ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces some of the major environmental issues. It discusses the relevance and implications of these issues to selected industrial sectors. Many people have heard of the major environmental issues, such as the greenhouse effect, the ozone hole, and deforestation. Noise is the most ubiquitous of environmental pollutants. Waste production continues to grow in most countries, and is one of the major environmental impacts of the modern consumer-oriented society. Natural systems act as environmental 'buffers', but their capacity to ameliorate environmental pressures is often reduced by human disturbance. Industrialisation, urbanisation, and the extension of agriculture have all caused increased environmental pressures. Pressure on industries is increasing as public awareness rises and legislation and policies on environmental subjects tightens. The production of electricity is a major source of pollution and environmental damage. Power stations are a major source of atmospheric pollutants and the construction of stations consumes land and massive quantities of building materials.
