In this free courseware module, we first looked at some of the main global and local (China and Hong Kong) environmental issues. Examples are climate change, habitat loss and depletion of resources. These problems are relevant to world population, urbanization and consumption patterns. One way to gauge the extent of the problems is an indicator called the Ecological Footprint.
Many governments believe the way to solve environmental problems is to adopt sustainable development, which relates to long-term views of balancing development and care for the environment. Environment, society and economy are the three pillars of sustainable development. This three-legged stool must be well-balanced to achieve sustainability. Sacrifice of any one pillar is not the goal of sustainable development.
To strike such a balance is not easy, especially in a fast-growing region like Asia. The booming population and economic growth has imposed tremendous pressure over our environment. However, the seriousness of any environmental impacts still needs to be estimated. This is the beginning of the process of something called EIA. EIA is about how the environmental impacts of a particular project affect our surroundings. Impact of chemicals on our physical environment was the catalyst to much environmental legislation including EIA legislation. But, within a city or a country, there are many projects occurring at the same time. Thus, policies, plans and programmes are needed to reduce the cumulative effects of environmental impacts from all projects; these are the areas of coverage of SEA and REA.
In this free courseware module, we have not taken a deeper look at the concepts of EIA, SEA and REA. However, it is hoped that you will be able to have some background in some of the contemporary environmental issues, and the origins and concepts of sustainable development, which could help you to make sense of why there is a need for EIAs.
If you would like to learn more on this subject, you are welcome to enrol in ENVR S320 Environmental Impact Assessment offered by the School of Science and Technology of the OUHK.
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