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Top 17 Environmental Problems

The effect that humanity is having on the environment is becoming ever-


more important. Through our actions we are destroying habitats and
endangering the lives of future generations.

At this point there is no denying the fact that our environment is changing.
Hundreds of studies have been conducted to demonstrate that this is
happening and it is having an effect on life around us.

However, many may be unaware of the specific issues that have led to
these changes. Terms like “climate change” and “genetic modification” are
commonplace, but without additional information it is difficult to see why
they actually matter.

To complicate the matter, many of these issues are linked to one another.
The key is that they are all important challenges that need to be
confronted.

Here we examine the biggest environmental problems facing our planet


today and why they should matter to you.

17. Genetic Modification of Crops


Environmental issues caused by man-made chemicals are becoming
clearer. For example, there has been a 90% reduction in the Monarch
butterfly population in the United States that can be linked to weed killers
that contain glyphosate.

There is also some speculation that genetically-modified plants may leak


chemical compounds into soil through their roots, possibly affecting
communities of microorganisms.
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16. Waste Production
The average person produces 4.3 pounds of waste per day, with the United
States alone accounting for 220 million tons per year. Much of this waste
ends up in landfills, which generate enormous amounts of methane.

Not only does this create explosion hazards, but methane also ranks as one
of the worst of the greenhouse gases because of its high global warming
potential.

15. Population Growth


Many of the issues listed here result from the massive population growth
that Earth has experienced in the last century. The planet’s population
grows by 1.13% per year, which works out to 80 million people.

This results in a number of issues, such as a lack of fresh water, habitat loss
for wild animals, overuse of natural resources, and even species extinction.
The latter is particularly damaging, as the planet is now losing 30,000
species per year.

14. Water Pollution


Fresh water is vital to life on Earth, yet more sources are being polluted
through human activities each year. On a global scale, 2 million tons of
sewage, agricultural and industrial waste enters the world’s water every
day.

Water pollution can have harmful effects outside of contamination of the


water we drink. It also disrupts marine life, sometimes altering
reproductive cycles and increasing mortality rates.

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13. Deforestation
The demands of an increasing population have resulted in increasing levels
of deforestation. Current estimates state that the planet is losing 80,000
acres of tropical forests per day.

This results in loss of habitat for many species, placing many at risk and
leading to large-scale extinction. Furthermore, deforestation is estimated
to produce 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

12. Urban Sprawl


The continued expansion of urban areas into traditionally rural regions is
not without its problems. Urban sprawl has been linked to environmental
issues like air and water pollution increases, in addition to the creation of
heat-islands.

Satellite images produced by NASA have also shown how urban sprawl
contributes to forest fragmentation, which often leads to larger
deforestation.

11. Overfishing
It is estimated that 63% of global fish stocks are now considered
overfished. This has led to many fishing fleets heading to new waters,
which will only serve to deplete fish stocks further.

Overfishing leads to a misbalance of ocean life, severely affecting natural


ecosystems in the process. Furthermore, it also has negative effects on
coastal communities that rely on fishing to support their economies.

10. Acid Rain


Acid rain comes as a result of air pollution, mostly through chemicals
released into the environment when fuel is burned. Its effects are most

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clearly seen in aquatic ecosystems, where increasing acidity in the water
can lead to animal deaths.

It also causes various issues for trees. Though it doesn’t kill trees directly,
acid rain does weaken them by damaging leaves, poisoning the trees and
limiting their available nutrients.

9. Ozone Layer Depletion


Ozone depletion is caused by the release of chemicals, primarily chlorine
and bromide, into the atmosphere. A single atom of either has the
potential to destroy thousands of ozone molecules before leaving the
stratosphere.

Ozone depletion results in more UVB radiation reaching the Earth’s


surface. UVB has been linked to skin cancer and eye disease, plus it affects
plant life and has been linked to a reduction of plankton in marine
environments.

8. Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is the term used to describe the continued lowering of
the pH levels of the Earth’s oceans as a result of carbon dioxide emissions.
It is estimated that ocean acidity will increase by 150% by 2100 if efforts
aren’t made to halt it.

This increase in acidification can have dire effect on calcifying species, such
as shellfish. This causes issues throughout the food chain and may lead to
reductions in aquatic life that would otherwise not be affected by
acidification.

7. Air Pollution
Air pollution is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem, particularly
in heavily-populated cities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has

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found that 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality
levels deemed unfit by the organization.

It is also directly linked to other environmental issues, such as acid rain and
eutrophication. Animals and humans are also at risk of developing a
number of health problems due to air pollution.

6. Lowered Biodiversity
Continued human activities and expansion has led to lowered biodiversity.
A lack of biodiversity means that future generations will have to deal with
increasing vulnerability of plants to pests and fewer sources of fresh water.

Some studies have found that lowered biodiversity has as pronounced an


impact as climate change and pollution on ecosystems, particularly in areas
with higher amounts of species extinction.

5. The Nitrogen Cycle


With most of the focus being placed on the carbon cycle, the effects of
human use of nitrogen often slips under the radar. It is estimated that
agriculture may be responsible for half of the nitrogen fixation on earth,
primarily through the use and production of man-made fertilizers.

Excess levels of nitrogen in water can cause issues in marine ecosystems,


primarily through overstimulation of plant and algae growth. This can
result in blocked intakes and less light getting to deeper waters, damaging
the rest of the marine population.

4. Natural Resource Use


Recent studies have shown that humanity uses so many natural resources
that we would need almost 1.5 Earths to cover our needs. This is only set
to increase since industrialization continues in nations like China and India.

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Increased resource use is linked to a number of other environmental
issues, such as air pollution and population growth. Over time, the
depletion of these resources will lead to an energy crisis, plus the chemicals
emitted by many natural resources are strong contributors to climate
change.

3. Transportation
An ever-growing population needs transportation, much of which is fueled
by the natural resources that emit greenhouse gases, such as petroleum.
In 2014, transportation accounted for 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation also contributes to a range of other environmental issues,


such as the destruction of natural habitats and increase in air pollution.

2. Polar Ice Caps


The issue of the melting of polar ice caps is a contentious one. While NASA
studies have shown that the amount of ice in Antarctica is actually
increasing, these rises only amount to a third of what is being lost in the
Arctic.

There is strong evidence to suggest that sea levels are rising, with the Arctic
ice caps melting being a major contributor. Over time, this could lead to
extensive flooding, contamination of drinking water and major changes in
ecosystems.

1. Climate Change
The majority of the issues previously listed contribute or are linked to
climate change. Statistics created by NASA state that global temperatures
have risen by 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, which is directly linked to
a reduction in Arctic ice of 13.3% per decade.

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The effects of climate change are widespread, as it will cause issues with
deforestation, water supplies, oceans and ecosystems. Each of these have
widespread implications of their own, marking climate change as the major
environmental issue the planet faces today.

The Final Word


The impact that human activities have on the environment around us is
undeniable and more studies are being conducted each year to show the
extent of the issue.

Climate change and the many factors that contribute to emissions could
lead to catastrophic issues in the future.

More needs to be done to remedy the major environmental issues that


affect us today. If this doesn’t happen, the possibility exists that great
swathes of the planet will become uninhabitable in the future.

The good news is that many of these issues can be controlled. By making
adjustments, humanity can have a direct and positive impact on the
environment.

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