Environmental Bewilderments - Research Paper Example

Introduction The research paper intends to explore ground fatalities which are being aroused because of environmental bewilderments. It galvanizes a dainty reflection of what actually occurs in the air. There are several disciplines which are planned to be illustrated in the underlying research. It implies to investigate the impact of human activities over the environment. Alongside the study focuses upon the categorical metaphoric characteristics of the world regions with respect to economic activity such as developing, developed and emerging countries. It would further be explaining about the critical similarities of the environment as well as technological aspects amongst the economic categories of the nations. Scientific principle involved in the environmental phenomena Before moving forward towards the exploration of the artifacts in the environment, we need to explain the relationship between science and the environment. Scientific principles are directly correlated to the environment and its relics. In order to elevate the scientific environmental concept, it is defined as a collective significantly affective externalities and situations over the behaviors, growth and development of living things (Goudie 15). Scientific environmental scope revolves around four dimensions which are atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere (Smith 285). Furthermore it is defined that there are three elements of the environments i.e., physical elements, biological elements and cultural elements (Goudie 29). The science behind the environment and its studies is described as environmental science. It includes almost each dimension that comes under the head of natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology etc (Westing 91). Human interventions in natural environment Human beings immediately affect the environment in a reflective loom. The profound impacts may include global warming, lessening or raring the species and declining of ozone layer. These are the negative impacts over the environment because of human activities. The environmental indicators which are defined by United Nations Environmental Statistics as set standards are air and climate, biodiversity, energy and minerals, forests and jungles, governing authority structures, water resources, land and agriculture premises, marine and coastal areas, natural disasters and wastage (UN Environmental Statistics). In a report of environment studies, it was reported that the irrigation projects in South Asia have caused significant amount of water loss in Aral Sea. The amount of water loss seems to be very substantial and the satellite image comparing water amount in 1989 and in 2008 shows a discrepancy of around 80 per cent lesser water in 2008. It is as pathetic as we are getting indulged in environmental harming activities (Camill 49). Day by day increase in population affects over the consumption patterns which definitely are expanded in substantial quantity. It is a comprehensive phenomenon for what the environment is getting mystified. The industrialization process is the key constraint which hinders neutrality of the environment (Goudie 76). To cater the production and manufacturing requirements, the industries are growing by leaps and bounds. Before societal concept only a fewer agencies where present who took care for environmental issues. For instance, the environmental safety debate can be observed so far in past as well (Camill 49). Energy usage changes have enough affected over the environmental transformations. The excessive exploitation of energy for several purposes has caused a number of intimate environmental deviations. Meanwhile the energy is being used; the other environmental variables work to alter the natural environment circumstances (Dietz). The CO2 emission is another effect of environmental and energy challenges (Camill 51). Man has covered a substantial portion of free land in the world by passing the natural forests and valleys. Because of lessening effect of trees and forests, it has been an alarming stage to recover the green environment. Natural disasters like tsunami and earth quakes can be observed frequently. For the most recent, we can take the example of sandy which has devastated a huge portion of USA. These impacts are described as the counter effects of global warming and environmental interferences (Smit and Wandel 290). According to United States energy disclosure, there are more than 5 million overall commercial and industrial energy users. The total energy usage in United States reported for the last year was 99.89 quadrillion Btu which is thirty nine percent more as compared to start of the new millennium ((UN Environmental Statistics). The energy usages and genuine environmental transformations due to human activities have been observed through 1996 to 2006. The said 11 years were reported as the major portion of the history of global warming. Hence the underlying decade was an imitate occurrence to the warmest decade ever. In the specified time frame, the human activities over industrialization and mass production were most activated (Carmill 48). Mass destructive weapons production and their ultimate impact have also put the natural environment in a whole vulnerable condition. The frequent wars and intimate elements exploitation also impacted reflectively over the innate environment conditions (Dietz). Developed, Emerging Versus Developing Countries Developed nations nowadays are those who have shifted towards service sectors instead of manufacturing. The developed countries have a one more shift than the other countries rest of the world. The living standards of people are high. Developing countries are those who have enough substances to meet the requirements, these are one step forward than under developed countries. These are mostly agriculture based countries. After developed countries, there comes emerging nations. The emerging nations are those who are gradually shifting towards developed ones by stronger economic, political, social and environmental conditions. These countries have more resources and very strong policies. Following is the categorization of countries with respect to income (Deitz; Smit 290). Per Capita Income (Annually: GNI) High Income Countries Developed Nations More than $ 12476 (US, EU) Upper Middle Income Emerging Nations $ 4036 to $12475 (China, Japan etc) Middle Income Developing Nations $ 1026 to $ 4035 (Malaysia, Turkey etc) (Adapted from: World Bank Categorization of Countries) Responsibility to Regulate the Environment The ultimate responsibility to regulate the environment is individually. Multinational corporations are fulfilling their responsibilities in the name of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). These include large firms, manufacturing firms, pharmaceutical companies as well as motor and vehicle engineering firms are fulfilling their responsibilities (Smit and Wandel 289). The governing authorities are also indulged in the environmental regulatory steps. Non government organizations are also playing active roles in managing the environmental standards. Several international environmental standards are also set to ensure the environment regulated such as ISO 9000, 9001, 14000 and 14001 etc (Deitz). Environmental Affecting Factors and Economic Categorization of the Countries There are many technological, economical, geographical and ecological factors which are directly influenced over the environment. The developed nations have strict control over the environmental issues. The international standards are strictly followed in large and high income countries (Westing 97). The products are services which are directed as harmful to the health are banned directly. For example, the Toyota motors scandal reported a break error in the vehicle such that they called back the entire stock back to the warehouse. This step showed the environmental concerns. On the other hand these countries are also very active in weapons and atomic activities (Deitz). The developed countries emit more CO2 (according to United Nations fact file). Following is the illustration: Adapted from: UN Fact File (1998) The energy consumption comparison is also reported high in high income countries. For instance, we have a comparison chart as well. It is highly recommended to restore the original and innate environment but techno problems have fastened the pace of the word and the related events. It has been described in the growing age that technological advancements are the main cause of global warming and incontrollable issues (Goudie 191). Here we have comparison of energy consumption of EU, FSU and US through a chart illustration. Adapted from: United Nation Environmental Statistics Conclusively, we can say that environmental issues are at vulnerable stage because of human activities and interventions. Environment should be kept green by retaining the forests. For instance the governing authorities must play crucial role which is necessary to be. The international environmental standards are needed to be implemented strictly not only in developed countries but also in developing countries as well. References Smit, B, and J Wandel. "Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability."Global Environmental Change 16.3 (2006): 282-292. Print. Camill, P. “Global Change: Nature Education Knowledge”. Environmental Studies Program and Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science 3(10): 49. Print. Dietz, Thomas, and Eugene A. Rosa. "Rethinking the Environmental Impacts of Population,Affluence and Technology."From Capitalism to Democracy. Department of Sociology Washington State University Pullman, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. http://www.jayhanson.us/page111.html Westing, Arthur H.. Disarmament, environment, and development and their relevance to the least developed countries. New York: United Nations, 1991. Print. Goudie, Andrew. The human impact on the natural environment. 5th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000. Print. Kiessling, Kerstin, and Hans Landberg.Population, economic development, and the environment. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994. Print. "United Nations Statistics Division - Environment Statistics." United Nations Statistics Division. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.  http://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/qindicators.htm Read More