Explain and discuss the main contributions that business can make to the environment.

Negative views have risen due to the pressures of population growth and urbanisation. Eg: Mexico where breathing in air is like smoking 60 cigarettes!

there is evidence for the change to climate due to human activity.

Science too is criticised for some of its workings such as GM of crops, which has built and increased public fear and uncertainty.

Two problems that mainly effect environmental concern are climate change, and global warming and the quality of the air in world cities.

Due to new technology advancements their are now facilities that capture emissions like the transfer of crude oil from pipe line to tankers, also that one technology which will spread around the world as more will through the clean development mechanisms of the Kyoto agreement.

Environment legislations such as the Kyoto Agreement that was negotiated in December 1997. It binds the UK to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming by 8% of 1990 levels within the period 2008-2012.

Such emissions are:

· Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) produced by burning

fossil fuels;

· Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and per fluorocarbons (PFCs);

· Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) used as an insulator of electrical

switch gear;

· Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators and air

conditioning, and already covered by the earlier Montreal

Protocol;

· Carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), one quarter

of emissions are produced by vehicle exhausts

The concentration of these gases in the atmosphere is increased by

human activities such as burning of fossil fuels deforestation and

the decay of peat bogs. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is thought to be the

biggest contributor to global warming.

Global warming occurs as the gases collect in the atmosphere and

block infra-red radiation being emitted by the earth into space.

Thus the temperature on the earth's surface and in the lower

atmosphere rises - the 'greenhouse effect'.

· Increased illness and death from air pollution and extreme

weather conditions;

· Spread of infectious diseases carried by mosquitoes and other

vectors;

· Increased outbreaks of water-borne diseases;

· Scarcity of drinking water due to drought, flooding and rising

seas;

· Effects on micro-organisms that could threaten food production

and alter life-supporting ecosystems.

Before Kyoto In 1992, 153 nations signed the UN Framework agreement on

Climate Change at the UN Conference on Environment &

Development (the 'Earth Summit') in Rio de Janeiro.

Each nation was to formulate and complete plans to counter

Global warming; developed nations were to reduce emissions to

990 levels by the year 2000 and to contribute to the cost of

measures undertaken by developing countries. The Conference of

the Parties was established to review progress.

However, emissions in most countries continued to rise. During

the First and Second Conferences of the Parties and subsequent

meetings, a consensus developed that legally binding targets were

needed. These were negotiated at the Third Conference of the

Parties, in Kyoto in December 1997.

However not all green house gases are covered as recently other greenhouse gases have been identified that could be making a significant contribution to global warming, yet these are not covered by targets.

In developing countries there are no specific targets although

their emissions are forecast to overtake those of the developed

world by around 2005. By 2030 energy demand in the developed

world is predicted to be twice its 1990 level. Also it weakens the

"moral" strength of the agreement -they believe that "why should developed

countries restrict their emissions when there are no restrictions on

developing countries".

Some developed countries believe they should not have to cut

emissions unless developing countries cut them too, as this will affect

their economic prospects. Developing countries believe that their

economies should not be punished by the past of others, and that if

richer countries made an effort, then new technologies would evolve for

the future benefit of every one.

In the UK Transport is responsible for over 25% of the carbon dioxide

emissions and its share is increasing fast.

Their are measures to reduce the impact of road

transport on the environment by reducing dependence on the

private car and encouraging public transport, walking and cycling.

Also despite all the pessimism some are optimistic and believe that

''Without a green revolution the world couldn't have fed the 2 billion extra citizens who've been added to its population since 1960.''

''Without the investment in basic engineering which provided sewerage systems and clean water the towns and cities of the world would have been overwhelmed by sickness and disease''.

There are a number of things that act towards a more positive approach to the environment on behalf of business - legislation and regulation, consumer and commercial pressures and supply chain pressures being the major ones. In many ways these revolve around the role of Government.

In conclusion it can be said that although much has been done and is still continuing to be done to improve the quality of the environment we live in, it is still not enough as cities like Mexico and other developing countries seem to have lost control over their environment due to the pressures of increased population and low economic state.