Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Solutions
Environment
A set of physical-chemical, biological, and social components that can cause an effect on living beings.
Environmental Impact
The effects of the transformation of the natural environment.
Overexploitation of Plants and Animals
Ecosystem hunting has been replaced by captive breeding of species for common consumption. Fishing overexploitation occurs because the times required for the recovery of species are not respected. Agriculture removes endemic species to focus on monoculture of high economic value and to acquire more land.
Soil Overexploitation
The soil is strongly impacted by mining activities and agriculture. One of the most serious effects is soil erosion.
Water Overexploitation
This is related to intensive agriculture, traditional shifting cultivation of upland areas, irrigation, and over-urbanization.
Pollution
Pollution is the result of introducing substances into the environment that adversely affect both the physical environment and living things.
Hole in the Ozone Layer
This is an area over Antarctica where the ozone layer appears thin. Research indicates this is due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosols and refrigerants. These substances’ chlorine reacts with ozone, destroying it and reducing its concentration.
Acid Rain
The presence of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere leads to the formation of sulfuric acid and nitric acid when combined with water, causing a decrease in the pH of rain.
Transboundary Pollution
Air movements transport pollution. For example, pollution from central Europe is transported west and north, polluting rivers and lakes.
Greenhouse Effect
This occurs when certain atmospheric gases trap heat emitted by the Earth’s surface. The heat trapped is proportional to the concentration of these gases. Carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from the combustion of hydrocarbons, and methane is related to increased livestock and certain crops.
Eutrophication
A form of lake contamination that occurs with the discharge of phosphates, nitrogen, or sulfur.
- Soil pollution comes from industrial waste, pesticides, and agricultural fertilization. Toxic waste can also reach landfills.
- Bioaccumulation: The presence of a non-removable substance in the tissues of living organisms increases as it rises through the food chain.
Climate Change
Climate change is the result of an increasing greenhouse effect, caused by rising emissions of greenhouse gases, which in turn result from the combustion of hydrocarbons. This leads to an increase in the overall average temperature.
Kyoto Protocol
An agreement between some countries that undertake to reduce or not increase CO2 emissions.
Nuclear Energy
It is based on nuclear fusion, using enriched uranium as fuel. It generates hazardous and radioactive waste that is difficult to treat.
Clean Energy
Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and hydraulic.
Rule of the Three Rs
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Biofuels
Biofuels can replace part of the consumption of traditional fossil fuels. However, their use has led underdeveloped countries to destroy their forests to grow them. Their production competes with that of the same products for food use.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development is development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs (1987). It seeks a balance between environmental needs, economic needs, and social needs, which seems impossible. Objectives often conflict, and it is difficult to decide which needs to prioritize.
Trends
- Improved economic activity.
- Efficient resource use.
- Maximize recycling and reuse.
- Restore damaged ecosystems.
Agenda 21
A United Nations program that promotes sustainable development.