The balance between the environment

UNIT
and human activity. Environmental
1 sustainability

1. Human impact on the natural environment

Humans use the natural environment as a resource. It provides us with our

water and food, and the raw materials that we need for our economic activities. Several
factors influence human impact on the environment:

• Population. Large populations need space for housing, raw materials,

land to grow food and transport infrastructures.
• Technology. The use of advanced technologies makes it possible to
modify vast areas of land.
• Energy. Increased use of energy causes changes in the environment.
• Consumption. The production of goods leads to an increased demand
for raw materials and energy.

Many people argue that we need to take measures to conserve and protect our
environment. We call this concern green awareness or environmental awareness.

1.1. The main threats to the environment

• Air pollution, which is so severe that scientists

• Water pollution and its excessive use.
• Deforestation, which affects the quality of the soil and alters
ecosystems in many regions.
• Endangered species: the survival of many species of animals and plants
is threatened.
• Erosion and desertification: the soil becomes less fertile.

1.1.1. Air pollution and climate change

Air pollution, which is caused by the emission of gases into the air as a result of
human activity. These gases cannot be recycled naturally because of their volume of
toxicity. Air pollution is bad for the health and causes serious environmental problem.
In fact, many scientists claim that is causing climate change.

Smog is formed by a chemical reaction between sunlight and nitrogen oxides at

ground level. It irritates people’s eyes and lungs and is also harmful to plants. It’s
common in big cities in winter, when there are emissions from both cars and heating.

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 Acid rain occurs when nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide mix with rain to
produce acids. It is very harmful because it attacks plants and destroy them, and the
increased acidity of rivers and lakes affects their wildlife and vegetation.

The hole in the ozone layer. Ozone is a gas found in the atmosphere. It is
essential for life because it absorbs 90% of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which
is bad for our health. The ozone layer becomes thinner in the polar regions in autumn
and winter and thicker again in spring and summer.

However, the emission of CFC gases into the atmosphere upsets this natural
balance. They dissolve the ozone. Then, the ozone layer becomes thinner than normal
in autumn and winter, and the gases prevent it from recovering in spring and summer.
The hole in the ozone layer started above Antarctica because ozone is destroyed more
easily at very low temperatures.

The greenhouse effect and climate change. Some gases, such as methane,
nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, are known as greenhouse gases. They allow the heat
from the Sun to reach the Earth and stop some of it travelling back into the atmosphere.
In this way, temperatures are regulated.

Some human activities produce greenhouse gases. The increase in these gases in
the atmosphere is leading to global warming: an increase in the planet’s average
temperature. In the 20th century, average temperatures rose by 0,6ºC. In only one
hundred years, temperatures increased by the same amount as in the previous 18.000
years.

The consequences of global warming are very serious. The polar ice caps are
melting faster. In the last hundred years, the sea level has risen by between 15 and 20
cm. If this trend continues, some coastal regions could disappear. According to
scientists, climate change is taking place. If this continues, climate will become more
extreme and unpredictable. This change will lead to the destruction of some
ecosystems. If temperatures continue to rise quickly, many plants and animals will not
be able to adapt and will die.

The problems caused by air pollution affect the entire planet, regardless of the
place where most CFC gases are produced. The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica
was caused thousands of kilometres away in the most populated regions, where there
are the most CFC emissions. Consequently, international solutions are the only way of
reducing air pollution.

1.1.2. Water supply

Water is a natural resource that is essential for all living beings. It is also used in
many economic activities, such as farming, stock-breeding, industry and leisure
services, such as golf courses. Farming accounts for 75% of all the water used
worldwide. Fresh water is a renewable resource because evaporation and rainfall are
continuous. However, it is a scarce resource. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh
water. Most of it is frozen at the poles and in glaciers. In addition, water is not evenly

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distributed throughout the world. In some regions there is insufficient water because
rainfall is low. Moreover, there are not always the necessary infrastructures, such as
reservoirs, pipes and water treatment plants.

Today, the excessive use of water is a problem for nearly half of the world’s
population. In many places, consumption is greater than the amount of water available.
Consumption is much greater in developed countries than in less developed countries.

• How can we increase available water and reduce consumption?

We need to implement measurements to increase the amount of water available

in regions where is scarce. At the same time, there are a number of problems:

Ways to increase available water

Measure
Build hydraulic works, such as reservoirs,
to store water when there is abundant
supply.
Create desalination plants to convert sea
water into drinking water.
Treat waste water to use the treated water
in public fountains, for watering parks
and in farming.
Use transfer to take water from one place
to another.
Use aquifers to increase the available
water.
Problem
This is expensive and has a negative
effect on the environment.
This is expensive but in some places it is
the only source of fresh water. In Spain
there are desalination plants in the
Canary Islands.
Treatment plants can be installed in
towns and industrial zones, as the water
is channelled through pipes. But this is
impossible in farming.
This is expensive and has a negative
effect on the environment.
This a very short-term solution. If we take
water from aquifers, less groundwater
flows into rivers, springs and wetlands.

Farming is the human activity that uses most water. To reduce this consumption,
we should use flood irrigation less. Flood irrigation uses a lot of water and loses it
because of evaporation and infiltration. Instead, we should use more efficient low water
irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation. In industry, water should be recycled.

The network of water supply pipes also needs to be in good condition to prevent
water loss. The pipe systems lose as much as 50% of the water they distribute. It is easy
to reduce water consumption at home if we use water saving electrical appliances or if
there are special prices to encourage saving water.

1.1.3. Deforestation and soil degradation

Forest are of great economic importance and they are vital for the environment.
Forest can absorb carbon dioxide and help to fight climate change. They are the habitat
for thousands of species of plants and animals. They cover the soil, protecting it from

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erosion and desertification. They lower temperatures at the Earth’s surface. The trees
play a role in the water cycle by helping water to evaporate into the atmosphere.

Deforestation is the loss of the area covered by forests as a result of human

activity. Many forests are cut down to obtain wood, make farmland, create pastures for
livestock or build housing, roads and railways. Most deforestation has occurred in the
last forty years. However, deforestation has slowed down since 2000. Deforestation is
especially serious in tropical rainforests: between 1% and 2% are lost every year.
Tropical rainforests are not the largest forests in the world, but they are extremely
important because more than half of the Earth’s animal and plant species live there.

One of the most serious consequences of deforestation is the loss of biodiversity.

In the rainforests there are up to six ecosystems at different levels or heights. If trees
are cut down, only one level remains: the ground.

Another serious effect of cutting down many trees is soil degradation. The soil
in tropical rainforests is very fragile. It becomes exposed to sunlight, which degrades
the organic compounds needed by plants. Tropical rainforests absorb 18% of the
carbon dioxide generated by human activity. If these forests are lost, there will be a
higher proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Soil is the top layer of the Earth’s crust, between bedrock and the atmosphere.
The richness of the soil depends on four basic factors: vegetation obtains minerals and
water from the soil and enriches it with the nutrients from leaves and branches. Water
filters into the soil and deposits dissolved substances. Wind brings mineral and
vegetable particles from other places. Bedrock (the rocks under the soil) gives the soil
chemical elements.

• Soil degradation is the loss of soil fertility due to the following factors:
• Soil contamination by toxic waste, pesticides used in agriculture and
acid rain.
• Soil erosion. Vegetation is removed, so there are no plant roots to hold
the soil in place. Consequently, soil can be washed away by rain.
• Deforestation. The land is exposed to sunlight, which breaks down the
organic compounds needed by plants.
• Loss of nutrients caused by repeated use of land to cultivate the same
crops.

Some measures can be taken to prevent soil pollution, such as reforestation,

waste recycling, crop rotation, building safe landfills and carrying out decontamination
activities.

1.1.4. Erosion and desertification

Soil erosion is the loss of the top layers of soil. This is a natural process caused
by the action of water and wind. However, the problem is greater if human activities
upset the natural balance and speed up erosion.

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 • The areas most exposed to natural erosion have low rainfall, are exposed
to torrential rain or strong winds, or are on steep slopes.
• The areas most exposed to erosion caused by human activities are
heavily populated, are in built-up areas, or have intensive farming.

When soil fertility and vegetation loss reach a certain level, the result can be
desertification. Drought and climate change accelerate this process. Desert, or the risk
of desertification, now affects 22% of the Earth’s land surface.

1.1.5. The loss of biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of species and ecosystems on the Earth. Biodiversity

is present on the whole planet, including deserts and regions covered with ice.
However, in some regions there is a much greater variety of species. Tropical rainforests
are the places with the greatest biodiversity. They only occupy 6% of the Earth’s surface
but they are home of over 50% of all species.

Biodiversity is essential for the environment and for life, since every species plays
a specific role in its ecosystem. Losing a species has serious effects on other living things.

• Threats to biodiversity

Human activity is the major threat to biodiversity for various reasons:

• Changes in soil use. Natural uses of the soil have been replaced by
artificial and agricultural uses on 35% of the surface of the Earth.
Deforestation, mining and the extraction of hydrocarbons threaten plant
and animal life.
• Overexploitation of animal species. About 30% of fishing grounds have
been depleted and another 50% are being fished to the limit of their
capacity. On land, some animals are endangered because of the loss of
their habitat.
• The introduction of foreign species. Native species are not prepared for
the competition for food, or the arrival of new diseases.
• Air, water and soil contamination. This changes the environment by
reducing food sources and modifying habitats.
• Climate change. The increase in temperatures and precipitation, the rise
of sea levels and the desertification of some regions all modify the
environment and affect many species.

• Possible solutions

Solutions to prevent the loss of biodiversity need to be global and carried out
by every country. The Earth summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, brought countries
together for the first time in the fight to preserve biodiversity. The following strategies
were proposed:

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 • Make inventories of vulnerable and endangered species so that we
understand their situation and can adopt appropriate conservation
measures.
• Develop protected areas to preserve habitats and ecosystems which are
endangered or essential to the survival of vulnerable species.
• Restore damaged habitats.
• Pass laws that limit the negative impacts of economic activities on the
natural environment and prevent the overexploitation of resources.

2. How do we prevent environmental degradation?

sustainable development

There are alternative approaches to preventing the degradation of the

environment. Some people argue that is possible to achieve sustainable development,
which is a balance between economic growth and the conservation of natural resources.
Sustainable development means providing for our needs now without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Many ecological movements focus
on the need to reduce consumption levels. They argue that strong economic growth is
not compatible with respect for the environment.

This is a global problem that affects everybody. For this reason, the United
Nations has held several conferences to promote international environment policies.
However, its agreements have not been signed by all the countries in the world, but at
a national level, policies have been implemented with three goals:

• Protection of spaces with great ecological value.

• Prevention of damage by evaluating the environmental impact of human
activities.
• Recovery of degraded spaces by recycling waste, treating water, etc.

Many countries have created environmental agencies to deal with these

problems.

2.1. Sustainable development goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations
Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people
and the planet, now and into the future. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with
strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic
growth, while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

These are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 1. No poverty. Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the
greatest challenges facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme
poverty dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015, too many are still

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struggling for the most basic human needs. Rapid growth in countries such as China
and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven. In fact, it
has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-saharan Africa,
which account for 80% of those living in extreme poverty. Women are more likely to
be poor than men because they have less paid work, education, and own less
property.

The SDGs are a bold commitment to end poverty in all forms and dimensions
by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing basic resources and
services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate-related
disasters.

Goal 2. Zero hunger. The number of undernourished people has dropped by

almost half in the past two decades because of rapid economic growth and increased
agricultural productivity. Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a
huge barrier to development in many countries. There are more than 800 million people
estimated to be chronically undernourished, often as a direct consequence of
environmental degradation, drought and biodiversity loss.

The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making
sure all people have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting
sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land,
technology and markets.

Goal 3. Good health and well-being. Mankind have made great progress against
several leading causes of death and disease. Life expectancy has increased dramatically;
infant and maternal mortality rates have declined. Good health is essential to
sustainable development and the Agenda 2030 takes into account widening economic
and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the environment,
infectious diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral by achieving SDG 3,
ending poverty and reducing inequalities.

But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has been
uneven, both between and within countries. There’s a 31-year gap between the
countries with the shortest and longest life expectancies. Multisectorial, rights-based
and gender-sensitive approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good
health for all.

Goal 4. Quality education. Education for all has always been an integral part of
the sustainable development agenda. There is growing international recognition of
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as an integral element of quality
education and a key enabler for sustainable development. UNESCO reaffirmed the key
role of education in shaping values that are supportive of sustainable development, and
in consolidating sustainable societies.

Goal 5. Gender equality. Since its creation 70 years ago, the UN has achieved
important results in advancing gender equality, from the establishment of the
Commission on the Status of Women - the main global intergovernmental body

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exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of
women –

Gender inequalities are still deep-rooted in every society. Women suffer from
lack of access to decent work and face occupational segregation and gender wage gaps.
In many situations, they are denied access to basic education and health care and are
victims of violence and discrimination. They are under-represented in political and
economic decision-making processes. UN Women works for the elimination of
discrimination against women and girls, empowerment of women, and achievement of
equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human
rights, humanitarian action and peace and security

Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation. Water and sanitation are at the core of
sustainable development, and the range of services they provide underpin poverty
reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. However,
in recent decades overexploitation, pollution, and climate change have led to severe
water stress in locales across the world.

Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and
more than 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. Climate change is
exacerbating the situation, with increasing disasters such as floods and droughts. 80 %
of wastewater in the world flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or
reused, and 70% of the world’s natural wetland extent has been lost, including a
significant loss of freshwater species. Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030
requires we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and
encourage hygiene. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is essential.

Goal 7. Affordable and clean energy. Between 2000 and 2018, the number of
people with electricity increased from 78 to 90 %, and the numbers without
electricity dipped to 789 million. Yet as the population continues to grow, so will the
demand for cheap energy, and an economy reliant on fossil fuels is creating drastic
changes to our climate. Investing in solar, wind and thermal power, improving energy
productivity, and ensuring energy for all is vital if we are to achieve SDG 7 by 2030.

Goal 8. Decent work and economic growth. Over the past 25 years the number
of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting
impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the
middle class now makes up more than 34 percent of total employment – a number that
has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015.

However, as the global economy continues to recover, we are seeing slower

growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour
force. The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and
technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to
this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.

Goal 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure. Investment in infrastructure

and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over

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half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are
becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information
and communication technologies.

Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic

and environmental challenges, such as providing new jobs and promoting energy
efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and
innovation, are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.

Goal 10. Reduced inequalities. Income inequality is on the rise—the richest 10

percent have up to 40 percent of global income whereas the poorest 10 percent earn
only between 2 to 7 percent. If we take into account population growth inequality in
developing countries, inequality has increased by 11 percent.

Income inequality requires global solutions. This involves improving the

regulation and monitoring of financial markets and institutions, encouraging
development assistance and foreign direct investment to regions where the need is
greatest.

Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities. More than half of us live in cities.
By 2050, two-thirds of all humanity—6.5 billion people—will be urban. Sustainable
development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build
and manage our urban spaces. The rapid growth of cities—a result of rising populations
and increasing migration—has led to a boom in mega-cities, especially in the developing
world, and slums are becoming a more significant feature of urban life.

Making cities sustainable means creating career and business opportunities, safe
and affordable housing, and building resilient societies and economies. It involves
investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban
planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways.

Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production. Achieving economic

growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological
footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.
Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to
70 percent of all freshwater for human use.

The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we
dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal.
Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is
equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more
sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.

Goal 13. Climate action. There is no country that is not experiencing the drastic
effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions are more than 50 percent higher than
in 1990. Global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which
threatens irreversible consequences if we do not act.

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 Supporting vulnerable regions must also go hand in hand with efforts to integrate
disaster risk measures, sustainable natural resource management, and human security into
national development strategies.

Goal 14. Life below water. The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry,
currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How
we manage this vital resource is essential for humanity as a whole, and to counterbalance the
effects of climate change. Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity
for their livelihoods. However, today we are seeing 30% of the world’s fish stocks
overexploited. Oceans also absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans,
and we are seeing a 26% rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial
revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming majority of which comes from land-based
sources, is reaching alarming levels.

The SDGs aim to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from
pollution, as well as address the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and
the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate
some of the challenges facing our oceans.

Goal 15. Life on land. Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our
sustenance and livelihoods. Plant life provides 80 percent of the human diet, and we rely on
agriculture as an important economic resource. Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s
surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and important sources for clean air and
water, as well as being crucial for combating climate change.

Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity
which are part of our common heritage and support global food and water security, climate
change mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security.

Goal 16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions. We cannot hope for sustainable
development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the
rule of law. Yet our world is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy peace, security and
prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is
not inevitable and must be addressed.

Armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development,

affecting economic growth, and often resulting in grievances that last for generations. The
SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and
communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the rule of law and human rights are
key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation
of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

Goal 17. Partnerships for the goals. The SDGs can only be realized with strong
global partnerships and cooperation. The world is more interconnected than ever. Improving
access to technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation.
Coordinating policies to help developing countries manage their debt, as well as promoting
investment for the least developed, is vital for sustainable growth and development.

The goals aim to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation by supporting

national plans to achieve all the targets. Promoting international trade, and helping
developing countries increase their exports is all part of achieving a universal rules-based and
equitable trading system that is fair and open and benefits all.

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