O MEIO AMBIENTE E A INTERFACE DOS SISTEMAS SOCIAL E NATURAL 3

Abstract

The spaces where mexican universities are located are urban environments subject to strong social and environmental pressures, therefore university activities are carried out in inappropriate environmental conditions. Since 2014, a research group from Autonomous University of the State of Mexico concerned about the environmental situation of university campuses has developed several projects to identify and assess risks and impacts. Objective. Identify and evaluate the environmental impacts that occur in the Colón Campus to analyze the environmental conditions where university activities are carried out. Materials and methods. With arguments of environmental geography and ecology, in interaction with the Verification List technique, field observations and application of surveys to 1500 university students, the environmental impacts were identified. With Leopold´s Qualitative Matrix Interations, the interactions between six activities of the opeation stage and 17 environmetal components were determined. Results.102 environmental impacts were determined. Noise, the main factor of impact, affects natural harmony, human health and educational activities. Conclusións. The Autonomous University of the State of México must promote an environmental system to prevent and mitigate environmental impacts, apply environmental legislation and involve all university students. Since 2014, a research group has been developing the Project “Identification and evaluation of environmental impacts and risks at the Autonomous University of the State of México” with the purpose to promote a safe, healthy and sustainable university on all campuses. The objective of this article was to identify and evaluate the most significant environmental impacts on the Colón Campus to analyze the environmental conditions where educational, cultural, sports, extension, diffusion, and research activities are carried out. With arguments of environmental geography, ecology and cultural ecology, in interaction with the Check List technique, field observations and application of surveys to 1500 university students, the environmental impacts were identified. With the Leopold´s Qualitative Matrix Interactions, 102 interactions were determined between six activities of operation stage and 17 environmental components. Noise is the main impact factor and it affects natural harmony, human health, the teaching-learning process and research, therefore, the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico must promote an environmental management system for the prevention and mitigation of environmental impacts.