UNIT 6. ENVIRONMENT AND

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Sustainable development2. Changing the natural environment 3. Impact of the primary sector4. Impact of the secondary sector5. Impact of the tertiary sector6. Environmental problems in Spain.7. Protected areas in Spain

1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Concept.Sustainable development is a wide concept to define as it includes different fields, such as economic, social or environmental field. However, we can define this term as the theory that supports stimulating economic growth to guarantee the well –being of all human beings, while still safeguarding the planet´s natural resources for future generations.

Video: http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?pg=33&s=films_details&id=432&vl=Eng&vo=2

2. CHANGING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

Economic activities (production of food, housing, infrastructure…) add human-made elements to the landscape and alter the environment. They may not change it at all, change it in a sustainable manner, or degrade it. In some cases, the environment may be degraded in an irreversible or unsustainable way.

It is necessary to take care of our environment. So, although all the activities includes in the three sectors of the economy are really important to growth as a society, our actions have to be orientated to prevent environmental degradation.

In the following slides you are going to study the impact of the primary, secondary and tertiary sector of the economy on the environment.

3. IMPACT OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR

A. THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK FARMING The area of farmland is increasing in order to meet (satisfy)

growing demands for food or animal feed. The result is a considerable loss of natural vegetation, which leads to soil erosion. In addition, they can have a negative impact on the environment:

Groundwater irrigation depletes aquifers. The excessive use of chemical fertilisers pollutes the soil, as well

as the surface water and the groundwater. Greenhouse farming increases waste. When the plastic used to

cover these spaces is no longer usable, it is discarded (throw out), creating an accumulation of waste.

Intensive livestock farming is another problem. This often involves housing animals in poor or inadequate living conditions. Improper management of the large amounts of excrement produced also leads to soil and groundwater pollution.

B. THE IMPACT OF FORESTRY Exploiting large areas of forest leads to deforestation. This,

can result in soil erosion and a loss of biodiversity. For example, in Brazil and or Indonesia, logging (explotación forestal) is having devastating consequences. 

Finland’s forestry industry is usually cited as an example of sustainable productivity and growth. For example, all clear-felling requires a reforestation programme.

C. THE IMPACT OF FISHING• The high volume of fishing activity and the use of commercial

fishing methods can lead to overfishing. • Trawling and electrofishing are non-selective methods. They

trap young fish and a wide variety of other species, which often die. 

• Several measures may be introduced to mitigate these effects. These include temporary fishing bans (periods when no fishing is allowed in a certain area to allow species to regenerate), or the use of nets with holes large enough to allow young fish to escape.

4. IMPACT OF THE SECONDARY SECTORA. THE IMPACT OF MINING

The extraction of minerals and rocks for factories and construction has led to depleted deposits. Mining impacts in other ways too:

Environmental: soil erosion, and damage to the landscape, vegetation and fauna; pollution of the air, surface water and groundwater.

Social: particularly in developing countries (Sierra Leona), where exploitation of minerals, such as diamonds, can lead to armed conflict and crimes committed against the local population. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhSSLQMJ-Y0)

B. THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRYFactories have a serious impact on the environment. Emissions pollute the atmosphere and waste products pollute the water and soil (industrial wastewaters). The ability to reduce or prevent this damage varies according to the environmental laws that each country has. Many governments in developing countries seem to have little interest in protecting the environment.

C. THE IMPACT OF ENERGY PRODUCTION Non-renewable energies: Burning coal, gas and oil at power

stations releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global warming. Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide. However, nuclear accidents (11/03/2011, Fukushima) can have devastating effects because of the radiation that is released. On top of that, nuclear power plants generate hazardous waste, which can remain toxic for thousands of years. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD5ZoUP57Cw)

5. IMPACT OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR

THE IMPACT OF TOURISM The development of tourism on a mass scale involves creating a

complex infrastructure. The resulting development often transforms the landscape according to the type of tourism most commonly found there.

Landscapes produced by beach tourism. Sometimes, these can be identified by a large number of buildings connected by major roads, airports and ports. In others, the result is a landscape made up of resorts with high-rise buildings, golf courses, sports facilities, etc.

Landscapes produced by winter tourism. In addition to hotel and transport infrastructure, there is the infrastructure required for winter sports: ramps, lodges, etc. This involves removing vegetation from the mountainsides (land clearing) and building ski lifts to reach the ski slopes.

THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORT NETWORKS The infrastructure associated with transport networks has a negative

impact on the landscape. It also affects the flora, fauna, soil and water in an area. The following have the most significant impact: rail transport, road transport, river and sea transport and air transport.

Within the tertiary sector, the biggest environmental impact comes from infrastructure which is required for tourism and

transport.

ACTIVITIES

1. Think and write something about the negative impact on the environment of the following transport networks:

rail transport, road transport, river and sea transport and air transport.

Page 96: Activities 4, 5.

Page 97: Activities 12.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN SPAIN

Air pollution and climate change One of the main causes of climate change is the emission

of pollutant gases into the atmosphere.  Spain is one of the developed countries that emits the

most greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Uncontrolled urbanisation Between 1987 and 2000, the total built-up surface area in

Spain increased by 29.5%, double the European average. Most construction was taking place in precious natural areas with fragile ecosystems, such as the coasts and mountains. This construction was driven by the popularity of beaches and snow sports with tourists. 

The Spanish coast is very densely populated. Buildings affect marine currents and lead to the disappearance of natural beaches and decreased biodiversity.

Desertification Desertification is one of the most serious environmental

problems in Spain. It is particularly severe in the Mediterranean region because of the effects of climate change and human activity. Today, more than two thirds of Spain is categorised as arid land. Forest fires are one of the causes of this increased desertification.

Disappearance of native flora and fauna The forestry sector, electricity pylons, pollution, the use of

poisons and urbanisation, amongst other factors, have pushed many species to the brink of extinction. These include trees (cork oak), birds (bearded vulture, Spanish imperial eagle), mammals (brown bear, Iberian lynx) and fish (bluefin tuna).

Lack of awareness Most environmental problems are caused by human activity. It

is therefore our responsibility to tackle these problems. 

Possible solutions include: policies to improve the environment, better environmental education and raising public awareness. This could lead to lower pollutant gas emissions by industrial and domestic users, environmentally friendly urban planning, more recycling, less water pollution, fewer intentional forest fires and uncontrolled landfill sites, etc.

7. PROTECTED AREAS IN SPAIN Because of concerns about the environment, a series

of policies and protected spaces have been introduced in Spain.

There are three categories of protected areas in Spain: 

Areas protected by international agreements: are natural spaces included in the international agreements which Spain has signed. Some places protected by international agreements, Tablas de Daimiel or Doñana because they are Wetlands of International Importance. Another agreement that Spain has signed is the Biosphere Reserves (http://rerb.oapn.es/red-espanola-de-reservas-de-la-biosfera/reservas-de-la-biosfera-espanolas/mapa)

Areas in the EU’s Natura 2000 network: is the EU´s main instrument for nature conservation (Timanfaya National Park is a Natura 2000 network Special Protected Area).

Natural spaces protected by Spanish legislation.

NATURAL SPACES PROTECTED BY SPANISH LEGISLATION.

NATURAL PARKS: These are areas of land or water that form an ecological unit of importance to the autonomous government, which therefore takes responsibility for their conservation and management. (Lagunas de Ruidera, Albacete-Ciudad Real).

NATURE RESERVES: These are natural spaces created to protect ecosystems, biological elements and communities that merit special protection because of their rarity, fragility, importance or uniqueness (Hoces del Cabriel, Cuenca).

NATURAL MONUMENTS: These are natural spaces or elements formed of very unique, rare or beautiful features that merit special protection (Playa de las Catedrales, Galicia).

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: These are natural spaces in the marine environment with ecosystems, biological elements and communities that merit special protection because of their rarity, fragility, importance or uniqueness (El Cachucho)

http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/red-parques-nacionales/nuestros-parques/default.aspx

NATIONAL PARKS: These are natural spaces of high ecological and cultural value that have been changed very little by human activity. They have very beautiful landscapes and important ecosystems.