ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD

Some of the problems the earth and humanity now face include: Deforestation Air pollution Water pollution Overpopulation Climate change Reduction of biodiversity Depletion of natural resources

Deforestation Forest are being destroyed for timber, and to open land for building or farming. Deforestation causes extinction, changes to climatic conditions, desertification, and displacement of populations. Establishment of nature reserves and reduced resource consumption can limit this.

Air pollution Primarily caused by emissions from factories and means of transportation. Harmful effects on humans include increased heart disease, difficulty in breathing, emphysema, asthma, and premature mortality. More efficient technology, and significantly reduced reliance on fossil fuels are primary means of improving air quality.

Water pollution Sources include toxic wastes from industries, pesticides and fertilizers, and city sewage. Polluted water is unfit for drinking or agriculture, and harmful to plants, animals, fish and birds. It disturbs the entire ecosystem. Means of prevention include organic farming, strict regulation of industrial waste disposal, and using natural household products.

Overpopulation More people on Earth increases demand for resources and exacerbates every other environmental problem. Estimated figures suggest that the world population will be more than 9 billion by the year 2050. Ways of addressing the problem include improved education, health care, family planning, tax incentives, and sex education

Climate change Nearly all climate scientists agree that human activities are changing the Earth’s climate—mainly through the consumption of fossil fuels. Rising global temperatures can lead to more extreme weather, rising sea levels, massive ecological disruption, and economic catastrophes. There is hope that new technologies can slow or stop climate change, but the only feasible solution may be drastic reduction of carbon emissions.

Reduction of biodiversity The number of species going extinct has increased drastically over the last few centuries and can have a grave impact on ecological balance. The primary cause is destruction of wilderness, but other causes include overhunting, invasive species, and pollution, and climate change. The most effective way of maintaining biodiversity is to preserve and protect natural habitats.

Diminishing natural resources Humanity is depleting Earth’s supplies of clean water, crude oil, minerals, natural gas, and more. Besides the shortages of resources we are due to face at current rates, this level of consumption causes great disturbance of ecological systems. The common mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle is a good guide to lowering resource consumption, with reducing being the most important.

Summary: what should we do? Establish and protect nature reserves Reduce consumption of natural resources Reduce use of fossil fuels Develop alternative energy sources Effectively regulate industrial waste disposal Provide health care, family planning, and sex education Support and encourage organic farming