Unit 2 - Natural Environment: Wasteful World Flashcards
MEDC: A More Economically Developed Country (MEDC) have high or low levels of development and how can we tell?
(MEDC) has high levels of development based on economic indicators such as gross domestic product (the country’s income). Have higher levels of consumption, so many produce more waste than LEDCs.
LEDC: A Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC) have high or low levels of development and how can we tell?
(LEDC) has low levels of development, based on economic indicators, such as gross domestic product (the country’s income).
Example of MEDC and LEDC that produce high and low amounts of rubbish.
Ireland and the USA produce over 700 kg of waste per person per year. In LEDCs the figure is around 150 kg per person per year. This difference is due to different levels of consumption; it is also more common to reuse items in LEDCs.
Why does waste production increase as a country becomes a MEDC?
As a country becomes more wealthy, the demand for consumer items increases. This means that items are replaced more frequently - leading to larger quantities of waste. For example, mobile phones and computers that still work may be discarded for a newer version.
4 reasons why waste production is lower in LEDC’s?
- Less is bought because people are typically on lower incomes.
- Less packaging is used on products.
- Disposable items (eg razors, plastic plates and nappies) are used less.
- Lower literacy levels means there is less production of written material.
National strategies and targets for reducing waste?
- The government sets recycling targets for local councils.
- Government grants are available for businesses and households installing environmentally friendly technologies, such as solar panels.
- New buildings have strict national guidelines for energy efficiency.
Local strategies and targets for reducing waste?
- Combined Heat and Power systems [combined heat and power system: A system which recovers heat lost through the production of energy and uses it to produce hot water. This can be used by homes or public buildings. ] can be put in place.
- One example is the Southampton Community Heating Scheme where luxury apartments are served by one community boiler, reducing energy wastage and costs.
- Schools and communities can also put in place measures - such as recycling bins or informative posters - to raise awareness of energy wastage (eg reminding people to turn lights off).
Household responsibilities for producing less waste?
- Households are given different types of bin to sort their waste into. Recycling bins are sometimes collected more frequently to encourage their use.
- People can install insulation and double glazing to conserve household energy.
- There is reduced VAT to pay for installing environmentally friendly technologies in homes.
Ways in which you can decrease loss of energy in the home?
- Hot water tank with a jacket.
- Double glazing.
- Lost insulation.
- Low energy bulbs.
- Cavity wall insulation.
Recycling strategies by retailers to reduce the amount of waste produced?
Many major food, clothing and furniture retailers, now have ‘zero waste to landfill’ targets. This means that within a few years, they aim to recycle 100% of their waste, with none of it going to landfills. To do this they look at sustainable ways to process and recycle waste. An audit of materials used has to take place to identify where waste is occurring, and then strategies are undertaken to recycle or cut down on this material.
Define Sustainable?
Doing something in a way that minimizes damage to the environment and avoids using up natural resources, eg by using renewable resources.
Activities that retailers use to recycle waste?
- Waste plastics from the stores should be recycled into carrier bags for customer use.
- Packaging for products should be minimised.
- Waste packaging is recycled into products such as tissues.
- Organic (food) waste is converted into biomass energy, which can be sold back into the national grid.
What is industrial pollution?
Any large-scale economic activity may have a negative impact on the natural environment. Manufacturing industries in particular can cause air, water and noise pollutio.
Industrial pollution can affect the environment in a number of ways:
- It may damage the wellbeing of humans and other species. For example, industrial waste can pollute drinking-water supplies or poison plants and animals.
- It may interfere with natural processes. For example, industrial waste could change local climatic conditions or destroy wildlife habitats.
- It may impact on people’s livelihoods. For example, pollution of the sea will affect people who are involved in the fishing and tourism industries.
In the EU there are strict guidelines and targets to be met, which came into force in 2008. They include:
- rules on the disposal of hazardous waste
- limiting pollution released into the air or groundwater from landfill
- restrictions on the use of hazardous materials in vehicles
- strict standards for packaging design
Example of the EU laws that came into place in 2008?
For example, the car industry has seen many changes due to recent regulations and pressure to reform. One project, called the LIFE project (based in the Netherlands) aims to reuse second-hand car components when repairing cars. By developing links with car dismantlers, body shops and owners, 6,000 cars were repaired with used parts.
What is a Carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment. It calculates all the greenhouse gases we are expected to produce in all our activities and measures them in units of carbon dioxide. The world average is about 4,000 kg of carbon dioxide per person. In the UK it is nearly 10,000 kg per person.
Define greenhouse gas?
Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere such carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are believed to have increased through burning more oil, petrol, and coal.
Trend of countries to the size of there Carbon dioxide footprint?
As a country develops, its carbon footprint tends to increase. This pattern is shown in the table below, with MEDCs emitting the most carbon dioxide.
Why may Rutland be so successful at recycling?
- Rutland has three organised recycling systems. Grey bins are used for recycling so that the council is left to sort the rubbish. This makes recycling more attractive to the average person.
- There are local tipping points.
- Because of the smaller amount of people that live there people may be proud to keep the environment clean, people put effort in to keep the environment looking good.
