Top 10 Environmental Issues
Our environment is constantly changing. That is undeniable. However, as our environment changes, so does our need to know more about the problems around us change. With so many natural disasters, periods of warming and cooling, a variety of climatic patterns, and more, people need to know what kinds of environmental problems our world is facing.
Global warming has become an undeniable fact about our present life; our planet is warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. However, this is not the only environmental problem we should be concerned about. All over the world, people are faced with a host of new problems and environmental challenges every day. Some of them are small and affect only a few ecosystems, but others significantly change the location of what we already know.
Our major environmental concerns are: –
- Climate change – Also known as global warming. The main reason for releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is that it absorbs heat from the sun’s atmosphere. The main source of this gas is human activity such as burning fuel from transportation and carbon emissions from factories and large industries. It is very important to control these carbon emissions by changing our habits.
- Water Crisis – According to a recent report released by the World Resource Institute (WRI), about a quarter of the world’s population is facing serious water shortages. The 17 major countries facing major water crisis are Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, UAE, San Marino, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Oman and Botswana respectively. According to WRI, the 17 countries are facing severe water shortages and many more countries will soon be at risk.
- Pollution – Air pollution, water pollution, and landfills are becoming more and more serious problems, especially in densely populated cities. It affects all aspects of our environment including humans and animals alike. There are many health problems seen due to air and water pollution in urban areas.
- Ozone Decline – The ozone layer is a layer of gas that is present in the upper part of the atmosphere. It protects the planet from the sun’s harmful rays. These rays are very dangerous and can lead to many health problems, such as severe sunburn, premature aging of the skin, eyes, or skin cancer. These UV rays are also detrimental to marine life as they reduce plankton content in water. The layer is depleted due to the release of chemicals such as chlorine and bromide. The use of aerosols, fire extinguishers, old refrigerators, standard cleaning products and other products requires a kick in the castle!
- Waste Production – Disposal of waste in a landfill can cause leakage of soil and water. It also leads to the release of toxic gases from the environment. Waste management is now a must. Recycling, minimizing and reusing waste can not only help the environment but also save your hard-earned money. Waste is not only an environmental problem but also an economic loss, so it is better to produce less waste or convert waste into sources by reusing or reusing it.
- Deforestation – Deforestation clears forests for human development and uses trees to produce wood and paper. However, we have now come to the point where we are experiencing more serious consequences than benefits. Soil erosion, unusual rainfall, floods, increased greenhouse gases are some of the negative effects that this has on our environment.
- Extinction of Natural Resources – We have limited natural resources, and if they are not used sparingly, there is a possibility that we may face a power crisis soon. The level of water, fossil fuels, coal, wood and other natural resources is declining day by day. The use of these resources has been faster than their level of replenishment. Saving the only solution left for the sustainability of the planet.
- Biodiversity Loss – Biodiversity is important because all species of the earth help to keep many ecosystems healthy, prosperous and balanced. It plays a vital role in stabilizing the planet’s health. There are many reasons for the loss of biodiversity such as deforestation, climate change, overfishing, over-harvesting and hunting. Many species have been severely lost and many are on the verge of extinction, so awareness is very important to control it.
- Ocean Acidification – When carbon dioxide mixes with seawater, it makes them more acidic. As a result, the pH level of seawater increases and affects marine life and coral reefs. So controlling the amount of Co2 in our atmosphere will also help our oceans to be able to sustain life.
Overpopulation – In 1990, the world’s population was 5.3 bn which increased to 6.1 bn in 2000, 7 bn in 2010 and 7.7 bn at present. The graph line shows that the global total reached 10 bn by 2057, which is alarming. Women’s empowerment and education will play a key role in helping many countries cope with the many challenges posed by climate change.