Legal Definitions - environmental effect

Environmental Effect

Definition: An "environmental effect" refers to any change or impact, whether caused by natural processes or human activities, that alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of an environment.

Examples:

• A new industrial facility begins discharging treated wastewater into a nearby river. This action creates an environmental effect by altering the chemical composition of the river water, potentially changing its pH levels or introducing new substances. It could also physically affect the riverbed or biologically impact aquatic life.
• A large-scale deforestation project clears a significant area of rainforest for agricultural use. This constitutes an environmental effect because it physically removes the existing forest ecosystem, drastically changes the landscape, and biologically displaces or eliminates numerous plant and animal species that relied on that habitat. It can also chemically alter soil composition and contribute to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
• A severe, prolonged drought impacts a region, leading to widespread water shortages and desertification. This natural event creates an environmental effect by physically reducing water bodies, chemically concentrating pollutants in remaining water sources, and biologically stressing or killing vegetation and wildlife due to lack of water and habitat degradation.