Unit 7: Social and environmental responsibility Flashcards
What is environmental degradation
The deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems, the extinction of wildlife, and pollution.
Greenhouse effect
All the gases and substances released into the earth’s atmosphere change the atmosphere, which causes radiation from the sun to be trapped, making the earth warmer
What is habitat fragmentation?
A process through which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated habitats
harmful substances
A harmful biological substance is a bacterium, virus, microorganism, or toxic substance derived from or produced by an organism that can lead to injury, disease, or death in humans, animals, or plants.
Organic farming
A method of crop and livestock production characterized by not using pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Livestock receives attentive care that promotes their health and meets their behavioral needs
Urbanisation
the change in a country or region when its population migrates from rural to urban areas
Benefits of organic farming
Minimises chemical usage
Promotes biodiversity
Improves soil health with organic farming practices
Only natural methods are used
Characteristics of conventional farming
Uses unnatural farming methods
Ignores time-consuming natural methods
Uses chemicals, synthetics, and other materials to manage weed and pests
How to live an organic life
- By eating organic food, you benefit from a healthy ecosystem whic produces food where workers are safe from chemicals
- Buy your food locally and eat wht is easonal. Local food generally uses less packaging , is fresher and tastier.
- Make compost from your leftovers, such as fruit- and vegetable peels. composting leftovers will give you fertile soil and keep your kitchen dustbin from smelling
- Start your own vegetable garden
- Eat more raw food
- Ease up on the meat. Meat production requires huge amounts of water, grain and land
primary cause of environmental degradation
human disturbance and interference. The plants, animals and humans that inhabit a soecific environment will determine the impact of that environment
the environments degradation impact on animals
Some wildlife species requires large stretches of land to meet all of their needs for food, habitat, migration and other resoures
the environments degradation Land disturbance
has an even vigger impact. many weed plants become active with the disturbance of their habitat and can take over a large area, displacing the natura flora of that environment
Factor on how environmental degration occurs
Urbanisation Population explosion Intensification of agriculture Increase in energy usage Increase in transportation
The primary cause of environmental degradation
urbanisation
Causes of population explosion
The population explosion is putting more pressure on planet Earth due to the need for more cars, houses, and roads. All these demands contribute to greater levels of pollution. There is also a need for the intensification of agriculture and an increased need for energy. The population explosion also leads to higher rates of poverty and unemployment
Agriculture
The production of modern-day food plays a central part in the degrading of the environment. Over 30% of all greenhouse gases are released by the use of petrochemicals in agriculture and by factory farms
Energy use and production
Energy plays an important role in many aspects of our lives like electricity for lighting and cooling, and fuel for transportation, heating, and cooling. Water consumption, the use of goods and services, transportation, land use, production growth, and economic growth depend on the use of energy. Fossil fuels are mostly used to produce energy
Increased transportation
The more the population grows, the more transport is needed and the more roads that need to be built
Increased transportation
The more the population grows, the more transport is needed and the more roads that need to be built. The effects of transport on public roads and highways are noise pollution, air pollution, and the destruction of natural habitat. Wider effects include habitat fragmentation, ecosystem degradation, and climate change from all the gas emissions from vehicles. The construction of roads is known to cause significant damage to streams and wetlands
Other forms of pollution
Noise
Radioactive
light
visual
Noise pollution
as an undesirable level of noise caused by human activity that disrupts the standard of living in the unaffected area
Noise pollution is caused by
traffic airports manufacturing plants construction of demolition lour music
Radioactive pollution
This kind of pollution is very rare but extremely dangerous. It causes birth defects, cancer, sterilization, and other health problems for human and wildlife populations. It can also sterilise the soil and contribute to water and air pollution
Radioactive pollution is caused by
uranium mining operations
improper nuclear waste disposal
nuclear power plant accidents and leakage
