ess case studies

Chernobyl Disaster (1986)

Nuclear accident in Ukraine caused by a reactor explosion; 30 immediate deaths, ~4,000 estimated later cancer deaths; led to long-term contamination and global nuclear policy changes.

Amazon Rainforest Deforestation

70 million hectares lost since 1970, mainly for cattle ranching and soy; Brazil responsible for over 60% of total Amazon deforestation; threatens biodiversity and Indigenous land.

Three Gorges Dam, China

World’s largest hydroelectric dam; displaced 1.3 million people, flooded 13 cities, altered river ecosystems; provides renewable energy and flood control.

Aral Sea Disaster, Central Asia

Soviet diversion of rivers for cotton irrigation caused 90% shrinkage; fisheries collapsed, health issues increased due to dust from toxic seabed.

Borneo Deforestation for Palm Oil

Indonesia and Malaysia produce 85% of global palm oil; causes habitat loss for orangutans and other species; contributes to CO₂ emissions from peatland burning.

Plastic Pollution in the Pacific Ocean

Great Pacific Garbage Patch estimated at 1.6 million km²; plastic harms marine life, enters food chains; most debris comes from land-based sources.

Reintroduction of Wolves to Yellowstone (1995)

Wolves reintroduced to restore trophic cascade; elk populations controlled, allowing vegetation and biodiversity to recover.

London’s Congestion Charge (2003)

Introduced to reduce traffic and emissions; reduced congestion by ~30%, nitrogen dioxide by ~12%; raised public transport investment.

Ecological Footprint of the UAE

UAE has one of the world’s largest per capita ecological footprints due to energy use and water desalination; policies now promote renewable energy.

Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve, Kenya

Community-based conservation project involving ecotourism; supports livelihoods and biodiversity but faces pressure from land-use change.

The Green Revolution in India (1940s–1960s)

Introduction of HYV crops, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation; wheat production rose from 11 to 75 million tons (1960–2000); led to overuse of water and soil depletion.

Monoculture of Corn in the US (1920s–Present)

Corn grown intensively in the Midwest; US produces over 370 million tons annually; leads to soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and market dependency.

The Dust Bowl (1930s)

Poor farming and drought in the US Great Plains caused 100 million acres of land degradation and displaced 2.5 million people; key example of unsustainable agriculture.

Rice Cultivation in China

China is the largest rice producer (~200 million tons/year); paddies emit methane and require lots of water; supports livelihoods of millions of small farmers.

Salmon Farming in Norway (1980s–Present)

Produces ~1.3 million tons/year; economic gains but causes pollution, escapes, and disease in wild populations; efforts toward sustainable containment.

Shrimp Farming in Thailand (1990s–Present)

500,000 tons/year; leads to mangrove deforestation, water pollution, and labour exploitation; improving via certification schemes.

Tilapia Farming in Egypt

1.6 million tons/year; key protein source; environmental concern over wild fish used for feed and water pollution; supports rural employment.

Salmon Farming in Chile

Second to Norway in production; contributes ~3% to GDP; issues with ISA virus outbreaks, sea lice, and environmental degradation.

Aquaculture in Southeast Asia (Ongoing)

Vietnam and Indonesia major producers (e.g., 1.5 million tons of shrimp in Vietnam); mangrove loss, feed sustainability, and pollution are concerns.