Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Overview
Environmental Sustainability
Posidonia and Caulerpa
Both Posidonia and Caulerpa are marine plants. However, Caulerpa can kill Posidonia, which plays a crucial role in protecting the coast from erosion.
Human Impact on the Environment
Factors influencing human impact on the environment include:
- Population
- Technology
- Energy
- Consumption
Threats to the Environment
Major threats to the environment include:
- Air pollution
- Water pollution
- Deforestation
- Endangered species
- Erosion
- Desertification
Preventing Environmental Degradation
(Draw a mind map for the next session)
Working with Diagrams: Giving Your Opinion
Diagram A
Factors contributing to environmental problems:
- Wasteful consumer style
- Population growth
- Lack of understanding of the environment’s importance
- Economic activities like agriculture and industry
Solutions to reduce human impact:
- Reduce human impact on the environment
- Change human activities to make them sustainable
- Recover deteriorated environments
- Recognize the importance of ecosystems
Diagram B
Wasteful consumerism is the most challenging issue to address due to prevalent overconsumption habits.
Environmental Sustainability: Air Pollution and Climate Change
Ecological Footprint
The ecological footprint measures human impact on the planet and the area required to support our lifestyles.
Activities 3, 4, 5, and 6 (pg. 147)
Activity 3: No. While Obama signed some environmental agreements, the current administration has disregarded climate change concerns and signed agreements that harm the environment.
Activity 4: Developing countries generally have a smaller ecological footprint compared to developed nations.
Activity 5: Less developed countries often overexploit ecosystems for economic gain.
Activity 6: If all countries had the same ecological footprint as the USA, it would lead to severe atmospheric pollution and ozone layer depletion.
Recycling Polluting Gases
Polluting gases cannot be recycled due to their toxicity.
Smog vs. Acid Rain
Smog forms when toxic gases mix with sunlight, while acid rain results from the mixture of toxic gases with rain.
Effects of Air Pollution
- Destruction of ecosystems
- Acid rain
- Ozone layer depletion
- Greenhouse effect
- Climate change
International Agreements
The Montreal Protocol (1989): Aims to protect the ozone layer.
The Kyoto Protocol (2005): Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Supply
Reasons for Insufficient Water in Some Regions
- Low rainfall
- Frozen water sources
- Lack of water transportation infrastructure
Physical Water Scarcity
Physical water scarcity occurs when the natural water supply is inadequate to meet the population’s needs.
Economic Water Scarcity
Economic water scarcity refers to situations where water is available, but the infrastructure to access and use it safely is lacking.
Water Scarcity and Wealth
Water scarcity and wealth are interconnected, as access to clean water is essential for basic hygiene and sanitation, impacting overall well-being.
Ways to Increase Available Water and Its Problems
(Draw a mind map and learn it for the next session)
Reducing Water Consumption
Water conservation methods include shorter showers, efficient irrigation systems, water recycling, water-saving appliances, and policies promoting water conservation.
Deforestation and Soil Degradation
Importance of Forests
- Carbon dioxide absorption and climate change mitigation
- Habitat for diverse plant and animal species
- Soil protection from erosion and desertification
- Temperature regulation
- Contribution to the water cycle
Causes of Deforestation
Deforestation is driven by the demand for wood, farmland, livestock pastures, and infrastructure development.
Soil Degradation
Soil degradation refers to the loss of soil fertility.
The Loss of Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of species and ecosystems on Earth.
Global Presence of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is present throughout the planet, not limited to specific regions.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting life, as each species plays a vital role in the ecosystem.
Human Threats to Biodiversity
- Changes in land use
- Overexploitation of animal species
- Introduction of invasive species
- Air, water, and soil pollution
- Climate change
Measures to Protect Biodiversity
- Inventory and monitoring of vulnerable and endangered species
- Establishment of protected areas
- Habitat restoration
- Legislation to limit negative impacts on biodiversity