MEV 011: Unit 02 - Human Impact on Environment

UNIT 2 - HUMAN IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT

2.0 Introduction

Human activities are causing rapid environmental changes on the earth. Humans have greatly impacted on the environment included impacts on biophysical environments, composition, and diversity of terrestrial ecosystems and other resources etc.

Human activity has changed our planet and environment. Human influence has impacted everything from ecosystems to the geochemistry of Earth, from the atmosphere to the ocean. Many scientists define this time in the planet’s history by the scale of human influence, and label it as a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene.

Human-caused environmental changes can alter the soil nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and pH levels, herbivore, pathogen, and predator densities. Human-caused environmental changes can effect the water resources and alter, the amount, distribution, timing, and quality of water.

2.1 Objectives

After reading this unit, you should be able to:

understand the origin of life and geological time scale;
explain the impact of human populations and their impact on environment;
•        describe the human impact on ecosystem functioning and on global energy flow; and
•        describe the impacts of human driven environmental change on the food security, public health and inequalities.

2.2 Human and Environment

Human actions are changing many of the world’s natural environmental systems like life processes, fundamental of human health. Changes in the Earth’s energy balance and global climate have resulted from human activities. We all know that humans have unmistakably influenced the planet, Greenhouse gasses such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane), and N2 O (nitrous oxide) caused by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes are increasingly concentrated in our atmosphere, causing heat to become trapped on Earth and resulting in rising global temperatures.

Risks to health will arise by direct and indirect pathways

•        Effects of heat waves and other extreme events

•        Changes in patterns of infectious disease

•        Effects on food yields

•        Effects on freshwater supplies

•        Impaired functioning of ecosystems (for example, wetlands as water filters)

•        Displacement of vulnerable populations (for example, low lying island and coastal populations)

•        Loss of livelihoods

2.2.1 Societal development

In this section we will discuss the type of society. Table below reflects the types of society and its characteristics.

Type of society	Key characteristics
Hunting-and-gathering	These are small, simple societies in which people hunt and gather food. Because all people in these societies have few possessions, the societies are fairly egalitarian, and the degree of inequality is very low.
Horticultural and pastoral	Horticultural and pastoral societies are larger than hunting- and-gathering societies. Horticultural societies grow crops with simple tools, while pastoral societies raise livestock. Both types of societies are wealthier than hunting-and-gathering societies, and they also have more inequality and greater conflict than hunting-and-gathering societies.
Agricultural	These societies grow great numbers of crops, thanks to the use of plows, oxen, and other devices. Compared to horticultural and pastoral societies, they are wealthier and have a higher degree of conflict and of inequality.
Industrial	Industrial societies feature factories and machines. They are wealthier than agricultural societies and have a greater sense of individualism and a somewhat lower degree of inequality that still remains substantial.
Post-industrial	These societies feature information technology and service jobs. Higher education is especially important in these societies for economic success.

2.2.1.1 Hunting and Gathering Societies

Societies that rely primarily or exclusively on hunting wild animals, fishing, and gathering wild fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables to support their diet. Hunting and gathering societies represent “A mode of subsistence dependent on the exploitation of wild or non-domesticated food resources".

Characteristics of Hunting-Gathering Societies

•        Small in size

•        Nomadic in nature

•        No desire to acquire wealth

•        Family and Kinship are the only defined institutions

•        Absence of political institution

•        Limited or no division of labour

•        Constant need to face danger

•        Simple religious belief

Example: Aeta people, Andamanese people, Onge, Indigenous Australians, Jarawa people (Andaman Islands), Kawahiva people

2.2.1.2 Agricultural Societies

An agricultural society is any community, whose chief occupation is agriculture, and the economy is based on producing and maintaining crops and farmland. Agrarian societies have existed in various parts of the world as far back as 10,000 years ago and continue to exist today

2.2.1.3 Industrial Societies

Social order changes resulting from industrial changes in production and economy are many, complex, and controversial. Overall, their influence in different world regions constitutes the main research agenda of contemporary anthropology, which is exacerbated by the impact of “modernization” on various cultural traditions.

Industrial societies can be characterized very broadly in terms of urbanization of society, breakdown of local community structures and identities, nuclear family engagement, development of a middle class, and advanced status dynamics.

Following are the effects of industrialization on the environment:

1.      Pollution: Generally Pollution is responsible for air, water, soil contamination

2.      Extraction: Resource demand is directly proportional to extraction and its impact.

3.      Urbanization: Industrialization increases population migration towards urban areas which results in pressure on land and resources.

4.      Waste Material: Industrialization produces a greater amount of waste, both directly due to the production of goods and the disposal of those goods once their purpose has been served.

2.2.2 Impact on Environment

The uncontrolled growth of the population termed as “population explosion” is the most serious notion that has an adverse impact on local and global environments. Eventually, the population explosion impairs the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

‘Carrying ability’ can be defined as the maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely. However, humans alter their environment to increase their carrying capacity threatening the biodiversity of an area.

2.3 Urbanization

Industrialization leads to urbanization and mass literacy and facilitates the integration of labor unions, mass political parties, and the working class. Urbanization involves population shifting from rural areas to urban areas.

Urbanization and economic growth of a country or region entail more job opportunities, improved health facilities, infrastructure services, and increased income. Urbanization also leads to serious environmental problems in the urban sector, such as a rise in carbon or vehicular emissions.

Causes of urbanization:

·        An Increase in Employment Possibilities

·        Access

·        Modernization

2.4 Industrialization

Industrialization took place in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and North America. This includes rapid changes in the importance of manufacturing, production and all other forms of work within national or regional economies.

Initially, industrialization is characterized by the large-scale transfer of labor from agriculture to factories with capital equipment concentrations. This process is accompanied by the technological and organizational change associated with an increase in total income, the standard of living, cultural change, and change in the balance of power among nations.

Industrialization and Economic Development: Industrialization plays an important role in the economic development of developed countries. The following facts are responsible:

·        change in national income;

·        living standard;

·        economics;

·        stimulated progress;

·        employment opportunities;

·        agricultural production;

·        technological progress;

·        savings and investments;

·        government revenue;

·        markets development.

2.5 Occupational Health Hazards

Anything with the potential to harm in terms of injury or ill health and damage to property in the workplace environment may be defined as an occupational hazard.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Environmental Protecting Agency (EPA) collaboratively develop guidance and manual for occupational safety and health.

Hazards are categorized as chemical hazards, biological hazards, and physical hazards that can cause an immediate danger to life and vary according to the location on site.

Chemical Hazards: A large variety of chemicals are used in industries, and some of them are carcinogenic, corrosive, skin sensitizing. Chemical substances exist in three solid, liquid, and gaseous forms and can enter the body through inhalation through direct contact with skin or ingestion.

It is important to ensure that chemicals are properly managed at work, as many of them are inherently dangerous while others may pose a danger due to chemical incompatibility.

Biological Hazards: Many pathogenic organisms co-exist in the environment and cause syndrome by entering the body. Wastes from hospitals, research facilities, or industries such as tannery, food processing may contain disease-causing organisms that could infect personnel on-site. These biological hazards scattered in the environment via water or wind enters the body through inhalation or in contact with minor cuts scratches.

Protective clothing and respiratory equipment can help reduce the chances of exposure. Thorough washing of any exposed body parts and equipment will help protect against infection.

Physical Hazards: Noise is generated from machines, equipment, work, operations, and processes. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause noise-induced deafness or permanent hearing loss. Other detrimental effects of excessive noise include tinnitus and acoustic trauma.

So, Occupational health and safety are important for the effective and efficient operation of work. The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act ensure the health and safety of all persons at work and ensure the workplace is safe and without health risks.

2.6 Food Security

The United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security defined food security as: all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Changing environmental conditions, growing global population, and rising food prices have significant consequences on food security.

Adaptation strategies and policy responses to global change, including options for handling water allocation, land use patterns, food trade, post-harvest food processing, food prices, and safety, are urgently needed. Three main elements of food security are:

Food Availability: Food availability is the oldest and the most influential in terms of food security, which means food availability in sufficient quantities and consistently focusing on the balance or imbalance between population and food. It is determined by the level of food production, stock levels, and net trade.

Food Access: Consumers must be able to regularly buy sufficient quantities of food through purchase, home production, barter, gifts, borrowing, or food aid. It depends on the household’s affordability to purchase food at prevailing prices or has enough land and other resources to grow its own food.

Food Utilization: Consumed food must meet the physiological requirements (nutritional value) of each individual. Nutritional quantity is affected by preparation, processing, storage, hygiene practices, and cooking method of food within the household.

Food Insecurity: People are unable to meet their minimum food requirements over a sustained period of time. Food insecurity was generally of types: chronic and transitory food insecurity. The severity of food insecurity was measured by the undernourished (dietary energy consumption is less than a pre-determined threshold) population. The programs to enhance direct access to food include

i)        Targeted direct feeding programs.

ii)      Food-for-work programmes.

iii)    Income-transfer programs.

2.7 Public Health

According to WHO, “the art and science of preventing disease, and promoting the health of communities through the organized efforts of society by educating public and policymaking for prevention of disease are defined as public health. Public health focuses on promoting better health, well-being and sustainably eradicating particular diseases.

The World Health Organization and the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences outlined three main objectives of public health:

·        To assess, monitor, and identify the health problems, their nature, and the means of dealing with them;

·        to formulate policy for the encouragement of what should be done about health problems;

·        To assure the implementation of policy

Public health is facing some challenges in preventing illness and promoting health, like

1.      Economic crisis - economic downturn has a direct impact on low socioeconomic groups and their health. The low socio-economic conditions have been seen to have different health effects: mortality, mental health, excessive alcohol consumption, health-related quality of life, long-standing illness, and disability.

2.      Migration and urbanization lead to inadequate sanitation and hygiene, cramped and crowded living conditions, and less access to prevention and treatment.

3.      Environmental damage and climate change will bring new and emerging health issues, including heatwaves and other extremes

2.8 Energy Crisis

Energy crisis is a concern that is causing the depletion of natural resources due to the huge demand for power in today’s industry. Globally buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the total world annual energy consumption. High living standards of peoples correspond to increased consumption of energy like fossil fuels. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of energy in many developed nations where people’s lives are driven by fossil fuels

Causes that are leading to an energy crisis:

·        Over-dependence on conventional sources of energy

·        Inefficiencies in energy transmission & distribution

·        Inability to store energy effectively

·        Modernization leading to higher energy requirements

·        Limited use of renewable sources for energy generation

·        Growth in population

·        Environmental pollution resulting in calamities and damage

·        Wars & political unrest

·        Turning a blind eye to energy conservation and green initiatives

·        Industrial actions

·        Overexploitation

·        Mismanagement of resources

a.      Human-made Energy Crisis: Mankind has always needed energy, and over time the sources and uses of energy have changed, and some patterns remain stable. During consecutive wars and political drama in the Middle East, upon which the world is still heavily dependent for oil, the world’s largest consumers of oil, the United States, Western Europe, and Japan/South Korea, endured either shortages or eye-watering sticker shock at climbing prices. In 1974, India topped the UNs list of the 30 developing countries most badly affected by the world energy crisis. The year 1974 was a year of “blackouts” and industrial shut-downs.

b.      Renewable and sustainable energy: The terms “sustainable” and “renewable” are often used to describe some interchangeable primary energy sources. Renewable resources are naturally replenished over time, like the growth of new organisms or the natural recycling of material. Solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal powers are the main sources of renewable energy production. Sustainable energy use results in less environmental impact.

c.       Natural Resources Depletion: Natural resource depletion refers to more consumption than a renewal, and it will pose a big threat to humankind. In the race of development and various developmental activities like the implementation of huge projects, environment-related problems have acquired alarming magnitude and all-natural resources such as water, air, minerals, forests, oils, etc., are available in restricted quantities.

Causes of natural resources depletion:

·        Overpopulation

·        Over-consumption and waste

·        Deforestation and the destruction of ecosystems

·        Mining

·        Technological and industrial development

·        Soil erosion

·        Pollution and contamination of resources

Effects of natural resources depletion:

1.      Resource Scarcity

2.      Rising Prices

3.      Water Shortages

Solutions to prevent/reduce natural resource depletion

·        Reduced Use of Fossil Fuels

·        Keep Water Clean

·        Preserve Trees and Forests

·        Protect Coastal Ecosystems

2.8.1 Natural Resource Depletion in India

Due to rapid population growth, India is facing an ecological crisis and the depletion of its natural resources due to excessive exploitation of land and water resources.

Even in the previous 6 years, the growth rate of forest resources was decreased by more than 10% in almost all states. From 2006-07 to 2010-11, except Goa and Sikkim, all other states have shown such a turndown.

However, from 2010-11 to 2015-16, there was a slight change in forest cover in states Assam and Uttarakhand, but the stock has decreased by more than 10 %.

2.8.2 Energy Conversion Technology

·        Pulverized coal power plants

·        Fluidized bed coal plants

·        CO2 Capture and Sequestration for coal

·        Simple Cycle Combustion turbines: Simple cycle combustion turbines (CTs) generate power by compressing and heating ambient air and then expanding those hot gases through a turbine which turns an electric generator

·        Natural Gas Combined Cycle power plants

·        Nuclear power plants

·        Hydroelectric plants

·        Wind plants

·        Solar plants

·        Biomass

2.8.3 Energy Crisis Management

·        Shifting towards renewable sources of energy

·        (4R) Reduce, Reuse, Recover and Recycle

·        Plantation

·        Environmental concerned decisions

·        Efficient plans

·        Reduce reliance on non-biodegradable items

2.9 Let Us Sum Up

Addressing the environmental problem, humans are mainly responsible for the destruction of the environment. Pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, wastage of natural resources, waste generation are the main effects by humans towards environments. This unit will provide the consequences of anthropogenic problem on environment and efforts to control the problem through various existing various technology. The interaction of human with environment is now an important theme to understand socio economic and ecological dimensions of environmental pollution, hunting and gathering societies, human population, ecotoxicology, food security and environmental impact assessment. The discussion on human impact touches various aspects of climate change, health impact and mitigation strategies. The growth of human population and problem of urbanization are also discussed.