Reducing the Human Impact on the Environment
Human activity has a major effect on the environment. The ecosystems and the planet as a whole have changed dramatically as a result of efforts to support the growing population. The humanity is more than ever threatened by its own actions because the natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, while the human activity is considered the number one cause of the global climate change which is the greatest challenge the human race has ever faced in history. And the scientists fear that the outcome cannot be good without immediate actions to reduce the human impact on the environment.
Not everyone agrees with the UN definition of sustainable development which foresees development in harmony with the nature because development automatically affects the environment. However, as long as development reduces the negative impact of human activities on the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, waste, consumption of natural resources, creating a retreat for wildlife or any other way, it can be defined as sustainable. And the same counts for activity of an individual because industry and building are not the only factors that affect the environment. On the contrary, actions of an individual are just as important. After all, there will be 7 billion of individuals by the end of year 2011. And for that reason the transition to a sustainable system requires participation of the wider population although political and economic adjustment are not negligible because the implementation of a full scale sustainability needs a complex and centrally led strategy. A good example is recycling which is an important part of sustainable development. Households and industrial facilities cannot recycle if there is no separated waste collection for instance. On the other hand, the central and local authorities can take all the necessary measures but they will remain without any effect if the people do not actively contribute to the efforts to reduce the human impact on the environment. Transition to sustainability is a process which requires participation of everyone.
Both the wider population and governments seem to be aware that prompt action is required to reduce the human impact on the environment which is the key to reversal of the global climate change as well as reduction of the pressure on natural resources. Things seem to be improving and concrete measures have been undertaken in order to reduce the human impact on the environment by both the governments and people themselves. However, a lot more needs to be done to further decrease consumption of resources and improve environmental management if we want to reverse the global climate change and leave some resources to the future generations. Everything that contributes to sustainability counts, however, the rate of resource depletion and the effects of the human activity on the environment clearly show that we cannot afford small steps and slow transition to better sustainability. The humanity is running out of natural resources and the global climate change is not only something that awaits us in the future but it is already happening.