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What are the Most Common Environmental Issues?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

There are a variety of environmental issues that affect the world today. The most common issues tend to be related to the consumption of resources and production of waste, which can result in the destruction of habitats, pollution, and sometimes shortages that may lead to conflict. Other environmental issues include the introduction of non-native species to new areas, where they cause a variety of problems.

Global Warming and Climate Change

Coral reefs around the world are under stress from a number of factors, and more than half are at risk of dying due to human-related causes.
Coral reefs around the world are under stress from a number of factors, and more than half are at risk of dying due to human-related causes.

The large scale burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas has led to possibly the best known, and most serious, of the environmental issues facing mankind today. These fuels are used to generate electricity, to power industrial processes, to provide domestic heating and to drive motorized vehicles and aircraft engines. All of these uses involve the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). Although this gas is not directly harmful to humans or wildlife at the concentrations in which it is found in the air, there is widespread agreement among scientists that it is making the planet warmer by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This has a number of serious consequences.

Air pollution from factories is a serious environmental problem.
Air pollution from factories is a serious environmental problem.

Evidence suggests that global warming is causing large scale melting of polar ice caps and glaciers in mountainous regions, which, if it continues, will lead to a rise in sea levels. This would potentially result in the loss of large amounts of valuable low-lying agricultural land in coastal areas. Climate change could also lead to drought in some areas, and flooding in others, as patterns of air circulation change. Attempts are underway to tackle the problem by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and investing in alternative energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, but these have met with resistance in some quarters. Other ways of addressing the problem include energy conservation and discouraging the unnecessary use of cars.

Pollution

Clearcutting is a form of environmental degradation.
Clearcutting is a form of environmental degradation.

Industry, and most forms of transport, release waste products that are harmful to humans, animals, and plants. Examples are sulfur dioxide (SO2), which is released by the burning of coal, and nitrogen oxides, which are produced by internal combustion engines. In the high concentrations that may occur in urban areas, these can harm people directly by causing respiratory problems. They also undergo reactions in the atmosphere that produce acid rain, which can acidify soil and water, affecting plants and aquatic organisms, and damage stone buildings and monuments.

Water runoff erosion is a concern in many agricultural areas.
Water runoff erosion is a concern in many agricultural areas.

Pollution can also affect water directly, through the discharge of wastewater from industrial processes, agriculture, mining, and domestic activities. Some pollutants may find their way into the sea and accumulate in the food chain. On a more local scale, toxic chemicals from abandoned industrial sites and waste dumps can leave soil contaminated for long periods.

Loss of Habitats

Solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

The high demand on land for agriculture, and building to accommodate an increasing population, has led to the destruction of habitats, threatening many animal and plant species with extinction. This has been a particular problem in parts of the Amazon rainforest, where the rapid clearing of trees to create land suitable for agriculture has put a number of species under threat. Similar environmental issues exist in many other tropical rainforest areas, and there is concern that, with the vast diversity of plant life they contain, some plants of medical interest might be lost before they are discovered. The removal of trees also makes land more vulnerable to erosion. Soil can be washed away by the impact of heavy rain that would otherwise have been lessened by the forest canopy, and can dry out through exposure to strong sun, leaving it susceptible to wind erosion.

Water Issues

Recycling is beneficial for the environment.
Recycling is beneficial for the environment.

Shortages of clean, drinkable water are a growing problem in many parts of the world. Rapidly increasing populations in some countries have put a strain on the sewage systems, with many rivers and streams becoming polluted with waste containing dangerous microorganisms. For some people, these rivers and streams may be the only source of water for washing, cooking and drinking. The large-scale use of water for agriculture and industry has depleted groundwater in some regions, and in a number of coastal areas saltwater contamination is a serious problem. Disputes over access to fresh water have led to conflict in some regions.

Invasive Species

Car emissions contribute to air pollution.
Car emissions contribute to air pollution.

Many species of plants and animals have been introduced to new areas by humans, sometimes with disastrous consequences. In some cases, these introductions have been deliberate. These would include pets, as well as garden plants that have become naturalized and had an adverse effect on the local wildlife and plant life. In other cases, new species have been brought to an area by accident. Examples are pests and diseases carried by imported plants or exotic animals, and rats brought by ships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary causes of climate change?

Population growth has contributed to contamination of some streams and rivers with dangerous organisms.
Population growth has contributed to contamination of some streams and rivers with dangerous organisms.

Climate change is primarily caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion are the largest contributor to global warming.

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Deforestation leads to habitat loss, which is a significant threat to biodiversity. It disrupts ecosystems, causing species displacement and extinction. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been lost in the last 50 years, largely due to deforestation, threatening countless species that rely on this habitat.

What is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life?

Plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life. Animals can ingest or become entangled in plastic waste, leading to injury, illness, or death. A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight if current trends continue.

How does air pollution affect human health?

Air pollution is linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 7 million people die annually from exposure to fine particles in polluted air, emphasizing the urgent need for air quality improvements worldwide.

What role does agriculture play in water pollution?

Agriculture contributes significantly to water pollution through runoff of fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste into water bodies. This can lead to eutrophication, where excess nutrients cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water, killing aquatic life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies agricultural runoff as a major source of pollution in rivers and streams.

How can individuals reduce their carbon footprint?

Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practices such as using public transportation, carpooling, or biking; reducing energy consumption at home; eating a plant-based diet; and recycling. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides resources and guidelines to help individuals make choices that contribute to a lower carbon footprint.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for AllThingsNature and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for AllThingsNature and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon301043

Non-renewable energy will end in the next 50 years.

So then what do we do? It is a huge problem in the world. I think it will cause conflict in the future. At some time, there will be war in the world for energy, so now we must think about that deeply.

We must also move to another energy source -- a renewable energy source. If not, we can't deal with that problem suddenly if we wait too long, so let's move to renewable energy.

parmnparsley

@ Fiorite- I can think of another environmental issue that has caused billions of dollars in economic losses and has created one of the greatest socio-cultural issues of our time. The environmental issue is the water tables of the Middle East, and its effect on the Middle Eastern conflict.

Water rights are one of the core conflicts in the ongoing tension in the Middle East. The fight over who owns the water rights to the Jordan River, the Arava Water Table, and the Yarmouk River are responsible for the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as well as being a main point of the 1994 Israeli Jordanian Peace Treaty.

The water reserves were there before Israel was a state, but the formation of Israel and the subsequent population growth in the region made water one of the underlying issues beneath the territorial disputes that have caused so much instability in the region. The fight over these resources has also dictated the pace of economic growth for all of the countries and states involved.

Fiorite

This was a great article. The article touched on all of the major areas of environmental concern (at least the ones I can think of). The article also illustrated the link between environmental issues and social issues. So often people assume environmental issues only affect nature; forgetting that humans are still part of their respective ecosystems regardless of how hard we try to remove ourselves.

Take for example the loss of coral reefs. I used to live in Florida and I would hear people say “so what, it’s just a bunch of fish”. Little did they know coral reefs have more socio-economic significance than they imagined. Most people will never see a reef first hand, but without them beaches would erode much faster, and hurricanes would cause much more economic damage.

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    • Coral reefs around the world are under stress from a number of factors, and more than half are at risk of dying due to human-related causes.
      By: Richard Carey
      Coral reefs around the world are under stress from a number of factors, and more than half are at risk of dying due to human-related causes.
    • Air pollution from factories is a serious environmental problem.
      By: trancedrumer
      Air pollution from factories is a serious environmental problem.
    • Clearcutting is a form of environmental degradation.
      By: Lars Johansson
      Clearcutting is a form of environmental degradation.
    • Water runoff erosion is a concern in many agricultural areas.
      By: andrewburgess
      Water runoff erosion is a concern in many agricultural areas.
    • Solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
      By: Ramona Heim
      Solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
    • Recycling is beneficial for the environment.
      By: Moultipix
      Recycling is beneficial for the environment.
    • Car emissions contribute to air pollution.
      By: rob245
      Car emissions contribute to air pollution.
    • Population growth has contributed to contamination of some streams and rivers with dangerous organisms.
      By: Galyna Andrushko
      Population growth has contributed to contamination of some streams and rivers with dangerous organisms.