Environmental Management - Air Pollution Control Act, Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act - Essay Example

Environmental Management Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction Environmental management is the act of controlling the effects as well as the interaction of human beings on the environment (Schaltegger et al. 2003). In addition, it is the practice of enhancing harmony between man and the environment to ensure the sustainability of both the present as well as the future generations (Schaltegger et al. 2003). According to studies, environmental management provides opinions and research on the conservation and use of the natural environment which include the resources, control of hazards as well as the protection of habitats. Environmental management is in many types (Schaltegger et al. 2003). The first step in all the types is to plan depending on the need management type. According to environmental management history, management need had not been realised up until the passage of the Forestry Reserve Act of 1891 that made the United States of America recognize its resources value (Schaltegger et al. 2003). This report aims at evaluating environmental management and management systems, examining the International environmental concerns such as Greenhouse effect, Ozone depletion and global warming, identify and analyse the relevant regulatory frameworks, assess the new technologies and approaches to environmental management by using the case study of Sheffield whereby in June 2007 it experienced two spells of exceptionally heavy rainfall. This resulted in unprecedented events in the City and the evacuation of a number of properties and people. It caused significant financial losses and damage to the environment. Environmental management and management systems Environmental management is the act of controlling the effects as well as the interaction of human beings on the environment (Schaltegger et al. 2003). In addition it is the practice of enhancing harmony between man and the environment to ensure the sustainability of both the present as well as the future generations (Schaltegger et al. 2003). On the other hand environmental management systems are basically is no different from other management systems for instance those that manage safety and quality (Florida and Davison, 2001). An environmental management system is a set of measures to minimise the environmental impacts because of our daily activities. Moreover, it is a combination of plans, policies, procedures, people and reviews to solve the environmental issues (Florida and Davison, 2001). It is apparent that an environmental system is part of a larger system that includes responsibilities, organizational culture, processes, planning activities and resources all geared towards attaining an environmental management (Florida and Davison, 2001). The major elements of an environmental management system include; management commitment, formalization, continual improvement and sentience of a systems centred approach. An environmental management system enhances the identification and the management of environmental impacts, helps save money through increasing efficiency and ensures one conforms to the environmental legislation (Florida and Davison, 2001). Besides, it provides the standards for developments. On the basis of our case study, in 2007, Sheffield could have been able to identify the environmental Impact of rainfall in time and manage the situation to avoid the adverse effects of the catastrophe to the city and environment as well as the evacuation of people and loss of property. Moreover, Sheffield would have been able to save money and know how it could improve to avoid such an impact in the future. International environmental concerns Generally, environmental issues are usually international by nature. This is so because as globalisation takes place and the world’s natural processes change local problems to universal issues, only a few societies do not feel the impact. In addition all environmental issues have a cause, effect and a solution. Greenhouse effect Greenhouse gas is the term used to refer to the gas within the atmosphere that emits and absorbs radiation in the thermal infra-red range (Hansen, 2000). As a result there is the greenhouse effect. Major greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, water, nitrous oxide, ozone and methane. It is apparent that ever since the commencement of the industrial revolution, the fossil fuel burning have contributed significantly to the rise of the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from approximately 280ppm to about 390ppm (Schaltegger et al. 2003). Since the year 2000, carbon dioxide as a result of fossil fuel exceeded the IPCC. In the year 2010, the global carbon dioxide emissions were so much leading to the universal concern as to whether the issue could be resolved. The United States was one of the greatest pollutants through carbon dioxide emission in 2006. 2007, the United States Co2 emission from the energy use increased by 1.6 percent as evidenced by the United States Department of Energy’s (EIA) Energy Information Administration. Moreover, with the increase of the of electricity energy, carbon dioxide emissions also increased (Schaltegger et al. 2003). As a result of the increased carbon dioxide emissions, there was an increase in the global temperatures. Studies indicate that the last years have been the warmest in the history of the history of United States (Schaltegger et al. 2003). Ozone depletion The term ozone depletion refers to two related activities which include the continuous decline of the ozone in the stratosphere commonly referred to as the ozone layer by 4 percent every decade and the reduction in the stratospheric ozone (Hansen, 2000). It is apparent that the ozone layer is of paramount in the protection of life in the earth’s surface. This is due to the fact that it is responsible for the absorption of the harmful ultra violet rays from the sun. As indicated by recent studies, there has been a steady decline of the thickness of this layer (Hansen, 2000). Evidently, the major causes of the decrease in the thickness of the ozone layer are the increases in the levels of chlorine as a result of industrial production of halons, CFC’s and a number of solvents. Once the chlorine is in the atmosphere, it destroys the ozone molecules. Chlorine of atom is said to destroy approximately 100,000 ozone molecules (Hansen, 2000). As studies indicate, some depleting elements have a very long lifetime and their depletion effect continues long after their use. Ozone layer depletion has a number of effects to the life on earth. Increased ultra violet-B radiation is responsible for the increase in Ultra violet radiation (Hansen, 2000). An exposure to this radiation is responsible for skin cancer in humans, immune system depression, and eye diseases that can lead to blindness (Hansen, 2000). Moreover, increased UV radiation leads to increased global warming. Significant changes in the atmospheric circulation as a result of the disturbance of the atmospheres thermal structure. Several attempts have been made globally to address the problem. Internationally set targets to help reduce the rate of ozone depletion have led to the complete wipe out of the halons, CFC’s, and carbon (Hansen, 2000). Global warming This is the warming of the earth’s surface as a result of the greenhouse gasses trapping heat from the from the sun thus increasing temperatures on the earth’s atmosphere (Hansen, 2000). Moreover deforestation also leads to global warming (Hansen, 2000). It is apparent that the global warming is impacting the whole world. The impacts of global warming include rise of the sea waters covering a number of the lowlands and as a result the inhabitants of the islands suffer. In addition, the plants die as a result of the water endangering the source of foods. Global warming is also responsible for the destruction of forests and as a result water scarcity (Hansen, 2000). Relevant regulatory frameworks Air pollution control Act The air pollution Act 1995, is the first clean air act that was enacted by the congress to address the environmental issue of air pollution (Stander and Theodore, 2008). The Act states that the control as well as the prevention of air pollution should be right from the source (Stander and Theodore, 2008). The air pollution act seeks to minimize air pollution by barring the substances and fuels that lead to air pollution. In addition, it regulates the appliances that result to pollution of air (Stander and Theodore, 2008). Clean Water Act The clean water act is the main United States federal law that administers water pollution (Stander and Theodore, 2008). These act determined the goals aimed at combating high release of toxic substances into water bodies as well as additional pollutions of water by the year 1985 (Stander and Theodore, 2008). In addition, it ensured that the surface waters met the standards required for recreation and human sports. The Act does not address the ground water pollution directly but provisions such as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Safe Drinking Water Act ensures the protection of the ground water (Stander and Theodore, 2008). Resource Conservation and Recovery Act The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, was enacted in the year 1976 (Stander and Theodore, 2008). In the United States, this is the principal federal law that administers the disposal of hazardous waste and solid waste. The Act was enacted by the congress to address the escalating issues of industrial and municipal waste within the state (Stander and Theodore, 2008). The Act’s goals includes ensuring waste management in as lawful manner, protection of human health and the environment from the hazards of poor waste disposal and natural resources and energy conservation (Stander and Theodore, 2008). New technologies and approaches to environmental management It is apparent that new technologies can either undo or do the damage to the environmental quality (Austin and Macauley, 2001). With the advent of new technologies such as the remote sensing of the geographical information systems, policies are now able to address runoff pollution (Austin and Macauley, 2001). The technology combines the information about land use with topography, hydrology and soil data to come up with comprehensive information to measure the runoff. In addition, the geographic information systems have enhanced the farm practices using detailed information on the crop growth and health (Austin and Macauley, 2001). The remote sensors have made it possible for the farmers to distinguish between the rows of the crops reducing chemical use and increasing the crop productivity. Moreover, the remote sensing technology is also improving the efficiency of the municipal water use. However the use of the technology could also lead to polluters hiding their polluting activities hence enhancing further pollution and inhibiting the enforcements of regulatory and monitoring frameworks for pollution (Austin and Macauley, 2001). The technology of bioremediation is a cost effective method. It is apparent that most of the expenses in the traditional clean up technologies are as a result of disposing contaminated water or soil (Austin and Macauley, 2001). According to scholars, these benefits ought to be balanced against the challenges. Of concern is that the technology of bioremediation may immobilize contamination. In addition, the technology may lead to the uncertainty of the potential risks that may be as a result of adding to the environment genetically modified organisms (Austin and Macauley, 2001). According to studies, the use of the two recent technologies in the United States to address the effects of energy related carbon dioxide that leads to greenhouse effect has not been a perfect solution (Austin and Macauley, 2001). The single-cycle gas turbines as well as the fuel cells have had an advantage to the environment over the traditional power plants. However some of the fuel cells techniques release carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas (Austin and Macauley, 2001). Conclusion This report has encompassed an introduction into environmental management and management systems. The report has focused on the environmental regulatory frameworks such as the Air pollution control Act, Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. In addition it has looked into the international environmental issues for instance global warming, ozone depletion and greenhouse effect. Besides, the report has analyzed new technologies and approaches in regard to the environmental management mainly in three areas which include; climate, water quality, as well as waste cleanup. In conclusion, attaining the environmental promise by use of the new technology necessitates getting the prices correctly. This is due to the fact that the interplay of environmental effects and new technologies has been complicated. The use of innovative and economic techniques to environmental management should help address the environmental issues. References Austin, D. and Macauley, M.K. 2001. Cutting Through Environmental Issues: Technology as a double-edged sword. Climate Change, Environment, Energy, Technology. Accessed on November 10, 2011, http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2001/winter_environment_and.aspx Florida, R. and Davison, D. 2001. Gaining from green management: Environmental management systems inside and outside the factory. California Management Review, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 64-85. Hansen, J. 2000. Climatic Change: Understanding Global Warming, Mexico: Health Press Schaltegger, S., Burritt, R., and Holger, P. 2003. An Introduction to Corporate Environmental Management. Striving for Sustainability. Sheffield: Greenleaf Stander, L. and Theodore, L. 2008. Environmental regulatory calculations handbook. New York: John Wiley & Sons Read More