Environmental Management
Previously when we referred to the Pollution Control had stated that there is a difference between this concept and Environmental Management, though they have a star connection as it is co-existing measures that are applied to the care of the environment, from something that has always generated controversy as waste treatment, as well the various preventive measures to avoid damage over a period indefinitely.
Then, we define the environmental management as a set of measures that seeks to articulate the “How to do” to achieve the goal of Sustainable Development of a community or a particular territory.
Environmental Management Actions
These actions must be applied in a given area, focusing not only on the application of different Standards and Legal Action, but also giving the frame to the tasks to be carried out, then contemplating the following:
- Environmental Policy: Relating to Public or Private Management of international environmental affairs, regional, national and local. It is often debated year after year with the budget of various governmental entities, applied to care for the Environment and Ecology.
- Land: Includes the Land Use distribution considering the features, not only physical but also considering the resources and people they own.Environmental Impact Assessment: Considering the actions that seek to estimate the effects to be the establishment of various projects, plans or programs that are applied over a given territory, taking into account their influence on the environment.
- Wildlife: Study and conservative measures looking towards living beings that inhabit a specific area, looking primarily for the conservation of Biodiversity.
- Environmental Education: Concerning the propaganda and awareness measures that lead men to care for and preserve their biophysical environment, leading to greater effectiveness in the treatment of environmental issues.
- Landscape: It is not only the care of natural resources, but also of all biotic, aesthetic and cultural relating to the operation thereof.
Whales help Control Climate Change
Yesterday we told you about a scientific study which has shown how the decline of populations of predators has worrying consequences for the environment. One example of this is found in whales, who are actively involved in reducing carbon, which plays a key role in climate change. With the population diesmada this important role for the global balance is difficult.
With the boom of the whaling industry in the 20th century has caused the loss of a lot of great whales. These whales feed on plankton. With this diet, what they do to retain the carbon and then send it to the seabed through the deposition of feces. By reducing the number of whales in the seas the result has been the transfer of approximately 105 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere that would otherwise have been absorbed by these marine giants and today is a factor that adds has much other responsible of climate change.
Climate Change Can Affect Zooplankton
I recently talked about how the oceans are affected by temperature changes as this implies a reduction of oxygen in the water that cause imbalances in the entire ecosystem. In the case of zooplankton also no risk that are affected, endangering one of the foundations of the food chain in the oceans.
Zooplankton can use special adaptations that allow you to hide from predators in ocean areas where oxygen levels are very low and almost nothing can survive. Zooplankton going down to the area without oxygen during the day and return to surface waters at night, where there is oxygen and foods.
However you may have problems if these low-oxygen areas are expanding into the shallow waters due to climate change because they would be confined to a narrow strip of water at night making them vulnerable to their main predators, the fish. If this causes a drastic decrease in population of these animals, this would have an impact would be felt until the last steps of the food chain.
Oceans and Seas Acids
One consequence of the large amount of CO2 emissions that pollute the environment every day along with other greenhouse gases is the concentration of this toxic in large bodies of water, which is gradually leading to acidification of the oceans, thereby endangered species that inhabit it.
Recent studies have determined that a cause that is leading to the disappearance of coral reefs, for the gradual extinction of the species that comprise it, would be related to this phenomenon, preventing tasks seeking to reverse this process, and requiring other more intensive care. The increased sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2) causes a weakening that leads to the impossibility to form their skeletons, which accumulate and are the basis of what later formed coral reefs, further added that the increase in water temperature caused by climate change is causing thousands of deaths of this kind per day. As if this were not enough, water acidification leads to the destruction of fertilizers that feed marine algae, which absorb and reduce the concentration of pollutant gas preventing the restoration of its original population.
The Beginnings of Water Pollution
Water Pollution
We present a comprehensive report on the contamination of aquifers, rivers, seas and oceans. For them we explain how water pollution occurs as has been its historical development.
No doubt one of the biggest problems facing many people today (whether developed or undeveloped, although it is true that I never liked this term) is water pollution.
As we know water is essential for life, so that contamination can be very negative for both economic and social development of people or populations in proximity to the contaminated site.
The beginnings of water pollution
Water pollution caused by human activities are beginning to produce from the first attempts at industrialization, then become a problem as widespread as usual. During the industrial revolution (between the second half of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century) production processes require the use of a large amount of water for processing raw materials. In turn, the effluents from these processes of production were dumped into natural watercourses without purification, with their waste pollutants concerned. Here began to spread the serious problem of water pollution.
How is water pollution?
Generally, contamination of water occurs through direct or indirect introduction into groundwater or waterways (rivers, seas, lakes, etc.) of various substances that can be considered as contaminants. There are two main forms of water pollution: One has to do with their natural cycle, during which come into contact with pollutants certain constituents (such as mineral and organic substances dissolved and particulate) that exist in the crust, air and water.
Continue reading
Adaptations to Climate Change will Define the Future of Countries
Adaptations to accommodate climate change will define the future of the countries and communities around the world, according to the World Resources Report: Adaptation running, developed by experts coordinated by the World Resources Institute (WRI), UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank.
Responding to climate impacts as diverse as altered precipitation patterns, more frequent extreme weather or extremely intense or rising sea levels, will represent a major challenge for decision makers in government and in all sectors of the economy.
Another challenge that will face the decision makers is the fact that climate change will not affect everyone equally. The vulnerability of affected populations and ecosystems will influence the impact of climate change on the ground. When a natural disaster occurs or there is a change in the long term, the impact varies between and within regions, countries and localities, depending on the fragility of the affected population. For example, a tornado in Australia will not have the same impact on society than one of the same magnitude in Bangladesh.
While there are already early examples of adaptation efforts, many national governments have yet to integrate climate change risks in their planning and policy development for the present and long term. Continue reading
U.S. Prepares His First Plan of Adaptation to Climate Change
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, for its acronym in English) has the mission to monitor the health of the population and natural systems of the United States as well as to set and implement standards related to air quality and water, among others.
Therefore, the agency is a fundamental tool for Washington to adopt regulations relating to avoiding climate change to Congress, which is debating fractionated and human responsibility for global warming.
“We are happy that the government is finally waking up to the stark reality of climate change and its impacts seeing,” says the expert on environmental issues Elizabeth Perera, of the nongovernmental organization Sierra Club. “The more clearly and specifically discuss these impacts, we believe that there will be more pressure on the government to do something. Remember that, when it comes to climate change, we are talking about large costs in all parts of government and the economy, “he said.
The draft was prepared in response to an executive order by President Barack Obama in 2009, which required all government agencies to submit plans to adapt to a new office created by the White House Council on Environmental Quality. All plans submitted will be analyzed and commented on by the American public, and is expected to be submitted to EPA severe scrutiny. EPA is expected to include plans to adapt its operations from 2015. Continue reading
How to Book the Right Environmental Speaker for Corporate Events
One of the disadvantages of industrial development is that it has led to adverse effects on the environment. This is particularly true about companies in mining, manufacturing and mineral exploitation. In the oil and gas industry, oil slicks and gas flaring can be devastating for the host communities where these companies operate. Fortunately, awareness in environmental protection is quite high and this is why some corporate bodies invite environmental speakers to speak on this vital topic sometimes.
Getting the right environmental speaker is not quite as simple as it appears to be. This is because there are many speakers out there. Corporate bodies need to identify the one who will deliver the goods. This means that the organization in question needs to do a bit of research before booking the perfect speaker.
For corporate events and conferences, the first step is to identify the right speaker. This can be done by simply asking around. Company executives who have organized conferences in the past can recommend great speakers to other organizations which need the service of these environmental speakers, you could also look for help from an agency such as therightaddress.co.uk environmental speakers.
The next step in the booking process is to get in touch with the environmental speaker. This should be done weeks or even a few months before the event for which the speaker is being invited. This is very important because a great environmental speaker is usually quite busy. Getting such a speaker at very short notice may not be possible.
Another smart way of discovering the right environmental speaker is to carry out a Google search on the topic. Most great speakers can be found online but a Google search is just the first step. The company needs to get in touch with the speaker. The company also needs to watch video clips of previous speaking engagements handled the speaker in question. If the company decides to engage the speaker, both parties can move on to the next stage of the deal.
The speaker and the company need to agree on the fine points of the speaking engagement. These include the date of the event and the duration of the speaking engagement. Other small details like hotel accommodation for the speaker and the speaker’s fee need to be ironed out as well.
If all these things are taken care of, the stage is set for a successful speaking engagement. Of course, the environmental speaker needs to prepare his or her speech well in advance but this nothing to worry about. An experienced public speaker is bound to do an excellent as long as all the right conditions are met.
Environment Wants to Regularize the Environmental Volunteer Work
The Ministry of Environment wants, “through a law or a decree” regularize the work of volunteers who participate in conservation activities, such as Causes program, in order to consolidate these initiatives has advanced today as the owner, Javier Fernandez.
The director has made this proposal at eleven voluntary associations Causes program, designed to preserve, rehabilitate or revitalize protected areas and environment of Cantabria, in a statement reported by the regional government.
In the meeting he remained to set the main priorities for the coming months, Fernandez explained, regarding the regularization of these volunteers, who want to hear all proposals made associations.
Javier Fernandez has also proposed organize volunteer databases, because he has said he wants to get older, and proposing associations set standards of quality for the actions undertaken. Continue reading
Caring for the Environment a Fundamental Human Right
Fundamental human involved, given the interdependency of Human Rights, which is a condition without which they can fully develop the other rights. The inequity of our own country, means that environmental impacts or risks that generates the so called “development” always fall on the shoulders of the excluded. In the same way, and in addition to the above, these sectors have a reduced chance of interference in environmental decisions that affect them [1].
Viewed from a territorial point of view, a clear sign of this inequality the flames are “sacrifice zones [2]” sectors concentrating various productive activities with high environmental impact and whose population suffers from the sum of them. In Chile the most dramatic and well known is the Window, where children and adults have been victims of serious damage to health caused by the presence of power plants and smelters.
Despite being an ingredient, and that this inequality comes from structural conditions, we can say that the legal and institutional framework on environmental issues contributes strongly to reproduce such inequity. Among other things, because the mechanisms of citizen participation offered are dramatically limited. Continue reading
Messaging Environmentally Friendly Urban
Reduce the environmental impact generated by the delivery of goods, improve accessibility to shopping areas, reduce traffic and noise pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the heart of the cities are some of the purposes Redyser driven project, a courier company and messaging.
“As a socially responsible company, we want to help detoxify the urban centers moving packages in green vehicles,” said General Director Redyser, Francisco Toledo. He adds, “people want a more sustainable transport and reports from different organizations and companies ratify. Drivers are showing increasing interest in environmentally friendly vehicle purchase and use public transport as an alternative to private transport. “
The concept of sustainable mobility refers to the set of processes and actions to solve social and environmental problems in order to achieve a rational use of transport of people. These policies are aimed at reducing gases and mitigate its negative effects, since transportation accounts for a quarter of the emissions of greenhouse gases and 36% of energy consumption in Spain.
Redyser is a carrier and messaging with 21 years of industry experience. It is a signatory to the UN Global Compact in 2010, was awarded the SME Codespa Solidarity Foundation for his project Codespa EQA-Helping Companies in 2011 and presented its first Sustainability Report in 2012.
Environment Investigate Whether a Company Malpractice Moymsa Caused Odors in the Estuary
The Department of Development, Planning and Environment will open an information to determine the cause of odors that have taken place in the past two days in the vicinity of the estuary of Avilés. According to a note from the regional government, which has had access to Europa Press, “the investigation will examine whether there may have been some malpractice in the work of the maintenance company and oil-hydraulic assembly Moymsa, which carried out the cleaning a tank from another factory, containing a small amount of odorant “.
The odorants, explains the note, are substances with a characteristic odor, which are added to the toilet or natural gas liquids from natural gas when employed as fuel, in order to allow their detection. Technical air quality and waste from the Ministry presented themselves this morning in the company avilesina. They took samples of the cleaning solution, which will be analyzed, and left immobilized tank containing the malodor generating substance.
According to initial investigations, the product containing the ethyl mercaptan is Cuba. While this product may be harmful by inhalation, the small amount that remained in the tank suggests that no significant risks or health or to the environment, says the Ministry.
For its part, the City of Aviles has reported that “the first news about odors came through a call to the local police, on Friday December 28 at 18:10 hours, in which a citizen warned of “a strong smell of gas in the area of the estuary.” This call was followed by several others over alerting / reporting on the same terms.
Thus, relating the actions taken from the municipal to the subject, the Consistory explains in a note that “at that time, an allocation of the local police in the area and individual notes odors.” “Firefighters are advised Asturias who moved to the site to try to determine the source and potential risk and / or danger exists. Upon timely inspection could not determine the source of that smell and was not detected either in place risk or danger for some people, “the statement said.
In the following days -29, 30 and 31 December-have again received both local police and the service “112 Asturias phone calls reporting the aforementioned fact, mobilizing crews back to this Local Police and Fire Service Asturias. Neither was it possible to determine the source of the trouble and discarded again denounced the existence of danger to people.
After investigations / inspections carried out in the afternoon yesterday and this morning, with the collaboration of the Nature Protection Civil Guard (SEPRONA) and technicians of the Ministry of Environment, we have determined the odor source.
The Environment a Factor Determining Health
Environmental conditions “relevant” to health and, in fact, the proliferation of nervous diseases and tumors relates “closely” with social and environmental factors, determines the report, which is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) to explain that environmental degradation is “responsible” for 3/4 parts of existing tumors.
In the framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S., Holland, Germany and France are the countries with the highest percentage of public expenditure allocated to health, while Spain is in an intermediate position, slightly above average.
One of the problems described in this report is the increase in healthcare debt, which in late 2011 shot up to 11.595 million because of communities like Valencia, Andalusia and Galicia, which account for half of the debt incurred between October and December that year.
With regard to chronic diseases, Spain is among the countries with lower mortality rates, and the main causes of death are diseases of the circulatory system, responsible for 31.2% of deaths, tumors (28.1%) and respiratory diseases (10.5%).
Mental health, the report draws on the latest National Health Survey in Spain to conclude that 21.3% of the population aged 16 years and older and 22.1% of children between four and 15 years are at risk of “poor” mental health in the near future as a result of conduct disorders, depression, stress and anxiety.
People with mental illness have a 20% lower life expectancy and are more prone to obesity, hypertension or diabetes, which invest more resources is a pending “especially” for Spain, a country that less invested in the care of people with mental illness, the report said.
The current scenario of health and pharmaceutical expenditure in the various regions is another chapter that addresses this Sustainability Report 2012.
Communities that reflect greater control health spending are: Valencia, who has the lowest health spending growth of all communities and Andalusia, which has failed to curb health spending since 2008.
Among the communities that have reduced their budget on health include Extremadura and the Canary Islands, which are those that have also experienced a larger cut in health spending per capita, whereas Murcia is the only one that has not reduced its budget on health in 2011.
Ways to Prevent Climate Change
It will briefly some ways in which different groups have addressed the problem, or intended to address the problem of global climate change. All placed a strong emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
FCCC CONVENTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
The Framework Convention on Climate Change of the United Nations (FCCC) was signed at the World Summit in 1992 by 162 governments focused specifically on the problem. The main objective of the convention is to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system . The convention required all nations to sign the treaty should make reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.
In the UK, established a program that aims to achieve this objective through the promotion of efficient use of energy, as a means to reduce carbon dioxide generation in all sectors of the nation.
In the power generation plants has been invested in combined heat and power, which uses heat energy formerly lost.
In industry, the saving measures are specific to each process.
In the domestic sector, will be achieved by improving the thermal insulation of homes and improving the efficiency of household appliances through better designs and better use, such as lighting.
On the commercial methods of efficiency improvement will be achieved by methods similar to those domestic.
Public transport, through improvements in engine technology, better maintenance of engines, meet the speed limits and more discreet use of acceleration and braking.
For this eventually implemented, it is necessary to invest in education and information campaigns, establish regulations and standards, along with audit, tax and price regulation, economic incentives and disincentives.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIERRA CLUB
Improving the efficiency of automobiles. Be achieved through better technology, lightening the structure, improved engine and transmission, reducing aerodynamic drag, dimimuyendo resistance of the wheels, etc.
Accelerate improvements in energy efficiency industries, residences and commercial establishments and public, through effective policies.
Stimulate and accelerate research and development of technologies based on energy sources of renewable energy.
Ending deforestation and encourage reforestation (Glick, 1997)
Internationally Confronting Global Climate Change
Agenda 21
The main outcome of the Conference on Environment and Development of the UN, is the most comprehensive action plans for the 90′s and beyond, adopted by the international community. Represents a set of integrated strategies and programs outlined to stop and reverse the effects of environmental degradation and promote appropriate and sustainable development in all countries.
Rio Declaration
Proclamation made by the Conference on Environment and Development United Nations, held in Rio de Janeiro, June 1992. Reaffirms and builds upon the declaration of the Conference on the Human Environment United Nations held in 1972. The aim of the declaration is to establish cooperation between the member states to reach agreements on the laws and principles that promote sustainable development. The statement confronts various areas related to global change, providing a policy environment facing global change, including: natural resources, environmental impacts of development, protecting ecosystems, sharing scientific ideas, internalization of environmental costs, etc..
Framework Convention on Climate Change
Signed by 165 states, commits its signatories to the goal of “stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at levels that would prevent anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The convention establishes provisional target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000. The convention establishes a protocol for nations to take an inventory of emissions and can follow their progress. It also faces the issue of funding and technology transfer from developed countries to developing.
Report of the IPCC Second Assessment
The IPPC (International Panel on Climate Control) is an international body, consisting of delegates and scientific intergovernmental since 1988 are assessing global warming. His last major assessment was “Climate Change 1995″, which provides the basis for the Geneva meeting and the next meeting in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997, which limited human CO2 emissions. The Summary of the Second Assessment provides:
“During the last decades, have become very apparent two important factors in the relationship between humans and the global climate. Firstly, human activities, including burning fossil fuels, changes in land use and agriculture, are increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (which tend to increase the atmospheric temperature) and in some regions, aerosols (which tend to cool the atmosphere.) These changes, together, are projected to change regional and global climate with weather-related parameters, such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture and sea level. Secondly, some human communities have become more vulnerable to risks such as storms, floods and droughts as a result of increased population density in risky areas such as river of rivers and coastal plains. serious changes have been identified as increasing in some areas, the incidence of high temperature events, floods., increased pests, changes in the composition, structure and ecological functioning, including primary productivity. ” (Pace Energy Project, 1997)