Environmental Issues: That Could Be Fatal

Environmental issues are the result of the harmful effects of human activity on the bio-environment. Water shortage, climate change, and loss of biodiversity are some major environmental issues, but that’s not all. These problems should be solved if the world is to maintain a supportive habitat for humans and other species. Here are some of the environmental issues that are growing very fast at this time.

1. Overpopulation : Human overpopulation is a major environmental issue. Human overpopulation is the condition in which the number of people living in any country increases compared to the resources available there. Overpopulation can result in an increase in births in any country, a drop in mortality, an increase in immigration, and a lack of resources. It has also been proved by scientists that the largest impact of humans on the environment is overpopulation, overconsumption, and increasing population. According to the study done on 30 October 2020, the world population at this time is 7.827 billion.

2. Water pollution: Water pollution is a growing crisis for the world, from large pieces of garbage to invisible chemicals and dead bodies, polluting the world’s lakes, rivers, ravines, groundwater, and ultimately the oceans.

Water pollution is not only a threat to drought, inefficiency but also sources of fresh water, drinking water, and other essential needs. Research has revealed that a pollutant is common, especially in our tap water, called PFAS (poly and perfluoroalkyl substances).

Most PFASs are used to protect everyday objects from moisture, heat, and stains; Some of these chemicals are also known for their long half-lives and are also known as chemicals that are available forever. Protecting the water supply is very important because even though about 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of this 70 percent water is fresh. Out of this 2 percent water, only one percent freshwater is possible to reach, out of which most of the water source is in the remote glaciers and ice plains.

3. Natural Disasters: A natural disaster is an inimical event that occurs due to natural processes of the earth like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and all geological processes. Natural calamity severely affects life, property, and the current economic situation of the country. The severity of a natural disaster depends on the resilience of the affected population of that country and also the infrastructure available in the country. 

An adverse event does not rise to the level of a disaster if the population of that place is small. The consequences of earthquakes are devastating and can also cause permanent damage, which can take years to recover.

4. Air pollution and change of climate:  Air pollution and Changes in climate are the biggest environmental issues. The problem occurs due to an excess of carbon in the atmosphere and seawater. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is re-emitted and absorbs infrared wavelength radiation. The amount of carbon in the air is increasing very rapidly day by day. Two hundred years ago, the amount of carbon was 280 ppm (parts per million), which has now increased to 400 ppm (parts per million), and the main reason is the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities. Burning of coal, gas, oils, and wood is the main reason for the excess of carbon, and this causes air pollution.

 In a study conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization), it has been proved that one in nine deaths daily are caused by pollution. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, reducing emissions, and changing the industrial process in a country, the government can reduce air pollution.

5. Deforestation: As with other environmental issues, deforestation is also a major environmental issue. Species-rich forests are increasingly being destroyed to make way for animal husbandry, soybean or palm oil plantations, or other agricultural monocultures. The harvesting of forests is proving to be fatal for the environment, such as the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, lack of sufficient rainfall for irrigation of fields.

 Today, about 30 percent of the Earth’s land is covered by forests. About 18 million acres of forest are being destroyed each year, most of which are from tropical areas. Tropical forests used to cover about 15 percent of the Earth’s land, which is now reduced to 6 or 7 percent.