76
Fig. 4.1 Black box
model of a mammal’s
metabolism
Fig. 4.2 Black box
model of the metabolism
of the society
It can be seen that inputs of the social metabolism originate from the natural environment.
Especially the exploitation of material and energy
resources mined from the crust require huge
physical and in part chemical transformation
resulting in, in many cases, the complete destruction of soil and life in the given area and influencing also the quality of the air and groundwater.
Thus human activities that affect primarily the
crust will have an impact on other spheres as well
and the consequences are also discussed in the
present book. In this chapter human activities
directly affecting the crust are in the centre of
focus but the environmental and social effects of
the processing of energy resources and major raw
material obtained via mining are also discussed.
4.1.1 Exploitation and Processing
of the Useful Material
of the Crust and Their
Environmental Effects
Richard William McIntosh
4.1.1.1 Coal and Industrial
Development
Mining is virtually of the same age as humanity
since even ancient people searched for raw material for his weapons or paintings. Mining and
production always changed the landscape and
disturbed the environment throughout history but
the consequences remained local. It was the
industrial revolution that brought changes in production and social processes regarding both
quantity and quality (manufacturing industry,
working class, housing estates, air pollution, etc.)
that made environmental pollution and influence
on nature global.
The Modern Period saw intensifying coal
mining. Although initially low quality, soft coal
was mined near the surface but as the energy
demand of the increasing population grew higher
quality coal was mined from increasing depths.
In 1712 England suffered from fuel crisis. The
intensely industrialising country burnt the majority of its firewood and became increasingly
dependent on coal. Forests were also cleared (e.g.
in the Pennines) because mining also needed tim4 Changes on Earth as a Result of Interaction Between the Society and Nature
Fig. 4.1 Black box
model of a mammal’s
metabolism
Fig. 4.2 Black box
model of the metabolism
of the society
It can be seen that inputs of the social metabolism originate from the natural environment.
Especially the exploitation of material and energy
resources mined from the crust require huge
physical and in part chemical transformation
resulting in, in many cases, the complete destruction of soil and life in the given area and influencing also the quality of the air and groundwater.
Thus human activities that affect primarily the
crust will have an impact on other spheres as well
and the consequences are also discussed in the
present book. In this chapter human activities
directly affecting the crust are in the centre of
focus but the environmental and social effects of
the processing of energy resources and major raw
material obtained via mining are also discussed.
4.1.1 Exploitation and Processing
of the Useful Material
of the Crust and Their
Environmental Effects
Richard William McIntosh
4.1.1.1 Coal and Industrial
Development
Mining is virtually of the same age as humanity
since even ancient people searched for raw material for his weapons or paintings. Mining and
production always changed the landscape and
disturbed the environment throughout history but
the consequences remained local. It was the
industrial revolution that brought changes in production and social processes regarding both
quantity and quality (manufacturing industry,
working class, housing estates, air pollution, etc.)
that made environmental pollution and influence
on nature global.
The Modern Period saw intensifying coal
mining. Although initially low quality, soft coal
was mined near the surface but as the energy
demand of the increasing population grew higher
quality coal was mined from increasing depths.
In 1712 England suffered from fuel crisis. The
intensely industrialising country burnt the majority of its firewood and became increasingly
dependent on coal. Forests were also cleared (e.g.
in the Pennines) because mining also needed tim4 Changes on Earth as a Result of Interaction Between the Society and Nature