society & public health
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society & public healthTRANSCRIPT
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How Humans Impact the Environment
Jonathan M. Links, PhDJohns Hopkins University
3
Environmental Sciences
The natural environment− Ecology
Man’s impact on the natural environment− Ecology and environmental engineering
The environment’s impact on man− Environmental health sciences
4
The “Environment” and Health
The natural environmentThe built environmentThe social environment
Human/Environment Impact Circle
Humans
Environment
6
Precepts
The physical environment, our habitat, is the most important determinant of human healthProtection of the environment and preservation of ecosystems are the most fundamental steps in preventing human illnessEnvironmental problems are global and long-termHuman belief systems are part of the problem
7
The Earth as a Fishbowl
Ecosystem
Natural ResourcesEnergy Resources
Environmental Services
Solarenergy Heat
8
Small Population and Little Technology
Small population and little technology—society has low impact on environment
ENVIRONMENT
Deplete Pollute
Traditional economics
SOCIETY
9
Our Expanding Numbers
World population growth through-out history and near-term future
2.5 Myrs ago
7000B.C.
4000B.C.
1000B.C.
A.D.2040
6 billion—1998
5 billion—1987
4 billion—1974
3 billion—1959
2 billion—1938
1 billion—1830
5
Billions of People4
3
7
2
1
10
9
8
6
A.D.1
10
Larger Population and Increased Technology
Larger population and increased technology—society has great impact on environment
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental economics
SOCIETY PolluteDeplete
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Societal Needs and Wants
WANTS
ENVIRONMENT
WANTS
NEEDS
12
Why Do We Pollute the Environment?
Humanbehavior—Needs—Wants
Driving forces—Population—Technology—Economic, political,
and social values
Mitigating forces—Environmental laws—Market adjustments—Informal social
regulation
Environmental change
13
The Industrial Process and the Environment
Chemical inputs(raw materials)
INDUSTRY
Airpollution
Power inputs(gas, oil coal)
Waterpollution
Other inputs(water)
Toxicwaste
The productitself
14
Environmental Impact (A Model)
I = P x A x T
I = environmental impact; P = population;A = affluence; T = technology
Growth in environ. impact
Growth in population
Growth in affluence
Growth in technology= x x
Consumption
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U.S. Material Consumption Trends
0
200
400
600
800
1910 1930 1950 1970 1990
Milli
on M
etric
Ton
s Indust. MineralsMetalsNonfuel OrganicsPaperWoodAgriculture
16
U.S. Household Ownership of Appliances
0
20
40
60
80
100
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Per
cent
Color TV Air Conditioners Microwave Video Recorders
17
World Fossil Fuel Use
0
1500
3000
4500
6000
7500
9000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Mill
ion
Tons
of O
il E
quiv
alen
t
18
Sulfur and Nitrogen Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning
Worldwide emissions from burning fossil fuels
0
20
40
60
80
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Mill
ion
Tons
Sulfur Nitrogen Dioxide
19
The London “Killer” Smog of 1952
Daily concentrations of smoke and sulfur dioxide are related to the number of “excess” deaths each day in London
Adapted by CTLT from….
20
World Automobile Production and Fleet
0
10
20
30
40
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Pro
duct
ion
(mill
ions
)
0
200
400
600
Fleet (millions)
Production Fleet
21
MSW and Per Capita Generation of MSW
Municipal solid waste (MSW) and per capita generation of MSW
020406080
100120140160180200
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Mill
ion
Tons
00.511.522.533.544.55 P
ounds/Person/D
ay
Million Tons of MSW Pounds/Person/Day
22
The Big Questions
1. What is this pollution doing to us?2. What can we do about it?
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Problem-Solving Paradigm: Six Steps
1. Define the problem2. Measure its magnitude3. Understand key determinants4. Develop intervention/
prevention strategies5. Set policy/priorities6. Implement and evaluate
Risk assessment
Risk management
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Risk Assessment and Management
Hazardidentification
Exposureassessment
Dose-response
assessment
Risk characterization
Risk management
Risk communication
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Dose-Response Curve
100%
Response
Carcinogens
Non-carcinogens
0Dose
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Dose-Response Curve
ObservableRange
Range of Inference
Response
Dose
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Risk Management Approaches
Engineering− Process controls− Emission reduction
Social and behavioral− Worker training− Risk communication and risk reduction
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Risk Management Approaches
Regulatory− Emission limits− Mandated processes
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Perceived vs. Actual Risk
OptimumProtectionUnderprotection Overprotection
PublicPolicy
PublicPolicy
PublicPolicy
PerceivedRisk
ActualRisk
PerceivedRisk
PerceivedRisk
30
Recognition of a Broader Environmental Impact
Food securityClimate changeDeforestationDesertificationLand degradationStratospheric ozone depletionLoss of biodiversity