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Global IssuesGlobal Issues

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A Quick Refresher…A Quick Refresher…

1.1. What is the United What is the United States’ single greatest States’ single greatest pollutant?pollutant?

2.2. What is the primary What is the primary source of this pollution?source of this pollution?

3.3. When did it become this When did it become this way?way?

1. CO1. CO22

2. 2. ElectricityElectricity (made (made from coal, oil, and from coal, oil, and natural gas) and natural gas) and TransportationTransportation

3.3.Post-Industrial Post-Industrial RevolutionRevolution

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U.S. Sources of PollutionU.S. Sources of Pollution

COCO22

Cars

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Vehicle Ownership (2011)Vehicle Ownership (2011)

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RankRank CountryCountry Roadways (km) DateRoadways (km) DateWorldWorld 64,285,00964,285,009 2013 2013

1.1.U.S. U.S. 6,586,610 6,586,610 20122012 2.2. IndiaIndia 4,689,842 4,689,842 2013 2013 3.3. ChinaChina 4,106,387 4,106,387 201120114.4. BrazilBrazil 1,580,964 1,580,964 2010 2010 5.5. JapanJapan 1,210,251 1,210,251 2010 2010 6.6. RussiaRussia 1,283,387 1,283,387 20122012 7.7. CanadaCanada 1,042,300 1,042,300 2008 2008 8.8. FranceFrance 1,028,446 1,028,446 2010 2010

Kms of RoadwaysKms of Roadways

Source: CIA World FactbookSource: CIA World Factbook

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But why so many But why so many cars in the U.S.?cars in the U.S.?

• Large land areaLarge land area• Large populationLarge population• American Culture: Individualism American Culture: Individualism • Fordism:Fordism:

• Led to the domination of the Auto Led to the domination of the Auto Industry in the early 20Industry in the early 20thth century century

• History of affordable gasHistory of affordable gas

Prosperity through mass Prosperity through mass production and mass consumption: production and mass consumption: Assembly Line = Assembly Line = AffordabilityAffordability

??

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11/13/1411/13/14

U.S. ($3.37)U.S. ($3.37)

Netherlands ($7.73)Netherlands ($7.73)

http://www.eia.gov/countries/prices/gasolinewithtax.cfm

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AmsterdamAmsterdam

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U.S.: Railroads used to be #1!U.S.: Railroads used to be #1!

• Most dominant form of transportation in the Most dominant form of transportation in the U.S. until after WWIIU.S. until after WWII

• However, by the end of WWII, gas was cheap However, by the end of WWII, gas was cheap and so were carsand so were cars

• ““Everyone can have a car in their driveway Everyone can have a car in their driveway for $500”—Henry Fordfor $500”—Henry Ford

• With economic boom after the war, people With economic boom after the war, people had the $$$ for a car…and a house.had the $$$ for a car…and a house.

• But is there more to the story?But is there more to the story?

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“The Streetcar Conspiracy”• 1921:1921: General Motors lost $65mGeneral Motors lost $65m

• 90% of all trips taken by rail90% of all trips taken by rail

• Only 1 in 10 Americans owned a Only 1 in 10 Americans owned a carcar

• 15 billion rail passengers per year15 billion rail passengers per year

• Most towns of over 2,500 had a Most towns of over 2,500 had a rail systemrail system

• GM formed a new conglomerate GM formed a new conglomerate composed of:composed of:– General MotorsGeneral Motors

– Firestone Rubber Co.Firestone Rubber Co.

– Standard Oil Co.Standard Oil Co.

– Phillips PetroleumPhillips PetroleumJohn D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil)John D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil)

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National City LinesNational City Lines• New Company Created: New Company Created: National City LinesNational City Lines• National City Lines was to “buy out” 100 National City Lines was to “buy out” 100

major rail lines from 1936-1950major rail lines from 1936-1950• Through a variety of means, National City Through a variety of means, National City

Lines “persuaded” the railroads to convert Lines “persuaded” the railroads to convert their trains to busestheir trains to buses

• National City then dismantled and National City then dismantled and decommissioned the trains and railsdecommissioned the trains and rails

• U.S. Highway System began in California—U.S. Highway System began in California—first place where railroads were boughtfirst place where railroads were bought

• End of the railroad era in the United StatesEnd of the railroad era in the United States

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However…However…• Many believe National Many believe National

City Lines came in City Lines came in afterafter the trolley and rail system the trolley and rail system was already in troublewas already in trouble

• Great DepressionGreat Depression

• Case went to court in 1948:Case went to court in 1948:– GM found guilty of GM found guilty of

conspiracyconspiracy– GM had to pay a fine of GM had to pay a fine of

$5,000$5,000

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North Shore Line: Chicago to Milwaukee

• GM helped acquire and dismantle the $50 million North Shore Line

• Was the fastest electric service in the world

• Milwaukee to the Loop• However, was in dire

financial straits (had filed bankruptcy several times)

• GM also purchased and scrapped the street railways serving Minneapolis-St. Paul.

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Rail Passenger Miles (Country)Rail Passenger Miles (Country)

RankRank CountryCountry Bn passenger-kmsBn passenger-kms YearYear1.1. ChinaChina 662.20662.20 200620062. 2. IndiaIndia 575.70575.70 200520053.3. EUEU 352.74352.74 200520054.4. JapanJapan 245.96245.96 200520055.5. RussiaRussia 164.26164.26 200520056.6. FranceFrance 79.94 79.94 200620067.7. GermanyGermany 74.73 74.73 200620068.8. UkraineUkraine 52.66 52.66 200520059.9. U.K.U.K. 46.76 46.76 2006200610.10. ItalyItaly 46.44 46.44 20052005

24.24. U.S.U.S. 8.66 8.66 20062006http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Rail-usage-statistics-by-country

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How does this figure?How does this figure?Freight rail by billions of tonne-kilometersRank Country Bn tonne-kms Year

11 U.S.U.S. 2717.502717.50 2005200522 ChinaChina 2195.40 2195.40 2006200633 RussiaRussia 1852.91 1852.91 2005200544 IndiaIndia 407.40 407.40 2005200555 EUEU 359.12 359.12 2005200566 CanadaCanada 352.07 352.07 2005200577 UkraineUkraine 223.98 223.98 2005200588 BrazilBrazil 221.60 221.60 2005200599 KazakhstanKazakhstan 171.86 171.86 200520051010 South AfricaSouth Africa 108.51 108.51 200520051111 GermanyGermany 89.69 89.69 20062006

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Rail-usage-statistics-by-country

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Questions…Questions…• Is it too late to revive the railroad? Is it too late to revive the railroad?

ShouldShould we revive the railroad? we revive the railroad?• Every other highly populated core Every other highly populated core

country has a significant passenger country has a significant passenger railroad system—not us.railroad system—not us.

• Would you use a rail system if one Would you use a rail system if one were to become available?were to become available?

• RailroadRailroad vs. vs. taxistaxis: MSP to downtown: MSP to downtown $2.00 $36.00$2.00 $36.00

• More ecologically friendly and cheaperMore ecologically friendly and cheaper

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MinneapolisMinneapolisMinnesota’s first light-rail line Minnesota’s first light-rail line opened in 2004opened in 2004Length:Length: Now 21 mi., connecting downtown St. Paul, the U of M, downtown Mpls, MSP Int’l Airport and the Mall of America. Ridership:Ridership: 2014: New line just opened; already exceeding predictions for 2015 and growing.FutureFuture: New route to SW suburbs

NotesNotes: $81.9m Hennepin County taxes to county road repair in ‘10. $12.7m to train. Car Car Train Train Per user taxes: Per user taxes: $7.58 $7.58 $1.20$1.20

http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Current-Projects/Central-Corridor/Publications-And-Resources/Miscellaneous-Documents/Metro-Green-Line-Fact-Sheet.aspx

Other Trains?

http://volumeone.org/news/1/posts/2014/11/07/8004_chugging_forward_local_train_service_on_minnesotas

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High-Speed RailHigh-Speed Rail

• Competes with airlines in Europe, JapanCompetes with airlines in Europe, Japan

• Fewer delays, easier through securityFewer delays, easier through security

• More eco-friendlyMore eco-friendly

• Airport hassles: more likely to catch on?Airport hassles: more likely to catch on?

• Or same old story?Or same old story?

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Perhaps not too far off?Perhaps not too far off?

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Back to cars…Back to cars…

• Post-WWII: U.S. economy BOOMING! Post-WWII: U.S. economy BOOMING! • Women in the workforce: no longer Women in the workforce: no longer

only option being the “farmer’s wife”only option being the “farmer’s wife”• People making $$$ = More demandPeople making $$$ = More demand• More demand = More productionMore demand = More production• More production = More people More production = More people

moving off the farm and into the citymoving off the farm and into the city• But cities were dirty, crampedBut cities were dirty, cramped• Birth of Birth of suburbiasuburbia

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Not only was the Not only was the economy booming…economy booming…

• More people = More resourcesMore people = More resources

““Baby Boom”Baby Boom”

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The SuburbsThe Suburbs

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SuburbanizationSuburbanization

• A new “neighborhood” A new “neighborhood” • City conveniences without the cityCity conveniences without the city• Led to the decline of the cityLed to the decline of the city• Loss of “neighborhood” / communityLoss of “neighborhood” / community• More individualisticMore individualistic• Automobile dependent Automobile dependent (shopping, (shopping,

banking, school, etc.)banking, school, etc.)

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Conflict:Conflict:Urban Sprawl vs. the EnvironmentUrban Sprawl vs. the Environment

• Encroachment into WildernessEncroachment into Wilderness- Animal conflicts- Plants conflicts

• Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts- Water Pollution / Depletion

Overwatering of land (Las Vegas grass ban) Golf courses: chemicals Depletion of aquifers Wetland / natural habitat destruction

- Smog / Pollutants from vehicle emissions- Lack of exercise (car)

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Las VegasLas Vegas• One of the fastest growing cities in the One of the fastest growing cities in the

U.S. over last 10 years…until recentlyU.S. over last 10 years…until recently• What is its carrying capacity?What is its carrying capacity?• Where would Las Vegas be without Where would Las Vegas be without

extreme non-ecological efforts to extreme non-ecological efforts to support the city?support the city?

• One of the most ecologically “wrong” One of the most ecologically “wrong” cities in the world (and Phoenix)cities in the world (and Phoenix)

Dubai: World Islands

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Palm IslandsPalm Islands

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Hoover DamHoover Dam• In today’s $$$, would cost approximately In today’s $$$, would cost approximately

2/3 of a billion $$$!2/3 of a billion $$$!• Supplies power to SoCal, NV, AZ, Supplies power to SoCal, NV, AZ,

elsewhereelsewhere

• Lake MeadLake Mead created from damming created from damming Colorado RiverColorado River

• Without dam, Las Vegas and L.A. could Without dam, Las Vegas and L.A. could not exist as they donot exist as they do

• Is that good or bad?Is that good or bad?

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Lake MeadLake Mead

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Las VegasLas Vegas

Which is more “G.C.?” Which is more “G.C.?” Eau Claire?

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Fastest Growing Fastest Growing Metro Areas (U.S.)Metro Areas (U.S.)

Metro Area 

 

++Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX 162,250

Atlanta, GA  151,063

Phoenix, AZ  132,513

Houston, TX 120,544

Riverside, CA  86,660

Charlotte, NC 66,724

Chicago, IL  66,231

Austin, TX  65,880

Las Vegas, NV  59,165

San Antonio, TX 53,925

Carrying Capacity?Carrying Capacity?

2012 Electoral College Map

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L.A.: Urban Sprawl and PollutionL.A.: Urban Sprawl and Pollution

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Almost Almost 6060 miles!! miles!!

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Map of Map of Los Los

Angeles Angeles MetroMetro(Train)(Train)

??

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Paris Paris MetroMetroMapMap

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London Underground MapLondon Underground Map

Amsterdam

38Dublin RomeRome

ViennaVienna

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Chicago Chicago CTA MapCTA Map

Last line added: Last line added: 1993 (extension 1993 (extension

to Midway to Midway Airport)Airport)

22ndnd to last line to last line added: 1984 added: 1984

(O’Hare Airport)(O’Hare Airport)

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San Juan (Puerto Rico)San Juan (Puerto Rico)Urban Train MapUrban Train Map

Only Only Red LineRed Line has been completed! has been completed!

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U.S. Airports with train connectionsYESYES•Washington D.C. (1977)Washington D.C. (1977)•Baltimore (1980)Baltimore (1980)•Chicago (1984, 1993)Chicago (1984, 1993)•Philadelphia (1984)Philadelphia (1984)•Atlanta (1988)Atlanta (1988)•St. Louis (1998)St. Louis (1998)•Portland, OR (2001)Portland, OR (2001)•San Francisco (2003)San Francisco (2003)•Minneapolis (2004)Minneapolis (2004)•Seattle (2010)Seattle (2010)•Miami (2012)Miami (2012)•St. Paul (2014)St. Paul (2014)

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NO•Boston (bus to rail)•Denver (bus to rail)•L.A. (bus to rail)•New York (bus / tram to rail)•Memphis (bus to rail)•New Orleans (bus to rail)•Pittsburgh (bus to rail)•Sacramento (bus to rail)•San Diego (bus to rail)•Washington D.C. (Dulles-bus to rail)•Milwaukee•Austin, TX•Charlotte, NC•Cincinnati•Columbus•Cleveland•Detroit•Dallas•Honolulu•Houston

• Indianapolis• Kansas City• Las Vegas• Nashville• Oklahoma City• Orlando• Phoenix• Salt Lake City• Tampa

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Why?Why?

The auto industryThe auto industry

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Legacy of the Auto IndustryLegacy of the Auto Industry• Because of the auto industry, we as

Americans have certainly gained in our independence and individualism…

• ...but we are also paying in many other ways:– Environmentally– Economically– Personal Safety– Politically?

Jimmy HoffaJimmy Hoffa

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Transportation Deaths:1999-2009 (NTSB)1999-2009 (NTSB)

  Motor Vehicles Railroads

Commercial Airliners

Rec. Boating

Deaths:        

    19991999 41,717 530 12 734

    20002000 41,945 512 92 701

    20012001 42,196 550 531 681

    20022002 43,005 594 0 750

    20032003 42,884 531 22 703

    20042004 42,836 520 14 676

    20052005 43,510 525 22 697

    20062006 42,708 534 50 710

    20072007 41,259 512 1 685

    20082008 37,261 514 3 709

    20092009 33,963 458 52 736

http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_02_01.html

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Transportation Injuries:Transportation Injuries:1998-2008 (NTSB)1998-2008 (NTSB)

  Motor Vehicles Railroads

Commercial Airliners

Rec. Boating

Injuries:        

    19981998 3,192,000 10,156 30 4,612

    19991999 3,236,238 10,304 67 4,315

    20002000 3,188,750 10,424 29 4,555

    20012001 3,032,672 10,104 19 4,274

    20022002 2,925,758 9,828 24 4,062

    20032003 2,888,601 8,229 31 3,888

    20042004 2,788,378 8,097 20 3,363

    20052005 2,699,000 8,460 14 3,451

    20062006 2,575,000 7,640 9 4,474

    20072007 2,491,000 8,549 16 3,673

    20082008 2,346,000 7,840 16 3,331

http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/#chapter_2

Death Rates by Mode of Transportation (2006)

Auto 1.41 (per 100m VMT)

Train .73 (per 100m PMT)

Bus .59 (per 100m PMT)

Plane .23 (per 100m PMT)

Auto 16.99 (per 100,000 vehicles)

Rec Boating 5.6 (per 100,000 vehicles)

46Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (2008)

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Speaking of the automobile…

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Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel(1858-1913)(1858-1913)

"The use of vegetable oilsvegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time." After his death, the Diesel engine was marketed that it only ran on petroleum based products and his great ideas of a clean burning engine died with him.

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Biofuels Biofuels

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Top 10 Ethanol Producing Countries(millions of gallons)

CC

CC

SS

SS WW WW WWSBSB RyeRye

Source: Renewable Fuels Association

Which fuel is greenest?

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Cellulosic EthanolCellulosic Ethanol

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PROS:PROS:•Not a specific crop Not a specific crop •Made of yard waste: weeds, Made of yard waste: weeds, wood chips, stems, etc.wood chips, stems, etc.•No competition with food No competition with food productionproduction•Abundant in North AmericaAbundant in North America•No need for pesticidesNo need for pesticidesCONS:CONS:•Tough to marketTough to market•Infrastructure not set up to Infrastructure not set up to handle this type of fuelhandle this type of fuel•Land availabilityLand availability

SwitchgrassSwitchgrass

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Tequila Sunset: The Ethanol BoomTequila Sunset: The Ethanol BoomMexican farmers burning agave fields and replanting them with cornWednesday, 27 August 2008Mexico without tequila? It seems a far-fetched notion but the country's farmers are shunning the famous agave plant because of poor prices and switching to profitable crops.

Savour that frozen margarita in your hand, for soon you might not be able to afford it. Mexico's tequila industry is about to become the latest victim of America's growing thirst for ethanol. Soaring demand for biofuel has sent global commodity prices through the roof, prompting farmers of blue agave, the cactus-like plant from which the country's national spirit is made, to move into more lucrative cash crops such as wheat and corn.

Picturesque plantations of agave…are being replaced with orderly rows of corn, a crop now selling for a record 18 cents per pound, as US consumers from across the border seek respite from the soaring oil prices.

Global food price rises have also seen the cost of another rival crop, beans, rise by 60 per cent in the past six months to 59 cents per pound. By comparison, agave, which in 2002 was worth more than 80 cents a pound, is now retailing for less than two cents. As a result, many farmers of agave…are taking the difficult decision to let their over-ripe plants turn brown in the desert sun, claiming it is no longer economically viable for them to bother with the annual harvest.

"Corn is where the money is now," one large-scale farmer, Miguel Ramirez, told USA Today. "I'm going to get out of agave completely." Martin Sanchez, director of agriculture for Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council, added: "We don't have numbers but we know it is happening: people are abandoning their fields of agave and flipping over to other crops."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tequila-sunset-the-ethanol-boom-909668.html

Conservation Gone Wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6HsiixFS8