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| Source: One in a billion |
There are several environmental concerns
the Earth is currently facing. These issues affect all people, animals,
communities, and nations around the world. Some of these changes are small and only
affect a few ecosystems, but others are drastically changing landscapes.
Environmental problems unfortunately make us vulnerable to disasters and
tragedies, both now and in the future. Our environment is constantly changing. But human-related activities have certainly contributed towards accelerating such change which has negatively impacted Mother Nature. In fact, our planet is on the brink of a severe environmental crisis. We are heading to a state of planetary emergency. One thing is for sure: Earth is fragile and the need for change is critical so as to ensure a sustainable future.
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| Source: Inhabitat |
The environment is the habitat in which
living things maintain their reciprocation and interact with each other
throughout their lifetimes. Because life and environment are interdependent,
environment is a vital human element. Human life and natural life are based on
various balances. The environmental balance that human beings maintain is among
the most important. Extraneous effects on the chain links that make up this
natural balance will negatively affect this balance and lead to environmental
problems. According to Watson and Halse (2005), human beings
profoundly affect these environmental problems, and these human effects unprecedentedly
reveal themselves in issues such as global warming, rain forest destruction,
ozone layer breaches, and biological variety threats (Genc 215).Thus, it is vitally important that all people become increasingly aware about the various environmental problems that our planet is facing.
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| Source: WWF |
Here is a look at the most pressing environmental issues of
today that require urgent attention:
1. Climate Change
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| Source: Youtube |
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| Source: Climate Change Central |
Climate change, as
a serious environmental problem, has occurred over the few decades. Global
warming is a contested environmental issue: many scientists are of the belief
that the phenomenon is real. Other people are sceptical. However, undoubtedly several
consequences of climate change can already be observed including the melting
polar ice caps, gradual rise in sea level, unnatural patterns of precipitation
such as flash floods, catastrophic weather, excessive snow, desertification, threatened
ecosystems, and change in overall weather scenario. Moreover, humans have undeniably
influenced climate change with the production of greenhouse gases (stemming
from carbon dioxide and methane). One thing is for sure: Our planet is warming
and changes will continue to occur stronger and negatively affecting the
ecosystems.
2. Water
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| Source: National Geographic Society |
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| Source: Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation |
In many parts of
the world, water sources are scarce. The global reserves of drinkable water are
a fraction of 1% and 1 in 5 humans doesn’t have access to potable water. Water pollution is also a worrisome occurrence. Other issues include acid rain,
ocean dumping, urban runoff, oil spills, ocean acidification, and wastewater.
In essence, potable drinking water is fast becoming a rare commodity.
3. Pollution
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| Source: WWF |
Air, water, and
soil pollution have greatly occur all over the world. The number one pollutant
is probably Industry and motor vehicle exhaust. Heavy metals, nitrates, and
plastic are toxins responsible for pollution. Water pollution is caused by oil
spill, acid rain, and urban runoff. Air pollution is primarily caused by gases
and toxins released by industries and factories and combustion of fossil fuels.
And soil pollution is predominantly caused by industrial waste, depriving soil
from essential nutrients.
4.
Ecosystems
and Endangered Species
Many species are under continuous threat,
including indicator species (when this type of species becomes threatened,
endangered, or extinct, an entire ecosystem faces collapse) and evolutionarily
unique species. The consequences have a global impact.
5.
Ocean
Acidification
The world's oceans have absorbed nearly a
third of the excess carbon dioxide emitted as a result of anthropogenic
activities. A side effect of carbon dioxide absorption is ocean acidification. Excessive
CO2 production leads to ocean acidification (Sponberg 2007). The ocean acidity
has increased by the last 250 years but by 2100, it may increase by 150 %.
6.
Ozone
Layer Depletion
This is one of the most important and
current environmental problem. The ozone layer (an invisible layer of
protection around the planet protecting us from the sun’s harmful rays,
preventing harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth) is depleted at unprecedented
rates which can be attributed to pollution caused by Chloro-floro carbons
(CFC’s). After these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, it causes a hole
in the ozone layer and, sadly, the biggest of which is above the Antarctic. Nowadays,
CFC’s are banned in many industries and consumer products.
7.
Natural resource
depletion
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| Source: Futurism |
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| Source: Emaze |
Natural resource
depletion is another crucial current environmental problems. Resource depletion
is most commonly used with reference to farming, fishing, mining, water usage,
and consumption of fossil fuels. The three main natural resources that are
depleted are water, oil, and forests. Thankfully there has globally been a shift
towards using more renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas, and
geothermal energy.
8.
Deforestation
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| Source: Conserve Energy Future |
Forests can be seen as natural sinks of
carbon dioxide. It produces fresh oxygen and help to regulate temperature and
rainfall. Presently, forests cover about 30% of the land. However, annually
high percentage of tree cover is lost due to growing population as they have a
greater demand for food and shelter. Thus, deforestation (clearing of green
cover, making land available for residential, industrial, or commercial
purposes) takes place at unprecedented rates.
9. Acid Rain
Acid rain occurs as a result of the presence
of certain pollutants in the atmosphere, either through the combustion of
fossil fuels, erupting volcanoes, or rotting vegetation which release sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Consequences of acid rain not
only have serious impacts on human health but also on wildlife and aquatic
species.
10. Overpopulation
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| Source: Woolman blog |
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| Source: Alternet |
Overpopulation, an undesirable condition
whereby the number of existing human population exceeds the carrying capacity
of Earth, is another serious problem. The population of the planet has reached
unprecedented, unsustainable levels which have led to several water, fuel, and
food shortages. In particular, exceptional population growth in developing
countries is straining the already scarce resources.
11.
Consumerism
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| Source: Wilsonlms |
12. Ecosystem destruction
Ecosystem destruction and associated
environmental concerns, such as aquaculture, estuaries, shellfish protection,
landscaping, wetlands, and ecological restoration has occurred tremendously. Human-induced
activities have led to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of biodiversity.
Ecosystems are in danger when any species population is destroyed. An example
is the destruction of coral reefs in the various oceans, supporting the rich
marine life.
13. Carbon footprint
Carbon
footprint (and the responsibility of individuals to reduce their effect on the
environment, including the use of renewable energy sources (solar power,
geothermal heat pumps), recycling, and sustainable living) must also be looked
at.
14. Fishing-related issues
Fishing
and its effect on marine ecosystems, blast fishing, cyanide fishing, bottom
trawling, whaling, and over-fishing require urgent attention and the proper management
thereof.
Conclusion
The one thing that is certain is the fact
that environmental protection and preservation of the planet is the
responsibility of every individual and community on Earth. By raising important
environmental awareness, you can assist in contributing towards a more
environmentally conscious and friendly place where future generations can live
in a clean, healthy, environmentally sustainable place.
References
Genc, M. 2015. The
project-based learning approach in environmental education, International Research in Geographical and
Environmental Education, 24:2, 105-117.
Sponberg, A.F. 2007. Ocean
Acidification: The Biggest Threat to Our Oceans? American Institute of Biological Sciences.
