrible toll on Germany’s forests.
Experts estimate that more than one-half of Germany’s trees
have been damaged or killed by acid rain.
Acid rain polluted rivers and lakes, killing fish as well as
the plants and microscopic organisms that fish need to
survive. Acid rain eats away at brick and stonework buildings. Experts
say that some buildings are losing up to 4 percent of their weight each
year from acid rain damage!
1. Acid rain occurs when moisture mixes with ______________________ in the
atmosphere. a. ozone b. coal or oil c. sulfur dioxide
2. What economic activity in Germany is the primary cause of acid rain?
a. burning coal and oil for energy b. clearing forests for farmland
3. Put a √ next to each problem caused by acid rain in Germany
• Trees damaged or killed • fish die • fewer schools build • brick and stone
buildings damaged • average temperature getting colder • lakes and rivers
polluted
Now What Happens?
The acid rain in Germany is a concern for all Europeans and for people around
the world. Brown coal is still Germany’s chief domestic source of energy,
meeting one-quarter of the country’s energy needs. Therefore, Germany has
made strict changes to its coal production practices and closed old, inefficient
factories.
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Germany has also put strict laws in place to reduce
pollution. Factory owners are fined if they do not reduce the
amount of sulfur dioxide they emit into the air. Cars must
have a special converter fitted to the exhaust system, and
the government is working to change over to less polluting
fuels like oil and natural gas. Today,
Improving the environment is a top issue in German society!
Write what each entity is doing to help the acid rain and pollution problems in
Germany.
Problem-Solution Write what each entity is doing to help the acid rain and pollution
problems in Germany.
Factories
Cars
Government
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Factory owners are fined if they do not reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide they emit into the air.
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Cars must have a special converter fitted to the exhaust system.
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The government is working to change over to less polluting fuels like oil and natrual gas.
We have learned about the environmental issues in Germany and the United
Kingdom. Use your notes to write two paragraphs summarizing the
information.
Include information about the following: Paragraph 1: The causes and
effects of the environmental issue in Germany. Also, share what the German
government is trying to help reduce the problem. Paragraph 2: The causes
and effects of the environmental issue in the United Kingdom. Also, share
what the U.K. government is trying to help reduce the problem.