Chapter 25: Environmental and Ethical Issues Flashcards
How may a mining company in the primary sector impact the environment?
- The mining company may use up the natural resources of a country
- They create pollution
- This damages the environment of the area
How can the tourism industry in the tertiary sector have a positive impact on the WHOLE environment?
- Spreads awareness and helps in the conservation of wildlife and natural resources
- Employment generated through tourism may help in reducing other activities such as overfishing
- Additional work for local construction businesses
How can the tourism industry in the tertiary sector have a negative impact on the WHOLE environment?
- Overuse of a country’s natural resources such as water which is used in swimming pools, hotels and golf courses
- Increased pollution through littering, noise and air pollution
- Construction of buildings can lead to soil erosion and loss of habitat for animals
What is soil erosion?
Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate.
Through what can business activity affect us and our environment?
- Pollution
- Waste
- Emission of greenhouse gases
- Use of energy
- Use of natural resources
What are the 7 types of pollution?
- Air pollution
- Land pollution
- Thermal pollution
- Light pollution
- Water pollution
- Visual pollution
- Noise pollution
Air pollution
- Cause by fumes from manufacturing units and exhaust fumes created by vehicles
- Can lead to respiratory disorders in humans
- Affects plants and animals
- Corrosive chemicals in the air can damage buildings
What are corrosive chemicals?
Any chemical that can dissolve the core structure of another is defined as a corrosive.
Land pollution
- Waste that can’t be recycled finds its ways into landfill
- Harmful and possibly nuclear waste from factories can end up in landfill too
- Some of this doesn’t decompose and is toxic
- Unpleasant to see
Thermal pollution
- Exhaust fumes in the air that trap heat lead to an increase in air temperatures
- Water is used as a coolant in factories and then returned to the environment at a higher temperature, damaging the plants and animals in the area
Light pollution
Electronic billboards used by businesses for advertising and over-illumination can interfere with ecosystems.
Water pollution
- Caused by improper waste disposal and contamination by toxic, chemical waste from factories
- Can seriously damage the plant and animal life in the water
- Can be life-threatening if consumed by humans
Visual pollution
Unattractive views such as power lines (needed by a manufacturing plant) and overcrowding can be unpleasant and prevent people from enjoying the natural environment.
What is a manufacturing plant?
A factory or building where goods are manufactured.
Noise pollution
- Caused by manufacturing plants and cars and aeroplanes
- Can be an irritant and affect people’s quality of life
