Week 8-12 Environmental Issues PDF

WEEK 8: PLASTICS & MICROPLASTICS  Defining the issue: The problem of plastics and microplastics accumulating in the environment, leading to ecological and human health impacts.  Causes: The excessive use of plastics, poor waste management practices, and natural processes like weathering and pho...

WEEK 8: PLASTICS & MICROPLASTICS  Defining the issue: The problem of plastics and microplastics accumulating in the environment, leading to ecological and human health impacts.  Causes: The excessive use of plastics, poor waste management practices, and natural processes like weathering and photodegradation contribute to the accumulation of plastics in the environment.  Impact on the environment: - Plastics and microplastics can harm marine life, pollute oceans, and contribute to the formation of plastic islands in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. - They can also enter the food chain and accumulate in human and animal tissue, potentially leading to health issues  Solutions: There are various solutions to address the issue, such as: - reducing plastic production and consumption, improving waste management practices, promoting recycling. Additionally, it mentions the: - importance of behavioral change innovation in materials design to minimize the environmental impact of plastics WEEK 9 : FOOD INSECURITY  Defining the issue: Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life.  Causes: The causes of food insecurity include: - a growing population, - intensive farming, - climate change, - lack of access to farming lands, - land grabbing, - conflict, - unfair trade rules, - food wastage. Impact on the environment:  the impact of food insecurity on the environment, such as: - land degradation, - soil erosion, - deforestation.  Solutions:  there are various solutions to address food insecurity, such as: - climate-smart agriculture, responding to forced migration, fostering gender equality, reducing food waste, disaster risk reduction, supporting hygiene and sanitation, controlling infestations and crop infections, enhancing crops with biofortification, improving food storage systems. WEEK 10 : DEFPRESTATION & DEGRADTION  Defining the issue: Deforestation is the degradation of land due to the removal of trees and vegetation, while desertification is the transformation of land to desert-like conditions.  Causes: The causes of deforestation and desertification include: -  Impact on the environment: the significant impact of deforestation and desertification on the environment, such as: -  Agricultural expansion Overgrazing Climate change Poor land management practices Human activities such as over-cultivation and deforestation Drought and natural processes Loss of biodiversity Soil erosion Reduced water quality Weakened monsoon circulation Increased albedo leading to regional cooling Formation of dust storms Solutions: There are various solutions to address deforestation and desertification, such as: - Reforestation and afforestation Sustainable land management practices International cooperation and policies to regulate land use Promoting climate-smart agriculture Implementing measures to reduce overgrazing and soil erosion WEEK 11: MARINE CONSERVATION & LAND RECLAMATION  Define the issue: the challenges facing marine ecosystems, such as: -   overfishing, irresponsible fish farming, ghost fishing, garbage, acidification, dead zones, mercury pollution, offshore drilling, whaling and shark finning, and ocean warming. Causes:  Overfishing: Overexploitation of fish species.  Irresponsible Fish Farming: Negative consequences due to poorly managed operations.  Ghost Fishing: Continues to catch fish and other marine life.  Garbage: Animals become entangled and trapped in garbage, destroying delicate sea life.  Acidification: Ocean surface becoming more acidic due to CO2 absorption.  Dead Zones: Areas with little to no dissolved oxygen caused by fertilizers in runoff.  Mercury Pollution: Ocean's mercury levels have risen significantly.  Offshore Drilling: Exacerbates the dilemmas of oceans.  Whaling and Shark Finning: Significant consequences on the ocean's food chain.  Ocean Warming: Oceans rising and getting warmer faster than predicted Impact on the environment: - Toxic metal release from the land, such as the sea or peat land Eutrophication of surface waters Increased run-off water, which can disturb the hydrological balance Impacts on flooding and local fisheries  Depletion of fish species Release of organic pollutants Changes in salt- and fresh-water systems Changes in groundwater supply Air pollution Loss of genetic resources (flora and fauna) Loss of production functions & the social function Solutions: challenges facing marine ecosystems, such as: - conserving water, - reducing pollutants and waste, - choosing sustainable seafood, - using less energy, - volunteering for cleanups. It also discusses marine conservation acts and treaties, such as: - the Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas, - Marine Mammal Protection Act, - Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, - the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. WEEK 12: AIR POLLUTION  Define the issue: air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the environment or human health. It outlines major air pollution problems, including: - industrial smog, - photochemical smog, - acid deposition.  Causes: The causes of air pollution are attributed to: - Stationary and mobile sources: These include sources such as industrial facilities, power plants, and vehicles. - Primary pollutants: Primary pollutants such as: - carbon oxides - nitrogen oxides - nitric acid - sulfur dioxide - sulfuric acid - particulates - ozone (O3), - volatile organic compounds - Secondary pollutants: These are pollutants that are formed from primary pollutants through chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Discuss the impact on the environment: There are significant impacts on the environment, leading to harmful effects such as: - acid rain, - respiratory diseases in humans, - damage to ecosystems.   Suggest solutions: - improving energy efficiency, - taxing emissions of pollutants, - increasing regulations, - promoting the use of renewable energy sources. - using public transportation and avoiding idling. WEEK 13: DESALINATION  Define the Issue: Desalination is the process of obtaining fresh water from challenging water sources, such as seawater. The process involves different types of plants, including thermal and membrane desalination processes. It is necessary because only 1% of the Earth's water is available for drinking. The process involves different types of plants, including thermal and membrane desalination processes.  Causes: The primary cause of desalination is: - the increasing demand for fresh water due to population growth, industrialization, and climate change. - Water scarcity and the limited availability of fresh water resources have led to the need for desalination to meet the growing demand for water.  Discuss the Impact on the Environment: - It has been linked to the creation of "dead zones" in the ocean due to the discharge of brine. - the high energy consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. - the intake of seawater for desalination can harm marine life.  Solutions: - the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, or tidal energy, to power desalination plants. - the implementation of more efficient desalination technologies, and the development of better brine management practices. In addition: - water conservation, water use efficiency, storm water capture and reuse, and water recycling are all viable alternatives to desalination that can help reduce the demand for fresh water and minimize the need for desalination plants.