Environmental Issues: It is time for humans to take the “right” steps to protect the Earth from environmental issues and problems. If ignored today, these harmful effects will surely wipe up human existence in the near future.
Our planet has a natural environment, called an ecosystem that includes all humans, plants, mountains, glaciers, environments, rocks, galaxies, oceans, and large-scale seas.
These include natural resources such as water, electricity, fire, magnetic, wind, and weather.
Also Read: 33 Mindblowing Facts About Global Warming In 2023
Technological progress leads to a lack of resources and environmental destruction. The innovative technologies used in engineering and industries have had a major impact on our lives in recent years.
Due to the rapid changes in engineering and manufacturing, the environment has undergone fundamental changes.
The engineering and manufacturing industry increased the use of materials such as minerals, plastics, oils, and rubber. They are used in the manufacture of many products that can be linked to different industries, such as automotive production units, freight industries, cotton factories, plastic industries, coal mines, heavy machinery, etc. which cause many annoying effects. They consider not to respect the environment.
Environmental issues are no longer in control. Although most of us talk about polluted air, smelly garbage or polluted water, we do not realize that we are “responsible” for negative conditions that lead to careful environmental problems.
Environmental Issues Earth is Facing in 2023
Here are the top 9 environmental issues, where humans play an important role in their cause.
1. Ozone Layer Depletion
The ozone layer is a layer of gas 25-30 km above ground level. It consists mainly of ozone, which is a natural molecule that contains three oxygen atoms.
This layer is present in the atmosphere and prevents harmful ultraviolet (ultraviolet) radiation from entering the earth. The ozone layer is able to absorb 97 to 99% of the harmful UV rays from the sun.
However, in recent decades, human and industrial activity has played an important role, causing a significant reduction in the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
The main cause of ozone layer deficiency is the excessive release of chlorine and bromine from synthetic compounds such as CFCs. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, CH3CL3 (methyl chloroform), CCL4 (carbon tetrachloride) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs and methyl bromide) all lead to depletion in the ozone layer.
2. Global Warming
The greenhouse effect is another environmental problem caused by global warming due to the influence of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases.
These gases have the ability to control the temperature required for this planet to produce a greenhouse effect in order to stay warm for people to survive. Without these gases, the planet would be too cold for the survival of life.
In recent decades, the accumulation of greenhouse gases has increased rapidly, which means that more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and some of these gases escape into space.
These gases warm the Earth’s surface and cause global warming. According to EPA reports, global temperatures have increased by 0.8 °C over the past century.
Global warming is a public concern and a serious environmental issue. Global warming can have lasting effects that can melt glaciers, cause climate change, droughts, disease, and increase the frequency of hurricanes.
3. Deforestation
The demand for food, housing and clothing has nearly tripled in recent decades, with rapid population growth. In order to overcome the growing demand, we came up with the idea of deforestation
Deforestation is permanently removing the forest cover so that the land is available for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about 20 million acres (8 million hectares) of forest are lost every year. The long-term effects of deforestation can be very devastating and dangerous, as they can lead to floods, erosion, increased global warming, climate imbalance, deforestation, and other serious environmental issues.
4. Climate Change
Climate change is more than a natural process today. Responsible for these disturbances are the direct consequences of the harmful effects of human actions. Harmful consequences of climate change include global warming, greenhouse effect, urban heat, coal industry, etc. Some of these include: melting of the polar regions, the emergence of new diseases and the permanent prevention of specific plant growth necessary for human survival.
5. Overpopulation
It is an endless human tragedy that causes all kinds of environmental problems. Water pollution, resource crisis, gender imbalance, pollution, soil pollution, urban sprawl, deforestation, and overproduction are some common examples of the serious effects of overcrowding. Despite government efforts in family planning in many countries, controlling the crowd internationally is difficult. It turned out to be more subjective
Anxiety Anxiety and lack of a mechanism to deal with the problem of overcrowding is not 100% effective.
6. Pollution
More than half of the population knows what pollution is, but we are not ready to face its dire consequences so far. Pollution is not only limited to water, dust, and noise but also extends to light, optical, point and diffusion sources.
Humans and their actions are the main sinners of every type of pollution. Water pollution comes mainly from petroleum springs, urban effluents, and marine emissions. Soil and water pollution is mainly due to industrial waste.
7. Industrial and Household Waste
Currently, every household produces tons of waste every year. Renewables are sent to a local recycling unit, while other items are either part of landfill or shipped to third world countries.
Increasing demand for shelter, houses, and food creates more goods. This resulted in more waste. Most of the garbage is buried under the ground. Having large landfills throughout the city created environmental problems.
It affects human health, affects soil quality, affects wildlife, causes air pollution, and causes environmental changes.
8. Genetic Engineering
Genetic modification in food, human and animal organs appears to be an embodiment of science and technology, but it has many negative implications. Biotechnology is a great technology, but its use is limited over time.
Genetic engineering is a controversial topic and has seen far worse impacts than the benefits humanity provides. Not only is genetic contamination and dysfunction of food products harmful to humans, but it is also the cause of major concerns called “genetic modification”.
9. Acid Rain
Acid rain simply means that there are some pollutants in the environment that mix with rain. This pollution enters the atmosphere due to automobile or industry operations.
Acid rain can be rain, snow, fog, or dry matter that lives on the ground. Acid rain can be caused by explosions, smelting plants and sprays that produce sulfur dioxide and fire; bacterial erosion and nitrogen dioxide from thin rain.
Acid rain can also be caused by artificial sources, including burning fossil fuels that release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. Acid rain can have devastating effects on public health, forests, aquatic life and architecture, and buildings.
