Environmental impact assessments

During the last few decades human impacts have reached an unprecedented intensity and, due to a vastly increased population and higher consumption per head, have affected the whole world. There are many conflicts between human goals and natural processes. Human activities deflect the natural flow of energy, by-pass natural processes, sever food chains, and simplify ecosystems. When planning developments such as roads, power stations, or dams, environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are carried out. EIAs are designed to identify and predict the impact on the biogeophysical environment and on mans health and well- being, explain the legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects, and operational procedures of suggested developments, and interpret and communicate information about any impacts. EIAs ensure that possible effects are taken into account during the planning of projects and when a decision is taken as to whether, and under what, conditions a project may be carried out.

 

Some examples of EIAs have been before offshore drilling for oil in the Beaufort Sea, an assessment of an oil pollution incident in Gialova Lagoon and Navarino Bay in Greece, fish farming, airport extensions, and the deepening of key waterways. Problems tend to arise from the countless variables that can effect developments during construction, upon completion, or several decades later, and the irreversible consequences of these problems. Many scenarios need to be considered to ensure the future safety of the ecosystem being altered.