ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES text of presentation Presentatin on link - - PDF document

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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES text of presentation Presentatin on link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sFpjza7yl6c6umYcdOiXJFMlnp28ZZC-/view ENVIRONMENT The environment is everything around us, namely the place where every living and non-living element exists. ECOSYSTEM Ensemble of living organisms (animal and plants) and their natural environment that interact in a limited space (island, desert, mountain). ECOLOGY The word ecology means science of the house. This house is the planet we live on, the planet Earth. RESOURCES RENEWABLE RESOURCES: water, soil, etc… NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES: fossil fuel (oil, coal) and minerals. ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS CAUSES:

• Industrial production system
• Over-consumption

CONSEQUENCES:

• Damage to the ecosystem

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

• WHAT IT IS: an indicator used to photograph the consequences of human action on

environmental balance.

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• WHAT DOES IT MEASURE: the quantity of earth surface that each person uses in order to

satisfy their own consumption and dispose of waste material.

• In order to understand that the consuptions are sustainable, the ecological footprint must

be compared with the capability of the ecosystem to renew the consumed resources.

• Today the ecological footprint exceeds the natural capability of the planet to regenerate

the resources necessary in order for men to survive by 50%.

• Industrialized countries have an ecological footprint higher than that of developing

countries. THE UNEVEN CONSUPTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES The countries which are more tecnologically and economically developed:

• Produce more
• Consume more
• Damage the environment
• Exploit the resources of the developing countries
• Transfer the pollutant waste to developing countries
• Transfer harmful production activities to developing countries

ECOLOGICAL DEBT Debt of the developed countries towards the developing countries ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES AIR POLLUTION WATER POLLUTION SOIL POLLUTION CAUSES

• Discharge of harmful substances in the air (carbon dioxide, methan gas, nitrogen oxide);
• Use of fossil fuel (oil, coal and gas) to power transports, heating systems, industries, etc.)
• Deforestation
• Exploitation of the soil

CONSEQUENCES

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• ACID RAIN
• HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER
• GREENHOUSE EFFECT
• DESERTIFICATION
• SALINIZATION
• DECREASE OF FISH LIFE
• HUMAN DISEASES

GLOBAL WARMING PREDICTIONS:

• Melting of polar ice
• Rising of the sea level
• Flooding of entire coastal regions

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• WHAT IT MEANS: reconcile economic needs with environmental protection through a

balanced use of resources.

• AIM: Non to compromise the possibility for the future generations to satisfy their needs.

MEASURES FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• AGENDA 21: 1992. An action plan with the aim of protecting and managing human

resources, changing production and consumption models, and fight against poverty.

• KIOTO PROTOCOL: 2004. A treaty with the aim of containing the greenhouse effect and

reducing pollution. COUNTRIES DEFEND THE ENVIRONMENT AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE BY

• Reducing emission of gases responsible for greenhouse effect;
• Creating national parks and protected areas;
• Approving strict laws concerning industrial discharges, toxic waste and recycling of urban

waste;

• Promoting alternative and renewable energy resources.

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OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEFENSE OF NATURE

• Make a responsible use of electricity, gas and water at home
• Don’t abandon waste in parks, forests and on the beach
• Use recycling areas
• Control the origin and composition of the products we buy
• Use public transport
• Use renewable energy sources
• Use less packaging
• Recycle
• Remain constantly updated on environmental problems