The Environmental Impact Assessment - Essay Example

people, culture, the Economy and wildlife: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Name Course Date Question People, culture, the economy and wildlife – what are the interactions between these in the context of environmental impact assessment? Introduction Environment is beneficial in controlling and reducing the impact of diseases on the people. World Health Organization (WHO) has championed the benefit of a healthy environment that can help us avoid diseases such as those that originate from consumption of contaminated water or breathing in polluted air. WHO points out that one quarter of the global diseases that burden us is due to modifiable environmental factors (Ustun & Corvalan, 2010). The relationship between the people, economic growth, and environment is vital determining factors that influence the environment either in a negative or positive way. Human and wildlife have to survive and the rising population means more consumption hence, more land to be utilized. Such progress has led to economic growth by industrialization and transport congestion that lead to pollution. The increase in population result to land initially left for wildlife being invaded for industrial and commercial needs. Hence, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an analysis process used to predict the positive and negative impact of a plan, policy, program or project before they are put into action. Normally, corrective measures are possible so that the impact can be adjusted to acceptable levels. The purpose of EIA is to identify the impacts of the development activities especially on the environment which involves social and economic aspects. Environmental Impact Assessment EIA was formalized in 1969 in the United States of America under the environmental policy act (Petts, 1999). Through partnership with environmental legislation, EIA systems are beneficial and are continuously being implemented in various countries. Therefore, projects need to undergo through screening which is a process of identifying project need for environmental concern. The second stage focused on weighing options and checking if an alternative is possible. Preliminary assessment then follows before scoping is done to determine the key issues of concern (Li, 2008). EIA study is to predict impact magnitude and their importance. Review teams then follow to determine the adequacy of EIA in the decision making before the project is monitored as a form of auditing. EIA is beneficial to the development project that it provides information about the environmental condition that is vital for project planners to improvise the design and adapt their project to that condition. Secondly, the information to EIA allows mitigations of negative environmental impact upon the water, land, air and other vital natural resources. Better still, if the process is used effectively, the management will enjoy a reduced long term cost. However, the projects covered by EIA should be wide as possible to exhaust all the potential environmental impacts (Stampe, 2009). Public participation has provision within EIA related to legislation, laws, regulation and guidelines. It is therefore used as a tool necessary for improving the planning system for better governance (Ramli, Mohamed & Zahari, 2011). By involving the citizen and incorporating their opinions in the decision making process make the implementation more relevant to them, hence, easily adopted and welcomed into the system. Involving the public through participation in EIA process make them better in understanding the necessity of sustainable development. Both economic development and environment protection are important even though the relationship has been poor; so it lowers the chances of sustainable development (Chen, 2013). Decision makers have a difficult task balancing the two and that resulted to decision tools like EIA. Member state or government can improvise on the same and have its own legislation. EIA is of great benefit and of wide scope that if well implemented, the long term effect will be visible. Through EIA whenever we implement any project we should carry out an environmental assessment of the implication which could use alternative technology or change of project location. This is because a well-designed project has ways of minimizing risks and impact on the environment. For example, we normally ensure fume from factories are treated and factories located in residential area to reduce all round effect. Through this we save cost and result elimination of compensation issues, at the same time protect the environment we depend on. EIA has enabled formation of international conventions and policies that seek to improve the environment and reduce impacts such as global warming that continues to make life unbearable for us. Bodies like biodiversity and climatic change framework convention were formed to check on such negative impacts that occur due to human mismanagement (Turner et al., 2000). According to Riley & Bowen (2003) economic, political and social structure are the interactive frames where human kind depends and is disheveled with the resource use pattern. It is worth noting each and every change in the natural systems pose a direct effect on human being either on health, services or/and economic growth. Human and wildlife Wildlife is non-domesticated animal species. The term normally includes animal, plants, fungi and other organisms. Economy is a sum total of activities that involve culture, values, education, technological changes, history, social organization, political structure and legal systems. These factors set the pillar on which the economy is built on. On the other hand environment refers to the living and the non-living things that occupy the earth and form part of human life. Human and wildlife relies on food to survive, however the land fertility drop year by year. This has forced us to use fertilizers mostly nitrogenous leading to torrential fixation of gas nitrogen (West & Bronckington, 2006). Therefore, nutrients from urban system and agricultural activities results to major ecological changes in estuaries and coastal zone. Human dominate the land converting most of it into urban and other agricultural functions (Chapin et al., 2000). The rise in population result to decreasing per capita accessibility of land, water and energy resources that unfortunately led to recent rise in malnutrition (Baroni, et al., 2006). Culture and the environment Cultures have either positive or negative impact on the environment. Here is an interesting example of Dura Puja festival in India. People engage in beautification techniques that are poisonous and result to death of fish in Manipur. Culture determines what the people do, what the population depend on and how they do what they believe in. For example, culture of charcoal use has a huge impact on the weather pattern as rainfalls depend on it. Biodiversity relate with the ecosystem in such a way that cultural, intellectual, aesthetics and spiritual values connect to us in our day to day life. In a situation, biodiversity alters the ecosystem functioning, and then the effects can be such as; the reduction of food, medicinal material and genetic resources (Chapin II et al., 2000). Additionally, a resultant change of ecosystem through diversity impacts the society through biodiversity by providing goods and services. For instance, through biodiversity there can be changes in sources of food, structural materials, fuel, medicinal or genetic resources hence altering the existence of other species in the ecosystem process. Industrialization effects of the environment The global population increase is continuously putting pressure on the environment by the activities such as the extensive alteration in the environment, bio-geo-chemical cycles, transforming land and increased biota mobility. Additional activities like deforestation and burning of the fossil-fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere thereby result to increased carbon dioxide concentration. Human activities have increased carbon dioxide concentration by a massive 30% in the last three century (Chapin et al., 2000). However, such activities not only release destructive gases but also methane and other global warming increasing gases. Unfortunately, industrialization is at its peak and without more sensitization and introduction of system that reduces release of such gases; the environment will always be greatly affected. The fertilizers and other chemicals released into the sea encourage growth of harmful sea plants such as harmful algal blooms which produce toxin at high densities. This toxin affects both human and animals. Once in a while birds and fish die, sea turtle and sea mammals become confused, get sick and sometimes die. Scientists predict the herb came naturally as a result of pollution in marine environment by the sea fertilizers, surface run-offs and sewage system as well as climatic changes. It is interesting to note that world urban population is almost 6 percent but it has a global impact on the 94 percent remaining part. Hence, it needs to be responsibly studied and managed. Urban ecology approximate that by the year 2030, an estimated 60 percent of the population will grow. So, there is possibility of ozone layer being more destroyed due to emission will continue to rise (Alberti et al., 2003). Global warming is an environmental negative impact of pollution that has been the major cause of environmental changes. This resulted to too much wildlife going into extinction. The changed weather pattern has interfered with the breeding and migratory timing of animals. Animals like polar bear that are dependent on ice get affected when temperature rise causes rapid melting. Due to weather changes, plant growth get affected and this result to wildlife migration to better areas to access food. Unfortunately, sometimes the journey end in vain due to human encroachment on such lands. Study shows that 80 percent of the wildlife shows signs of stress due to such interference within their habitat. Wildlife strongly affected by global warming. In this regard, animals such as bear, tree swallows, gray wolves, arctic foxes and many others are affected by global warming (Earth Talk, 2014). This is caused mainly as a result of human releasing green-house gas that causes depletion of ozone layer (Asici, 2011). Treweek (1996) points out that we should satisfy our need today in a manner that does not compromise the ability of the future generation. Human daily activities have caused environmental interference in terms of noise, air pollution, and water pollution. Therefore, legislation is needed to control or limit the human negative influence on the environment. Human need clean air to have a healthy life. Unfortunately, industrialization has interfered with the air we breathe. The rise in need for energy result to burning of fossil fuels in both vehicles and industries leading to serious air pollution. This has increased the chances of dangerous diseases like asthma and other respiratory problems. However, the exposed chemicals result to acid rain that interferes with the crops and buildings. Social impact assessment (SIA) involves employing processes such as analysis, monitoring and management in project, policy, plan or programs that may have social consequences. The objective is to push for a more developed sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment. Normally, EIA is applied mostly on planned intervention but can also be used on events like disastrous event, demographic change and epidemics, the people’s way of life, their beliefs, customs, values, the cohesion and stability within the community. Also, the political system, the quality of water we use, the quality of air we breathe and the quality of food we consume. For example, SIA should be done in the region of a contaminated site that has great effects of environmental torture such from a dumping site. Coal mines are good source of energy in United States, Australia and Canada. Methane is stored within the gas due to a process called adsorption. When coal beds are burnt, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that contributes to global warming. However, methane emissions from the same mine has 72 times more effects on global warming than carbon dioxide. Metal extraction also causes negative environmental impact such as habitat loss of wildlife and fisheries, change in water quality due to chemicals, sedimentation, toxins in ponds and effluents, acid generation, dust and dangerous slopes (Bravante, Holden & Ingelson, 2009). In arid and semi-arid areas, groundwater plays an important role in stabilizing water supply for agriculture and all sorts of consumption. Unfortunately, its sustainability is threatened by human activity due to leaching of chemicals leading to pollution from toxic and other detrimental chemicals from landfills and other environmental unfriendly waste materials. Hence, this will result viral and bacterial contamination (Bismas, 1992). Waste is increasing and the poor disposal mechanism used to manage the waste has to be right. Therefore, to arrange the waste, a good use of recycling and energy recover methods need to be used. Plastic wastes attract contaminants and normally contain chemicals that may have negative effects on human and animal. Such contaminations can lead to ulcers and other unseen diseases (UN, 2011). Wetlands which are important tourist attraction and hold special plants that are of medical and economic benefit is under intensive attack as a result of survival need due to population rise. This is due to the lack of awareness of the economic benefits of the wetlands. Coastal wetlands are under pressure due to human encroachment; due to port expansion, industrial sprawl and urban development (Turner et al., 2000). The combine impact on environment through economic growth, people, wildlife and culture has had great impact on the coastal region. However, due to EIA they got sensitized and as Turner (2003) point out that the government needs to put policy that can help in sustainable management of the coastal resources. This is because coast is under intense environment change pressure that has experienced extensive feedback pressure due to wrong interaction of the natural system and the human system. He points out that analytical study is vital since the relationship of the environment and coastal zone cannot be achieved through observation alone. Environment is greatly beneficial in servicing global bio-geo-chemical cycles which are critical for human life. Such cycles include; nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycles, carbon cycle and water cycle. Without a functional environment, humans will lack clean water to drink; the presence of oxygen we depend on will be in short supply making it difficult for us to function. Human take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide that is absorbed by plants. The carbon dioxide is used by plants in its food conversion purposes and they in turn give us back fresh oxygen to take in. This is same with water cycle and nitrogen cycle which is important in plant growth. Therefore, the world is set up in such a way that we need each other to survive and one organism’s waste is vital food to the next organism. Conclusion An environmental change has negatively impacted on most biological systems so it has become a concern of our well-being and survival of various species. In situation where the immune system is suppressed or impaired, the organism experience increased chances of contracting diseases (West & Bronckington, 2006). Due to sensitive nature of the environment and its sustainable importance, we have global standards that should always be met. EIA help people comply with the environmental standards. This reduces damage to the environment we live in as well as this decreases disruption to communities. EIA help in reducing operating cost and at the same time help save unnecessary capital. Therefore, at the design stage, proactive approach has to be taken through anticipating the future problems and avoid them. The future of the environment in relation to the economy need all round policies that are multi-facet and cover all projects. Environmental Impact Analysis needs to be adopted in the organizational planning and participatory exercises so that we can achieve sustainable development. EIA should be a little more in depth and should always explore more options that gear the country to sustainable development with very minimal environmentally damaging practices. However, the citizens need to be deeply involved to drive away ignorance. EIA practitioners should therefore embrace the promise of scenario-based analysis and implement it towards Environmental Impact Assessment to become more operative in promoting sustainable economic development. Reference Ade, Edoka, Jimoh & Aruleba. An assessment of environmental impact of building construction project Civil and Environmental Research. Ijigah, E. A., Jimoh, R. A., Aruleba, B. O., & Ade, A. B. (2013). An Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Building Construction Projects. Civil & Environmental Research, 3(1). Alberti et al., (2003). Integrating humans into Ecology: Opportunities and challenges for studying urban ecosystems.Vol.53 No 12.BioScience 1179 Asici, (2011). Economic growth and its impact on Environment: A panel data analysis. Istanbul technical university. Avecado & Duffus, (2009) .Effect of environment change on Wildlife health. The royal society Barber & Fristrup, (2006). Impact of noise on wildlife. National park service Baroni, Cenci,Tettemanti & Berati, (2006). Evaluating the environmental impact of various dietary patterns combined with food production system. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006)1-8 Bismas, (1992). Environmental impact assessment for groundwater management. Professor, international development centre, University of Oxford. Bravante H., & Ingelson B., (2009).Philippines environmental impact assessment, mining and genuine development. Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment MGD. Chapin II et al., 2000. Consequences of changing biodiversity. Insight review article @macmillan Chen L, (2013). Public participation provision in Environmental impact assessment (EIA) legal system case studies in china. India and Indonesia.University of Utrecht. Earth talk, (2014). How is wildlife affected by Global warming? Even small climate changes can send hundred into extinction. Environmental issues, about.com EIA, (2006). 1-6 cost and benefits of EIA. Environmental, coastal and ocean sciences (ECOS), University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA Gimba, A &Anhwange. K, (2012). Impact assessment of human activities and seasonal variation on river Benue, within markurdi. International journal of science and technology. Holling C.S, (2001). Understanding the complexity of Economic, Ecological and Social systems. Department of zoology, University of Florida 32611, USA. Li, ( 2008).Environmental impact Assessment in developing countries: An opportunity for greater environmental security? FESS/USAID McMichael, (2009). Climate change and human health, risk and responses. World Health organization-1 Panayotou, L. (2000). Economic growth and the environment. Chapter 2 vol 1 Petts J. (Ed), (1999).Handbook on environmental impact assignment (2 volumes) Powell & steidl, (2006). Assessing the effect of Human activities on wildlife. Vol 2.Then George’s foundation-2 Ramli, Mohamed & Zahari, (2011).The contribution of public participation in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) towards promoting sustainable Development in Malaysia.53100 Kuala Lumpur. Riley C & Bowen.E.R, (2003). Social- Economic indicators and integrated coastal management. Stampe, (2009). Lesson learned from environmental impact assessments: A look at two widely different approaches-The USA and Thailand The journal of Tran disciplinary Environmental Studies vol 8 Treeweek, (1996). Ecology and environmental impact assessment. Institute of terrestrial Ecology, Wareham, and Dorset BH20 5AS. Turner R., (2003). Integrating natural and social economic science in coastal management. Centre for social and economic research on the global Environment .University of East Anglia and university college of London. UN, (2011). Plastic waste: Ecological and human health impacts. Science for environmental policy. Ustun & Corvalan (2010). Preventing diseases through healthy environment. WHO West P, Igoe j & Bronckington D, (2006). Parks and peoples: The social Impact of protected areas.Ann.Rev.Anthropol.2006.35:251-77 Read More

Involving the public through participation in EIA process make them better in understanding the necessity of sustainable development. Both economic development and environment protection are important even though the relationship has been poor; so it lowers the chances of sustainable development (Chen, 2013). Decision makers have a difficult task balancing the two and that resulted to decision tools like EIA. Member state or government can improvise on the same and have its own legislation.

EIA is of great benefit and of wide scope that if well implemented, the long term effect will be visible. Through EIA whenever we implement any project we should carry out an environmental assessment of the implication which could use alternative technology or change of project location. This is because a well-designed project has ways of minimizing risks and impact on the environment. For example, we normally ensure fume from factories are treated and factories located in residential area to reduce all round effect.

Through this we save cost and result elimination of compensation issues, at the same time protect the environment we depend on. EIA has enabled formation of international conventions and policies that seek to improve the environment and reduce impacts such as global warming that continues to make life unbearable for us. Bodies like biodiversity and climatic change framework convention were formed to check on such negative impacts that occur due to human mismanagement (Turner et al., 2000). According to Riley & Bowen (2003) economic, political and social structure are the interactive frames where human kind depends and is disheveled with the resource use pattern.

It is worth noting each and every change in the natural systems pose a direct effect on human being either on health, services or/and economic growth. Human and wildlife Wildlife is non-domesticated animal species. The term normally includes animal, plants, fungi and other organisms. Economy is a sum total of activities that involve culture, values, education, technological changes, history, social organization, political structure and legal systems. These factors set the pillar on which the economy is built on.

On the other hand environment refers to the living and the non-living things that occupy the earth and form part of human life. Human and wildlife relies on food to survive, however the land fertility drop year by year. This has forced us to use fertilizers mostly nitrogenous leading to torrential fixation of gas nitrogen (West & Bronckington, 2006). Therefore, nutrients from urban system and agricultural activities results to major ecological changes in estuaries and coastal zone. Human dominate the land converting most of it into urban and other agricultural functions (Chapin et al., 2000). The rise in population result to decreasing per capita accessibility of land, water and energy resources that unfortunately led to recent rise in malnutrition (Baroni, et al., 2006). Culture and the environment Cultures have either positive or negative impact on the environment.

Here is an interesting example of Dura Puja festival in India. People engage in beautification techniques that are poisonous and result to death of fish in Manipur. Culture determines what the people do, what the population depend on and how they do what they believe in. For example, culture of charcoal use has a huge impact on the weather pattern as rainfalls depend on it. Biodiversity relate with the ecosystem in such a way that cultural, intellectual, aesthetics and spiritual values connect to us in our day to day life.

In a situation, biodiversity alters the ecosystem functioning, and then the effects can be such as; the reduction of food, medicinal material and genetic resources (Chapin II et al., 2000). Additionally, a resultant change of ecosystem through diversity impacts the society through biodiversity by providing goods and services. For instance, through biodiversity there can be changes in sources of food, structural materials, fuel, medicinal or genetic resources hence altering the existence of other species in the ecosystem process.

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