Environmental Impact and Resource Management
Environmental Impact: The Wounded Planet
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in resource exploitation. Growing industries needed increasing amounts of raw materials to power their growth. This demand led to the development of more sophisticated systems for obtaining and processing resources.
Resource Classification
- Renewable Resources: Inexhaustible resources like solar or wind energy.
- Non-Renewable Resources: Resources available in limited quantities, such as oil.
- Potentially Renewable Resources: Resources that can be renewed, depending on human management (e.g., fish).
Water
The Hydrosphere
Earth is a water planet. The hydrosphere consists of the seas, rivers, lakes, groundwater, ice caps, and glaciers that surround the Earth.
The water cycle is driven by the sun’s energy and gravity. Ocean and continental water evaporates due to the sun’s heat. This vapor condenses and precipitates onto the Earth, mountains, and the sea. Water flows from the continents into the ocean, either directly through rivers or by filtering through the soil into groundwater. Much of this water evaporates, repeating the cycle.
Water Resources
- The planet’s surface is covered by oceans.
- Water, as a resource, is not abundant.
- 97% of the world’s water is salty.
- Of the remaining 3%, only 0.5% is readily available.
Stages of the Water Cycle
- Evaporation of sea water and water from continents.
- Condensation of water vapor, forming clouds.
- Union of water droplets or ice crystals, causing precipitation (rain or snow).
- Fallen water infiltrates aquifers that flow into the sea. Some collects in underground lakes.
- Surface water remains in rivers, streams, and lakes. Some is absorbed by plant roots.
- Melting snow and ice from high mountains provides additional surface water.
- Rivers and aquifers return water to the sea, completing the cycle.
Water Use
- Domestic: Food preparation, cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene.
- Public: Street cleaning, landscaping, irrigation of parks and gardens, other community uses.
- Agriculture and Livestock: Irrigation, animal consumption, cleaning facilities.
- Industry: Manufacturing processes, construction, cooling.
- Energy Production: Hydroelectric power, water mills.
- Transportation: Navigation on seas, rivers, and lakes.
- Sport and Recreation: Swimming, boating, fishing, and winter sports.
Water Use Per Person Per Day in Europe
- Toilet: 66 liters
- Bathing and showering: 60 liters
- Dishwashing and cleaning: 14 liters
- Beverage and food preparation: 8 liters
- Laundry: 6 liters
- Gardening: 4 liters
- Car washing: 2 liters
Water Issues
- Uneven distribution
- Increasing population
- Expansion of industry and agriculture
- Pollution
Uneven Distribution
- 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and over 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation.
- In developing countries, women are often responsible for carrying water, traveling an average of 6 km daily with 20 kg loads.
Population Increase
- Over 2.2 million people die each year from diseases associated with lack of access to clean water and sanitation.
- Many in developing countries suffer from diseases caused by contaminated food or water.
- Global freshwater consumption increased sixfold between 1900 and 2000, while the population only tripled.
Expansion of Industry and Agriculture
- 73% of available water is used for agriculture worldwide.
- Most irrigation systems are inefficient, losing about 60% of water.
- Overuse of aquifers lowers water tables, requiring deeper wells. In coastal areas, this can lead to saltwater intrusion.
Pollution
Water Pollution
- Agricultural pollution from pesticides and fertilizers causes eutrophication and potential health issues.
- Industrial pollution from heavy metals and other toxins.
Soil
Soil is the biologically active system that develops on the land surface, influenced by weather and living organisms.
Soil Formation Stages
- Mechanical breakdown of rock.
- Chemical weathering of released material.
- Colonization by living organisms, further weathering, and enrichment by organic remains.
- Mixing of these elements with water and air.
Factors Influencing Soil Formation
- Parent rock provides minerals.
- Vegetation adds organic matter.
- Slope influences soil movement.
- Time elapsed.
- Weather is the most important factor.
Land Use and Soil
Agriculture
- Pollution from fertilizers and pesticides
- Nutrient depletion
- Compaction
- Reduction of biodiversity
Mining
- Soil removal
- Burial by sterile material
- Water pollution
- Air pollution from dust
- Visual impact
Livestock
Intensive Livestock Production
Factory farms prioritize maximum efficiency, raising concerns about:
- Hormone use for rapid growth (health risks)
- Reduction of biodiversity
- Deforestation
- Excess manure production
Fishing
Risks of Overfishing
- Overexploitation
- Loss of biodiversity
Corrective Measures
- 200-mile exclusive maritime zones
- Fishing fleet conversion
- Restrictions on net types
- Biological rest periods
- Creation of marine reserves
Energy
Non-Renewable Energy
- Coal
- Oil
- Natural Gas
- Nuclear Energy
Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy
- Hydropower
- Wind Energy
- Other: tidal, geothermal, biomass, hydrogen, fusion
Coal
- Formed from carbon mixed with other substances.
- Source: decomposition of plant matter.
- Main application: electricity generation.
- Combustion emits pollutants that can cause acid rain and contribute to global warming.
Oil
- Mix of organic compounds, mainly hydrocarbons.
- Fossil origin, from transformed organic matter.
- Refined to separate useful fractions.
- 65% of reserves are in the Middle East.
- Transported via pipelines and tankers.
Natural Gas
- Mix of gases, mainly methane.
- Cleaner burning than other fossil fuels.
- Reserves located in the CIS and Middle East.
- Transported via pipelines or as LNG.
- Used for heating, electricity generation, and powering motors.
Nuclear Energy
- Minimal radiation release during normal operation.
- Accidents can cause radiation leaks.
- Long-term storage of radioactive waste is a challenge.
Solar Energy
- Energy from sunlight, used for heat and electricity.
- Solar thermal: heat absorption by a fluid.
- Solar PV: panels convert light into electricity.
Hydropower
- Energy from rivers and waterfalls.
- Water drives turbines to generate electricity.
- Advantages: clean, renewable, efficient.
- Disadvantages: environmental impact of dams.
Wind Energy
- Kinetic energy from wind drives turbines.
- Disadvantages: intermittent wind, bird collisions, landscape impact.
Other Renewable Energy Sources
- Tidal
- Geothermal
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
- Nuclear Fusion (under development)
Pollution
Environmental alteration by physical, chemical, or biological agents.
Air Pollution
- Main source: fossil fuels.
- Main pollutants: oxides of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, metals, and particulates.
- Consequences: acid rain, smog, ozone depletion.
Acid Rain
- Caused by sulfur and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion.
- These gases react with water vapor to form acids.
- Consequences: deforestation, acidification of lakes.
Smog
- Combination of smoke and fog.
- Worsened by warm, sunny weather.
- Photochemical smog from vehicle exhaust.
- Reduces visibility, irritates eyes and respiratory system.
Ozone Depletion
- Ozone layer in the stratosphere protects from UV radiation.
- CFCs catalyze ozone destruction.
Water Pollution
- Pathogenic microorganisms
- Organic waste
- Inorganic chemicals
- Inorganic fertilizers
- Organic compounds
- Sediments
- Radioactive materials
- Thermal pollution
Desertification
Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas.
Causes of Desertification
- Overgrazing
- Land and water misuse
- Deforestation and mining
- Soil compaction
- Urbanization
Biodiversity Loss
Loss of the variety of life on Earth.
Causes of Biodiversity Loss
- Habitat destruction
- Habitat fragmentation
- Intensive agriculture
Measures to Protect Biodiversity
- Protected areas
- Financial incentives
- Early intervention against invasive species
- Sustainable practices in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry
- International agreements
- Public awareness
Increased Waste
Waste generation is an indicator of development.
Climate Change
Result of increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
Carbon Cycle
Movement of carbon between reservoirs.
Carbon Reservoirs
- Atmosphere
- Terrestrial biosphere
- Oceans
- Sediments
Carbon Consumption from Air
- Photosynthesis
- Dissolution in oceans
- Carbonate precipitation
Carbon Release to Air
- Respiration
- Decomposition
- Combustion
Greenhouse Effect
Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.
Kyoto Protocol
International agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Situation in Spain
Spain’s challenges in meeting Kyoto Protocol targets.