Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Measures
Environmental Impacts
Environmental impact refers to any alteration or modification that the environment suffers as a result of human activities.
Types of Impacts
- Local: Air pollution
- Regional: Acid rain (by country, region)
- Global: Greenhouse gases (planet, greenhouse effect)
Contamination
Any substance or energy form added to air, water, soil, or food that threatens human health or survival. Types include:
- Degradable: Organic, slow degradation (e.g., some plastics, degradable chemicals)
- Non-degradable: Do not break down by natural processes
Atmospheric Impacts
Primary Pollutants
Emitted directly into the atmosphere.
Secondary Pollutants
Arise from chemical reactions.
Smog
- Sulfurous Smog: High in sulfur and carbon oxides (cars, industry)
- Photochemical Smog: Presence of oxidizing compounds, ozone, PAN
- Inversion: Temperature increases with altitude, trapping pollutants
Acid Rain
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react to form acid droplets, affecting EU, U.S., and Asia.
Ozone Layer Depletion
Caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), affecting the ultraviolet radiation filter.
Climate Change
Human activity causes climate change, as reported by the IPCC. Greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to global warming.
Global Dimming
Pollution reduces solar radiation reaching the surface.
Effects of Climate Change
- Sea level rise due to melting glaciers
- Altered hydrologic cycle, affecting rainfall and humidity
- Health effects, including heart and respiratory problems
- Changes in forests and natural areas, affecting vegetation and wildlife
- Crop impacts, including adaptation and pest increase
Sustainability Measures
Kyoto Protocol
Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (1997, ratified in 2001).
Montreal Protocol
Agreement to reduce and phase out CFCs (1987).
Water Contamination
Natural purification removes pollutants, but excessive pollution leads to eutrophication in lakes.
Groundwater Contamination
Caused by sewage leaks and waste.
Marine Contamination
Affects coastal areas, estuaries, coral reefs, and mangroves. Oil spills prevent photosynthesis and harm marine life.
Measurements
- Sustainable practices considering self-purification capacity
- Zero pollution principle
Deforestation and Desertification
Causes
- Deforestation for agriculture and livestock
- Overexploitation for paper and wood
- Infrastructure development and mining
- Abandonment of traditional land management
Implications
Loss of CO2 sinks, contributing to global warming. Desertification leads to soil degradation.
Biodiversity Loss
Causes
Habitat loss, commercial hunting, introduction of alien species, pesticide use.
Measurements
IUCN classification, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), protected areas.
Waste Management
Waste is any material resulting from manufacturing, processing, or consumption intended for abandonment.
Types
- Urban (households, businesses)
- Agricultural (pesticides, manure)
- Health (drugs, infectious materials)
- Industrial (inert, toxic, hazardous)
- Radioactive (nuclear waste)
Management
- Reduction: Produce less waste
- Reuse: Use items for the same purpose
- Recycling: Transform waste
- Processing: Waste for energy
- Composting: Organic fertilizer to improve soil