Environmental Awareness

Acknowledgment
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 (http://www.
nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/).

Every effort has been made to trace copyright material and obtain permission to reproduce it. If there
are any errors or omissions, RRC would welcome notification so that corrections may be incorporated
in future reprints or editions of this material.

© RRC International/Integra Training and Consulting

All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, mechanical, photocopied or
otherwise, without the express permission in writing from RRC INternational.
 Table of Contents

Introduction 3
What is the Environment? 5
What is Acid Rain? 7
The Greenhouse Effect 8
Global Warming 9
Ozone Depletion 10
Renewable Resources 11
The Rain Forest 12
The Human Environment 13
What is Pollution? 15
Local and Global Pollution 16
Pressures on Companies 19
Environmental Management (ISO 14001) 20
The Law 22
What Can I Do? 24
Conclusion 27
Glossary of Terms 28

1
 Environmental Awareness

2
 Environmental Awareness

Introduction
This unit has been written to promote and support environmental awareness in
the workplace.
Who should read this?
Anyone who needs a brief introduction to the fundamentals of environmental
awareness. This short unit briefly covers some of the key environmental
problems people have created and looks at the sort of things we can do to make
sure the environment is a cleaner and safer place to live in.
Increasingly, television, radio and newspapers are making us aware of global
warming, air and water pollution, recycling and energy efficiency. How we feel
about such environmental issues depends on how they affect us, and the way
we live. If you live or work near a power station or an incinerator and can see
chimney emissions, you are more likely to be concerned by the quality of the air.
If you live near a polluted river, you are more likely to be anxious about water
quality.
Objectives
This short introduction to Environmental Awareness should give you a basic
understanding of:
• What makes up our environment.
• The difference between physical and human environment.
• The main problems due to pollution and global warming.
• How industrialisation has contributed to global pollution.
• The effects of water, air and land pollution on the local and global
environment.
• The legal, moral and financial responsibilities of individuals and companies
with respect to environmental management.

3
 Environmental Awareness

What is covered?
This unit is divided into the following short sections and should take you
approximately one hour to read.
• What is the environment?
• What is acid rain?
• The greenhouse effect.
• Ozone depletion.
• Renewable resources.
• The rain forest.
• The human environment.
• What is pollution?
• Local and global pollution.
• Pressures on companies.
• Environmental management (ISO 14001).
• The law.
• What can I do?
There is no assessment but in each section, you are asked to think about how
environmental issues affect you and your workplace.
At the end of the unit there is a glossary of terms to help you in your
understanding of environmental issues.

4
 Environmental Awareness

What is the Environment? It depends on how you look at it.

You may think about trees, plants, rivers and animals. How-
ever, the environment is broader than that - it is everything
that is not us.

What is the Environment?

It depends on how you look at it. You may think about trees, plants, rivers and
animals. However, the environment is broader than that - it is everything that is
not us.
The environmental standard ISO 14001 defines the environment as surroundings
in which an organisation operates, including:
• air;
• land;
• water;
• natural resources;
• flora;
• fauna;
• humans;
• and their interrelationships.

5
 Environmental Awareness

In ecological terms, the environment can be split

up into:
• The physical environment.
• The human environment.
We rely on our physical environment for:
• Growing food.
• Water for drinking, working and washing.
• Wood, minerals and other resources for keeping warm and healthy.

Think About It
An appreciation of the environment can be obtained by reviewing some
examples of environmental issues. Some of these you may be aware of from
media coverage; others may be new.

6
 Environmental Awareness

What is Acid Rain?

Water in the atmosphere reacts with gases discharged into the air because of
human activities and creates acid rain.
Gases such as sulphur dioxide from power stations and nitrogen oxide from car
exhausts, mix with the water that falls to Earth as rain, mist, fog and snow to
become more acidic and corrosive.
Acid rain damages buildings and destroys plant life; it can even make lakes and
rivers too acid for natural life to survive.
Using cars and producing energy for industry and homes uses up non-renewable
resources and pollutes the atmosphere with environmentally damaging gases.
Think About It
What can we do as individuals to reduce the level of acid rain?

7
 Environmental Awareness

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is natural, and without it, the Earth would be too cold
to support life as we know it. However, the Earth’s temperature is rising
because this natural balance of greenhouse gases, which maintain the Earth’s
temperature, is being changed by the discharge of gases and pollution in the air
from human activity.
Although nature contributes, to some extent, to pollution (e.g. volcanoes throw
up gas and ash), people are major polluters in that they burn fossil fuels, refine
oil, and produce electricity, discharging carbon dioxide into the air.
Global warming can result in major changes in our climate, such as increased
storm activity. As sea levels rise because of melting ice caps, the chance of
flooding in low lying or coastal regions increases. Temperature rise can result in
drought and increased chances of poor health.

8
 Environmental Awareness

Global Warming
Think About It
When did you last hear reference to the greenhouse effect/global warming in
the media? What was it associated with?

9
 Environmental Awareness

Man’s activities have caused certain gases to be discharged

into the atmosphere and have resulted in the ozone layer
being partially destroyed.

Ozone Depletion
We are protected from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays by gas in the atmosphere called
the ozone layer. Without this layer, our skin would be damaged and we would
suffer serious illnesses.
Man’s activities have caused certain gases to be discharged into the atmosphere
and have resulted in the ozone layer being partially destroyed.
Refrigerators, fire extinguishers, etc. may contain CFCs and halons that damage
the ozone layer and increase the number of skin cancers. Certain pesticides also
contain dangerous chemicals that stay in the air and do not disperse.
The thinning of the ozone layer was first discovered above Antarctica and may
have led to an increase in the incidence of skin cancers in Australia.
Think About It
Have you heard reference made in the media to ozone depletion?
What was it connected with?

10
 Environmental Awareness

Renewable Resources
Many of the materials we use to manufacture consumer goods, and the fuels we
use to give us light, heat, and power are being used up forever.
There is only a limited supply of fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and we need
to use energy from sources that are sustainable and do not run out, such as
sunlight, wind and tidal energy, or that are renewable such as recyclable waste.
Think About It
Electrical equipment both at home and at work may have a label telling you how
much power in watts it needs to work. Add up all these figures (don’t forget the
lights) to discover how much electrical power is used to run your home or your
business.

11
 Environmental Awareness

The Rain Forest

Rain forests grow near the Equator
where the climate is hot and humid.
Rain forests once covered 14% of
the Earth’s land surface, but are now
being destroyed so that the wood can
be used for manufacture and the land
cleared for farming.
Many rain forests are also rich in
valuable minerals - clearing the trees
to mine these minerals leads to soil
erosion and landslides and mining
activities pollute the surrounding
streams and rivers.
Destroying the rain forest means that
many species of plants used to make
medicines and useful chemicals are
being lost. Rain forests also soak up
rainwater - cutting down the trees
changes the local climate and habitats,
so that many animal species are
disappearing.
The trees in the forests help to remove
carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas,
from the atmosphere, helping to
protect us from global warming.
Think About It
What effect does cutting down rain
forests thousands of miles away have
on our well-being in the UK?
The environmental issues described
are just examples; do you know of any
others?

12
 Environmental Awareness

The Human Environment

Quality of Life
We are all entitled to adequate
food and water, and to a clean
and healthy environment free of
pollution.
However, people are the worst
polluters of air, land and water
– they do this by driving motor
vehicles, making chemicals,
refining oil, and producing
electricity. As people become
more industrialised, they
increasingly use and abuse the
land and the environment.
A poor environment leads to a
poor quality of life.
Poverty
One of the biggest problems is that the poorer developing countries tend to
have the biggest populations and yet are the least well equipped to sustain large
numbers of people.

People are the worst polluters of air, land and water – they do
this by driving motor vehicles, making chemicals, refining oil,
and producing electricity.

Many people in developing countries live in poverty, yet these are the countries
supplying many of the luxury goods that we purchase in the UK.

13
 Environmental Awareness

Health
Many people, particularly in developing countries, do not have access to clean
water, adequate food, proper health care, and medicine. Climate changes are
causing more weather-related damage and diseases. Extreme weather causes
water shortages or flooding, resulting in failed crops and diminished food
supplies.
Unemployment
Problems of poor standards of living are not only found in developing countries.
Europe, for example, remains one of the most densely populated continents and
increasing numbers of young people are unable to find long-term work and have
a good standard of living.

14
 Environmental Awareness

Think About It
What are the signs that poverty and poor health are not just a problem of
developing countries?

What is Pollution?
Pollution is damage to the environment resulting from human activities.
Industrial and agricultural processes cause by-products that are often harmful to
our environment, either contributing to pollution that has a global effect or by
having an effect at a local level.
Some pollutants will have both a local effect and contribute to global pollution,
for instance, exhaust emissions from cars will affect health locally but also
contribute globally to acid rain.
Industrial and agricultural processes can cause harm such as noise, smoke,
chemical and radioactive substances (in the air, sea or rivers), pesticides and
sewage.
Think About It
What kind of pollution are you aware of around you?

15
 Environmental Awareness

Local and Global Pollution

Pollution can be due to the activities of people or business. For example:
• Using motor cars adds fumes to the atmosphere.
• Using pesticides discharges toxic substances into the air and into streams and
rivers.
People’s activities can therefore have an impact both at a local and a global level.
Equally, no company operates in isolation. The way people work and live impacts
on the environment locally and globally.
Air Pollution
Gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates from exhaust
pipes and industry will cause local health problems, such as breathi ng difficulties.
But remember, manufacturing cars is also energy-intensive. Burning fuels to
generate this energy releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and results
in global warming.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is a global problem because it cannot be restricted to just
local areas. Although water keeps us alive, according to the World Health
Organisation (http://www.who.int/heli/risks/water/water/en/index.html)
diseases related to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene result in an estimated 1.7
million deaths every year.
Sources of water pollution are:
• Domestic.
• Agricultural.
• Industrial.
A local company may discharge untreated waste into a stream, affecting local
wildlife. On a global level, as polluted streams run into rivers and ultimately the
sea, untreated waste can kill fish or contaminate the food chain.

16
 Environmental Awareness

Serious Pollution Incidents Affecting Water, Air or Land

(England and Wales)
Source: Key Facts about Inland Water Quality and Use, DEFRA, 2010 (http://
archive.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/environment/inlwater/kf/iwkf11.htm)

Land Pollution
A company may get rid of a large amount of waste to a local landfill. At a global
level, companies use non-renewable resources mined in developing countries
without always considering that resources are limited.
Think About It
What kind of substances do you put down the drain at home or at work that
might be toxic?
What kinds of waste do you or your company produce that could be recycled or
reused?

17
 Environmental Awareness

What substances do you burn that could pollute the air?

• Consider substances such as bleach, paints, certain cleaning products and
products used for maintaining equipment such as oil.
• Consider storage of any chemicals near to rivers or other water courses.
• Consider whether you reduce the amount of waste you generate in the first
place. Can your waste be reused by someone else?
• You might already recycle paper but what about metal, glass, plastics, or
printer cartridges?
• Are you producing any hazardous wastes, for example, fluorescent tubes and
batteries?
• Consider reducing the amount of electricity you use, to reduce the
greenhouse gases produced at the electricity station.
• Consider whether car sharing is an option – it will reduce harmful emissions
to the air.

What kinds of waste do you or your company produce that

could be reused or recycled? What substances do you burn
that could pollute the air?

18
 Environmental Awareness

Pressures on Companies
No organisation, and no one person in that organisation, can operate in isolation
– everything we do impacts on the people and the environment around us.
When making business decisions, companies have to consider people such as
customers, investors and the local community.
All businesses need to make money to survive but how this money is generated
will be influenced by internal and external factors:
• Internal factors: energy and cost efficiency, profit, image.
• External factors: the law and government policies (i.e. taxes), investors and
customers.
Environmentalists and the public are increasingly aware of environmental issues
and will not tolerate companies with a poor environmental track record and
image. Investors will not fund businesses whose poor environmental image and
policies could lose them money. Businesses often operate in built-up areas or
near rural communities and it is important that they consider the effects they
have on local residents and other organisations.
Think About It
As a member of the public, how would you know if a company was committed
to environmental issues?
As an employee, how could you check if your company was committed to
environmental issues?
Note: When shopping, you will find that much packaging can be recovered or
recycled. Products need to be environmentally responsible in use and often have
information displayed on the packaging or labels.
Companies show their response to public concern for environmental issues by
having an environmental policy, or publishing an environmental report.

19
 Environmental Awareness

Environmental Management (ISO 14001)

Organisations who want to be environmentally responsible adopt an
environmental policy and many organisations seek certification under an
internationally recognised environmental standard such as ISO 14001. This
means that the organisation can show others that it takes environmental issues
seriously.
To meet the requirements of ISO 14001, a company needs to:
• Understand how it impacts on the environment.
• Set out its environmental commitment in an environmental policy.
• Understand its legal and other compliance obligations.
• Establish how it can improve its environmental performance.
• Ensure that significant environmental impacts are controlled.

20
 Environmental Awareness

• Evaluate its environmental performance.

• Periodically review the environmental management system.

Think About It
At what stage might you be involved in the environmental management
process at your workplace? In what ways can you help the company achieve
environmental improvements? (We go into this in more detail in the last section,
What Can I Do?)

21
 Environmental Awareness

The Law
All of us need to obey the law and there are a number of laws that help ensure
businesses do not act in an irresponsible way that can be harmful to the people
and environment around them.
Various regulations cover emissions from processes to the environment. These
may require the permission of the regulators - either the Environment Agency or
the Local Authority.
Waste disposal is also covered by regulations, and companies have a ‘cradle to
grave’ responsibility for their waste. They must ensure that all waste is disposed
of using an authorised carrier and disposal site.

You can reduce waste by changing the way you work and by
not producing it in the first place.
Records must be maintained of all waste sent for disposal. Companies must
also segregate certain types of hazardous waste that is more damaging to the
environment - examples here include chemicals, chemical waste, contaminated
waste packaging, etc.
All personnel must be aware of the need to segregate waste and whether the
waste they are handling is hazardous. Disposal of hazardous waste as general
waste will mean that the company is liable to fines.
If in any doubt, ASK before placing the waste in the wrong skip.
Legislation also covers disposal to both foul and storm drains. Trade effluent
cannot be disposed of to sewer without the consent of the local water company.
If in doubt about disposal of any materials to drain - ASK.
There are many ways that effects on the environment can be minimised; waste
reduction is just one.
In Making Waste Work, the Government outlines the different ways waste could
be disposed of. Look at the following categories and suggest what company
waste you could include under each heading.
• Reducing waste.
• Reusing waste.

22
 Environmental Awareness

• Recovering or recycling waste.

• Disposing of waste.
Are there changes that could be made in work practices to minimise waste and
increase amounts sent for recycling?
• You can reduce waste by changing the way you work and by not producing
it in the first place. For example, you could reduce the amount of times you
use the car or switch off lights or heating when rooms are not being used.
Remember that leaks of water, chemical raw materials and compressed air
are also waste.
• You can reuse certain items such as glass bottles or waste paper for drafts.
• You can recycle certain items such as glass, metal or paper and ink cartridges
for printers.
• Waste can be significantly reduced by using the methods above, thus limiting
the amount that finally needs to be incinerated or disposed of to landfill.

23
 Environmental Awareness

What Can I Do?

What we do as individuals can have a big impact on the environment. Preserving
the environment and repairing some of the damage done so far concerns
everyone.
Think About It

Source: Waste Strategy for England 2007, DEFRA, 2007 (http://www.official-

documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7086/7086.pdf)

24
 Environmental Awareness

Household Waste Recycling by Material 1997/98 –

2007/08 (England)
Source: Key Facts about Waste and Recycling, DEFRA, 2009
(http://archive.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/environment/waste/kf/
wrkf15.htm)

What can we do in our everyday life to make a difference?

• Change your working habits – consider how you might work more
efficiently, using environmentally responsible materials and resources. Think
about how you dispose of waste or toxic by-products.
• Segregate waste – and ensure you know the correct disposal area. Put
forward suggestions for recycling which can reduce disposal costs.
• Ask questions and report pollution – if you spot accidental spills, leaks, or
bad practice, talk to your manager.
• Reduce pollution – is there an opportunity for sharing transport with others
in the company?
• Save energy – avoid running water unnecessarily, switch off lights and
machines if appropriate when not in use, close doors to hold in the heat.

25
 Environmental Awareness

• Recycle waste – paper, metal and glass can all be recycled by recycling
companies. Wastes can be processed and turned into new products such as
recycled paper and glass.

26
 Environmental Awareness

Conclusion
In this unit, we have defined some key environmental principles and considered
how human activities impact on the state of the environment and the health of
individuals.
We looked at how the law and management standards regulate the way
companies work.
Finally, remember, whatever your responsibilities in the workplace, you have a
role to play when it comes to environmental performance.

27
 Environmental Awareness

Glossary of Terms
Acid rain
Rain containing acid that comes from gases in the air such as sulphur dioxide.
Carbon monoxide
A pollutant gas that is mainly produced by burning fossil fuels. It can cause
suffocation where there is limited air and create carbon dioxide, a greenhouse
gas.
CFC
Stands for chloro-fluoro-carbon, a man-made gas that breaks up the ozone layer.
Climate
Pattern of weather that occurs in a particular part of the world. Rain forests have
a tropical climate.
Contaminated
Polluted or poisoned.
Decontaminated
Free from pollution.
Deforestation
Clearing trees and shrubs from the land.
Desertification
Process by which soil loses its fertility so that plants can no longer grow there.
Developed countries
Industrialised countries where high levels of energy and resources are used.
Developing countries
Countries that are poorer and use lower levels of energy and resources.
Emission
Release of gases polluting the atmosphere.
Erosion
Wearing away of the soil or rock by wind or water.

28
 Environmental Awareness

Food chain
Who eats what.
Fossil fuels
Fuels such as coal, gas and oil derived from fossilised plants and animals.
Global warming
Increase in Earth’s temperature, typically resulting from the ‘greenhouse effect’.
Greenhouse gases
Gases such as carbon dioxide that trap the Sun’s energy on the surface of the
Earth. They are thought to be the cause of global warming.
Habitat
Area where certain types of plants and animals live.
Nitrogen oxides
A pollutant gas that is caused mainly by burning fossil fuels and is involved in
creating yellow smog and acid rain.
Non-renewable resources
Materials such as metals and fossil fuels that cannot be replaced.
Ozone layer
Delicate layer high above the Earth’s surface that blocks out harmful radiation
from the Sun.
Particulates (PM10)
Small solids, like dust and smoke, in the air that can cause damage to the lungs
when breathed in by humans.
Pesticides
Chemicals used to kill insects and other animals or fungi that would otherwise kill
crops.
Pollution
Poisoning of the air, land and water.
Recycling
Making new things out of old or discarded materials.

29
 Environmental Awareness

Renewable resources
Natural materials that can be replaced in a short space of time.
Reuse
Passing on to someone else, what is a waste to you but is usable to them without
changing it.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
A pollutant gas that is released mainly from coal-fired power stations. It is a
major cause of acid rain.
Sustainable development
Meeting the needs of people today without damaging the environment for the
future.
Toxin
A poisonous material.

30
Notes
Notes