GEOGRAPHY IGCSE: ENVIRONMENT - WASTE AND POLLUTION
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The document discusses the disparity in waste production between MEDCs and LEDCs, emphasizing that wealthier countries produce more waste due to higher consumer demand. It highlights various environmental initiatives, such as recycling targets, sustainable technologies, and zero waste goals by retailers, while addressing the consequences of industrial pollution and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010. Additionally, the document mentions the concept of a carbon footprint as a measure of environmental impact per person.
GEOGRAPHY IGCSE: ENVIRONMENT - WASTE AND POLLUTION
- 1. IGCSE GEOGRAPHY 43. ENVIRONMENT WASTE AND POLLUTION. CASE STUDY: BRITISH PETROLEUM SPILL, GULF OF MEXICO
- 2. The amount and type of waste produced varies between countries. MEDCs have higher levels of consumption, so many produce more waste than LEDCs. Ireland and the USA produce over 700 kg of waste per person per year. In LEDCs the figure is around 150 kg per person per year. This difference is due to different levels of consumption; it is also more common to reuse items in LEDCs. As a country becomes more wealthy, the demand for consumer items increases. This means that items are replaced more frequently - leading to larger quantities of waste. For example, mobile phones and computers that still work may be discarded for a newer version.
- 3. In LEDCs waste production is lower because: • Less is bought because people are typically on lower incomes • Less packaging is used on products • Disposable items (eg razors, plastic plates and nappies) are used less • Lower literacy levels means there is less production of written material
- 4. The image below shows that preventing waste in the first place is the most favourable option. Where this is not possible, then re-using products or recycling is better for the environment than disposal in a landfill.
- 5. The government sets recycling targets for local councils. Government grants are available for businesses and households installing environmentally friendly technologies, such as solar panels. New buildings have strict national guidelines for energy efficiency.
- 6. Combined Heat and Power systems can be put in place. One example is the Southampton Community Heating Scheme where luxury apartments are served by one community boiler, reducing energy wastage and costs. Schools and communities can also put in place measures - such as recycling bins or informative posters - to raise awareness of energy wastage (eg reminding people to turn lights off).
- 7. Households are given different types of bin to sort their waste into. Recycling bins are sometimes collected more frequently to encourage their use. People can install insulation and double glazing to conserve household energy. There is reduced VAT to pay for installing environmentally friendly technologies in homes. The image below shows some ways of saving energy and using environmentally friendly technology.
- 8. Solar panels on the roof of a house, converting sunlight directly into electricity
- 10. Many major food, clothing and furniture retailers, now have 'zero waste to landfill' targets. This means that within a few years, they aim to recycle 100% of their waste, with none of it going to landfills. To do this they look at sustainable ways to process and recycle waste. An audit of materials used has to take place to identify where waste is occurring, and then strategies are undertaken to recycle or cut down on this material.
- 11. Waste plastics from the stores should be recycled into carrier bags for customer use. Packaging for products should be minimised. Waste packaging is recycled into products such as tissues. Organic (food) waste is converted into biomass energy, which can be sold back into the national grid.
- 12. For example, the car industry has seen many changes due to recent regulations and pressure to reform. One project, called the LIFE project (based in the Netherlands) aims to reuse second-hand car components when repairing cars. By developing links with car dismantlers, body shops and owners, 6,000 cars were repaired with used parts.
- 13. In the EU there are strict guidelines and targets to be met, which came into force in 2008. They include: • rules on the disposal of hazardous waste • limiting pollution released into the air or groundwater from landfill • restrictions on the use of hazardous materials in vehicles • strict standards for packaging design
- 14. Any large-scale economic activity may have a negative impact on the natural environment. Manufacturing industries in particular can cause air, water and noise pollution. Industrial pollution can affect the environment in some ways: • It may damage the wellbeing of humans and other species. For example, industrial waste can pollute drinking-water supplies or poison plants and animals. • It may interfere with natural processes. For example, industrial waste could change local climatic conditions or destroy wildlife habitats. • It may impact on people's livelihoods. For example, pollution of the sea will affect people who are involved in the fishing and tourism industries.
- 15. On 20 April 2010 a deep-water oil well exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. • The immediate effect was that it killed 11 people and injured 17 others. Oil leaked at a high rate which is difficult to calculate. Some estimates are around 40,000 barrels a day. • The oil spill posed risks to the environment and affected local industry. • The impact this oil spill was depended on which parts of the coastline you look at. It is difficult to measure the effects because of seasonal changes in wildlife.
- 17. The government asked for $20 billion in damages from BP and BP's share price fell. Local industries, such as fishing was threatened. There was a ban on fishing in the water. Tourism declined.
- 18. Plants and animals were completely covered in the oil. Seabirds, sea turtles and dolphins were found dead. Oil that entered wetland areas meant recovery would be slow. Fish stocks were harmed, and productivity decreased. The size of the oil spill was one of the largest America had seen. However because the oil entered warm waters, organisms in the water helped to breakdown the oil. The overall effect may be less than Exxon Valdez Oil spill in 1989 which happened in colder water
- 19. Environmental worker rescuing an oil-covered pelican
- 20. A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment. It calculates all the greenhouse gases we are expected to produce in all our activities and measures them in units of carbon dioxide. The world average is about 4,000 kg of carbon dioxide per person. In the UK it is nearly 10,000 kg per person.