BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DRAFT DOCUMENT
PROJECT INNOVATION 2011
SR.SYMPOSIUM.01A
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF INNOVATIONS
INTRODUCTION
After watching video clips from “Global Environmental Issues,” respond to the following
questions in complete sentences.
1) Describe a personal experience that relates to an environmental issue such as air
or water pollution.
2) Why is it important to keep the environment in mind when creating a new
invention/innovation?
3) The Kyoto Protocol places no restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions for
developing countries. Why is it difficult for many people in the developing world
to be concerned about environmental conservation?
4) Advocates of sustainable development say that environmental problems cannot be
viewed as the side effects of development, but need to be considered as a major
part of any development plan. They argue that good economic development
involves conservation of the environment in a sustainable manner. What is your
opinion on this? Do you agree with these statements? Do you think the ideals of
environmental conservation are always upheld when it comes to economic
development?
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DRAFT DOCUMENT
PROJECT INNOVATION 2011
SR.SYMPOSIUM.01A
DIRECTIONS
1) Read the following excerpt from the Environmental Literacy website.
2) After reading, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
An environmental impact analysis is typically conducted to assess the potential impact a
proposed development project will have on the natural and social environment. This may
include an assessment of both the short- and long-term effects on the physical
environment, such as air, water and/or noise pollution; as well as effects on local
services, living and health standards, and aesthetics.
In enacting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Congress required
all agencies of the Federal government to give equal consideration to environmental
consequences as well as to economic motivations and technological feasibility when
making a decision that could affect the quality of the human and natural environment.
NEPA also established the Council on Environmental Quality within the Executive
Office of the President to ensure that federal agencies would meet their obligations under
the Act.
One provision of the law requires that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be
written for major federal actions and made available to all, including to the general
public. An EIS must include:
• the environmental impacts of a proposed action
• unavoidable adverse environmental impacts
• alternatives, including no action
• the relationship between short-term uses of the environment and maintenance of
long-term ecological productivity
• irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources
• secondary/cumulative effects of implementing the proposed action.
Now, most state and local governments also require that environmental impact analyses
be conducted prior to any major development projects.
Environmental impact analyses are often challenging because they call for making
projections with incomplete information. Methods of assessing the impacts typically
include both objective and subjective information making it difficult to quantify.
Therefore, the methods are frequently seen as complex and, oftentimes, controversial.
Despite being a requirement for many development projects, the function of an
environmental impact statement is merely procedural. There is no specific legal force of
action if information stemming from an environmental impact analysis confirms that a
particular project may harm the environment. As a result, it is often left up to the courts
to rule on whether risks to the environment are overstated or not.
Although an environmental impact analysis often raises more questions than it answers as
it examines the various links between social, economic, technological, and ecological
factors involved in a potential development project, it also provides a practical and
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DRAFT DOCUMENT
PROJECT INNOVATION 2011
SR.SYMPOSIUM.01A
interesting approach to the understanding and appreciation of the many complexities and
uncertainties involved with these interrelationships.
1) What is the purpose of an environmental impact analysis?
2) Why would parts of the environmental impact analysis be based upon
assumptions?
3) Is there a way to limit the amount of assumptions made? Explain.
EXPLORE
Use the website,
http://www.lic.wisc.edu/shapingdane/facilitation/all_resources/impacts/analysis_environ
mental.htm to further research environmental impact analysis. Follow the steps and use
the chart to successfully create your own environmental impact analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Define the Scope of
Environmental
Impact Assessment
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Inventory
Community
natural resources,
their quality and
current use
Compile and
review existing
community
environmental
management
standards and
guidelines
DRAFT DOCUMENT
PROJECT INNOVATION 2011
SR.SYMPOSIUM.01A
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Assess the extent
and significance of
environmental
impacts resulting
from the proposed
development
Evaluate the
potential
cumulative impacts
associated with the
proposed
development
DRAFT DOCUMENT
PROJECT INNOVATION 2011
SR.SYMPOSIUM.01A