UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE NUEVO

LEÓN ESCUELA Y PREPARATORIA

TÉCNICA MÉDICA

The nature of life

Stage 4
Weeks 2- 3

Miembros: Vázquez López Ana Gabriela

Matricula: 2068020
Grupo: 503

Monterrey, Nuevo León 09 de noviembre de 2022

 1. Read the topic 4.3 Environmental impact, and write a report describing the following:
Definition of pollution and pollutants; air, water and soli pollution; global warming;
climate changes

Pollution and pollutants.

Pollution can be defined as the presence and accumulation of external components that
can be of physical, chemical or biological origin, which affect the health of natural
ecosystems by being harmful to the living beings that inhabit them, by altering fundamental
ecosystem processes.
Air, water and soil pollution. Pollution of the atmosphere.
The air we breathe can contain a large number of pollutants, many of which are emitted
directly into the atmosphere, while others are synthesized in the atmosphere from
chemical reactions subsequent to the emission of precursor gases, their effect can cover
scales very wide geographical areas, since the air moves freely from one place to another
over great distances, in addition, contaminants can be absorbed by living beings simply by
breathing or drinking water when toxic substances are deposited and dissolved in they.
The most common gaseous pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ozone. Water pollution. It consists of a
modification of the water, generally as a result of human activities, which makes it
inappropriate for human or animal consumption, or for agricultural, livestock, fishing and
even recreational use. The most common way that water is polluted is through the
discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater into rivers and streams. From there, the
pollutants are distributed to lakes and seas, and end up being incorporated into the bodies
of animals and plants that come into contact with them, the most common are garbage,
chemical waste from factories and industries, sewage, pathogens from decomposing
organic waste, pesticides, detergents, and oil.
Soil contamination. It consists of the accumulation of toxic substances and components of
the soil, which have the effect of degrading its quality, causing damage and reducing its
possibility of use by both human beings and other living beings. The soil can be
contaminated by solid, liquid or gaseous substances and elements, which affect the lives
of living beings that depend on it. The most common chemical products that contaminate
the soil are petroleum derivatives, as well as solvents, pesticides and heavy metals.
Plastics are also major sleep pollutants. These biodegrade very slowly and during this
process harmful substances are released into the soil and the atmosphere. Likewise,
radioactive waste is another important source of soil contamination. The type of
contaminant and the intensity of soil contamination depend on the level of industrialization
of the area and how much these products are used in the locality.
Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the oceans and the
earth's atmosphere, and has currently been alarming worldwide in recent decades. As we
said, it is often confused with climate change because they are terms that could be said to
go hand in hand because their causes and consequences mostly coincide. The main
cause is the massive emission of different greenhouse gases or GHGs that retain heat
within the atmosphere and on the earth's surface through the so-called greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process by which heat from the Sun is retained in the
Earth's atmosphere thanks to the GHG layer found in it. These gases in normal amounts
maintain the temperature of the planet at approximately 33ºC above what it would be if
they did not exist, so the planet would be too cold for life to develop on it. However, the
greenhouse effect is currently becoming so intense because of our emissions that it is
beginning to have serious repercussions on the environment. There are various activities
linked to these greenhouse gas emissions that have increased in the atmosphere since
the Industrial Revolution.
It is understood as a climate change attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that
alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to the natural
variability of the climate observed during comparable periods of time. On the other hand,
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines it as any change in
climate over time due to natural variability or as a result of human activities. From the
meteorological point of view, climate change is called the alteration of the prevailing
conditions. External processes such as the variation of solar radiation, variations of the
earth's orbital parameters (the eccentricity, the tilt of the earth's axis with respect to the
ecliptic), the movements of the earth's crust and volcanic activity are factors. which are of
great importance in climate change. Climate change occurs in: Increased drought in
tropical regions. Increased temperatures in temperate zones and in mountain ranges.
Melting of glaciers. Floods and torrential rains. Increased frequency of extreme
weather events.

2. Answer the 3 questions of step 12 from your instructional guide related to the topic
4.3.4 Ecological footprint

● How is “ecological footprint” defined?

It is a concept that has been proposed to measure the effect that human beings have on
the environment by using the land for the production of fibers and food, the generation and
use of energy, and the construction of houses, road industries and urban areas, among
other uses.

● How is the ecological footprint of humanity?

The ecological footprint of each human being is 2.7 hectares. However, our planet is only
capable of granting each of its inhabitants about 1.8 hectares (WWF2012). This difference

indicates that each of us uses more space to meet our needs than the planet can give us.

● What are the variables that must be taken into account to calculate the ecological
footprint of an individual?

• Population growth.
• Loss of fertile soil. or deforestation.
• The depletion of resources.
• Increased consumption.

● What is the biocapacity of the Earth?

The ability of a biologically productive surface to produce renewable resources and absorb
the waste resulting from consumption.
 3. After you read the topic 4.4 Sustainability answer the questions of step 16 from your
instructional guide

• How is sustainable development defined?

It is the search to satisfy the needs of current generations without affecting the possibility
that future generations can do so. This implies promoting economic and social growth that
respects natural ecosystems and ensures the maintenance of the quality of the
environment.
• List and describe the three components of sustainability.
• Environmental or ecological sustainability. A model of sustainable development in
environmental or ecological terms considers care for the environment, the integrity
of natural ecosystems and ecosystem services
• Economic sustainability. It is related to the potential of a society to solve its
economic problems, to produce sufficient and equitable wealth, as well as to
maintain a balance between production and consumption that is reflected in a
social welfare that does not compromise that of future generations.
• Societal sustainability. The "health" of a society as a whole depends largely on its
social fabric, in which values, education, culture, art, harmony, organizations,
communication and creativity play a fundamental role.