The environmental impact measurement is currently the perfect ally for know for sure what are the consequences generated by human activity in the environmentfor how long they are sustained and how serious the mark left is.
But what exactly is measured? The environmental impact itself It is the result of a human activity that generates an effect on the environment and that supposes a rupture of the delicate and complex environmental balance. This particular effect is what this branch studies, which seeks, through empirical analysis, to rethink whether or not the current productive procedure is correct for the well-being of the only planet we have: Earth.
Although, in we already told you everything about the environmental impact and its definitions, here we leave you some examples of which are the most frequent environmental impacts To better understand this concept:
– air pollution.
– water pollution (seas, rivers, groundwater).
– soil contamination.
– residuous generation.
– noise pollution.
– impoverishment of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
Why is it necessary to measure human activity?
The well-being of humanity and its subsistence is closely linked to the stability of ecosystems and biodiversity. In fact, it is for this reason that it is important to control, measure and study any action that alters the ecological balance.
The truth is that certain activities are generating irreversible effects on the environment and, as if this were not serious enough, the human population is growing by leaps and bounds, depleting natural resources.
In this context, environmental impact assessment is essential to find short and long-term solutions.
Impact Measurement: eia
When talking about measuring the impact on a certain environment, it is important to highlight that the same can be negative or positive.
However, How is the impact and sustainability of the ecosystem measured? To correctly calculate the consequences of human productivity, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) according to sustainable development indicators, which aim to find the point of balance between a prosperous human life and the integrity of nature.
An EIA can be considered as a process of identifying, predicting and evaluating the possible environmental, socioeconomic, cultural and other impacts of a proposed project or development to define actionsof mitigation, not only to reduce negative impacts, but also to make positive contributions to the natural environment and well-being.
In fact, the EIA collects information from the project leader to delineate (and if possible quantify) the risks, impacts and mitigation measures incorporated throughout the life cycle of the project, from design to closure so that the decision makers are fully informed at the time of approving the project.
As reported by the EIA on its official website currently more than 100 countries have legislation that requires the application of an EIA when a development/project is considered to be can have considerable effects on environmental and social contexts. In some countries, there is also an indirect mandate to carry out EIA; for example, if the project is financed by development banks such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Ecological footprint: let’s make every step count. (Source: http://www.freepik.com)
Methods for impact assessment
The EIA describes several methods for impact assessment, including:
-The expert judgment: is based on the professional choice of experts who have considerable experience in the areas of assessed impacts, for example water, soil, biodiversity and communities.
–Quantitative physical and mathematical models: link different aspects of the hydrological cycle, impacts at the level of watersheds, impacts of changes in water and other ecosystems and land for biodiversity and accessible resources for surrounding communities.
-The cumulative impact assessment: that is, the study of a sum of impacts.
–Matrices and interaction diagrams: They take the form of a table that allows the assessment of the links or impacts between the issues listed in the rows and columns, which includes, for example, the impacts at all stages of the project, development, operation and closure, for each one of the elements of the environment and society.
-The Quick Impact Assessment Matrix (MEIR): This system creates an impact profile that allows the professional to make a quick comparison of the development options.
-ANDl Battellev Environmental Assessment System: This method is useful for determining alternatives to the proposed project plan. Then, indicators are chosen to measure specific parameters within each category of the system itself, which are ecology, pollution, aesthetics and human interest.