This summary will assist students in understanding the key concepts taught in the PUB2606: Environmental Affairs, as well as provide a further understanding of the topics for the assignments and exams. (To be used in conjunction with the UNISA supplied study guide & Reader).
IMPORTANT
- This is a summary of UNISA’s semester 1 2019 PUB2606 syllabus
- READ THROUGH YOUR UNISA STUDY GUIDE FIRST!
- While the UNISA Study Guide and the relevant text book have been used to create this
summary, this summary is a broad outline of the syllabus.
- Get an overview of the module and then study each topic individually
- Use this guide in conjunction with the UNISA study guide and text book – it is not a
substitute
- Ensure you understand the content of this module in order to pass.
,Theme 1 – NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL DILEMMA
Learning Unit 1 – Introduction to Environmental Affairs
1.1 Introduction
- Our daily existence is closely interwoven with the environment in which we find ourselves.
- To understand the influence of the environment on our daily lives, it is necessary to know what components constitute
the environment.
1.2 The Concept “Environment”
- People often tend to associate the environment simply with our natural surroundings
- Environment:
White Paper of Env. The environment is described as the collection of surrounding objects, conditions and influences that
Management Policy have an impact on the existence, life and development of people and other organisms
for SA (1997)
Components that make up environment
The Natural - Consists of the earth (soil, minerals), the atmosphere, flora (plant life such as trees, shrubs
Environment/ and bushes), fauna (insects, birds and animals) and water – in other words, components which
habitat are essential for our survival.
Social Conditions - E.g. population density in a particular area, poverty etc.
- The larger the population, the greater the strain on natural resources and the greater the
possibility that resources may be exhausted
- In the attempt to survive, individuals or communities will not attach much value to the
conservation of the natural environment but will exploit it to the full in order to provide for
their basic needs.
Political Situation - E.g. the change in government and the accompanying policy changes.
- The declared policy of the government of the day when they came into power in 1994 was to
improve the socioeconomic position of the disadvantaged.
- This policy is contained in the Reconstruction and Development Programme and implies,
among other things, the construction of houses and the expansion and upgrading of
infrastructure (e.g. building roads, laying pipelines).
- Such activities can impact forcefully on the environment
Man Made - Among other things, to the buildings, infrastructure, cultural heritage (monuments and
Environment historical sights), technological resources, sports grounds and parks.
- People transform their natural environment in order to provide for specific needs to such an extent that we can
eventually refer to more than one environment
- It is this ability of human beings to transform their environment that has contributed to the current distressing condition
of the environment.
1.3 Historical Overview
1.3.1 The Pre-Industrial - period preceding the industrial revolution
Period - Humankind’s ability to manipulate and exploit the natural environment and resources
was limited.
o lack of advanced technological resources
- population growth was regulated by the occurrence of epidemics and natural disasters
- no monetary economy was practised, or it was poorly developed
- The resources offered by the natural environment were not used for self-enrichment but
purely for survival
- HARMONY between env & People
- Humans influence the environment – we need to treat it with the utmost care.
- The resources offered by the natural environment were not used for self-enrichment but
purely for survival
1.3.2 The Industrial Period - A change occurred in the relationship between people and the environment.
o Modern technology enabled people to exploit previously unobtainable resources
for commercial purposes
o Wealth & Power > concern for the depletion of natural resources and the decay
of the natural environment
- Longer life expectancy of people (medical breakthroughs) led to an increase in population
worldwide, placing great strain on the natural environment.
- The industrial revolution and humankind's ability to manipulate the natural environment
led to a DISTURBANCE in the harmony between man and nature
1.3.3 The Post-Industrial - characterised by a greater awareness of the damage that people are causing the
Period environment
o because scientists are able to determine the exact extent of the destruction of
the environment and the implications for humankind
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, o e.g. ozone layer, erosion
- It became clear that humankind’s survival is on the line.
- People realised that the conservation and sensible management of the environment has
become necessary.
- There should be a BALANCE between development and progress on the one hand, and
the conservation of the environment on the other hand.
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1.4 Environment within the field of public administration
- There are certain services that can only be provided by the government
- The rendering of environmental services by the government manifests in, among other things, the proclamation of a
particular area with important natural life as a nature reserve.
- The government then offers a conservation service to the public
o The provision of environmental services is directed by an environmental policy in the form of legislation,
regulations and by-laws drawn up with the help of public officials and eventually promulgated by legislators
at national, provincial and local level.
o Policy is implemented by officials who are employed in organisational structures (e.g. the Department of
Environmental Affairs) on all three spheres of government
- Government does not carry sole responsibility for optimal environmental management.
o Each individual and all sectors of society have a responsibility towards the environment
1.5 The need for environmental Services
- The need for environmental services arises from the fact that our survival, welfare and quality of life are closely bound
up with the condition of the environment in which we find ourselves.
1.5.1 Survival - Humans are dependent on the natural env. for our survival e.g. air, water, soil
- WE need to care for this env. and resources are we are unable to just pack our bags and
leave for another planet
- The environment should be managed and conserved with the necessary care to restore
the fine balance and harmony between people and the environment. If this does not
happen, we will be heading for self-destruction.
1.5.2 Welfare of People & - The quality of life and welfare of people can indeed be influenced by the environment in
Quality of life which we live, work and play whether this is manmade or natural.
- The state of the environment can also influence the health of individuals
- The quality of life, welfare and even life expectancy of people who suffer from these
illnesses are adversely affected due to their suffering (both physically and emotionally),
from high medical costs and an inability to work and earn money.
1.5.3 Trusteeship of the - God entrusted the management of his creation to humankind
natural env. & resp. for - Current generations have the right to use the resources offered by the natural
future generations environment to their advantage, but have a moral duty to preserve the environment for
future generations and to pass it on in a good condition
- The idea that we have a certain duty towards future generations is based on the fact that
decisions taken in the present and activities that occur now have definite consequences
for future generations
- Cultural heritage forms part of the environment and we should, therefore, ensure that
this heritage is also preserved and kept for future generations.
o Continued exposure of monuments and statues to the natural elements can cause
erosion,
o Films or books that contain valuable information and knowledge may be destroyed
or damaged.
o The result may be that future generations do not have the privilege of appreciating
their cultural heritage and of understanding their origins and history, or they may
have to carry the heavy costs of restoring certain cultural artefacts
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1.6 Review
- We are dependent on the environment for survival and that, as such, it should be treated with the utmost care.
- The government does not bear sole responsibility for environmental management
- Each individual has a decisive role to play in restoring the disturbed balance between us and our environment and
ensuring a better quality of life for present as well as future generations.
Learning Unit 2 – Primary Environmental Issues
2.1 Introduction
- The global environmental dilemma cannot be reduced to merely a few issues - problem = more complex
- Generally accepted that some issues have reached critical levels & these must be actively addressed at national level
and by the international community.
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