Understanding Pollution And Related Concepts PDF

Understanding Pollution and Other Related Concepts Pollution in Metro Manila Countries in Contrast  What is Environmental Science? The study of how humans interact with their environment An interdisciplinary science that attempts to explain environmental issues and solve...

Understanding Pollution and Other Related Concepts Pollution in Metro Manila Countries in Contrast  What is Environmental Science? The study of how humans interact with their environment An interdisciplinary science that attempts to explain environmental issues and solve problems arising from the interaction of humans with the natural world Environment: the total of our surroundings Natural resources and the quality of the environment are vital to human survival  Global human population growth More than 8.1 billion humans Why so many humans? – Agricultural revolution Stable food supplies – Industrial revolution Urbanized society powered by fossil fuels Sanitation and medicines More food What are the world’s trends?  Human population growth exacerbates all environmental problems – The growth rate has slowed…but we still add more than 200,000 people to the planet each day. We depend completely on the environment for survival – Life has become more pleasant for us so far (Increased wealth, health, mobility, leisure time) – But…natural systems have been degraded and environmental changes threaten long-term health and survival  Environmental science: how does the natural world work? Environment  impacts  Humans It has an applied goal: developing solutions to environmental problems An interdisciplinary field –Natural sciences: information about the world –Social sciences: values and human behavior, politics, economy, etc.  What is an “environmental problem”? – The perception of what constitutes a problem varies between individuals and societies – Ex.: DDT, a pesticide In developing countries: welcome because it kills malaria-carrying mosquitoes In developed countries: not welcome, due to health risks  What is pollution? The contamination of air, water, soil, or genes by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Pollution can occur naturally, for example through volcanic eruptions, or as the result of human activities, such as the spilling of oil or disposal of industrial waste. Types of Pollution Water Pollution Air Pollution Soil Pollution Noise Pollution Genetic pollution Sources of Pollution  Pollution Comes from a Number of Sources Sources of pollution – Point sources: can identify the source of the pollutant E.g., smokestack – Nonpoint sources: cannot identify the source of the pollutant E.g., pesticides blown into the air  Ecological Footprints: A Model of Unsustainable Use of Resources Ecological footprint: the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to provide the people in a region with indefinite supply of renewable resources, and to absorb and recycle wastes and pollution. Our Ecological Footprint, by M. Wackernagel and W. Rees Ecological Footprint Comparison Measure of the biologically productive land and water needed to support each person. 1 hectare = 100 acres or 10,000 square meters (about 100 football fields) hecto : 100  Ecological footprints are not all equal The ecological footprints of countries vary greatly – The U.S. footprint is almost 5 times greater than the world’s average – Developing countries have much smaller footprints than developed countries  The IPAT Model I=PxAxT – I = Environmental impact – P = Population – A = Affluence – T = Technology IPAT Illustrated Fig. 1-14, p. 17  What are the challenges we face? What are the environmental issues we are facing today? We face challenges in agriculture Expanded food production led to increased population and consumption It’s one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but at an enormous environmental cost Nearly half of the planet’s land surface is used for agriculture Chemical fertilizers Pesticides Erosion Changed natural systems  We face challenges in pollution Waste products and artificial chemicals used in farms, industries, and households Each year, millions of people die from pollution  We face challenges in climate Scientists have firmly concluded that humans are changing the composition of the atmosphere The Earth’s surface is warming Melting glaciers Rising sea levels Impacted wildlife and crops Increasingly destructive weather Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have risen by 37%, to the highest level in 650,000 years Inputs and Outputs in Environmental Systems ACTIVITY industry, agriculture, Raw Material Product, Service urbanization, mining etc. Energy By Product Reuse Non-product Recovery output Waste Hazardous Solid Air Radioactive Wastewater Noise Genetic Waste Waste Emission Waste pollutants  Our energy choices will affect our future The lives we live today are due to fossil fuels Machines Chemicals Transportation Products Fossil fuels are a one-time bonanza; supplies will certainly decline We have used up ½ of the world’s oil supplies; how will we handle this imminent fossil fuel shortage?  Sustainable solutions exist We must develop solutions that protect both our quality of life and the environment Organic agriculture Technology – Reduces pollution Biodiversity – Protect species Waste disposal – Recycling Alternative fuels What is Environmental Management (EM)?  What is EM? EM is a subject that combines science, policy, and socioeconomic applications. It primarily stresses on finding solution to practical problems that people face in cohabitation with nature, resource exploitation, and waste production (Barrow, 2006). It can be seen as a process concerned with human–environment interactions, which seeks to identify what is environmentally desirable; what are the physical, economic, social and technological constraints to achieving it; and what are the most feasible options (El-Kholy, 2001)  What is EM? It deals with the fundamental issue of how to innovate technology to evolve continuously while limiting the degree to which this process alters natural environment. Linked with issues regarding sustainable economic growth, ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources, and conserving natural resources for future generations. EM generally demands a interdisciplinary approach.  Why pursue EM? Cost savings Ensuring legislative compliance Anticipating future legislation Reduced environmental risk Meeting supply chain requirements Improved relations with regulators Improved public image Increased market opportunities Employee enthusiasm  What motivates environmental management? Pragmatic reasons – fear or common sense makes people or administrators seek to avoid a problem. Desire to save costs – it may be better to avoid problems or counter them than suffer the consequences: pollution, species extinction, human deaths, costly litigation. There may also be advantages in waste recovery, energy conservation and maintaining environmental quality. Compliance – individuals, local government, companies, states and so on may be required by laws, national or international agreement to care for the environment.  What motivates environmental management? Shift in ethics – research, the media, individuals or groups of activists may trigger new attitudes, agreements or laws. Macro-economics – promotion of environmental management may lead to economic expansion: a market for pollution control equipment, use of recovered waste, more secure and efficient energy and raw materials supply; or there may be advantages in ‘internalising externalities’.  Guiding Principles in EM Recognition and preservation of diversity – Special attention is needed to appreciate the existence of the social diversity that exists within communities and to understand what the unique requirements of special groups may be. Care must be taken to ensure that planned interventions do not lead to a loss of social diversity in a community or a diminishing of social cohesion.  Guiding Principles in EM Internalization of costs – The full social and ecological costs of a planned intervention should be internalized through the use of economic and other instruments, that is, these costs should be considered as part of the costs of the intervention, and no intervention should be approved or regarded as cost-effective if it achieves this by the creation of hidden costs to current or future generations or the environment. The polluter pays principle – The full cost of avoiding or compensating for social impacts should be borne by the proponent of the planned intervention.  Are things getting better or worse? Many people think environmental conditions are better (Human ingenuity will solve any problem) Some think things are much worse in the world (predict doom and disaster) How can you decide who is correct? Are the impacts limited to humans, or are other organisms or systems involved? Are the proponents thinking in the long or short term? Are they considering all costs and benefits?  Sustainability: a goal for the future How can humans live within the planet’s means? Sustainability – Leaves future generations with a rich and full Earth – Conserves the Earth’s natural resources – Maintains fully functioning ecological systems Sustainable development: the use of resources to satisfy current needs without compromising future availability of resources  Will we develop in a sustainable way? The triple bottom line: sustainable solutions that meet – Environmental goals – Economic goals – Social goals Requires that humans apply knowledge from the sciences to – Limit environmental impacts – Maintain functioning ecological systems #1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages  #4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning #5: Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls #6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all #7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all #8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all #9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries #11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable #12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns #13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts* #14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources  #15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss #16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies #17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development Each goal is And they Important are all in itself … connecte d  Conclusion Environmental science helps us understand our relationship with the environment and informs our attempts to solve and prevent problems. Solving environmental problems can move us towards health, longevity, peace and prosperity Environmental science can help us find balanced solutions to environmental problems