The EIA and SEA Techniques - Report Example

After decades of assessing human impact on the environment, the potential impacts of climate change and recent natural disasters have prompted consideration of assessment of environmental impacts on humans. Critically assess whether, and how, established EIA/SEA techniques might be applied in this latter context. by Student’s Name Code + course name Instructor’s Name Institution of Learning City, State Date Abstract The EIA and SEA techniques have over the decades been used in eradicating cumulative impacts arising from human activities, climate change and natural disasters affecting the globe. This has prompted to precautionary regulatory measures that seek to identify the intensity of environmental impacts on humans. Strategic steps have been designed in order to assist the EIA and SEA bodies in understanding the favorable and adverse effects of these impacts on humans. Organizations, community planners, and the assigned regulators are identifying alternative measures that can be used in place of conventional risk based methodologies. Technology has paved way for new and innovative means which can be used in the assessment and decision making process. The combined efforts of the EIA, SEA and the community act as an informative way that is aimed at reducing the cumulative impacts on humans caused by environmental injustices. Keywords: Cumulative impacts, Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment. Introduction Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of analyzing and evaluating the results of human activities on the environment. The outcomes can either be positive or negative depending on the nature of these activities. When carrying out an environmental impact assessment, the concerned parties take into account the socio-economic, health and cultural impacts, whether favorable or unfavorable. However, UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment EIA) as a precautionary means used in recognizing the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project before decision-making (Cooper, Poe and Bateman, 2002, P. 10). Cooper (2001 P. 15) affirms that this process seeks to foresee any forms of environmental impacts at an early stage of a project. During the planning and designing of a project, EIA comes up with precautionary measures that can assist in controlling or reducing any adverse impacts predicted. Additionally the body carrying out an environmental assessment, also contribute in profiling a project so as it suits the local environment, outline the predictions and also provide the decision makers with better alternatives. Involving EIA in projects benefits both the environment and economic status of a location. Some of these benefits include; reduced costs and time, avoiding incurred costs that may arise from treatments and impacts of law and regulations during project implementation and design. Environmental Impact Assessment involves the following steps; Screening, Scooping, Assessment and Evaluation of Impacts and Development of Alternatives, Reporting the Environmental Impact Statements (EIA), Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Decision-making, and Monitoring, Compliance, Enforcement and Environmental auditing. According to the publication by the Institute for European Environmental policy, 1994, P. 34 regardless of the laws governing a location, all these steps are mandatory when carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment. Thus the laws and legislations of EIA are all the same all over the world. These steps are incorporated together with the various techniques from the departments of EIA and SEA. Consequently the integrated approaches provide a framework of ideas and strategies that can be applied in the project or strategic level of assessment. Therefore they are able to assist in identifying the basic problems, contributing factors and come up with the best solutions to solve the identified crisis. The various environmental impacts on humans vary from, agriculture related issues, human health and water resource. These impacts affect every dimension of the ecosystem that human beings tend to depend on for survival. However each environmental impact calls for the use of a specific EIA and SEA technique and methodology depending on the degree of the impact (Clark, Kotchen and Moore, 2003, P. 239). The project methodology used by the EIA and SEA, systematically analyzes and evaluates the environmental impact first. Additionally they aim at working with systematic decision making frameworks that are transparent and rigorous. Thus each administrative level within their respectful departments is allocated tasks in implementing these techniques. Procedural steps and approaches 1. Application of expertise judgment from well trained and skilled personnel It is very important to incorporate good judgment when identifying, analyzing and assessing impacts. EIA and SEA use reports that include expertise information that has been gathered over the decades. These checklists, matrices, and models can be used by the current experts to point out any impending impacts, carry out a data collection plan and identify monitoring programs. Ultimately they provide their judgment based on the degree of the impending impacts and propose a plan which will assist in preventing the impacts (Bedforshire County Council, 1994). Therefore after identifying the type of environmental impact within a locality, experts at EIA and SEA start investigating it using the appropriate tools. These experts can carry out research by issuing questionnaires to the inhabitants within the locality as one way of collecting data. On the other hand they can assess the surroundings in order to inspect the effects of the impact on the non living things. Consequently, the data collected is combined and evaluated to identify in what ways these impacts affect the lives of human beings. 2. Identification, analysis and Evaluation of the Environmental impact There is need to conduct a survey on the previously affected area and evaluate the damages caused. This involves studying the current activities taking place in order to recognize the risks involved with the identified impact. First experts evaluate the characteristics of the impact so as to fully conclude what kind of environmental impact it is. Secondly they assess the risks involved with this impact and previously used methodologies then develop a relevant criterion to control the environmental impact (Carson, Flores and Mcade, 2001, P. 175-176). Modern technological tools can be used by scientist and other relevant experts within this area of study to predict an environmental impact. The concerned parties can study prior to the impact, the previous occurrences of the impact at hand and derive from it enough knowledge to assist them in preventing or reducing the nature of impact. The evaluation and assessment technique can be used in educating citizens on the nature of the impact. Thus preparing them psychologically and offering a way forward in which they can evade the impact without being greatly affected. 3. Choosing of an optimal investment strategy This stage involves the process of decision making in choosing the best and reliable method. These methods are listed down and vary from both complex and simple strategic methodologies. Different methodologies call for different types of data, data formats, level of expertise and advanced technological tools for their interpretation. When settling for the optimal method, all these factors should be well thought-out including the degree of precision and certainty. The concerned departments from both the EIA and SEA measure the various methods outlined and finally pick out the most suitable one depending on the environmental impact (Greene, 2000, P. 52). In choosing a method the EIA and SEA should bear in mind the affected inhabitants within a location. This allows them to be well informed about other options, research requirements and possibilities. Moreover having handy information enables experts to come up with a well planned method which can save time and money and also attract support from the government. This stage of decision making will also assist the decision makers in understanding the nature and degree of impending impacts. Therefore, enabling them to plan for both the delayed and immediate impacts, direct impacts from human activities, impacts resulting from climate changes, and natural disasters. Additionally the environmental components collected while seeking to invest in the selected strategy act as a proponent in understanding the social, physical and biological effects of an environmental impact on humans. 4. Analyzing the policy and legal institutional frameworks EIA and SEA are required to analyze and evaluate if the guidelines of the methodology picked adheres to the policies, laws and legislations of the legal institutions within the location. This involves conducting talks with government officials within the key ministries, and the major legal bodies. This technique is vital as it helps the EIA and SEA to follow national policies and adhere to the environmental key requirements. Additionally, it assists them in observing health and safety measures when carrying out the environmental assessment (CSIR, 2002, P. 35). While mitigating these policies and legal institutional frameworks in their catalogue, these organizations protect the natural resources, human health and safety. Moreover they are also able to manage the environment in areas within large water bodies, waste materials, pesticides and those with air and soil pollution. In managing these areas they control and prevent further damages on top of the already occurred impacts from re-occurring and affecting human lives even more. 5. Development of a sustainable mitigation plan The EIA and SEA advocate for strategic plans and techniques that if well implemented can resolve the adverse impacts caused by changes within the environment. This is done through setting up goals and objectives that every member in the organization is working towards. However, the set goals and objectives need to align with the efforts in eradicating the nature of environmental impacts. Priorities should be placed on mitigating activities. These activities may include; educating the general public about environmental impact related issues, introduction of environmental reports and audits, and condemning human related activities that cause environmental impacts (UK-ODPM, 2000, P. 11). Thus in the current times these organization can succeed in mitigating sustainable strategies by using the internet as a platform to educate large masses on environmental impacts. On the other hand they can as well be strict in implementing the stated rules and regulations about the environment. Consequently additional priorities can be put in place such as increasing the number of laboratories and their capacity. This step will be an added advantage to the stated organization in studying the patterns and trends of environmental impacts. Therefore warning the population before hand and protecting them from being victims of cumulative impacts. Discussion and conclusions In order for Environmental Impact Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessment to be successful in its endeavors it is vital that these organizations receive support from the government and communities. Issues arising from environmental related changes or impacts cannot be left to these organizations only. Environmental assessment is a process that requires a lot of energy cooperation and funding from the relevant stakeholders. The strategies and goals of EIA and SEA are put in place so as to assist in the eradication of problems that humans face as a result of natural calamities and environmental changes. Thus it cannot be assumed that the only stakeholders in this field are the two organizations. The above stated technique and strategies need support from relevant government officials and funding should also be set aside to assist in fighting these issues. These bodies continue to be effective due to the social, economic and moral support from foreign organization outside affected nations. Participations and contributions from various stakeholders worldwide provide wide range of opportunities for EIA and SEA to explore. These opportunities include; outsourcing financial aid from international organization such as the UN, identifying and understanding public concerns, sharing expertise with other scholars, gaining recognition for their policies and works and gathering diverse ways that assist them in achieving their goals and objectives (Pinfield, 1992, P. 3). Environmental impacts have continued to affect the economic, social and biological cycles of human being all over the globe. The effects can either be direct or indirect. Social effects of these environmental impacts include; the displacement of millions of people within the affected areas. Depending on the nature of the impact many people are at times forced to evacuate their home towns with nowhere to live. Such circumstances tend to separate individuals with their immediate family members and friends which may in turn cause psychological traumas. These acts tend to interfere with the economic nature of a nation or location. This is because most of the people displaced eventually become jobless, homeless, and turn out to be beggars (Dunlap, Van Liere, Mertig and Jones, 2000, P. 429). Marginalization and food insecurities make them poorer and face different hardships. Biological effects arise when the health of individuals are affected by the environmental impacts. The biological issues may be infertility among women, health related complications such as heart disease and lung cancer. Sadly the effects of these impacts tend to be long term. However if the correct measures are implemented and strictly adhered to, the human race will be successful in its fight against the predicted and unpredictable environmental impacts. Therefore in studying the implemented laws and regulation by both the SEA and EIA, it is important that special attention is paid to the values of the affected communities. Open communication channels should be created between the relevant stakeholder and effective participation also encouraged. References Bateman, I. J., Cooper, P., Georgiou, S., & Poe, G. L., 2001. Visible choice sets and scope sensitivity: an experimental and field test of study design effects upon nested contingent values. CSERGE Working Paper EDM 01-01, Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, University of East Anglia. Bedforshire County Council. 1994. Structure plan 2011, Technical Report 1: Environmental Appraisal. Bedford: Bedforshire County Council. Carson, R. T., Flores, N. E., & Meade, N. F., 2001. Contingent valuation: controversies and evidence. Environmental and Resource Economics 19: 173–210. Clark, C. F., Kotchen, M. J., & Moore, M. R., 2003. Internal and external influences on pro-environmental behavior: participation in a green electricity program. Journal of Environmental Psychology 23: 237– 246. Cooper, P., Poe, G. L., & Bateman, I. J., 2002. The interpretation of contingent values with measures of attitude and motivation: an empirical case study of alternative water quality improvement schemes in a lake with amenity. CSERGE Working Paper EDM 02-01, Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, University of East Anglia Dunlap, R.E., Van Liere, K.D., Mertig, A.G., Jones, R.E., 2000. Measuring endorsement of the new ecological paradigm: a revised NEP scale. Journal of Social Issues 56 (3): 425– 442. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). 2000. Strategic Environmental Assessment in South Africa – guideline document. Pretoria: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Greene, W. H., 2000. Econometric Analysis, 4th ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs. Wilkinson, D., Mullard, S., & Fergusson, M. 1994. Strategic environmental assessment: implications for the English countryside; final report for the Countryside Commission. Institute for European Environmental Policy. UK-ODPM. 2000. Good Practice Guide on Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Planning Guidance, London: ODPM Read More