The environmental impacts designate the various forms of affecting the environment disrupting the ecosystem.
They alter the normal working conditions of nature and can cause irreversible damage to the world.
As examples, we have: the silting of rivers, desertification, soil infertility, water pollution, the loss of plant or animal species.
We can cite as environmental impacts resulting from human action: the increase in urbanization, the implementation of industries (mainly energy, oil and mining), the massification of tourism, among others.
Main environmental impacts generated by man
The human being is an important protagonist in the acceleration of environmental impacts on the environment, which has led, among other things, to climate change, loss of species and habitats.
This occurs due to the lack of environmental awareness in the population, since we increasingly use natural resources (renewable and non-renewable) indiscriminately to supply our needs.
Measures to avoid this acceleration focus on avoiding the waste of water and energy, as well as the proper disposal of garbage and the decrease in the use of cars. These measures are simple practices that would reduce the damage caused to the environment.
With globalization and the increase in world consumption, this process has accelerated more and more, generating several impacts that often become irreversible.
Some examples of these practices are intensified by the growth of cities, from construction of roads, railways, highways, bridges, implementation of industries.
These actions lead to a significant increase in deforestation, fires, pollution (water, air and soil), as well as intensive agriculture and livestock, which induce an increase in the greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain, among other negative consequences for the middle.
Positive and negative environmental impacts
Environmental impacts are associated with the negative issues caused in terrestrial ecosystems, which interfere with their composition and natural actions, leading to various environmental damage.
There are environmental impacts that are considered positive or beneficial, as they result in an improvement in living conditions on the planet.
To exemplify, we can think about planting seedlings, cleaning or desilting rivers, building dams in order to recover or prevent environmental damage, among others.
Types of environmental impacts
Depending on the area affected, the environmental impact can be classified as local, regional or global.
In addition to the types of impacts mentioned above, ie positive (beneficial) and negative (adverse), they can be classified into:
- Direct and Indirect
- Temporary, Permanent and Cyclic
- Immediate, Medium and Long Term
- Reversible and Irreversible
Legislation on Environmental Impacts
Currently, due to the acceleration of climate change, the environment has been one of the most discussed themes of the 21st century.
This led to the creation of programs and actions, as well as the establishment of legislation in the area in order to minimize the impacts caused on environmental resources.
The United States, was the precursor country to the implementation of legislation in the area through the creation of the Federal Law called ” National Environment Policy Act – NEPA”, approved in 1969.
According to Art. 225, of the Brazilian Constitution of 1888:
Everyone has the right to an ecologically balanced environment, a common use of the people and essential to a healthy quality of life, imposing on the Public Power and the community the duty to defend and preserve it for present and future generations .
In Brazil, CONAMA (National Council for the Environment) is an organ established by Law No. 6,938, of August 31, 1981, being responsible for environmental legislation.
CONAMA has been analyzing, since the mid-1980s, through the Environmental Impact Study (EIA), the environmental impacts in the country, in order to present solutions to the problems caused to the environment.
These studies presuppose a preventive control of the environmental impacts caused, mainly, by the human activity.
After this thorough assessment of the consequences generated by the environment, the Environmental Impact Report (RIMA) is carried out in order to disseminate updated statistics on the topic.
In Brazil, biomes such as the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Pantanal have been devastated by human action.
According to Article 1 of the CONAMA Resolution (No. 001, of January 23, 1986):
For the purposes of this Resolution, any change in the physical, chemical and biological properties of the environment, caused by any form of matter or energy resulting from human activities, which directly or indirectly, affects:
I – the health, safety and well-being of the population;
II – social and economic activities;
III – the biota;
IV – the aesthetic and sanitary conditions of the environment;
V – the quality of environmental resources .
In addition to CONAMA (legislative body), IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), created by Law No. 7,735 of February 22, 1989, is responsible for the enforcement of laws established by the legislature.
Thus, this executive body at the federal level, linked to the Ministry of the Environment, promotes actions for the preservation, conservation and inspection of environmental assets, in addition to granting environmental licenses to entrepreneurs.