Environmental Problems

Index

Page

I. Index…………………………………………………………………….... 1

II. Introduction……………………………………………………………... 2

II. Justification……………………………………………………………… 2

III. Objectives.……………………………………………………………… 2

IV. Development of the topic……………………………….…………….. 3

A. Definition…………………………………………………………. 3

B. History………..…………………………………………………... 3

C. Classification of environmental problems……...…………….. 4

1. Water Pollution……………………………………………… 4

2. Air Pollution………………………………………….……... 5

3. Global Warming………...………………….………………. 6

4. Hazardous Waste…………...…………………………….. 7

5. Ozone Depletion……………..………………………….... 9

6. Acid Rain…………………..……………………….………10

V. Conclusions……………………………………………………………..12

VI. Recommendations……………………………………………………. 12

VII. Bibliography…………………………………………………………... 12

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

I. Introduction.

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world. As globalization continues and the earth's natural processes transform local problems into international issues, few societies are being left untouched by major environmental problems.

Some of the largest problems now affecting the world are: Acid Rain, Air Pollution, Global Warming, Hazardous Waste, Ozone Depletion, and Water Pollution.

II. Justification.

We chose this topic because we wanted to know more about the environmental problems that now affect our planet and inform our classmates abou these problems, their causes and effects, the posible solutions and some actions that we can take to reduce this problem.

III. Objectives.

• General.

In this work we want to inform people about the pollutants, their origin and possible solutions, to promote awareness of this problem and if possible, to develop actions that contribute the control of polluting our environment.

• Specific

- To learn about different environmental problems that now affect Earth.

- To explain and analyze in a simple and easy way to understand environmental problems on the planet.

- To explain the consequences of some environmental problems.

IV. Development of the topic.

A. Definition.

An environmental problem is a known process that has negative effects on the sustainability of the environmental quality necessary for the well being of the organisms living in it.

B. History

The human beings, appeared late in Earth history, but has been able to modify the environment with their activities. Although certainly the first humans lived more or less in harmony with the environment, like other animals, their absence from the wild began in prehistoric times, with the first agricultural revolution. The ability to control and use fire allowed to modify or remove the natural vegetation.

As human populations remained small with modest technology, its impact on the environment was only local. However, as the population grew and their technology improved and increased, appeared more significant and widespread problems. The rapid technological advance occurred after the Middle Ages led to the Industrial Revolution, which resulted in the discovery, use and exploitation of fossil fuels and the intensive exploitation of mineral resources of the Earth.

It was with the Industrial Revolution when humans began to really change the face of the planet, the nature of its atmosphere and the quality of the water. Today, unprecedented demand for the rapid human population growth and technological development subject to the environment is producing an ever-accelerating decline in its quality and its ability to support life.

C. Classification of Environmental Problems.

1. Water pollution

The problem of ocean pollution affects every nation around the world. This is especially true because water is able to transport pollution from one location to another.

For many years, chemicals were dumped into bodies of water without concern. While many countries have now banned such behavior, it continues to go on today.

As the world has industrialized and its population has grown, the problem of water pollution has intensified.

Causes

One of the reasons that the water pollution problem is so severe is that it is not actually illegal to dump pollutants into water bodies.Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water. Often, governments either do not care or simply look the other way. Even if sewage is treated, problems still arise. Treated sewage forms sludge, which is sent out into the sea and dumped.

Effects

The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that inhabits water-based ecosystems. Dead fish, birds, dolphins, and many other animals often wind up on beaches, killed by pollutants in their habitat. Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels.

Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been poisoned.

Solutions

Many laws have been created to restrict industries from dumping materials into the water. However, these remain weak, and many countries do not restrict water pollution.

Many non-governmental projects are also being carry out in an effort to clean up the water. Industries are beginning to reduce the amount of chemicals they dump into water, and environmental groups are participating in clean up projects.

2. Air pollution

Every day, the average person inhales about 20,000 liters of air; every time we breathe, we risk inhaling dangerous chemicals that have found their way into the air. Air pollution includes all contaminants found in the atmosphere. These dangerous substances can be either in the form of gases or particles.

Causes

There are many different chemical substances that contribute to air pollution. Among the many types of air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, and organic compounds that can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds, and natural radioactivity are all among the natural causes of air pollution, though some pollution comes from these natural sources, most pollution is the result of human activity. The biggest causes are the operation of fossil fuel-burning power plants and automobiles that combust fuel.

Effects

Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Just how sick people will get depends on what chemicals they are exposed to, in what concentrations, and for how long.

Air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide also have harmful effects on natural ecosystems. They can kill plants and trees by destroying their leaves, and can kill animals, especially fish in highly polluted rivers.

Solutions.

There are two main types of pollution control: input control involves preventing a problem before it occurs, or at least limiting the effects the process will produce. Output control, the opposite method, seeks to fix the problems caused by air pollution. This usually means cleaning up an area that has been damaged by pollution.

3. Global Warming

Global warming is called the greenhouse effect because the gases that are gathering above the earth make the planet comparable to a greenhouse. By trapping heat near the surface of the earth, the greenhouse effect is warming the planet and threatening the environment.

Causes

Global warming has a variety of causes. One of the largest factors contributing to global warming is the general problem of overpopulation and its many effects.

The greater number of people consume more items which take more energy to make, they drive more cars, and create larger amounts of garbage.

Many different gases can increase the planet's temperature, the most common gas is carbon dioxide, accounting for about 50% of all greenhouse gases. Other gases, including methane, CFCs, nitrogen oxides, and

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