NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
Environmental Processes and the Influence of Human Activities
In order to meet the basic needs of increases population, the present society has under taken a series of steps like rapid industrialization, unplanned urbanization, deforestation, over exploitation of natural sources, etc.The outcomes of the above human activities have contributed significantly to the degradation of environment around us.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
Some important impacts of human activities on environment are outlined below:
1. Deforestation:
In order to provide timber and farm land to increased population, large number of forest trees are cut and forest area is converting to farm lands. The rate of deforestation is so faster that around 1.5 million hectare of forest cover is lost every year is India alone. The process of deforestation results in decreasing rainfall, increasing global temperature, loss of top soil, modification of climatic conditions etc.
2. Industrialization:
Although the industrial activities of man provide basic need of the society, simultaneously the same release a lot of pollutants to the environment. The pollutants in environment cause loss of raw materials, health hazards, increase in death rate, damage to crop, making environment unfit for living organisms etc.
3. Loss of ecological balance:
The excessive use, misuse and mi-management of biosphere resources results in disturbance in ecosystem or ecological imbalance.
4. Air pollution:
The anthropocentric release of various air pollutants to the environment causes a number of dreaded phenomena like green house effect, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and smog formation etc.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
5. Water pollution:
Human activities in respect of disposal of sewage wastes, solid wastes, municipal wastes, agricultural and industrial wastes cause the environment unfit for day to day use. Besides, polluted water spreads or leads to different diseases.
6. Increased consumption of natural resources:
Since the starting of industrial era, the natural resources are constantly utilized for the production of one or more products for the day to day use of society.
7. Production of waste:
Rapid industrialization and unplanned urbanization release a lot of toxic waste material either in solid or liquid or gaseous state which induces a number of serious environmental hazards.
8. Extinction of Wildlife:
Since forests are natural habitats of wild life (both plants and animals) deforestation leads to the extinction of valuable wild life and loss of biodiversity.
9. Habitual destruction:
The commercial and industrial activities associated with mining, construction of dams, fishing, agriculture etc. cause habitat destruction which is a pathway to pollution.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
10. Noise pollution:
The man-made noise due to mechanized automobile, industries, trains, aeroplanes, social functions etc. causes noise pollution which has impact on both bio tic and a bio tic components of environment.
11. Radiation pollution:
The radiations from radioactive substances used in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons can have significant impact on genetic materials of body (DMA, RHA etc.)
12. Soil erosion:
The anthropocentric processes like deforestation and overgrazing induce soil erosion which causes soil moisture reduction, lowering of productivity, decline in soil fertility etc.
Humans impact the environment in several ways. Common effects include decreased water quality, increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of natural resources and contribution to global climate change. Some of these are the direct result of human activities, whereas others are secondary effects that are part of a series of actions and reactions.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
Water Pollution
One of the biggest impacts humans have on aquatic systems is excess nutrient inputs. Nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential to the health and survival of aquatic plants and animals. However, humans introduce large quantities of nutrients, primarily through overuse of fertilizers. Too many nutrients can rapidly reduce water quality by causing overgrowth of certain bacteria and algae that use the oxygen necessary for other species to survive. Even more problematic is that these nutrients can be transported downstream to other streams, rivers and bays. Therefore, nutrients can reduce water quality in places far removed from where they were first introduced.
Air Pollution
The majority of air pollution is the result of human activities. For example, increased fossil fuel combustion from motor vehicles, industrial factories and power plants all pump large quantities of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, ozone and nitro-us oxides, into the atmosphere. Other air pollutants, such as lead-based compounds, can lead to serious health effects like cancer, or other types of reproductive effects and birth defects.
Climate Change
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, human activities are largely responsible for an increase in temperature around the globe, primarily due to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. This increase in temperature is leading to changes in where crops can grow and where certain fish or animals can be found, all vital for feeding an increasing human population. The rise in global temperatures is also causing glaciers to melt, releasing water that causes sea levels to rise and threaten coastal communities and economies that rely on coastal resources.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay
Solutions
There are several simple things that people can do on a daily basis to minimize their impact on the environment. For example, taking public transportation, biking or walking instead of driving will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing the amount of fertilizer applied to lawns, gardens and vegetables will lessen the likelihood of water pollution nearby, which is also beneficial for drinking water and human health. Using less energy in the home can lessen the amount of pollution put into the air by coal burning power plants. Any activity which reduces water and energy consumption can lead to positive impacts on our environment.NASC 1001 Discussion Essay