Sustainable Development, Atmosphere, and Pollution

Sustainable Development

According to the Brundtland report, where this term first appeared, sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This requires a respectful attitude towards all people, all living beings, and all ecosystems.

This involves:

1. Consuming resources below their regeneration capacity.
2. Disposing of waste in quantities that nature can absorb.
3. Utilizing renewable energy sources.
4. Ensuring development reaches the entire population.

Sustainable development has three components: economic growth, environmental conservation, and social equity. It's important not to confuse the concepts of growth and development. Economic growth refers to expansion, while development is a social concept referring to the ability to meet needs. We emphasize that current problems result from imbalance, unequal resource distribution, and poor management, with 80% of resources held by 20% of the population.

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere's functions are mainly protective and climate-regulating.

Protective Functions

Magnetosphere: The Earth's magnetic field protects us from solar wind radiation, which would otherwise destroy terrestrial molecules. The magnetic field deflects this radiation.

Ionosphere: This layer absorbs high-energy solar radiation, including harmful cosmic radiation, gamma rays, and ultraviolet radiation, causing the gas to ionize.

Mesosphere: In this layer, meteorites disintegrate, preventing them from impacting the planet.

Stratosphere: This layer contains the ozone layer, which absorbs the remaining ultraviolet radiation, converting it into heat.

Troposphere: This layer extends up to 18 km and contains 80% of atmospheric gases and almost all moisture, where weather originates.

Regulating Functions

The greenhouse effect raises the Earth's temperature from a potential -18°C to 15°C. This is due to certain gases trapping infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, delaying its escape.

What is Air?

Air is composed of more than 99% of two gases: 78% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, with 0.96% argon and the remaining 0.04% consisting of other gases. Besides oxygen, inhaled air contains other substances like sand, dust, and pollen.

• Primary Pollutants: SOx, carbon monoxide, NOx, and hydrogen in the atmosphere.
• Secondary Pollutants: sulfuric acid (water + SO3), nitric acid, and ozone in the atmosphere.

Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Biodegradation: This is the natural process by which microorganisms consume certain chemicals, removing waste over time.

Bioremediation: This involves harnessing and stimulating biodegradation to clean up polluted environments. For example, fertilizers are added to help bacteria break down hydrocarbons in oil spills.

The Three R's

1. Reduce: Minimize waste by maximizing raw material use and selecting items that generate less waste.
2. Reuse: Instead of throwing items away, find ways to reuse them.
3. Recycle: Process waste materials to create new products.