Key Environmental Issues and Sustainable Practices
Green Revolution
The Green Revolution refers to the significant increase in agricultural production during the 1960s. This was a result of using modern production techniques, such as monoculture, field mechanization, and the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in many developing countries.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Resources should not be exploited faster than they are replenished, and waste should not be disposed of faster than the Earth can absorb it.
Saving the Planet
Here are some actions to help save the planet:
- Stop deforestation.
- Increase solar energy production 700 times.
- Install CO2 capture systems in 800 coal power plants.
- Replace 1400 coal-fired power plants with natural gas.
- Reduce the distance each car travels per year from 16,000 to 8,000 kilometers.
Wind Power
Wind power uses wind turbines, which are modern windmills where a dynamo generates electricity from the movement of the blades. This type of energy has increased 10-fold in the last decade, especially in Europe. However, it can negatively affect bird populations.
Deforestation
Two out of three trees have disappeared since Homo sapiens became farmers. The land once occupied by trees has been converted into cities and farmlands. The loss is not just the trees but also the soil they anchored, which erodes, leading to desertification. This process continues today and seems unstoppable. In equatorial forests, 16 km2 are lost daily. The alternative would be forestry, the rational exploitation of forests for timber production.
Overfishing
Half a century ago, 20 million tonnes of fish were caught per year. In 1989, 100 million tonnes were caught. Since then, catches have declined, indicating that fish populations cannot reproduce fast enough to replenish themselves, and they are becoming depleted. This has contributed to the virtual disappearance of many species. The solution is to control the quantity of fish caught.
Solid Waste
Solid waste is a significant and challenging issue to manage. For example, every inhabitant of a developed country generates 1.5 kilograms of garbage daily. While they are local pollutants, their management is a global problem. Landfills minimize the visual impact, but increasing volumes require the installation of incinerators.
However, this leads to problems because incinerators produce fumes with greenhouse gases and suspended particles. Efforts are being made to implement filters to mitigate these effects.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases include ozone, methane, CO2, nitrogen oxides, and water vapor. They result in greater heat retention within the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to further warming and consequent climate change. This causes an increase in precipitation due to increased evaporation and the melting of ice caps, which would primarily involve a rise in sea level and the possibility of flooding.
Nuclear Energy
There are two types of nuclear energy: fission and fusion.
Fission
Fission involves breaking down uranium nuclei. Its advantages include no apparent CO2 emissions and reduced energy dependence on other countries. Its disadvantages are thermal pollution of rivers, the risk of accidents, and nuclear waste.
Fusion
Fusion involves combining light atomic nuclei to create heavier nuclei. Its advantages are that it is endless, produces no hazardous waste, and carries no risk of accidents.
Oil Spills
An oil spill is a discharge that occurs due to an accident or improper practice, polluting the sea with petroleum products. It affects wildlife and coastal fisheries. Cleaning up these spills is very expensive, as it must be done manually with small sponges.