Sustainable Development

1. UNIT 6.
ENVIRONMENT AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1. Sustainable development
2. Changing the natural environment
3. Impact of the primary sector
4. Impact of the secondary sector
5. Impact of the tertiary sector
6. Environmental problems in Spain.
7. Protected areas in Spain

2. 1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
 Concept.
Sustainable development is a wide concept to define as it includes
different fields, such as economic, social or environmental field.
However, we can define this term as the theory that supports
stimulating economic growth to guarantee the well –being of
all human beings, while still safeguarding the planet´s natural
resources for future generations.
Video: http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?pg=33&s=films_details&id=432&vl=Eng&vo=2

3. 2. CHANGING THE NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT.
 Economic activities (production of food, housing,
infrastructure…) add human-made elements to the
landscape and alter the environment. They may not change
it at all, change it in a sustainable manner, or degrade it. In
some cases, the environment may be degraded in an
irreversible or unsustainable way.
 It is necessary to take care of our environment. So,
although all the activities includes in the three sectors of the
economy are really important to growth as a society, our
actions have to be orientated to prevent environmental
degradation.
 In the following slides you are going to study the impact of
the primary, secondary and tertiary sector of the economy on
the environment.

4. 3. IMPACT OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR
A. THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
FARMING
 The area of farmland is increasing in order to meet (satisfy)
growing demands for food or animal feed. The result is a
considerable loss of natural vegetation, which leads to soil
erosion. In addition, they can have a negative impact on the
environment:
 Groundwater irrigation depletes aquifers.
 The excessive use of chemical fertilisers pollutes the soil, as
well as the surface water and the groundwater.
 Greenhouse farming increases waste. When the plastic used to
cover these spaces is no longer usable, it is discarded (throw
out), creating an accumulation of waste.
 Intensive livestock farming is another problem. This often
involves housing animals in poor or inadequate living
conditions. Improper management of the large amounts of
excrement produced also leads to soil and groundwater
pollution.

5. B. THE IMPACT OF FORESTRY
 Exploiting large areas of forest leads to deforestation. This,
can result in soil erosion and a loss of biodiversity. For
example, in Brazil and or Indonesia, logging (explotación forestal)
is having devastating consequences.
 Finland’s forestry industry is usually cited as an example of
sustainable productivity and growth. For example, all clear-
felling requires a reforestation programme.
C. THE IMPACT OF FISHING
• The high volume of fishing activity and the use of commercial
fishing methods can lead to overfishing.
• Trawling and electrofishing are non-selective methods. They
trap young fish and a wide variety of other species, which
often die.
• Several measures may be introduced to mitigate these
effects. These include temporary fishing bans (periods when
no fishing is allowed in a certain area to allow species to
regenerate), or the use of nets with holes large enough to
allow young fish to escape.

6. 4. IMPACT OF THE SECONDARY SECTOR
A. THE IMPACT OF MINING
 The extraction of minerals and rocks for factories and construction has led
to depleted deposits. Mining impacts in other ways too:
 Environmental: soil erosion, and damage to the landscape, vegetation
and fauna; pollution of the air, surface water and groundwater.
 Social: particularly in developing countries, where exploitation of minerals,
such as diamonds and coltan, can lead to armed conflict and crimes
committed against the local population.
B. THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRY
Factories have a serious impact on the environment. Emissions pollute the
atmosphere and waste products pollute the water and soil. The ability to reduce
or prevent this damage varies according to the environmental laws that each
country has. Many governments in developing countries seem to have little
interest in protecting the environment.
C. THE IMPACT OF ENERGY PRODUCTION
 Non-renewable energies: Burning coal, gas and oil at power stations releases
large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global
warming. Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide. However, nuclear
accidents can have devastating effects because of the radiation that is
released. On top of that, nuclear power plants generate hazardous waste,
which can remain toxic for thousands of years.

7. 5. IMPACT OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR
 The impact of tourism
 The development of tourism on a mass scale involves creating a
complex infrastructure. The resulting development often transforms the
landscape according to the type of tourism most commonly found there.
 Landscapes produced by beach tourism. Sometimes, these can be
identified by a large number of buildings connected by major roads, airports
and ports. In others, the result is a landscape made up of resorts with high-
rise buildings, golf courses, sports facilities, etc.
 Landscapes produced by winter tourism. In addition to hotel and transport
infrastructure, there is the infrastructure required for winter sports: ramps,
lodges, etc. This involves removing vegetation from the mountain sides (land
clearing) and building ski lifts to reach the ski slopes.
 The impact of transport networks
 The infrastructure associated with transport networks has a negative
impact on the landscape. It also affects the flora, fauna, soil and water
in an area. The following have the most significant impact:
Within the tertiary sector, the biggest environmental impact comes
from infrastructure which is required for tourism and transport.

8. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN SPAIN
Air pollution and climate change
 One of the main causes of climate change is the emission of
pollutant gases into the atmosphere.
 Spain is one of the developed countries that emits the most
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Uncontrolled urbanisation
 Between 1987 and 2000, the total built-up surface area in
Spain increased by 29.5%, double the European average.
Most construction was taking place in precious natural areas
with fragile ecosystems, such as the coasts and mountains.
This construction was driven by the popularity of beaches and
snow sports with tourists.
 The Spanish coast is very densely populated. Buildings affect
marine currents and lead to the disappearance of natural
beaches and decreased biodiversity.

9. Desertification
 Desertification is one of the most serious environmental
problems in Spain. It is particularly severe in the Mediterranean
region because of the effects of climate change and human
activity. Today, more than two thirds of Spain is categorised as
arid land. Forest fires are one of the causes of this increased
desertification.

10. Disappearance of native flora and fauna
 The forestry sector, electricity pylons, pollution, the use of
poisons and urbanisation, amongst other factors, have pushed
many species to the brink of extinction. These include trees
(cork oak), birds (bearded vulture, Spanish imperial eagle),
mammals (brown bear, Iberian lynx) and fish (bluefin tuna).
Lack of awareness
 Most environmental problems are caused by human activity. It
is therefore our responsibility to tackle these problems.
Possible solutions include: policies to improve the
environment, better environmental education and raising
public awareness. This could lead to lower pollutant gas
emissions by industrial and domestic users, environmentally
friendly urban planning, more recycling, less water pollution,
fewer intentional forest fires and uncontrolled landfill sites, etc.

11. 7. PROTECTED AREAS IN SPAIN
 Because of concerns about the environment, a series of
policies and protected spaces have been introduced in
Spain.
 There are three categories of protected areas in
Spain:
 Areas protected by international agreements: are natural
spaces included in the international agreements which Spain
has signed (Wetlands of International Importance, Biosphere
Reserves, etc.)
 Areas in the EU’s Natura 2000 network: is the EU´s main
instrument for nature conservation (Timanfaya National Park
is a Natura 2000 network Special Protected Area).
 Natural spaces protected by Spanish legislation.

12.  NATURAL SPACES PROTECTED BY SPANISH LEGISLATION.
Spanish laws establish the following types of protected areas:
- NATIONAL PARKS: These are natural spaces of high ecological and
cultural value that have been changed very little by human activity. They
have very beautiful landscapes and important ecosystems, and their
flora, fauna, and geological and geomorphological landforms are unique.
- NATURAL PARKS: These are areas of land or water that form an
ecological unit of importance to the autonomous government, which
therefore takes responsibility for their conservation and management
- NATURE RESERVES: These are natural spaces created to protect
ecosystems, biological elements and communities that merit special
protection because of their rarity, fragility, importance or uniqueness.
- NATURAL MONUMENTS: These are natural spaces or elements formed
of very unique, rare or beautiful features that merit special protection
- PROTECTED LANDSCAPES: The competent authorities consider these
areas to merit special protection because of their natural, aesthetic and
cultural importance
- MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: These are natural spaces in the marine
environment with ecosystems, biological elements and communities that
merit special protection because of their rarity, fragility, importance or
uniqueness.