M8 Land Use Discussion/National/International Agencies Paper - Assignment Example

As a result, the world has experienced deadly floods and great losses associated with property damage in different areas located along sea and ocean lines. Rivers and flash floods combined with landslides in countries such as Brazil pose serious risks to people, infrastructure and businesses (Jha, Bloch, & Lamond, 2012). Indirect consequences of building homes and business in such areas include losses from business interruption as well as increased burdens on public and household budgets. Business interruption increased travel time and costs, and losses of income are indirect impacts that are often more difficult to quantify, and yet represent a significant proportion of the overall damage to communities.

Release of contaminants poses serious public risks for survivors of floods. Flood waters can mix with raw sewage and thus dramatically increase the incidence of water-borne diseases (Jha, Bloch, & Lamond, 2012). Zoning ordinance infringes on an individual rights to use their property in the way they wish to without limitation. Zoning ordinance prevents construction of homes in some areas for ecological reasons especially along shorelines and flood areas. Zoning ordinance can be improved through inclusion of significant government compensation where the concept is applied.

National/International Agencies The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is among the world’s first global environment agencies focused on promoting environmental conservation around the globe. The IUCN was established in 1948 and has commanded significant recognition in environmental and sustainable development. The agency has over 2,000 member organizations globally as well as over 11, 000 voluntary scientists and experts around the world (IUCN, 2012). The IUCN has realized that population levels, growth and distribution continue to overload the capacity of the environment in many regions across the globe.

Rapid population growth, among other factors, has contributed to the disruption of biodiversity. In this case, land and water use and spatial planning should bring a balanced distribution of population through, for example, incentives for industrial location, and for resettlement and development of intermediate-sized towns, keeping in view the capacities of the environment (IUCN, 2012). In line with promotion of diversity across the globe, the IUCN has participated in activities aimed at controlling population growth in different parts of the world.

The IUCN has initiated numerous conservation projects with some of the projects including establishment of protected areas to prevent human settlements in such areas. This move is important in ensuring sustainability in the management of biodiversity (IUCN, 2012). The IUCN functions can be applied in public health to prevent settlement of people in areas vulnerable to environmental related disasters such as floods and landslides. Overcrowding of people in a given areas can also result in public health concerns such as sanitation related illnesses which may be controlled through pollution and population growth.

The UNEP is the other globally recognized agency dealing with controlling the impact of pollution on the environment. UNEP functions include provision of advice to governments on pollution control, coordinated approach to environmental health problems, production of guidelines and methodologies for setting health standards