The smog story DISCUSSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

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1 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET TEACHER PAGE 1 5 Theme Class activity (CA). The students consider the causes of smog, a local environmental problem, look at how the problem was tackled and participate in role plays to explore the reactions of some of the actors involved in the issue. Objectives Developing awareness of specific environmental problems of Irish relevance. Encouraging creative and analytical thinking about complex problems with many perspectives. Curricular Strands SESE, Science and Geography Environmental awareness and care SESE, Science Science and the environment SESE, Geography Human environments; Natural environments SPHE Myself and the wider world; Developing citizenship Skills Questioning, observing, investigating, recording and discussing Time 20 minute introduction; 40 minute role play and preparation Links to Green Schools Considering local environmental problems The smog story DISCUSSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WHAT YOU NEED D The attached Smog Story and press file WHAT YOU DO 1 Read The Smog Story with the class and ask for initial reactions. 2 Divide the students into groups and hand out copies of the press file. 3 Also pass out copies of the attached table. Assign a role from the table to each group and ask them to brainstorm their possible reactions to the smoky fuel ban. 4 Ask each group to present their thoughts. This could take the form of a public meeting in the community, with students taking on different roles. Go further 1 Imagine you are a local authority group considering how to improve air quality. What would you propose for your locality? Draw up a list of steps to better air quality where you live. Who would be affected by your actions? Who might object to your plans?

2 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 2 5 THE SMOG STORY The term smog is made up from the words smoke and fog. The word was first used in 1905 to describe the sooty fog that occurred in most British urban areas at that time. Smoke and pollution are usually reduced when air movement mixes them with cleaner air, spreading and diluting them. But smog occurs when very still weather conditions prevent this mixing from happening. Normally, the temperature of the air decreases as you go higher: this is why it is colder at the top of a mountain even if there is no wind. Sometimes, due to a high pressure system, a cold layer of air settles under a warm layer. This is called thermal inversion. Thermal inversion prevents smoke and pollution from our chimneys and cars reaching the upper atmosphere and causes the pollution to stay near the ground. If there is a high pressure system over an area and low wind speeds the thermal inversion can stay in the area for a number of days. In December 1952, The Great Smog occurred in London, covering the city with a smokeladen fog for several days. Road, rail and air transport were brought to a standstill. An estimated 4,000 people died due to the smog. Following The Great Smog the British government introduced a ban on emissions of black smoke and passed laws to make residents of urban areas and industries convert to smokeless fuels. In Ireland following the oil crisis (during the 1970s and 1980s) we became very dependent on coal as a fuel and heating source. In the early 1980s all local authority housing in Dublin used solid fuel as a source of heating. In 1982 due to a heavy fog St James s Hospital in Dublin reported a significant increase in mortality (deaths). These incidents got worse through the winters of the late 1980s, and the government introduced a ban on the sale of smoky fuels in the greater Dublin area in At the time, coal merchants were worried about the effects this would have on their business. Medical research has estimated that the ban has resulted in over 360 fewer deaths per year in Dublin alone. Since then the ban has been extended to many other cities and towns across Ireland. The ban on the sale of smoky fuels now operates in Dublin, Cork, Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick, Wexford, Celbridge, Galway, Leixlip, Naas, Waterford, Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee.

3 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 3 5 PRESS FILE SMOG 1. Press release about smog from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 25/3/03 Cullen extends coal ban to four new urban areas The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D., today (25 March 2003) signed regulations extending the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal to an additional four urban areas. The new urban areas are Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee. The ban will come into effect on 1st October, The Department of the Environment and Local Government will issue a public information leaflet to all households and businesses in the new ban areas later this year explaining the effects and implications of the ban in the new areas. The regulations arise from the negotiated agreement signed by the Department and the Solid Fuel Trade Group (representing the principal importers and distributors of solid fuel) in June 2002 following consultations on a potential national ban on bituminous coal and petcoke in 2001/2002. As well as new ban areas, the agreement also provides for a reduction in the sulphur content of bituminous coal and petcoke nationally. These measures will reduce ambient smoke levels and reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by some 6,500 tonnes per annum. I am pleased to sign these regulations into law the Minister said. Anyone who visited Dublin during the winter months of the late 1980s will remember the severe winter smog encountered there. The benefits of the ban on bituminous coal are visible for everybody to see. Independent medical research has shown that the ban has resulted in some 116 fewer respiratory deaths and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths per year in Dublin alone. These regulations will ensure that the people of Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee will also enjoy cleaner air. The ban on the sale of bituminous coal already operates in twelve urban areas: Dublin (since 1990), Cork (1995), Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick, Wexford (1998) and Celbridge, Galway, Leixlip, Naas and Waterford (2000). All areas have shown considerable improvement in reduced smoke levels subsequently. The agreement with the Solid Fuel Trade Group also provides for increased market penetration of smokeless fuel products in four more urban areas (Athlone, Carlow, Clonmel and Ennis) up to 75% by 1 October, The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs will make an additional payment during the winter heating season to qualifying social welfare recipients to assist lower income households with any increased cost of smokeless solid fuel. The cost of this Supplementary Fuel Allowance payment will be e860k. per full year in the new areas and e13.6m. nationally. As well as the benefits of cleaner air in new ban areas the agreement with the Solid Fuel Trade Group will also play a part in achieving Ireland's national emission ceiling for sulphur dioxide emissions as required under EU and international law. The agreement is estimated to reduce national emissions by up to 6,500 tonnes of SO 2 (sulphur dioxide) per year I will be publishing a discussion paper ahead of bringing a National Emissions Reduction Strategy to Government later this year the Minister added.

4 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE The Sligo Weekender, Tuesday, 23 September 2003 Ban on smoky coal starts next week From next week householders in parts of Sligo town will be banned from burning smoky coal. The ban comes into effect on Wednesday next and covers Finisklin, Ballydoogan and Knappaghmore. Sligo joins many major towns around the country who are implementing the ban. It means that the traditional smoky coal such as Polish or Texan will be outlawed within the town boundary. Sligo's town and county councils have teamed-up to bring this ban into effect. Alice O Rourke, Environmental Officer with Sligo Borough Council, said the aim is to improve air quality in urban areas. While everyone will benefit from clean air, this ban on bituminous coal has proven beneficial to the vulnerable sections of the community such as the young, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory illnesses. The ban does not affect the use of other fuels such as gas, oil or electricity. Wood, turf and peat briquettes are also considered smokeless products. Ms O Rourke said local suppliers have stocks of various smokeless fuel types. These include Magiglow, Fireflame and Supercoal, Arigna smokeless coals, turf briquettes, Easy Flame coal nuggets, Arigna EcoBrite (suitable for enclosed units), Redflame Standard Anthracite (suitable for enclosed units), black diamond Grade A Anthracite (suitable for enclosed units) and fire logs and fire paks. 3. The Western People, Thursday, 8 November 2001 Mayo coal merchants fuming over move to smokeless fuel Coal and fuel merchants from all around the county will come together tomorrow evening (Wednesday) to discuss the proposal by the government to ban the sale of smoky coal and petroleum coke from next year. Since the announcement was made last month coal merchants nationwide have been up in arms, fearing that their livelihoods will be in danger if this legislation goes through. The ban is due to come in to effect at the start of next season, which for fuel merchants is this time of year. The meeting, which takes place in the Traveller's Friend, Castlebar at 8.30pm, is taking place to decide what action can be taken by coal merchants to change the mind of the government. It is open to all people in the county with an interest in the coal business. According to Westport councillor, Declan Dever, himself a fuel merchant, if the ban comes into effect it will force many coal merchants out of business. They will simply not be able to survive, he said. It's not only smoky coal that is being banned; petroleum coke is also on the list. Most smokeless coals contain this. Therefore, there will be very few products left for coal merchants to sell. Cllr Dever is also concerned about the repercussions such a ban would have for coal users, particularly the elderly. Many people depend on coal for heat, as they cannot afford central heating. They buy coal every week, even during the summer months, so they will have a supply ready for the winter. This will seriously affect them.

5 EPA ACTIVITY WORKSHEET STUDENT PAGE 5 5 REACTIONS SMOG PRESS FILE From your reading of the Smog press file, how would you describe the reactions and opinions of the various people involved? Groups or individuals involved What they might think Coal merchant Asthma sufferer Worker in a city centre hotel Local environmental awareness officer School pupil (who cycles to school) Local shop keeper