Environmental Impact of Human Activities: Deforestation and Pollution
Environmental Impact of Human Activities
Deforestation
One of the primary causes of deforestation is forest fires, which are very frequent during Mediterranean summers. Other contributing factors include waste and environmental damage. There are two main types of causes for these fires:
- Natural Causes: The Mediterranean climate, characterized by heat and dryness in the summer, Mediterranean vegetation vulnerable to fire, and lightning.
- Human Causes: Agricultural or pasture accidents, electrical lines, recreational use of forests, negligent disposal of cigarettes, and intentional arson for cheap firewood or land reclassification.
Environmental Repercussions of Economic Activities
Throughout history, societies have lived in environments that influence their economy and culture. Simultaneously, these societies have transformed their geographic areas and utilized resources to facilitate changes. For many years, the negative effects on the environment were minimal, as transformations were localized.
However, since the Industrial Revolution in the mid-eighteenth century, new industrial societies have dominated and exploited areas based on economic and political criteria. From the early nineteenth century, the world population has experienced rapid growth. This has led to accelerated urbanization and the construction of extensive infrastructure, including motorways, highways, and airports, all promising economic and social development in modern societies.
These developments have had negative impacts on the environment, including:
- Overexploitation of natural resources
- Increasing amounts of waste
- Environmental pollution
- Climate change
Atmospheric Pollution
The emission of gases into the atmosphere causes acid rain and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Acid Rain
Acid rain is a form of precipitation containing significant quantities of sulfuric and nitric acids. It can cause respiratory problems and damage vegetation and crops.
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is primarily due to the formation of a layer of carbon dioxide that traps heat, leading to an increase in global land and sea temperatures, rising sea levels, and desertification.
Major cities like New York, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, and Valencia are among the most atmospherically polluted areas. Pollution in these cities raises the temperature, increases fog, and creates a particular microclimate.
Water Pollution
Rivers, oceans, and groundwater can be contaminated by irrigation water containing agricultural chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides. They can also be polluted by urban wastewater, especially from kitchens and bathrooms.
Additionally, water can be contaminated by industrial waste, such as detergents and dyes from the chemical and petrochemical industries, oil residue from the food industry, and discharges from maritime accidents, such as the Prestige oil spill (2002). The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world due to municipal waste and other discharges.