Environmental Issues: Pollution, Climate Change & Resource Management
The Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is essential for life on Earth. Located in the stratosphere, between 12 and 40 km, it forms when ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun strikes oxygen molecules, transforming them into ozone. This ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation, protecting life as we know it. The presence of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) prevents the ozone layer from forming normally, leading to its depletion. This can result in increased skin cancer, cataracts, weakened immune systems, and even damage to the DNA of various species, including marine plankton.
The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
The greenhouse effect is the process by which CO2 and other gases in the atmosphere trap solar radiation reflected by the Earth as heat. While this effect is naturally beneficial and keeps the Earth’s average temperature at a habitable 15°C, the problem lies in the rapid increase of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, in recent times. This increase is due to factors like population growth, economic expansion, and fossil fuel consumption. The consequences of this accelerated greenhouse effect include a rise in global average temperature, leading to significant changes in the conditions of terrestrial life.
Consequences of Climate Change
The rise in global average temperature will have disastrous consequences, causing significant changes in the conditions of life on Earth. To mitigate these effects, we can implement measures such as:
- Decreasing the use of carbon fuels and increasing CO2 capture.
- Researching, planning, and implementing measures to address the causes and impacts of climate change.
- Investing in technological research to reduce emissions and develop non-fossil energy sources.
- Promoting education and awareness about climate change.
Water Contamination
Water is contaminated when its physical and chemical properties are altered, making it harmful for human use or its ecological function. The main causes of water pollution include discharges of urban wastewater, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and mining activities. In the ocean, ship traffic and oil spills are major pollution sources.
Waste Management
Waste is defined as any material that results from manufacturing, processing, use, consumption, or cleaning when the owner or producer discards it due to lack of utility.
Forest Resources
Forests perform four essential functions:
- Regulatory: They regulate the concentration of gases and the water cycle.
- Protection: They protect the soil from erosion and provide shelter for other living beings.
- Productive: They produce resources like wood.
- Recreational: They provide opportunities for recreation and influence the landscape.
Biological Resources
The resources of the biosphere are currently being overexploited. This includes:
The Exploitation of Plant Resources
Overexploitation of plant resources occurs due to overharvesting of timber, deforestation in tropical and subtropical developing countries, unsustainable farming techniques that deplete the soil or promote desertification, and overgrazing by livestock.
Hunting
Historically, hunting has led to the extinction of many species and is responsible for the alarming decline in others.
The Overexploitation of Marine Resources
Overfishing has resulted in 60% of traditional fishing areas showing signs of exhaustion, with destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling exacerbating the problem.
Water as a Limited Resource
Water for human use is obtained from surface or groundwater sources, which are unevenly distributed across the planet. Water scarcity is a major issue in many regions. Regulation and management of water resources are crucial to ensure access for everyone, after appropriate purification and treatment.
Drinking Water Treatment
Drinking water treatment is the process of removing pathogens and pollutants from water to make it safe for human consumption.
Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater treatment involves treating urban wastewater in sewage treatment plants to remove pollutants before it is discharged. The type and extent of treatment depend on the level of contamination, the receiving environment’s ability to disperse pollutants, its quality and fragility, and the intended use of the treated water.
Environmental Impact
Environmental impact refers to the effect, positive or negative, that a particular activity has on the environment. In common usage, the term “impact” often carries a negative connotation.
Air Pollution
Air pollution occurs when substances or forms of energy are released into the atmosphere, reaching concentrations that exceed normal ambient levels. Industrial processes, energy production, and transportation are major contributors to air pollution. Some of the most significant environmental problems related to air pollution include the depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, climate change, and the greenhouse effect.
Acid Rain
Acid rain forms when emissions of gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with water in raindrops, creating sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The primary impact of acid rain is on soil and plants. It dissolves nutrients and essential minerals in the soil, causing them to be washed away. It also damages the waxy coating on leaves, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and hindering their growth.