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What is Environment?
In a general sense, this covers everything contained within the air, land and water The environment encompasses the whole of life on earth and the complex interactions that link the living world with the physical world Time also is a key factor as historic issues have an influence on the status of the environment - locally and globally, both now and in the future.
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Environmental Change
Sudden and dramatic natural changes to the environment have occurred in the distant past, but only relatively recently has one species had the potential to upset the whole balance of the Earth's ecosystem The global population has risen dramatically during the last century The rise of industry and its rapid expansion has been a major source of pollution. This has caused changes in the balance of our environment
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Global Warming Ozone Layer Depletion Acid Rain Deforestation Loss of Biodiversity Water Pollution Desertification Waste disposal
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Global Warming
Greenhouse gases help to maintain the earths temperature at a level suitable to support life
Human activities are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmposphere, which cause more heat to be trapped Predicted effects of global warming include:
Higher sea levels Higher temperatures Variable climatic conditions These changes are expected to cause a significant impact on agriculture and ecosystems.
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Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels leads to atmospheric emissions of NOx and SO2 These gases react with water and oxygen to make sulfuric and nitric acids. Sunlight increases the rate of these reactions Rain, snow and fog can be polluted with these acidic compounds, which is then deposited at the earths surface The deposition of acids can:
Damage forests and soils Causesacidification of lakes and other waterbodies Disturb wildlife Cause the decay of building and other structures Impact on human health
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Deforestation
The deforestation of tropical rainforests is a major global problem-each year millions of hectares are lost Deforestation rates in some countries continue to increase despite worldwide pressures Rainforests are destroyed for wood products, and to make way for agricultural activities, mining and dams The impacts of deforestation include:
Loss of livelihood for local inhabitants Variable environmental conditions (susceptability to flood, aggravated droughts, soil erosion etc) Loss of biodiversity and disturbance to ecosystems Loss of carbon sink
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Loss of Biodiversity
Biodiversity has three key components:
Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecological diversity
Approximately 2.1 million species are known to exist, but up to 50 million still to be discovered Biodiversity is important for food, drugs, maintaining ecological stability, aesthetic and cultural benefits Natural causes and human activity can threaten biodiversity The loss of biodiversity means ecosystems are destabilised, vital resources are lost and genetic variation is reduced
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Water Pollution
A change in water quality that impacts on living organisms Types and effects of water pollution include:
Infectious agents, such as typhoid, cholera Nutrients and eutrophication Toxic materials, through mining Organic chemicals Sediments can disrupt aquatic ecosystems
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Desertification
Removing ground cover and degrading fertile land initiates desertification Water washes away nutrients, the land becomes inhospitable The process is accelerated by expanding populations and the need to overuse fragile areas of land
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Waste Disposal
Waste disposal methods include:
Open dumping and landfill Ocean dumping Exporting waste Waste to energy plants
Environmental Management
Environmental pollution is a serious burden on our ecosystems and finances world-wide Administrations, commercial organisations and individuals are affected by environmental change and its associated dangers, long-term effects and liabilities Both legislative obligations and voluntary mechanisms can address the environment and to integrate it into the mainstream of business activity Consequently, environmental management is a crutial part of all organisations operations
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Land Degradation
Many Asian nations, particularly India, China, Afghanistan and Mongolia are facing the challenges of desertification Desertification in these areas is caused by:
Overgrazing Overploughing Vegetation removal
These problems continue to intensify as human and livestock numbers continue to increase
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Loss of Biodiversity
The region has a great diversity of birds, with over 27% of all globally known species found in the area However, one in eight species in the region is globally threatened The major threats include habitat destruction and over exploitation It is believed that 323 bird species are at risk of extinction over the next 100 years
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Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major environmental concern in Asian cities Diseases related to air pollution kill more than half a million people in the region each year Many nations have implimented new emission standards aimed at reducing atmospheric suspended matter, primarily in the motor vehicle sector
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Land Degradation Forest Degradation Loss of Biodiversity Water Pollution Air Pollution Solid Waste Management
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Land Degradation
Soils have been badly affected by:
Leaching Erosion Deforestation Acidification Drought Desertification etc
Degraded land accounts for nearly 50% of the total land area of the country
3.2 million ha lies in the plain and coastal land 13 million ha in mountainous areas
A significant proportion of land degradation results from natural and socio-economic conditions and deforestation.
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Forest Degradation
Vietnams forests:
1943: 13.3 million hectares (43% of the land area) 1999: 9.6 million hectares (28.8% of the land area)
Loss of Biodiversity
Vietnam is considered as one of the 10 centres of high or mega biodiversity in the world There is a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including
Over 13,000 species of plants Over 2,000 invertebrates 5,000 insects Many endemic species
The number of wild animals decreases each year, more species become threatened
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Water Pollution
Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation has resulted in the growing demand for water use Water supply is insufficient, creating intense competition among consumers and increasing exploitation. Pollution of water also contributes to a decline in available water Most of the monitored rivers are found to be polluted with substances like N and P, from 4 to nearly 200 times the standard Generally, offshore marine environments have good water quality, however coastal areas are more polluted
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Air Pollution
Most urban areas in Vietnam are polluted by dust. In some locations the pollution is to an alarming degree Lead concentrations at large cross roads are close to the maximum acceptable limit Although traces of acid rain are evident in Vietnam the causes have not yet been determined clearly In general, the emission of greenhouse gases in Vietnam is lower than many other countries, however the rates of emission continue to rise
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Waste Management
The collection efficiency of solid waste is very low, as collection services are not fully established in most locations. The average collection efficiency ranges from 40% - 70% Existing dumping sites are not properly designed and do not meet the sanitary requirement Most urban centres in Vietnam do not have adequate and appropriate facilities to treat hazardous wastes
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