Environmental Systems and Human Impact Analysis

Environmental Foundations

Environment: The set of physical, chemical, biological, and social components that can cause direct or indirect effects, in the short or long term, on life and human activities.

Changes in the Atmosphere

Today, it is thought that the atmosphere originated from exhaust gases produced by volcanic activity during the first stages of planet formation, fundamentally composed of water vapor, CO2, and N2. Between 2,500 and 2,000 million years ago, free oxygen appeared in the atmosphere due to the emergence of the first organisms.

Properties of the Gaia Theory

• Complexity: An increase in ecosystems; this increase in complexity over time is called ecological succession.
• Stability: The ability of a system to react and counter outside influences that attempt to destabilize it.
• Critical Complexity: Large systems can evolve into a volatile situation that brings about a crisis.

The Gaia Theory

According to Lovelock, our planet is a self-regulating system. The biosphere can be considered as a single entity on a global scale: "Gaia." Clearly, the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere interact, maintaining a balance and an optimal environment for the development of life.

Humanity and Nature

Stages of Human-Nature Relations

1. Hunter-gatherer society (Paleolithic)
2. Agricultural and livestock society (The Neolithic Revolution)
3. Technological Industrial Society

Natural Resources

Natural resources are whatever humanity derives from nature to meet basic necessities, providing food, energy, and raw materials.

Residues

Residues are materials and energy that remain unusable after human activities:

• Agricultural and livestock wastes
• Industrial wastes
• Forestry wastes
• Radioactive wastes
• Sanitary wastes
• Urban solid wastes

Indicators and Fragility

Indicators: Chemical, physical, or biological variables that are easily measurable and significant for water, air, and soil quality.

Fragility: The susceptibility of a system to be significantly modified by a specific action that produces a "domino effect" impact.

Risks and Hazards

Risks: Any condition, process, or event that can cause personal injury, economic losses, or environmental damage.

Classification of Natural Hazards

• Physical Risks:
  • Climate: Atmospheric phenomena associated with tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
  • Internal Geological: Caused by internal geological processes: volcanoes and earthquakes.
  • External Geological: Due to geological processes such as waves and ocean currents.
  • Cosmic: Falls of meteorites and solar radiation.
• Chemical Risks: Hazardous products resulting from chemical content in food, water, etc.
• Biological Risks: Diseases caused by microorganisms or parasites affecting humans, crops, or farms.