Environmental Problems and Solutions

Ozone Depletion

Problem

Ozone hole

The ozone layer

Causes

Chemicals

• Destructive agents: Freon and similar gases used in fridges, air conditioners, aerosols, etc.

Effects

• Skin cancer
• Death of ocean plankton
• Death of crustaceans
• Reduced harvest
• Increased smog
• Destruction of the ozone layer: More ultraviolet rays with an increase in skin cancer

Solutions

Substitution/replacement of these products.

Greenhouse Effect

Problem

Greenhouse effect

Causes

• Chemicals, gases
• Deforestation
• Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, peat)

Effects

• Melting of the polar ice caps
• Increase in the world sea level
• Floods
• Changes in the world climate
• Changes in world agriculture
• Droughts (long periods of very dry weather)
• Raising of average temperatures
• Increase in the Earth's global temperature

Solutions

• Reforestation
• Energy saving
• Reducing waste and energy consumption, plus reusing products

Acid Rain

Problem

Acid rain

Causes

Emission of gases from industries and thermal power stations (combined with water in the atmosphere, they produce two acids: sulfuric and nitric)

Effects

• Destruction of vegetation (especially perennials/evergreens)
• Water acidification and death of fish and aquatic organisms

Solutions

Control of gas emissions with filters

Deforestation

Problem

The destruction of the rainforests

Causes

• Excessive tree felling
• Indiscriminate burning of trees
• Increase in desertification (the process of land becoming desert)

Effects

• Change in the climate
• Disappearance of animal and vegetable species
• Desertification

Solutions

Increase in the standard of living of affected countries

Air Pollution

Problem

Atmospheric pollution

Causes

• Industries
• Vehicles

Effects

• Water pollution
• Acid rain
• Greenhouse effect

Solutions

• Filters
• Catalysts
• Lead-free petrol
• Control of emissions of gases containing lead

Water Pollution

Problem

Water pollution

Causes

• Untreated sewage in cities and industries
• Excessive use of fertilizers
• Acid rain

Effects

• Poor quality of drinking water
• Salinity
• Death of living beings

Solutions

• Treatment plants
• Increased control

Noise Pollution

Problem

Noise pollution

Causes

• Vehicles
• Poor insulation in flats and houses

Effects

• Nervous stress
• Mental disorders

Solutions

• Increased surveillance and control

Waste Management

Problem

Waste

Causes

Human and industrial activity

Effects

• Degradation/deterioration of the landscape
• Water pollution

Solutions

Recycling

Pesticide Use

Problem

The use of pesticides

Causes

• Their indiscriminate use
• The need for large harvests

Effects

• Insect resistance
• Illnesses in human beings
• Water pollution
• Food poisoning (intoxicación alimentaria)

Solutions

• Control of the quantities used
• Promoting organic farming