CHAPTER 1 – Environmental Issues + Risks
1.1. The population is exploding, particularly in developing countries. Also, the greenhouse
effect gone crazy is resulting in the temperature rising by .5 degrees C. Severe carbon
emissions from burning forests in Brazil further contribute to this problem. Finally, the
number of endangered species has escalated.
1.2. BIODIVERSITY. More than 1.4 million different species have been discovered on planet
earth. SA has the third highest level on diversity in the world. Many species are
disappearing as a result of *loss of habitat *pollution of soil, water and air * industrial
agriculture + forestry * alien species * wildlife trade * poaching + hunting * government
policies (encouraging urban development + agriculture) All living things depend on each
other
1.3. WASTE, LITTERING + RECYCLING. We live in a throw-away society. 3 kinds of waste *
biodegrable (2 weeks to 5 months) *combustible – plastic + rubber (10 – 30 years when
exposed to the sun) * noncombustible – metal (80 – 100 years) More than 90% of all
rubbish is disposed on land. Only 30% of waste is recycled. Landfills take very long to
decompose because of no exposure to the sun or air. Recycling is a better option but is a
difficult process.
1.4. GREENHOUSE EFFECT + GLOBAL WARMING. Carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, ozone
and nitrous oxide all contribute. It is unknown exactly how the greenhouse effect could
change our lives because it is difficult to do conclusive study. A doubling of C02 could
result in the temperature rising between 1 and 5 degrees. Clouds [automatic feedback to
counteract effects of C02) and oceans [full of C02] are known to influence the GHE but it is
difficult to factor into the global circulation model.
1.5. HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER. Ozone layer is in the stratosphere – 20 – 50 km above
earth. Ozone is made of three oxygen molecules. When O2 reacts with UV rays it creates
ozone. This layer protects the earth from harmful UV radiation that would make life on
earth almost impossible. In 1985 a hole the size of SA was discovered above Antarctica.
This means that the density of ozone had declined significantly. Chlorine based
compounds such as CFCs which rise high into the atmosphere and then destroy ozone
molecules are the main cause of the hole. In 1988 40 countries signed the Montreal
Protocal which pledged to reduce CFCs by 50% by 1999. CFCs live very long so the
ozone layer is not expected to stabilize till 2060. CFCs in the atmosphere are still
increasing by 4% every year. One CFC molecule can destroy up to 100 000 ozone
molecules.
1.6. FACING A NUCLEAR WINTER. In 1986 in Chernobyl a nuclear reactor exploded [Level 7
disaster]. More than 9 tons of nuclear material were released into the atmosphere causing
a cloud to cover parts of Europe. Many people died from the radiation. The radioactivity in
that area would last for 100 years and the peak of cancers resulting from the incident was
estimated to be reached in 2005. A major nuclear war would cause firestorms that would
send a similar cloud of dust and radioactive material into the atmosphere, resulting in a
nuclear winter. In 1968 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was
introduced. Only the UK, USA, Russia, France and China were allowed nuclear weapons
and no other country was allowed to gain any. Only peaceful use of nuclear energy is
allowed.
1.7. PESTICIDES. Humans produce many toxic chemicals. Malaria is a serious disease in
Africa which has been combated by DDT. DDT is non-biodegradable so it stays in the
, body of animals until it can finally kill them. By now, it is said that every person in the
world has at least some DDT in their body. Bio-magnification occurs when plankton ingest
DDT and a trout eats the plankton and another animal eats the trout etc. The concentration
of DDT increases. DDT is now strictly controlled. It was banned until 2000 when it was re-
introduced to fight malaria.
1.8. OVERPOPULATION. It is estimated that the world population will increase to 10 billion
before stabilizing. Too many people puts strain on the environment because they need
food, shelter and clothing. Destruction of the natural environment, poverty and famine are
serious problems in many countries. Biggest challenge is eliminating povery. WSSD met in
2002 and richer countries pledged to halving the number of people without drinking water
and sanitization by 2015.
1.9. URBANIZATION. In ancient times in Africa there were few large cities. Today in SA about
70 % of the population live in urban dwellings. This is attributed to the lack of agricultural
growth, drought, famine and slow rural development. Since the abolition of apartheid
people may choose where to live; many choose cities. The problem with urbanization is
that the cities are incapable of providing shelter and services to all these people. Many
people live in informal settlements where social conditions are dangerous. Urbanization
also contributes to elevated crime levels. Cities need a huge amount of energy and make a
lot of waste. The advantage of urbanization is that it is easier for the government to provide
basic services to those who live there than those in the rural setting.
1.10. DEPELETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. SA has an abundance of natural resources,
but these have been depleted through exploitation, water weeds, poor soil management,
dumping of waste water. These problems can be solved by harvesting the weeds for food;
tapping into new sources of energy such as natural gas or solar; and exploring IKS to
better protect and make use of the environment.
1.11. HEALTH HAZARDS. SA is plagued by many diseases; the worst being TB, Cholera,
malaria and AIDS. AIDS has many consequences: lack of adult workers, sick children,
orphans and financial strain on the government. HIV makes people more susceptible to TB
and Malaria. Education campaigns go a long way towards reducing AIDS infections. Clean
water and sanitization help prevention Cholera. DOTS and DOTS-plus programs ensure
that TB patients follow their full course of medication to be properly healed. Elimination
poverty is the biggest concern in combating all disease.
1.12. DESERTIFICATION. Land degradation that is caused by drought, overcropping,
deforestation and incorrect irrigation methods. The biological potential of the soil and its
ability to sustain life is reduced. About one third of Africa’s surface is under threat of
desertification. Soil erosion is also a big problem. About 25 % of the fertility of Southern
Africa’s soil has been lost. 1994 – Convention to Combat Desertification.
1.13. DEFORESTATION. Permanent destruction of indigenous forests + woodlands. Forests
now cover 21 % of our planet. Currently, 12 million hectares of forest are cleared annually.
Causes of deforestation *agricultural land to feed people * cash crops + cattle ranching *
commercial logging * firewood and building material *animals eating. Consequences
include: *alteration of climate *soil erosion *silting of waterways *extinction of species that
survive in forests *desertification. Some ideas for improvement include: *selective logging
*using recycled paper *education
1.14. POLLUTION. The poisoning of the environment by anything that reduces its ability to
support life. Pollution can include too much of a good substance, a harmless substance,
1.1. The population is exploding, particularly in developing countries. Also, the greenhouse
effect gone crazy is resulting in the temperature rising by .5 degrees C. Severe carbon
emissions from burning forests in Brazil further contribute to this problem. Finally, the
number of endangered species has escalated.
1.2. BIODIVERSITY. More than 1.4 million different species have been discovered on planet
earth. SA has the third highest level on diversity in the world. Many species are
disappearing as a result of *loss of habitat *pollution of soil, water and air * industrial
agriculture + forestry * alien species * wildlife trade * poaching + hunting * government
policies (encouraging urban development + agriculture) All living things depend on each
other
1.3. WASTE, LITTERING + RECYCLING. We live in a throw-away society. 3 kinds of waste *
biodegrable (2 weeks to 5 months) *combustible – plastic + rubber (10 – 30 years when
exposed to the sun) * noncombustible – metal (80 – 100 years) More than 90% of all
rubbish is disposed on land. Only 30% of waste is recycled. Landfills take very long to
decompose because of no exposure to the sun or air. Recycling is a better option but is a
difficult process.
1.4. GREENHOUSE EFFECT + GLOBAL WARMING. Carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, ozone
and nitrous oxide all contribute. It is unknown exactly how the greenhouse effect could
change our lives because it is difficult to do conclusive study. A doubling of C02 could
result in the temperature rising between 1 and 5 degrees. Clouds [automatic feedback to
counteract effects of C02) and oceans [full of C02] are known to influence the GHE but it is
difficult to factor into the global circulation model.
1.5. HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER. Ozone layer is in the stratosphere – 20 – 50 km above
earth. Ozone is made of three oxygen molecules. When O2 reacts with UV rays it creates
ozone. This layer protects the earth from harmful UV radiation that would make life on
earth almost impossible. In 1985 a hole the size of SA was discovered above Antarctica.
This means that the density of ozone had declined significantly. Chlorine based
compounds such as CFCs which rise high into the atmosphere and then destroy ozone
molecules are the main cause of the hole. In 1988 40 countries signed the Montreal
Protocal which pledged to reduce CFCs by 50% by 1999. CFCs live very long so the
ozone layer is not expected to stabilize till 2060. CFCs in the atmosphere are still
increasing by 4% every year. One CFC molecule can destroy up to 100 000 ozone
molecules.
1.6. FACING A NUCLEAR WINTER. In 1986 in Chernobyl a nuclear reactor exploded [Level 7
disaster]. More than 9 tons of nuclear material were released into the atmosphere causing
a cloud to cover parts of Europe. Many people died from the radiation. The radioactivity in
that area would last for 100 years and the peak of cancers resulting from the incident was
estimated to be reached in 2005. A major nuclear war would cause firestorms that would
send a similar cloud of dust and radioactive material into the atmosphere, resulting in a
nuclear winter. In 1968 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was
introduced. Only the UK, USA, Russia, France and China were allowed nuclear weapons
and no other country was allowed to gain any. Only peaceful use of nuclear energy is
allowed.
1.7. PESTICIDES. Humans produce many toxic chemicals. Malaria is a serious disease in
Africa which has been combated by DDT. DDT is non-biodegradable so it stays in the
, body of animals until it can finally kill them. By now, it is said that every person in the
world has at least some DDT in their body. Bio-magnification occurs when plankton ingest
DDT and a trout eats the plankton and another animal eats the trout etc. The concentration
of DDT increases. DDT is now strictly controlled. It was banned until 2000 when it was re-
introduced to fight malaria.
1.8. OVERPOPULATION. It is estimated that the world population will increase to 10 billion
before stabilizing. Too many people puts strain on the environment because they need
food, shelter and clothing. Destruction of the natural environment, poverty and famine are
serious problems in many countries. Biggest challenge is eliminating povery. WSSD met in
2002 and richer countries pledged to halving the number of people without drinking water
and sanitization by 2015.
1.9. URBANIZATION. In ancient times in Africa there were few large cities. Today in SA about
70 % of the population live in urban dwellings. This is attributed to the lack of agricultural
growth, drought, famine and slow rural development. Since the abolition of apartheid
people may choose where to live; many choose cities. The problem with urbanization is
that the cities are incapable of providing shelter and services to all these people. Many
people live in informal settlements where social conditions are dangerous. Urbanization
also contributes to elevated crime levels. Cities need a huge amount of energy and make a
lot of waste. The advantage of urbanization is that it is easier for the government to provide
basic services to those who live there than those in the rural setting.
1.10. DEPELETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. SA has an abundance of natural resources,
but these have been depleted through exploitation, water weeds, poor soil management,
dumping of waste water. These problems can be solved by harvesting the weeds for food;
tapping into new sources of energy such as natural gas or solar; and exploring IKS to
better protect and make use of the environment.
1.11. HEALTH HAZARDS. SA is plagued by many diseases; the worst being TB, Cholera,
malaria and AIDS. AIDS has many consequences: lack of adult workers, sick children,
orphans and financial strain on the government. HIV makes people more susceptible to TB
and Malaria. Education campaigns go a long way towards reducing AIDS infections. Clean
water and sanitization help prevention Cholera. DOTS and DOTS-plus programs ensure
that TB patients follow their full course of medication to be properly healed. Elimination
poverty is the biggest concern in combating all disease.
1.12. DESERTIFICATION. Land degradation that is caused by drought, overcropping,
deforestation and incorrect irrigation methods. The biological potential of the soil and its
ability to sustain life is reduced. About one third of Africa’s surface is under threat of
desertification. Soil erosion is also a big problem. About 25 % of the fertility of Southern
Africa’s soil has been lost. 1994 – Convention to Combat Desertification.
1.13. DEFORESTATION. Permanent destruction of indigenous forests + woodlands. Forests
now cover 21 % of our planet. Currently, 12 million hectares of forest are cleared annually.
Causes of deforestation *agricultural land to feed people * cash crops + cattle ranching *
commercial logging * firewood and building material *animals eating. Consequences
include: *alteration of climate *soil erosion *silting of waterways *extinction of species that
survive in forests *desertification. Some ideas for improvement include: *selective logging
*using recycled paper *education
1.14. POLLUTION. The poisoning of the environment by anything that reduces its ability to
support life. Pollution can include too much of a good substance, a harmless substance,
