Biodiversity Green roof Greenhouse

Work by:

Diogo SousaJoel BarbosaKiran Costa

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of genes, species and ecosystemsthat constitute life on the planet. We are currently witnessing a steady

loss ofbiodiversity, with profound consequences for the natural world and

humanwelfare.

The main causes are changes in natural habitats as a result ofintensive agricultural production, construction, quarrying, theoverexploitation of forests, oceans, rivers, lakes and soils, introduction ofinvasive alien species, pollution, and increasingly, global climate change.

Europe has set a target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010.

Several recent studies show that the SAA if not more effort significant policy is unlikely that this goal is met.

Humanity is itself part of biodiversity and our existence would be impossible without it.

Quality of life, economic competitiveness, employment and security, everything depends on this natural capital.

Biodiversity is fundamental to the "ecosystem services", I mean services that nature provides:

climate regulation, water and air, soil fertility and food production, fuel, fiber and medicines.

Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the viability of agriculture and fisheries in the long term and is the basis of many industrial processes and production of new medicines.

In Europe, human activity has shaped the biodiversity since the expansion of agriculture and livestock production, more than 5000 years.

The agricultural and industrial revolutions led to profound and rapid changes in land use, the intensification of agriculture, urbanization and the abandonment of land which, in turn, resulted in the disappearance of many practices (eg traditional agricultural methods) that helped to preserve the richness of biodiversity in landscapes.

The high consumption and waste production per person in Europe means that our impact on ecosystems extends far beyond our continent. The lifestyles of Europeans rely heavily on imported resources and goods from all corners of the world, often encouraging the exploitation of natural resources.

This leads to the loss of biodiversity which, in turn, reduces the capital resources it is based on the economic and social development.There can be no purpose more inspiring than to begin the age of restoration, re-weaving the wonderful diversity of life that still surrounds us.

The loss of biodiversity is inextricably linked to ecosystem services that support life on Earth.

The Report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005, assessed 24 ecosystem services globally and found that 15 of these services have been degraded;

affecting fisheries; timber production; water supply; waste treatment and decontamination,

purification of water, protection against natural hazards and regulation of air quality.

The report 2005en Situations and Prospects of the AEA and its fourth assessment of the environment, Pan European show that, apparently, the EU is not making progress in achieving the objective of halting biodiversity loss in the region by 2010.

It has a few laps to drive?

Often, cars pollute more in short trips, when the engine is cold, so

before you go on foot or by bicycle.

Policies on biodiversity

European leaders have set a target to halt biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010. Contribute to this goal a set of policies at national, EU and pan-European. Many policies focus on specific protection measures for species and important habitats.

However, to ensure sustainable management of biodiversity is essential to integrate the needs of biodiversity in the development and implementation of sectoral policies. The European Community strategy on biodiversity creates the necessary framework for such integration.

Activities of SAA

The work of the SAA on data, indicators and assessments levied on biodiversity conservation measures (such as protected areas or species protection) and the integration of biodiversity concerns into economic sectors such as forestry, agriculture and fisheries. 

The main activities include the project "Streamlining European 2010

Biodiversity Indicators (rationalization of European biodiversity indicators for

2010) and the management of the Centre for Exchange of Information on

Biodiversity in the European Community (link). The SAA was chosen as the

European data center for biodiversity.

Green roof 

Green Roof is a technique that involves the application architecture and use of vegetation on the roof of buildings with adequate waterproofing and drainage, providing improvements in the conditions of thermo comfort of buildings and landscaping, reducing environmental pollution common in larger urban centers .

Thermoacoustic improves conditions of the building, both in winter and summer.

Bioclimatic studies indicate that with the use of living roofs, can be improved by 30% thermal conditions inside the building, without resorting to air conditioning systems or artificial air conditioning.

It is also a great attraction for commercial spots, making them more visible, even when away from strategic locations. 

The green roof also keeps the relative humidity constant in the vicinity of the building, form a microclimate and purifies the atmosphere surrounding the building, forming a micro ecosystem.

Contributes to combating global warming by increasing the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and at the same time bring more harmony, wellness and beauty for residents and / or occupants of the building.

The plants and the land of green roof acts as a natural filter of water, which can be stored even cleaner, only to be used in irrigation of the garden, the

toilets, shower, and in arid regions, even for cooking and drinking .

Greenhouse

• The effect greenhouse has collaborated with the increase of the temperature in the globe in the last few decades. Recent research had indicated that century XX was hottest of last the 500 years. Researchers of the climate affirm that, in a next future, the increase of the temperature provoked for the effect greenhouse will be able to cause the melting of calotas polar and the increase of the level of the seas. The consequence, many litoráneas cities will be able to disappear of the map.

As it is generated

• The effect greenhouse is generated by the falling of trees of forests and the forest fire of the same ones, because they are who regulate the temperature, the winds and the level of rains in diverse regions. As the forests are diminishing in the world, the terrestrial temperature has increased in the same ratio.

As it is generated

• The burning of the oil diesel and the gasoline in the great urban centers has collaborated for the effect greenhouse. The carbon dioxide (carbónico gas) and the carbon monoxide are intent in definitive regions of the atmosphere forming a layer that the waste of the heat blocks.

Future problems • Researchers of the environment already are foreseeing the

problems future that will be able to reach our planet case this situation persist. Many ecosystems could be reached and vegetal and animal species could be extinct. Glacier melting and overflow of islands and litoráneas regions. Typhoons, hurricanes, tidal waves and floods will be able to occur with more intensity. These climatic alterations will be able to negative influence in the agricultural production of some countries, reducing the amount of foods in our planet. The rise of the temperature in the seas could cause the shunting line of maritime chain course, causing the extinguishing of some marine animals and to diminish the amount of fish in the seas.

Solutions and measures taken against the effect

greenhouse• Worried about these international problems, organisms, ONGs (Not Governmental Organizations) and governments of diverse countries already they are taking measured to reduce the ambient pollution and the emission of gases in the atmosphere. The Protocol of Kyoto, signed in 1997, foresees the reduction of pollutant gases for the next years. However, countries as the United States have made it difficult the advance of these agreements. U.S.A. alleges that the reduction of the emission of pollutant gases could make it difficult the advance of the industries in the country. In December of 2007, another important event happen in the city of Bali. Representatives of hundreds of countries had started to define measured for the reduction of the emission of pollutant gases. They are measured that they will have after to be taken by countries 2012.