Environmental Studies and Forestry

Environmental Terms	Definition in UAE Law 24, 1999	Country	Definition from Another Country	Comparison and Technical Explanation
Environment	It is the biosphere within which various forms of life are manifested and is made up of natural and unnatural elements.	United States	It refers to the total external conditions that affect the development, life and survival of organisms (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2009).	Both definitions are clear and easy to understand. However, the definition from UAE is more detailed because it mentions the specific aspects that make up the environment. In addition, both definitions are complete and have no technical terms that can limit understanding.
2. Marine Environment	The marine environment refers to the marine waters, animals and plants contained in the water, and installation, whether moveable or fixed that are within the marine environment. The boundaries of the environment cover the state’s economic zone.	United States	In the United States marine environment refers to the oceans, coastal waters, bays, estuaries, inter-tidal areas, the Great Lakes and any land under the Great Lakes or the Oceans (US Department of Commerce, 2013).	The definition of the marine environment in the UAE is clear and includes human projects and installations. On the other hand, the United States definition does not include human projects and installations. The United States definition is more clear than that of UAE in terms of the extent of the marine environment. The UAE definition is vague because it states that the boundaries of the marine environment extends to the state’s economic zone while United States clearly states the extent of the boundaries. It is easy to understand both definitions because they do not contain technical terms.
3. Ecological Systems	Ecological systems are comprehensive systems made up of natural elements found in the environment that interact with one another.	United States	In the United States, ecological systems are spatially explicit units of the earth that include elements of abiotic environment and all organisms within their boundaries (Comer, 2003).	The definition from the UAE is simple, clear and easy to understand. The language used in the definition can be understood my a layman because it is not technical. On the contrary, the definition in the United States’ definition uses technical terms such as abiotic, which are not easy for a layman to understand.
4. Natural Reserve	A natural reserve refers to water or land with special environmental aspects, aesthetic, cultural or environmental values that are determined by a decree of cabinet ministers as a response to a resolution by competent authorities or as a response to a proposal by the Agency.	Canada	In Canada, a nature reserve is a legally protected area of land or designated by Special Places Protection Act to protect the ecosystems, species and other natural features for the sake of education, scientific research and nature appreciation (Nova Scotia Environment, 2013).	Both definitions are simple and clear, which makes them easy to understand. However, the UAE definition does not provide an outright explanation about the reasons for protecting the natural reserves, though the reason is implied in the wording. The Canadian explanation provides an outright reason for protecting the nature reserves. Both definitions are complete because they provide even the authority from which protection is enforced.
5. Environment Degradation	Environmental degradation refers to the effects that deforms the nature and reduces the value of the environment, harms living creatures, deplete resources or harm archaeological sites within the environment.	Britain	Environmental degradation refers to all factors that threaten the survival of ecosystems, which are caused by the deterioration of soil, water and air resources (Natural England, nd).	Both definitions are clear, easy to understand and complete. They are complete because they touch on all the essential parts of the environment that are degraded. However, the definition from Britain is more clear than that of UAE because it mentions the three essential parts of the environment that are highly affected by degradation.
6. Environment Pollution	Environment pollution refers to the pollution occurring naturally or unnaturally through intentional or unintentional introduction of pollutants into the natural environment, which results in danger to animal or botanical life, human life or harm to ecosystems and resources.	United States	Environmental pollution refers to the introduction of particulate matter, biological materials or chemicals into the natural environment that may harm organisms, human beings or damage the environment (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2008).	In both definitions, all aspects of the environment have been covered, making the definitions complete. The UAE’s definition is more specific than that of the United States because it has broken down all the means through which pollution can occur. On the other hand, the United States definition is clear because it has mentioned all the factors that are likely to cause environmental pollution.
7. Materials and Polluting Factors	These are materials in various forms such as liquids, vapors, odors, light, radiation, heat, solids and gases occurring naturally or due to human activities that lead to the degradation or pollution and harms living creatures and human beings.	Canada	Polluting factors refer to all foreign matter which, when introduced into the environment cause harm to living organisms in it or destroy resources (Nova Scotia Environment, 2013).	The definition by the UAE is more complete and comprehensive than that of Canada. The clarity exemplified by the UAE’ definition emanates from the mention of the polluting factors in different forms while Canada gives a vague description. The UAE description is complete because it mentions all the factors that lead to pollution while Canada defines in general terms.
8. Environmental Impact Assessment	Environmental impact assessment refers to the analysis and study of the environment and its ability to support activities that may affect environmental safety.	United Kingdom	Environmental impact assessment is a process that aims to protect land that is not cultivated and semi-natural areas from damage by agricultural work and guard it against likely negative environmental consequences from the restructuring of rural land (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006).	The UAE’s definition is short and vague because it does not mention the activities that may affect environmental safety. Therefore, it is unclear. On the other hand, the definition by the United Kingdom is incomplete because it seems to focus on agriculture and human settlements as the only activities that can jeopardize environmental safety.
9. Environmental Protection	Environmental protection refers to the preservation of the natural components of the environment, prevention of pollution, protection of natural resources and living creatures in the environment and upgrading the components of the environment.	United Kingdom	Environmental protection refers to the procedures and policies designed to preserve the current state of natural resources, conserving natural resources and reversing degradation (FIELD and RSPB, 2013).	Both definitions have avoided technical terms, thus making it easy and clear to understand. Although the definition of the United Kingdom is short, it is complete because it covers measures that can be used to reverse degradation while the UAE’s definition has omitted this aspect.
10. Environmental Development	Environmental development refers to regulations and policies that meet all the needs of sustainable development while ensuring the preservation of natural resources, current and future heritage, archaeological and natural heritage and biological diversity.	Norway	Environmental development refers to regulations that govern sustainable economic, social and political development based on environmental conservation to ensure preservation of resources (Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2006).	The two definitions are simple and clear to understand, although the UAE’s definition has elaborated on the specific areas where environmental development is concerned. Both are complete because they convey the same message about the need to include environmental concerns in the development of plans.
11. Sustainable Development	Inclusion of environmental concerns in development issues and planning to meet the present needs without jeopardizing future aspirations.	Canada	Sustainable development is the ability to meet the current needs without compromising the future generations’ needs (Environment Canada, 2013).	Both definitions are clear, conveys the same message, and are easy to comprehend.
12. Environmental Disaster	Environmental disasters are accidents that occur due to natural or artificial factors, causing environmental damage whose intervention cannot be achieved using local capabilities.	United Kingdom	Environmental disasters are incidents, both natural and man-made that occur and cause massive damage to the environment over a large area (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006).	The definition of the UAE is clear, complete and simple to understand because it defines the term even in terms of intervention. The definition by the United Kingdom is simple and clear to understand but provides limited information.
13. Hazardous Substances	These are harmful substance to human health, have negative environmental impacts in their solid, liquid and gaseous states and include explosives, radioactive substances, flammable and toxic substances.	Australia	Hazardous substances are substances that are potentially dangerous to living organisms and the environment, especially when disposed of or transported in a manner that is not safe (White and Heckenberg, 2011).	The definitions by both Australia and the UAE are simple to understand, clear and complete. They both use no technical terms that would hinder understanding. However, the definition by the UAE is more intense because it provides more details about the hazardous substances.
14. Harmful Substances	Harmful substances are either radioactive, chemical or biological substances that directly or indirectly lead to deleterious effects to the environment or the human health.	United Kingdom	Harmful substances are those that pose a danger to human health when taken in through breathing, or ingested and pollutes the environment when present (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2005).	The definition by the UAE is clear, simple and specific. It classifies the harmful substance into three classes, thereby eliminating confusion. The definition, however, has used a technical term-deleterious, which might confuse people. The definition by the United Kingdom is clear, free of technical terms, simple, but general.
15. Waste Management	Waste management refers to activities such as collection, transportation, storage, recycling, disposal of wastes and taking care of disposal sites.	United States	Waste management is the process through which waste production is reduced through recycling and re-use while properly disposing the already generated waste United States (Environmental Protection Agency, 2009).	Both definitions are simple and clear to understand. They are also complete because they deal with issues of disposal and reducing waste.
16. Waste Handling	Waste handling refers to the Operations involved in handling waste from its production to its safe disposal.	United Kingdom	Waste handling refers to the specific processes through which various types of wastes are handled since their nature dictates different handling techniques (Natural England, nd)	The definition by the UAE is incomplete because it fails to explain the difference between waste handling and management. The United Kingdom’s definition is complete because it explains that the nature of waste dictates the handling method.
17. Waste Disposal	Waste disposal is a process involving burial, biological, chemical or physical treatment, destruction and permanent storage of waste as approved by relevant authorities.	Canada	Waste disposal is the final step involving either chemical, physical or biological storage of waste (Environment Canada, 2013).	Both definitions clearly explain the process of disposal in an easy to understand format. They are complete because they have dealt with all the three main types of waste.
18. Dirty Ballast Water	This is the dirty water disposed off ships when it contains more than 15 ppm.	Ukraine	Dirty ballast water is the water emptied from ship tanks for containing excessive amount of oils, solid contents and iron (Steamship Mutual, 2005).	The UAE definition is clear and simple to understand than that of Ukraine because it has provided the limit of oil in the ballast water. Ukranian definition is incomplete because it does not provide the oil limits in the ballast water.
19. Dumping	Deliberate waste disposal into the marine environment from aircrafts, ships and other means.	Australia	Disposal of harmful waste into the marine environment (Australian Department of Environment, 2013).	The UAE’s definition is complete and clear because it elaborates the source of the waste. Australian definition is simple to understand but vague.
20. Semi-Closed Public Premises	Incomplete buildings in public places that cannot be completely closed that allows air entry.	Taiwan	Any space in a building that is used by the public or any mass transportation space allowing air entry (Taiwan Law Library, 2011)..	Both definitions are clear to understand and uses no technical term. The Taiwanese definition is complete compared to that of UAE because it includes transportation spaces.

References

Australian Department of Environment. (2013). Sea Dumping Act. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-pollution/sea-dumping/sea-dumping-act

Comer, P., D. (2003). Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe.

Department for Communities and Local Government. (2006). Environmental impact assessment. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7676/155958.pdf

Environment Canada. (2013). Sustainable development. Retrieved from http://www.ec.gc.ca/dd-sd/

FIELD and RSPB. (2013). An assessment of environmental protection frameworks in the UK Overseas Territories. Retrieved from

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/EnvironmentalGovernanceReviewFeb2013_tcm9-342020.pdf

Natural England. (nd). Environmental damage regulations. Retrieved from http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/environmentaldamage/default.aspx

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2006). Norwegian action plan for environment in development cooperation. Retrieved from http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/UD/Vedlegg/Utvikling/actPlanenv.pdf#page=9&zoom=auto,0,521

Nova Scotia Environment. (2013). Nature Reserves FAQs. Retrieved from https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/faq_nr.asp

Scottish Environment Protection Agency. (2005). Hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/wm2_interpretation_of_the_definition_classification_of_hazardous_waste.pdf

Steamship Mutual. (2005).Ukraine – Ballast Water Management. Retrieved from http://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/Articles/Ukraine_ballast0305.asp

Taiwan Law Library. (2011). Indoor Air Quality Act. Retrieved from http://law.epa.gov.tw/en/laws/502150009.html

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). What Are the Trends in the Critical Physical and Chemical Attributes of the Nation’s Ecological Systems? Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/ncea/roe/docs/roe_final/roe_final_eco_chap6_physical.pdf

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Terminology Services: Vocabulary Catalog List Detail – Terms of Environment. Retrieved from http://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&glossaryName=Terms%20of%20Env%20%282009%29#formTop

US Department of Commerce. (2013). National Marine Protected Areas Center. Retrieved from http://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/glossary.html

White, R., & Heckenberg, D. (2011). What is hazardous waste and what makes it hazardous? Retrieved from http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/193413/Briefing_Paper_2_What_is_hazardous_waste.pdf

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