Environmental Deterioration Monographic Work 2024 PDF

HERMILIO VALDIZÁN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES **ENVIRONMENTAL DETERIORATION** MONOGRAPHIC WORK Authors: Heydi Isabel, Soto Valdez Noel Yoser , Trujillo Cabello Giamarco, Trujillo Martel Nelzon Bruno, Tucto Espinoza Edgar El...

HERMILIO VALDIZÁN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES **ENVIRONMENTAL DETERIORATION** MONOGRAPHIC WORK Authors: Heydi Isabel, Soto Valdez Noel Yoser , Trujillo Cabello Giamarco, Trujillo Martel Nelzon Bruno, Tucto Espinoza Edgar Elías , Ureta Aguirre HUÁNUCO -- PERU 2024 **Contenido** [**[Introducción]** 3](#introduction) [**[Deterioro Ambiental]** 4](#environmental-deterioration) [**[Deterioro Ambiental En El Perú]** 4](#environmental-deterioration-in-peru) [**[Mecanismos Para Medir La Calidad Ambiental]** 4](#mechanisms-to-measure-environmental-quality) [[Índice De Desempeño Ambiental:] 4](#environmental-performance-index) [[Índice De Planeta Viviente:] 5](#living-planet-index) [[Índice De Huella Ecológica:] 5](#ecological-footprint-index) [**[Principales Causas Del Deterioro Ambiental]** 6](#p-main-causes-of-environmental-deterioration) [[Minería] 6](#mining) [[Deforestación:] 7](#deforestation) [[Agricultura Industrial:] 8](#industrial-agriculture) [[Crecimiento Demográfico Acelerado:] 8](#accelerated-demographic-growth) [[Mayor Consumo de Recursos Naturales.] 9](#greater-consumption-of-natural-resources.) [[Contaminación del Aire, Agua y Suelo] 9](#air-water-and-soil-pollution) [**[Hechos Que Contribuyen Al Deterioro Ambiental]** 10](#facts-that-contribute-to-environmental-deterioration) [[Incendios Forestales:] 10](#forest-fires) [[Derrame De Petróleo] 10](#oil-spill) [**[Consecuencias Generales Del Deterioro Ambiental]** 11](#general-consequences-of-environmental-deterioration) [[Cambio climático] 11](#climate-change) [***[Calentamiento del océano:]*** 11](#ocean-warming) [[Pérdida de biodiversidad:] 11](#loss-of-biodiversity) [[Desigualdad social] 11](#social-inequality) [[Recursos Naturales Agotados] 12](#depleted-natural-resources) [[Impacto Económico Negativo] 12](#negative-economic-impact) [**[El Deterioro Ambiental En Huánuco]** 12](#environmental-deterioration-in-hu%C3%A1nuco) [**[Medidas Emprendidas Para Combatir El Deterioro Ambiental]** 13](#measures-undertaken-to-combat-environmental-deterioration) [[Ámbito Peruano:] 13](#peruvian-scope) [[Ámbito Internacional] 13](#international-scope) [***[Suecia]*** 13](#sweden) [***[Nueva Zelanda]*** 14](#new-zealand) [**[Conclusión]** 14](#conclusion) [**[Recomendaciones]** 14](#recommendations) [**[Bibliografía]** 15](#_Toc181026709) **Introduction** ================ Environmental deterioration constitutes a global problem that deeply impacts all sectors of society. Its growing relevance has made it an urgent priority at the international, national and local levels not only from an ecological perspective, but also from an economic and social perspective. Therefore, it is essential to adopt comprehensive approaches that promote sustainable environmental development to face this challenge. In this work, environmental deterioration is addressed from a critical point of view, examining its multiple dimensions and the impact it has on the environment and on people\'s quality of life. Throughout the document, the various manifestations of environmental deterioration will be defined, including air, water and soil pollution, and the alteration of natural cycles, which together threaten the stability of our ecosystems at the international, national and regional levels. In addition, the main causes of this problem will be identified, among which are excessive industrialization, deforestation, excessive use of natural resources, mining, among others. These human activities, often driven by the desire for economic development, generate adverse effects that impact not only the environment, but also the health and well-being of communities, exacerbating inequalities and creating new social challenges. Finally, the work proposes solution alternatives that seek to counteract environmental deterioration and promote more sustainable development. Approaches such as the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, the promotion of renewable energy, environmental education, and the creation of effective public policies that protect natural resources and encourage citizen participation will be explored. Only through a collaborative and proactive approach can we confront this environmental crisis and build a more balanced and sustainable future for present and future generations. **Environmental Deterioration** =============================== Deterioration is the process that the environment suffers  as a consequence of the depletion of its natural resources ** ** due to the [overexploitation](https://www.ecologiaverde.com/sobreexplotacion-de-los-recursos-naturales-causas-y-consecuencias-1501.html)  to which they are subjected; thus causing the destruction of ecosystems and their biodiversity. According to (Andaluz Westreicher, 2016), environmental degradation is the progressive loss of the ability of natural resources to provide goods and services to humanity, as well as the physical environment to house us in conditions of health and dignity. These are normally processes that gradually reduce the capacity of resources to provide the goods and services that, according to nature, they are intended to offer and that, in extreme cases, entail the total loss of such capacity; These processes also lead to the modification of the physical environment, reducing its quality for a healthy and dignified life. The deterioration has anthropogenic and natural causes, which are expressed in the accumulation of the effects of poor hygiene practices and conditions, the low quality of water and sanitation facilities, the growing pollution of urban air, the high vulnerability to disasters. natural resources, exposure to toxic gases, indoor smoke pollution, soil degradation, deforestation and inadequate management of solid waste. The accelerated advance of this environmental problem poses great challenges for all countries in the world in an effort to guarantee human survival with a good quality of life as well as the preservation of the natural environment that surrounds us. **Environmental Deterioration in Peru** ======================================= According to (Bustillos, Martina, & Arroyo, 2013), environmental deterioration in Peru is greatly affecting the health and productivity of the national population, especially those who live in poverty, and threatens the well-being of current generations. and future ones. Both in Peru and throughout the world, this environmental deterioration has been caused by anthropogenic and natural factors. Because our territory has a very varied geography and is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the rates of natural disasters that occur in Peru are very high compared to those countries that do not have these characteristics. However, despite being prone to natural disasters that harm not only the population but the environment, this is not the main reason why our country presents high levels of environmental deterioration, but rather the greatest responsibility lies with us. , the people. In an effort to achieve high economic and technological development, or simply to satisfy our needs, we undertake activities that harm the environment, producing the release of toxic gases, soil degradation, deforestation, etc. **Mechanisms to Measure Environmental Quality** =============================================== Environmental Performance Index: -------------------------------- The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a method to quantify and numerically classify the environmental performance of a country\'s policies. This indicator was developed by the Center for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University, in joint with the Information Network of the International Center for Earth Sciences at Columbia University. It was created with the objective of having data that would allow comparing environmental performance at a global level and evaluating relative sustainability between countries. The EPI provides a scorecard that highlights countries that are leaders in environmental performance and provides practical guidance to territories that aspire to move towards a sustainable future. The variables considered are divided into two major objectives, environmental health and ecosystem vitality. In turn, environmental health is divided into three policy categories: the impact of the environment on health, drinking water and basic sanitation, and the effects of air quality on health. Environmental vitality is divided into five policy categories: effects of air pollution on ecosystems, water resources, biodiversity and habitat, productive natural resources and climate change. The results obtained from the EPI allow problems to be detected, objectives to be established and proposals to be made for environmental improvement, all of which in turn allows the return on environmental investments to be maximized. In its most recent report, in 2022, the country with the highest environmental quality was Denmark with 77.9 points. In this case, in the Andean region, the country with the highest score is Chile (46.7), closely followed by Ecuador (46.5) and the country with the lowest EPI is Peru (39.8), ranking 83 out of 180 countries. Something important to highlight is that compared to 2016, where Peru was among the 40 countries with the best environmental quality with a score of 73, in just 4 years it suffered a significant environmental deterioration, dropping more than 40 positions. (FUNDESA) Living Planet Index: -------------------- The Living Planet Index (LPI) is carried out by the Zoological Society of London, in collaboration with WWF (World Conservation Organization), and is responsible for measuring trends in thousands of populations of species of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians in around the world and reflect the state of biodiversity on the planet To measure the levels of animal biodiversity around the world and its population trend, various methods are used from overflights over the sea to count sharks. After the information is collected, a group of authoritative scientists publishes and analyzes the results in scientific journals, books, or government reports. Thus, with data collected from multiple years, the average change in species populations is calculated to show the trends in their relative abundance. In this way, the index shows a snapshot of changes in ecosystems, which makes it possible to detect early warning indicators about the state of health of ecosystems in general. The latest edition of the Living Planet Report issued in 2022, emphasizes the worrying speed and scale of the negative impact that humans have on nature and the population index of fauna, this is evidenced by the average decrease of 69% between 1970 and 2018 in the abundance of populations of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians around the world. And with regard to Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, the situation is much more serious since the highest regional decline was recorded, with a 94% decrease in the monitored populations.. (WWF, 2022) Ecological Footprint Index: --------------------------- The Ecological Footprint (EF) or environmental footprint was developed in 1996 by William Rees, professor, biologist and ecologist, and Mathis Wackernagel, mechanical engineer and current president of the Global Footprint Network. The initial objective was not only to obtain a formula to calculate the ecological footprint of each human activity, but also to compare it with the biocapacity of the Earth. In this way, a realistic x-ray of the natural resources we have and how they are being consumed could be obtained. But currently, in addition to applying what was established at the beginning, it includes one more criterion, thus the ecological footprint is currently defined as a measurement method that analyzes humanity\'s demands on the biosphere with respect to the regenerative capacity of the planet, this It does so by jointly considering the area required to provide the renewable resources that people use, the area occupied by infrastructure, and the area needed to absorb waste. In a simplified way, many environmental engineers define it as that indicator that shows and details the use made of natural resources in order to determine if the speed at which they are extracted and consumed is appropriate with respect to the ability to regenerate and remain useful and beneficial to future generations. In 2007, the last year this indicator was issued, humanity\'s Footprint was 18 billion gha, or 2.7 gha per person. However, the Earth\'s biocapacity was only 11.9 billion gha, or 1.8 gha per person. Thus, it is concluded that the world population used the equivalent of 1.5 planets to satisfy their activities. This means that we are exploiting our resources at a level far above the regenerative capacity of our Earth. In the same year, it was also estimated that if all the inhabitants of the planet consumed as an average Peruvian does; 87% of the world\'s productive surface would be used. That is to say, we would be within the margins of sustainability and our consumption habits are within the ecologically permissible parameters; however, according to statistical predictions, this was a temporary panorama since our trend in resource consumption tends to grow. (MINAM, 2012) **P main causes of environmental deterioration** ================================================ Mining ------ Much of the Peruvian economic "takeoff" would have been a consequence of mining since our subsoil is one of the richest in the world, positioning us as the second world producer of Silver, Copper and the sixth of gold. But far from just being positive, mining has been a source of serious environmental problems that manifest themselves in the social rejection of this activity. Environmental deterioration in Peru, as a result of mining emissions and discharges, is an inherent part of history. The lack of adequate environmental legislation resulted in some mining companies carrying out their activities in inappropriate places, with emissions of polluting, solid and gaseous effluents, causing the deterioration of flora, fauna and water. This absence of specific regulations on environmental protection in the past, not only in Peru but in many countries, the age of its facilities, its location in urban areas, the notable lack of financial resources, not only to modernize its facilities but , what is more serious, to ensure its continuity in the medium and long term, explain the magnitude of environmental aggression, which companies, despite their scarce resources, have been facing, each with its own characteristics and efforts. (Instituto geologico minero y metereologico) Mining has contributed significantly to the pollution of water, soil and air in various regions of the country. In places like Cerro de Pasco, communities have faced alarm levels of heavy metals, which hundreds of times exceed the limits established by national and international authorities. Recent studies have revealed that water and soil in this area are contaminated with lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium at extremely high levels, affecting public health and the cognitive development of children. Mining also seriously affects water resources. Many mines are located in the headwaters of high Andean basins, which means that their polluting waste flows into the valleys where communities dependent on water for their subsistence live. Heavy metal discharges have put not only the health of these populations at risk, but also their livelihoods. One of the contaminants that is most discharged into these water sources is arsenic, this is due both to natural factors of geological origin and to mining exploitation and refining of metals by smelting. The same geological process of the Andes mountain range that is associated with the natural presence of arsenic in surface and underground waters is also explained by the copper deposits, whose exploitation and subsequent smelting contributes to environmental arsenic levels. Studies in DIGESA estimated that by the year 2000 at least 250,000 people drank water with arsenic. But mining also contributes to deforestation and soil erosion, which negatively affects local ecosystems. Forest destruction not only reduces biodiversity, but also alters hydrological cycles and increases soil vulnerability to erosion. Air pollution from fine particles and heavy metals generated during mining operations also impacts air quality in nearby communities. (Universidad de Navarra) Deforestation: -------------- By deforestation we can understand that process that involves the elimination or **reduction** significant reduction of forest cover, mainly due to human activities such as logging, burning and conversion of land for agricultural, livestock, urban or mining exploitation.. Deforestation in this sense not only implies the loss of trees, but also the destruction of entire ecosystems that depend on forests and the alteration of a pre-established ecological order. In a list of the countries with the highest deforestation rates issued by the BBC-MUNDO, Peru is in seventh place with more than 140,000 hectares lost in the years 2021 -- 2023, with mining and agricultural expansion being the main causes of this situation. ***Greenhouse Gas Absorption:*** Forests act as carbon sinks, that is, they are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, the carbon stored in the various trees is released, increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases and accelerating the global warming, while deforestation contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions. The removal of the vegetation layer deprives forests and jungles of their natural canopies, which block the sun\'s rays during the day and maintain heat at night. If this is the case, it would be contributing to the appearance of more extreme and radial temperature changes that can be harmful to plants and animals, since it affects their usual metabolism. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing greenhouse gases, responsible for global warming, therefore, having fewer forests means that more greenhouse gases reach the atmosphere and provides a greater speed and severity of climate change.. (National Geographic, 2024) ***Land Fertility:*** Removing tree cover exposes the soil to natural factors such as wind and water erosion. Without the protection of trees, soils dry out quickly and tend to lose their fertility, which can ultimately mean a decrease in agricultural capacity, which directly affects food production and can result in food insecurity for the local communities, in addition, that it harms existing ecosystems, leaving them devoid of habitat and resources with which they can survive. ***Alteration of the Hydrological Cycle:*** Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle, returning water vapor to the atmosphere and helping to maintain soil moisture. Deforestation interrupts this cycle, which can lead to extreme changes in the local climate and contribute to very contradictory phenomena such as droughts and floods, however, in the long term, without adequate forest cover, many areas can quickly become permanently arid deserts. Industrial Agriculture: ----------------------- Industrial agriculture in Peru has experienced significant growth in recent decades, driven by global demand for agricultural products and the search for greater productivity; It is characterized by its focus on the mass production of the most valued products on the market and the intensive use of chemical inputs, to accelerate their growth. The intensive use of agrochemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, causes water pollution; excess nutrients can run off into rivers and lakes, causing eutrophication, which results in dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. One of the most toxic insecticides is methamidophos. This substance, despite being prohibited in Peru and other countries, is one of the most sought after on the black market. It can last up to 309 days in water sources, destroying ecosystems. , but also direct contact with contaminated water causes adverse effects on the nervous system, such as hallucinations. Intensive and massive agricultural practices rapidly deplete soil nutrients and cause erosion, mainly due to the primacy of monocultures that exploit the land to the maximum without time to regenerate or change it by planting another, less intrusive product. The excessive use of heavy and motorized machinery compacts the soil, reducing its capacity to retain water and nutrients, in addition to releasing polluting gases that affect agricultural productivity. Currently there are two countries that teach how to deal with industrial agriculture, something very necessary to be applied in our country. Denmark has been a pioneer in promoting organic farming, with a goal of 60% of its agricultural area dedicated to organic methods by 2025, this includes encouraging practices that reduce the use of chemical inputs and promote sustainability. Switzerland has implemented policies that limit the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, promoting organic farming instead. Additionally, Swiss consumers show a strong preference for organic products, prompting farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. Accelerated Demographic Growth : -------------------------------- According to a report issued by (INEI, 2024), in the year 2023, Peru reached a population of 33 million 726 thousand inhabitants and it is estimated that, in the next 27 years, that is, by the year 2050, a population of 39 million 363 thousand people; The accelerated and uncontrolled demographic growth drives urban expansion, where cities tend to occupy natural areas or areas designated for agricultural purposes; causing collateral effects that affect the environment. Globally, more and more people are migrating from rural areas to urban areas, which has generated explosive growth in cities that now house more than 50% of the world\'s population. By 2050, seven in ten people in the world are expected to live in cities; in Latin America and the Caribbean it will be around 86% of its regional population. Under this framework, Peru is positioned as the sixth country with the highest urbanization rate in the region, below Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Brazil. (National Center for Strategic Planning, s.f.). At the national level, the INEI, based on 2023 trends, established some estimates and projections towards 2050, where it is expected that more than 82.6% of the population will reside in the urban area (27 million 848 thousand people) and less than 20% in rural areas. (INEI, 2024) Greater Consumption of Natural Resources. ----------------------------------------- As Robert Malthus said, the population grows geometrically, but resources do so arithmetically. As the population grows so rapidly, it is more than evident that the demand for essential resources such as food, water and energy intensifies. This leads to the overexploitation of natural resources to satisfy the needs of more and more people, which results in the degradation of ecosystems and the decrease in biodiversity. Unfortunately, the environment takes time to recover from such excessive exploitation and will never be able to keep up with the new emerging generations. For example, between 1962 and 2017, millions of hectares of natural ecosystems were converted to agricultural land to meet growing food demand. Air, Water and Soil Pollution ----------------------------- The increase in population generates an increase in industrial and urban activities, which contributes to excessive pollution of air, water and soil. Urbanization contributes significantly to rising air pollution rates, with nearly 99% of the world\'s population breathing air that far exceeds safe limits. Within urban areas, it is precisely where the largest amount of polluting gases are emitted, mainly due to the proliferation of motor vehicles, industrial factories, the use of electronic devices and the use of gases to host mass attendance events. In 2022, 61.61 megatons of CO2 and 43.3 megatons of other polluting gases were emitted in Peru. Positioning us in position number 133 in the ranking of countries by CO2 emissions, made up of 184 countries, in which the countries are ordered from least to most polluting. (Datamacro, 2022) Urban growth also negatively impacts water quality. Urban activities generate large quantities of wastewater and waste that, if not managed properly, contaminate rivers and lakes, and even sea expanses. Regarding wastewater treatment, the National Superintendency of Sanitation Services issued a report in 2022, where it mentions that of the 202 treatment plants, 171 are operational, therefore it can be said that 85% of them are fulfilling their function of removing wastewater. contaminating particles from wastewater that come from the use of drinking water and sewage services in cities, preventing them from reaching natural water sources such as rivers, lagoons, seas, etc., in order to contribute to the protection of the environment and the health of the population. However, the gap of more than 30 plants that are not operating is an issue that should concern us, in addition to the fact that the report does not detail whether the plants in operation are in optimal conditions or have deficiencies, if the latter were the case, no Not only human health would be affected but also aquatic ecosystems. Regarding soil pollution, one of the most notable human activities is the disposal of solid waste. It is estimated that in Peru more than 54% of solid waste is disposed of in the environment or in controlled landfills without prior treatment. According to a report issued by the Ministry of the Environment in Peru, an average of 8,450,715 tons of municipal solid waste is generated annually, that is, only waste collected by authorized garbage collection trucks is counted. However, the Comptroller\'s Office gives us a much more worrying panorama where it points out that more than 50% of the waste emitted by families in urban areas is not disposed of properly and because of this there are more than 1,500 garbage dumps In the country, these are sources of infections for the population and a danger for recyclers who use these as a place of work to obtain some type of recovery from waste. But it has also exposed the muni ci palities, since it revealed that only 118 of them dispose of waste in landfills, the others do not have an adequate plan to allocate this waste, which does not They only cause soil erosion, but they often end up in water sources, contaminating the marine environment and harming species. **Facts That Contribute To Environmental Deterioration** ======================================================== Forest fires: ------------- According to the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci), during 2024, 233 fires have been recorded, which had their greatest incidence between the months of August and September, causing the loss of human lives and large areas of natural cover, as well as as well as damage to biodiversity. According to Dr. Ana Sabogal, director of the Master\'s Degree in Environmental Development and researcher at INTE-PUCP, the causes that cause these accidents are found in a combination of factors, the result of climate change and human action. According to him, climate change affects the incidence of rain and precipitation, causing the temperature to rise and dry out ecosystems that become much more prone to catching fire. But if we analyze this situation, we will also realize that human beings are also responsible for climate change and therefore for these forest fires that occur due to supposed natural causes. It also points out that the presence of people in natural areas causes deforestation in a desire to expand domains; explains that, in the case of the Amazon, despite being a humid ecosystem, it is going through a phenomenon of "savannization" or "paramization" that is created as a result of deforestation and agricultural activities, such as soil change; When an area is cut down and left without plants, grasses and other vegetation, no longer trees, sprout, generating an ecosystem more prone to fires. To this, Dr. Amaya Alvarado adds that in the Andean areas, climatic conditions combined with bad human practices as rituals and offerings, are contributing to the lack of control of the fires. (UCV, 2024) The doctor in Natural Sciences from the Technical University of Berlin and professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), Ana Sabogal, explained that the regeneration of an ecosystem is not an immediate process; Affected ecosystems, especially dry forests, could take centuries to reestablish. (Angulo, 2024) Furthermore, he stressed that what is usually believed is that fire not only destroys the surface vegetation, but also profoundly alters the soil, which can take centuries to recover its fertility, preventing agricultural practices from being resumed. Oil Spill --------- In 2022, Peru went through one of the largest oil spills ever known. The person responsible for this environmental catastrophe was the Repsol company, which due to technical failures in the equipment ended up spilling more than 11 thousand barrels of crude oil into the Peruvian sea. According to the INTE-PUCP specialist and researcher, Gabriela Ramírez Parco, the damage caused by this event is classified into three levels: environmental, due to the damaged ecosystems; economic, due to the income that the residents of the area, and also our country, stopped receiving, and social, due to the impact on the general well-being of the fishermen and the impact that this environmental damage has generated on the entire community. (Zunino, 2024) More than two years after this catastrophe, the rehabilitation process of the affected ecosystems has not yet begun, since according to Peruvian legislation this process cannot begin until the cleaning process is completed. For Juan Carlos Rivero, scientific director of Oceana, the problem is that there is no cleaning process that is 100% effective, it does not exist. The reason, the expert explains, is because, although part of the oil is recovered, another part evaporates and another is "processed" or "ingested" by the ecosystem. That is to say, basically a percentage of the spilled hydrocarbon remains in the sea and is deposited on the bottom as a viscous cream or mucilage. Then, over the years, it transforms into a sandstone made of oil, organic matter, and sand. (Carrere, 2022) The Ventanilla oil spill not only affected the environment but also the health of the fishermen and those who lived close to the geographic radius. Oil is made of hydrocarbons that have very toxic heavy metals, both in liquid form and the vapors it emanates make us vulnerable to skin cancer, and if water contaminated with oil is ingested, it causes illness in the intestines, damaging the liver, causing diarrhea and gastritis. **General Consequences of Environmental Deterioration** ======================================================= Climate change -------------- It refers to long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. These changes may be natural, due to variations in solar activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 19th century, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Climate change encompasses not only the increase in average temperatures, but also natural disasters, changes in the habitats of fauna and flora, rising sea levels and many other effects. All of these changes are occurring as humans continue to add heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere. (Baloj, s.f.) ### ***Ocean warming:*** The increase in the greenhouse gas effect produced by human activities is also affecting the oceans, which are the drivers of the global climate. Research shows that 90% of excess heat is absorbed by water, and that the rates of constant increase in water temperatures since 1995 broke records in 2023. Sea water has risen 101 millimeters since 1992, causing flooding in many coastal areas, also increasing water and air temperatures are causing glaciers to melt and more consequences. Loss of biodiversity: --------------------- The biodiversity or variety of beings that exist on our planet has been decreasing drastically in recent years, this due to human activities such as environmental pollution, deforestation, misuse of land, illegal hunting, soil contamination and others. more factors. Social inequality ----------------- According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, social inequality occurs when a person receives different treatment due to their economic situation, the religion they profess, their gender, the culture from which they come, among other aspects. "Social inequality is transversal. It moves and expresses itself along various axes of discrimination," explains Carlos Susías, president of the European Anti Poverty Network Spain (EAPN-ES). "Types of inequality refer to the kind of particularity or trait that is rewarded or punished." "Generally, the most beneficial trait is having a high social position. However, issues such as sex, ethnicity or skin color, age, place of origin, sexual options, religion or scarcity of resources, among others, are also punished." This is what he points out, referring to realities such as gender inequality, racism, ageism or xenophobia. Depleted Natural Resources -------------------------- The depletion of natural resources occurs when they are consumed so quickly that nature does not have the capacity or the time to ensure their regeneration. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warns of the overexploitation of natural resources, which generates an enormous imbalance: 20% more is extracted than can be regenerated and this percentage is constantly growing. There are two main causes that cause this overexploitation and depletion of resources. On the one hand, the growth of the population, which requires increasingly greater resources to satisfy its needs. On the other hand, human economic activity, the way it is carried out, is based on the depletion of resources: the expansive extraction of pure raw materials, deforestation, pollution and, also, climate change and its effects on greater regularity. and intensity of natural disasters. Negative Economic Impact ------------------------ Beyond the terms, all economic activity has an environmental impact, understood as the result---positive or negative---that it generates in the environment. At the same time, any alteration of the natural environment will have an effect on the economy, since it is based on the consumption and exploitation of resources provided by the planet. If the activity is not produced in a sustainable manner, the depletion of resources will directly affect the economic development of society, as we are seeing with the current system of production and consumption, which has led to the mass extinction of species due to the impact on their natural habitats and the contamination of their food sources. Another example is the increase in global temperatures produced by greenhouse gases that trigger increasingly extreme weather phenomena that, in turn, imply greater spending by companies and governments to adapt to these new situations and mitigate the environmental consequences. (Ecoembes, 2020) **Environmental Deterioration In Huánuco** ========================================== The city of Huánuco, having been, in previous times, a garden city of great natural wealth, with a warm and dry climate of the Yunga river region, currently presents a serious problem of deterioration of the ecosystem, air pollution, water contamination and soil degradation; generated by the mostly negative impact of overpopulation that has led to unplanned growth of the city. This fact has created serious problems: occupation of land dedicated to agriculture for housing, lack of public places in the city, use of places exposed to erosion, landslides and landslides on the flanks of the surrounding hills and floodplains on the banks. of the Huallaga and Higueras rivers. On the other hand, the impact on the environment is so noticeable that it is evident in the degradation and deterioration of the ecosystem, the disappearance of the natural vegetation cover, the loss of the landscape attraction of the area and the contamination of the basic resources of subsistence of the city. Reason why, it is convenient to establish management policies that help prevent damage and mitigate the harmful effects of the environmental impact that affects the city and its periphery, thus avoiding the disappearance of the flora and fauna, which generate changes in the climate and produce droughts that affect agricultural work, contribute to the decrease in river flow and the disappearance of water sources. Adequate management of the environment constitutes a factor that guarantees the sustainable development of people. Currently, prevention and care of the environmental environment has proven to be the basis of development. For these reasons, the identification of environmental impact and its consequences in the city of Huánuco constitutes an instrument that guarantees the sustained prosperity of the city. (Contreras, 2023) **Measures Undertaken to Combat Environmental Deterioration** ============================================================= Peruvian Scope: --------------- - General Environmental Law No. 28611, enacted in 2005, this law is the basic legal framework for the protection of the environment in Peru. On the one hand, it presents **rights** to citizens to enjoy a balanced environment to enjoy a better life, and on the other hand **duties,** to the extent that we are all obliged to protect, respect and contribute to effective environmental management**.** (Saúl, 2013) - Water Resources Law No. 29338, published on March 31, 2009, this law aims to regulate the integrated management and use of water, as well as the actions of the State and private citizens, as well as the assets associated with it. Likewise, it promotes the integrated management of water resources and will ensure the protection of their quality, with a simple intention, to promote the culture of water. (Autoridad Nacional del Agua, 2022) - The forestry and wildlife law No. 29763, published in 2011. Its purpose is to promote the conservation, protection, increase and sustainable use of the forest heritage within the country; with the objective of promoting forest development, generating and increasing forest and wildlife resources and their value to society. (Somos WWF, 2015) - Environmental quality standards (ECA) for air. Supreme Decree No. 0011 -- 2023 approved by the MINAM, provides for the repeal of Supreme Decree No. 003-2017- As well as Supreme Decree No. 074 -2001-PCM, Supreme Decree No. 069-2003-PCM, Supreme Decree No. 003-2008-MINAM and Supreme Decree No. 006-2013-MINAM. Its objective is to protect air quality and prevent the emission of pollutants into the environment, in this way it monitors and controls gases coming from industries, vehicles and among other processes. (Estándares de Calidad Ambiental del aire en la actualidad industrial, 2023) International Scope ------------------- For this investigation we will not base ourselves on their policies, but on their results, results that are published by many media outlets. ### ***Sweden*** (Rauglaudre, 2015) Sweden has been a leader in the use of renewable energy, most of its energy comes from clean sources such as hydroelectric, wind, and solar. In addition, the goal is to be carbon neutral by 2045, reducing its greenhouse emissions. Something that must be highlighted here is that the Swedish state does not work alone, but together with private states, all committed to the same change. ### ***New Zealand*** New Zealand is another leading country in preventing environmental deterioration, with advanced models in renewable energy, mainly hydroelectric and geothermal. Likewise, New Zealand reconciles security and care for the environment, with its police forces, apart from pursuing environmental criminals, it is investigating the causes of pollution. (Conozca la forma cómo Nueva Zelandia concilia seguridad y cuidado del medioambiente, 2018). On the other hand, the country has an initiative for the sustainable management of its agricultural and forestry resources and, like Sweden, by 2050 it aims to be carbon neutral; and has enacted a law that regulates greenhouse gas emissions (Climate & clean air coalition, 2019) **Conclusion** ============== Environmental deterioration is a multifaceted crisis that deeply affects Peru and the world, manifesting itself in the degradation of ecosystems, air and water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. This phenomenon is largely driven by human activities such as excessive industrialization, deforestation and mining, which seek to satisfy immediate economic needs without considering long-term consequences. The situation in Peru is particularly alarming, since the most vulnerable communities are those that suffer the most severe effects, which worsens existing social inequalities. Public health is compromised due to exposure to pollutants and degraded environmental conditions, creating a cycle of poverty and disease. Furthermore, climate change, exacerbated by environmental deterioration, is causing extreme events that threaten both human life and ecosystems. The lack of effective policies and environmental education further exacerbates this problem, as many initiatives fail to adequately address the magnitude of the challenge. It is imperative to adopt a comprehensive approach that promotes sustainable development and encourages the active participation of all sectors of society. Solutions must include sustainable agricultural practices, the use of renewable energy, greater awareness of the importance of protecting our natural resources, and effective public policies that encourage citizen participation. Only through a joint and coordinated effort can we confront this environmental crisis and ensure a viable future for both current and future generations. **Recommendations** =================== Although we have a series of regulations undertaken in favor of the conservation of the n u estro environment, these are not giving the expected results. Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to carry out an analysis of all these regulations, update them to our current reality and propose improvements, but not only to propose them so that they remain on paper but so that they are executed in the real life. If necessary also , much more drastic sanctions should be imposed on those who threaten the well-being of the environment, the objective of this would be to dis c iplin the a c tion that the individual has towards his environment We also , consider import a n t e to promote education based on respect and care for the environment, making incampí e in the importance that our environment represents so that we can all develop appropriately. This education more beyond being entirely in classrooms with theories and concepts, must be experiential, involve children and young people in the care and conservation of the environment that surrounds them, as well as fostering in them an analytical attitude towards the environmental problems that we go through , so that in the future they are the true agents of change Furthermore, we believe it is advisable to recommend that we should all get involved in this cause, to stop environmental deterioration. It is a problem that affects us all, and will affect future generations, it is not about saying "I am not the only one who pollutes", but about each one doing their bit for a noble cause. If there is something important to understand, it is that we are the ones who need the environment, we need it to satisfy our multiple needs and therefore we must conserve it and ensure that it continues to last for many more years and is equally beneficial to those who will come after us. **Bibliografía** ================ Andaluz Westreicher, C. (2016). *Manual de derecho ambiental.* Rodhas.Angulo, J. (23 de septiembre de 2024). Incendios forestales en Perú: hasta 500 años tardarán los ecosistemas en regenerarse del daño provocado por el fuego. *Infobae*.Autoridad Nacional del Agua. (2022). Ley de Recursos Hídricos: Ley N° 29338. *Autoridad Nacional del agua*. Obtenido de https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12543/5238Baloj, J. (s.f.). *Calentamiento global: ¿qué es, definición y diferencia con el cambio climático?* Obtenido de National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/medio-ambiente/que-es-el-calentamiento-globa*Biblioteca del congreso nacional de chile*. (2018). Obtenido de https://www.bcn.cl/observatorio/asiapacifico/noticias/conciliacion-seguridad-medioambiente-nueva-zelandiaBustillos, C., Martina, M., & Arroyo, R. (2013). Deterioro de la calidad ambiental y de la salud en el peru actual. *Revista Peruana de Epidemiología*.Carrere, M. (2022). Derrame de petróleo: más de 200 días después, 34 sitios y un área protegida siguen afectados en la costa central de Perú. *Mongabay*.Centro nacional de planeamiento estratégico. (s.f.). Obtenido de https://www.gob.pe/institucion/ceplan/noticias/696847-ceplan-35-millones-de-peruanos-viviran-en-zonas-urbanas-al-2050*Climate & clean air coalition*. (2019). 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(29 de enero de 2024). *INTE PUCP*. Obtenido de https://inte.pucp.edu.pe/noticias-y-eventos/noticias/a-dos-anos-del-derrame-de-repsol-miles-de-pescadores-hasta-ahora-no-pueden-retornar-a-trabajar-a-las-playas-afectadas/