APWH Final ProjectSara Toomey

Topic:

•The effect of modern technology on developing countries.

The Problem:•WHO: The highest producer of carbon

dioxide, the USA and a heavily suffering nation, Bangladesh

•WHAT: The salinity of the Bangladeshi rice paddies is increasing at a devastating rate.

•WHEN: now!!•WHERE: The coastal region of Bangladesh.

And…

WHY?:•The climate of the planet has

regular cycles, but since the Industrial Revolution there has been a drastic increase in temperature.

•The U.S. is the leading producer of carbon emissions followed closely by China.

•This rise causes a whole slew of other consequences.

The Consequences:• The global temperature

average is expected to be up about 3 degrees by the end of the century

• There has already been a 5-6 inch sea rise and will be another .6-2 feet within the century

• Beaches will erode, severe flooding will occur, and salinity of fresh water will rise.

• Increases in storm intensity will occur

• Many will have to relocate their entire lives.

Bangladesh:• Bangladesh rates first out of

170 countries on the Global Climate Risk Index

• Sidr, a category 4 cyclone killed about 3500 people, left 2 million homeless, and destroyed the rice paddies of many

• 65% of the countries population works in agriculture

• 40% live below the poverty line

• They are not polluters, but they are still heavily affected by climate change

The Solution:•Individuals lessen their carbon footprints•Every factory and industry should reduce

emissions•Use the higher technology to help lesser

countries develop their ideas•If everything continues to worsen,

industrialized nations should accept refugees, treat them well, and give them some of the privileges a citizen has

Citations:"Basic Information." EPA. 21 Jan 2009. U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency. 17 Feb200<http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html>.

Chopra, Amy. "How Global Warming Threatens Millions in Bangladesh." Energy and Environment. 26 Mar 2009. U.S. Navs and World Report. 4May2009<http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/energy/2009/03/26/ho-global-warming-threatens-millions-in-bangladesh.html>.

"Health and Environmental Effects." EPA. 17 Dec 2008. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 17 Feb 2009 <http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/index.html>.