Environmental Consequences of Human Activities
Human Impact on the Environment
Humans use the natural environment as a resource. Several factors contribute to our impact:
- Population Size: As populations grow, they require more resources, including land for food production, housing space, raw materials for industry, and transportation infrastructure.
- Technology: Current technology enables humans to alter vast areas of land.
- Energy: Increased energy use leads to more significant environmental changes.
- Consumption Patterns: The continuous production of goods necessitates a constant supply of raw materials and energy.
Historically, when the population was small, technology was simple, and energy was difficult to obtain, the environmental impact was limited. Today, society is rapidly degrading the environment.
Climate Change
Human activities impact the atmosphere, causing air pollution and climate change. These activities exacerbate the greenhouse effect, contribute to acid rain, produce photochemical smog, and deplete the ozone layer.
Air Pollution
Air pollution occurs when certain gases or particles are released into the atmosphere. While some air pollution results from natural events like volcanic eruptions, sandstorms, and forest fires, not all pollutants harm the environment. Significant environmental problems arise from human-caused gas emissions.
The Greenhouse Effect
Certain industrial processes and human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases. This makes it more difficult for the sun’s heat and light to escape from the Earth’s surface, resulting in a global temperature rise.
The Hole in the Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is an area of highly concentrated oxygen (O3), compared to the O2 that plants produce and we breathe. This layer is essential for life because it reduces the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) rays reaching the Earth’s surface, preventing severe sunburns and skin cancer.
Climate Change in Europe
Europe is already experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are causing increased flooding.
- Temperature: The hottest years of the 20th century were recorded recently.
- Precipitation: During the last decade of the 20th century, average annual precipitation increased in Northern Europe.
- Floods: In Central Europe, floods have become more frequent and intense. Warmer temperatures mean more precipitation falls as rain rather than snow.
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement aimed at combating global warming. Many countries committed to reducing emissions, but as of 2009, they were far from achieving their goals. China and India (developing countries) have ratified the protocol but are not obligated to reduce their emissions, which are significant. The protocol also addresses carbon dioxide emissions from air transport.
Water Use and Pollution
Rain and evaporation are continuous processes, making fresh water a renewable resource. However, it is also a scarce resource:
- Only 3% of the planet’s water is fresh water, and only 1% of that is available for use.
- The amount of fresh water available depends on rainfall, which is very low in many areas.
- Water use in developed countries is much higher than in less developed countries.
Causes of Water Pollution
- Waste from sewage treatment plants
- Industrial waste
- Soil washed into rivers
- Domestic waste from landfills
- Chemicals used in parks and gardens
- Animal waste seeping into the ground
- Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides
- Crops sprayed with chemicals
- Waste from mines
- Pollution from underground mines