Environmental Issues: Biodiversity, Ozone, and Sustainability
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the full variety of life on Earth, encompassing every plant and animal species. It also includes the variety of ecosystems and the differences in genetic diversity within species.
Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is the area of the stratosphere that contains a relatively high concentration of ozone. The reduction in its thickness is due to the chlorine contained in Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in aerosols and refrigerants. This problem affects plant, animal, and human life.
CFCs are a family of gases used in many applications, mainly in refrigeration and as aerosol propellants. It has been demonstrated that the onset of the ozone hole is related to the photochemistry of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Desertification
Desertification is a process of ecological degradation in which fertile and productive soil experiences a total or partial loss of production potential. This occurs as a result of the destruction of vegetation, soil erosion, and lack of water. Human activities such as cultivation, overgrazing, and deforestation encourage and enhance this process.
Eutrophication
Eutrophication is the nutrient enrichment of water that produces an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants. When these die, they sink to the bottom of rivers, reservoirs, and lakes, creating organic waste. As they decompose, they consume much of the dissolved oxygen, which can affect aquatic life and cause death by suffocation of the fauna and flora. Some algae that develop abnormally release toxic substances that can kill fish and shellfish, making them unfit for human consumption, or directly affect water flavors or make it unfit for consumption.
Protected Areas
National parks, nature reserves, territories, and water bodies are of public ownership and value. Their uniqueness must be of general interest for the nation to be representative of the leading Spanish natural systems, thus protecting ecosystems, plant and animal species, endangered places of great scenic value, geological formations, or places of special historic or archaeological interest. They are managed by the regions where they are located.
Natural Parks
Natural parks are natural areas, little altered by human exploitation or occupation, to a lesser extent than national parks. They allow further exploitation of primary resources of the area while promoting rural tourism. They are managed by state governments.
Recycling
Recycling is a physical-chemical or mechanical process that submits a substance or a product already used to a cycle of total or partial treatment for raw material or a new product. It occurs in response to the prospect of depletion of natural resources and to eliminate waste efficiently.
Reforestation
Reforestation is the operation to repopulate areas that were previously covered with forests that have been removed for various reasons, such as:
- Exploitation of wood for industrial purposes and/or for use as floors.
- Expansion of agricultural or livestock areas.
- Expansion of rural areas.
- Forest fires (intentional, accidental, or natural).
Reuse
Reuse is the action of re-using goods or products. The reuse of products can be understood as the act of giving another life of a different nature to a waste product to make it useful. For example, oil can be re-converted into biodiesel.
RSU (Municipal Solid Waste)
RSU refers to waste that originates in domestic and commercial activity in cities and towns. The waste produced by urban dwellers includes garbage, old furniture and appliances, packaging and waste from commercial activity, remains from the care of gardens, street cleaning, etc. The most voluminous is household waste.
Sustainability
Sustainability is development capable of meeting current needs without compromising the resources and ability of future generations. A sustainable activity is one that can be maintained.