Environmental risk is associated with possible damage caused by environmental factors.
The term risk refers to the proximity, imminence or contiguity of possible harm . The notion is associated with the possibility of damage occurring. Environmental , for its part, is linked to the environment (the environment, the atmosphere or the air).
Environmental risk , therefore, is related to the damage that can be caused by environmental factors , whether inherent to nature or caused by humans . Productive or economic activity and geographical location are issues that can leave a person or a group of individuals in a situation of environmental risk.
An earthquake , the eruption of a volcano or the fall of a meteorite , for example, are natural phenomena that cause an environmental risk. Depending on the phenomenon in question, there is the possibility of predicting it and therefore taking measures to prevent damage.
Environmental risk caused by humans
When the environmental risk derives from a human activity, it is classified as an anthropic risk . Accidents that occur in a nuclear power plant or in an oil well are an example of an event that causes an anthropogenic environmental risk.
A failure by scientists working at a nuclear power plant can lead to a huge explosion and the spread of radiation in the area surrounding the facility. From this human error, various effects are produced with consequences on nature. Those residing near the nuclear power plant in question are therefore subject to environmental risk.
An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that causes an environmental risk.
The importance of evaluation
Given the dire consequences that can occur as a result of a risk, once certain results have been achieved when the risk analysis is carried out, what is called environmental risk assessment must be subsequently undertaken.
Specifically, the aforementioned evaluation must be based on a series of criteria such as the following: strategy, social factors, economic and financial aspects, needs or expectations, availability of the resources that are necessary and that are available. within easy reach…
Differences between environmental risk and environmental impact
However, in addition to the above, we can determine that on many occasions what is environmental risk is often confused with environmental impact . But they are absolutely different things:
-The aforementioned risk is what can happen if adequate and timely measures are not taken in time to avoid a disastrous consequence.
-The environmental impact, for its part, is something that is already happening because the appropriate measures were not put in place when it was necessary.
The aforementioned impact can be of many types: primary, secondary, irreversible, residual, short-term, reversible, cumulative, inevitable... You must also know that what is called Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ) revolves around it. about which it is worth knowing the following aspects of interest:
-It is responsible for measuring, interpreting and communicating the environmental impacts that have occurred in a specific place.
-Its final objective is that, based on the results obtained, action decisions can be made in a logical and rational manner.
-It usually deals with issues such as air pollution, noise, risk, transportation...