ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: LOCAL AND GLOBAL

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Human activities in past decades have raised serious issues related to environment and its
conservation. Air pollution, poor management of its waste, growing water scarcity, falling
ground water tables, water pollution, waste disposal, desertification, endangered species,
preservation and quality of forest, biodiversity loss, and land/soil degradation, Global Climate
change, pollution, environmental degradation, Global Warming, Greenhouse effect,
Acidification, Ozone depletion and other local and global level environmental problems and
genetically modified foods are the current environment problem that make us vulnerable to
disasters and tragedies now and in the future.

In this topic, the essential aspects of environmental issues, causes, effects will be reviewed
and some solution to overcome from the environmental issues.

What is Environment?
The word environment refers to all ecological units which are naturally present on earth in
the form of land, water, air, soil, forest, sunlight, minerals, living organisms etc. This earth is
full of natural surroundings, some are biotic and some are non- biotic.

Biotic elements are those elements like human, birds, animals, plants, and microorganisms.
Whereas non-biotic elements are those which have no life like air, sunlight, water, land, soil,
minerals etc. Further it is also divided among four different sphere viz. biospheres,
lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. In which hydrosphere is the largest part on the
earth among all life on earth has become possible due to some kind of action and reactions
between different kinds of resources that are present in environment.

Currently, the situation of environment is very poor that could never be imagine in previous
time. We have endlessly spoil our environment by using its resources in very wrong way. We
can see that every day and everywhere pollution is rapidly increasing on earth where it is air,
land, water or soil pollution, deforestation, acid rain, and other dangerous disasters created by
the human beings through technological advancement. Use of natural resources should be
carefully planned and executed, for providing a better and healthy life to our forth coming
generation.

Environmental issues
An environmental problem occurs when there comes a change in quality or the quantity of
the environmental factor that directly or indirectly affects everything on earth.
“Environmental issues are defined as problems with the planet's system (air, water, soil
etc.) that have developed as a result of human interference or mistreatment of the planet.”

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world. As globalization continues
and the earth's natural processes transform local problems into international issues. Some
largest problems now affecting the world are: acid rain, air pollution, global warming,
hazardous wastes, ozone depletion, smog, water pollution, overpopulation and rain forest
destruction. It is related to not only environment bur with everyone that lives in the planet. It
effects every human, animal, and nation on this planet.

The environmental issues can occurs at two levels local and global.

Local environmental issues - Some major local environmental issues are given below-

1. Pollution
2. Waste Disposal
3. Desertification
4. Water Scarcity
5. Endangered Species

Global environmental issues - There some global environmental issues are given below:

1. Global Warming
2. Ocean acidification
3. Acid rain
4. Ozone depletion
1. Global Warming

Global Warming is the unusually rapid increase in earth's average temperature over the past
century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. Global
warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases
collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the
earth's surface.

Normally, this radiation would escape into space—but these pollutants, which can last for
years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. That's
what's known as the greenhouse effect.
 Causes Global Warming
Causes of Global Warming
The issues that cause global warming are divided into two categories include “natural” and
“human influences” of global warming.

Natural cause of global warming

 The climate has continuously changing for centuries. The global warming happens
because the natural rotation of the sun that changes the intensity of sunlight and moving
closer to the earth.

 Another cause of global warming is greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are carbon
monoxide and sulphur dioxide it trap the solar heats rays and prevent it from escaping
from the surface of the earth. This has cause the temperature of the earth increase.

 Volcanic eruptions are another issue that causes global warming. For instance, a single
volcanic eruption will release amount of carbon dioxide and ash to the atmosphere.

 Methane is another issue that causes global warming. Methane is also a greenhouse gas.

Human activity influences global warming:

 First issue is industrial revolution. Industries have been using fossil fuels for power
machines. Everything that we use is involved in fossil fuel. For example, when we buy a
mobile phone, the process of making mobile phone have involve machines and machines
uses fossil fuels, during the process carbon dioxide is releasing to the atmosphere.
Besides industrial, transportation such as cars is also releasing carbon dioxide from
exhaust.
 Another issue is mining. During the process of mining, the methane will trap below the
earth. Besides, rearing cattle will also cause methane because cattle released the form of
manure.
 Next is the most common issue that is deforestation. Deforestation is a human influence
because human have been cutting down trees to produce papers, wood, build houses or
more.
Effect of global warming:
 First effect is polar ice caps melting. As the temperature increase, the ice at the North
Pole will melt. Once the ice melt the first effect will be raise on sea levels because the
melting glaciers become oceans. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center “if
the ice melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet”. It affects many low lying areas
such as the Netherlands. In future, the Netherlands will be cover by water once the North
Pole is melted. However, it is not going to happen so fast but the sea level will continue
rise.
 Another effect is the species loss of habitat. Species that include polar bears and tropical
frogs will be extinct due to climate change.
 Next effect is more hurricanes will occur and economic consequences still affect as well.
Hurricane causes damage to houses and government need to spend billions of dollars in
damage and people need places to stay or have been killed. Once a disaster happens
many people have died and diseases happen.
Solution to Stop Global Warming:
 However we human and governments need to move forward to implement the global
warming solutions. To reduce global warming we can do to reduce the contribution of
greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
 To reduce gasoline mean we have a choice to choose a hybrid car that reduce using
gasoline. Besides, petrol price are increasing. If a person everyday drives to work they
need to pump petrol after 3 days and causes carbon dioxide. Another way to reduce
gasoline is take public transport or carpool to work. It can help reduce carbon dioxide
and save cost.
 Another way to reduce global warming is recycle. Recycle can reduce garbage by
reusing plastic bags, bottles, papers or glass. For instance, when we buy foods, we can
use our own containers instead of plastic bags. Besides, turn off electricity if unused. It
can save thousands of carbon dioxide and buy product that have energy saving because it
saves cost and save environment.
 Finally, human should stop open burning such as burning dry leafs or burning garbage. It
will release carbon dioxide and toxic if burning garbage with plastic. Besides,
government should reduce deforestation because the earth temperatures are increasing.
Trees will help to improve the temperature on earth.

2. Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the
uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Seawater is slightly basic (meaning pH
> 7), and ocean acidification involves a shift towards pH neutral conditions rather than a
transition to acidic conditions (pH < 7). Carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil
fuels dissolves in seawater and produces carbonic acid, and this lower the pH of the ocean
water finally lead to ocean acidification.

Ocean Acidification
Causes of Ocean Acidification:
 The burning of fossil fuels- Fuels such as petroleum, diesel and coal produce lots of
carbon dioxide when burnt. This increases the concentration of carbon gas in the
atmosphere, which in turn finds a way into the water. Increase in concentration of carbon
dioxide in the oceans, which causes acidification of ocean.

 Waste disposal- Industrial revolution leading to an increase in pollution. Due to increase

in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Alongside direct sewage waste disposal,
there are other wastes that increase the level of acidity in the water.
 Increase in the concentration of hydrogen ion due to the chemical reaction- At the
sea beds, there are some chemical reactions that may take place, and they can have
negative impacts on the quality of the ocean water. Such reactions increase in hydrogen
ion concentration which combined with other compounds such as nitrogen, water, among
other gases, and their reactions lead to ocean water acidity.
 Lack of eco-friendly laws and regulations- The harm induced in the atmosphere can
spread into the waters. This is when carbon dioxide released into atmosphere through
various human activities. This in turn, contaminates the water. A decrease in carbonate
ions.
Effects of Ocean Acidification:
 Loss of coral reefs-Loss of marine plants as more carbon dioxide is absorbed into the
oceans, it bonds to form carbonic acid. The acid then produces hydrogen ion and
bicarbonate ion and the hydrogen ion bonds with free carbonate ions in the ocean to form
other bicarbonate products. The problem with this reaction is that marine organisms
possessing shells (corals, crustaceans, molluscs, foraminifera's, and coralline algae) need
the carbonate ions to make calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
 Disturbance in food chain-Ocean acidification leads to the death and disappearance of
some plants and animals in the sea. When some organisms become extinct, their
dependents are also threatened because they have nothing to feed on.
 A decrease in local economy due to lack of fish and other marine products- The
seawater supports life at its normal conditions. Due to lowered or raised of pH level
various type of fish, mammals such as whales, sharks and any many more are affected.
when fish die human who depend on them or food and livelihood are hit by the socio-
economic problems.
 Impact on Human Health- Humans depend on water for various purposes. When the
ocean water acidity gets higher, the consumers or the users of such water are living in a
perilous situation. Diseases such as cancers can easily be transmitted to humans when
they consume fish intoxicated with higher sulfur concentrations.
Solution to Ocean Acidification:
 Reducing the use of fossil fuels- Carbon emitted from fossil fuels can be reduced
through the minimization of the use of such fuels. Adopting the use of
alternative/renewable energy sources can be the best available option. Diversification of
energy sources such as the use of solar and wind as the alternative energy sources can
significantly pay off. Increasing the use of ecofriendly fuels.
 Making strict regulations- Human actions are best guarded by the policies of the land.
The first step towards the fight against ocean acidification can be commenced through
the ratification of legislation that can ensure that the waste handling, among other
pollution-risk activities, is controlled. Such regulations would spread to the fisheries
department to ensure that safety is maintained in food consumption.

 Spreading the awareness to the masses and eating less meat- This is not surprising at
all. Raising livestock is a major source of greenhouse gases. It is these greenhouse gases
that cause all the problems. By reducing our meat consumption, we would reduce the
demand for meat. This, in turn, would result in lesser rearing and raising of livestock.

 Use of Alternative Water Sources-Because of the need to ensure that there is safety,
scepticism may pay off. Such can be through the use of alternative water sources such as
the use of boreholes, wells or tapped rainwater instead of ocean water domestically. This
can help in minimizing possible ocean water pollution. Promotion of environmentally
friendly initiatives. Use of geo- engineering.
3. Acid Rain
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with
acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere
in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic. It can
have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by
emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the
atmosphere to produce acids. Some governments have made efforts since the 1970s to reduce
the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere with positive results.

Acid Rain Process

Causes of Acid Rain:
 Although all bodies of water have acid in it, but the problem with acid rain is that too
much acidic chemical compounds such as sulfuric and nitric acid, formed when Sulfur
Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) come into contact with water and oxygen in
the atmosphere, lower the normal pH of water.
 Together with natural disasters such as wildfires, lightning, and volcanic eruption, which
blasts pollutants into the air, rotting vegetation and biological processes are natural
sources of acid rain forming gases.
 However, human based sources such as factories, power generations facilities, oil
refineries and automobiles are the primary contributors to chemical gases. Electricity
generating power plants burn coal and other fossil fuels which are the biggest
contributors to gaseous emissions. They are responsible for about 60% of SO2 and 25%
of NOx found in the atmosphere.
 Moreover, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses, especially in urban regions with
heavy traffic, and factories in industrialized areas release high scores of pollutant
gaseous into the air.
 These compound pollutants can be blown by winds or carried in jet streams around the
world and turned into acid in presence of water and Oxygen. This acid is capable of
reducing the normal pH of rain, which is 5.6, to about 4.3. The lower the number of pH
is, the more acidic it is.
Effects of Acid Rain:
 Essential nutrients in soil such as calcium and magnesium, which are essential for trees
to survive, are dissolved as a result of acid rain seepage into the soil. In absence of these
vital nutrients, the trees and plants are less healthy and more vulnerable to infections and
damage by cold weather and insects. Acid rain also causes Aluminum release in soil
which makes it difficult for trees to take up water. It inhibits trees' ability to grow and
reproduce.
 Water bodies and aquatic environment are the most affected by either direct acid rainfall
or flow of precipitations into streams and lakes through forest, roads and fields, which
usually contains amount of Aluminum leached from soil.
 Most lakes and streams have a pH level near 6.5, while acid rain reduces this number to
about 5 or less and makes the water more acidic. At lower pH levels, most fish eggs
cannot hatch and some adult fish even die. Increased acidity and aluminium level in
water surfaces are toxic to aquatic wildlife and can also be deadly.
 Acid rain water is too dilute to cause direct health problems for human. However,
infinitesimal acid particles like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) known as
gaseous particulates, when inhaled cause serious respiratory diseases or deteriorate them
when inhaled. This includes asthma and chronic bronchitis as well as an increase in heart
disease risk.
 Not only are living creatures affected, but acid rain damages many objects. It leaves
irreplaceable damage on old heritage buildings as well as weathering limestone and
marble buildings and monuments like gravestones. It causes corrosion of metals, like
steel bridges, pipes, and even affects the surface of vehicles as it peels the paint.
Solution to control Acid Rain:
 Acid rain can be stopped in several ways. As well as governments' role in focusing on
more sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind and water energy, and putting
restrictions on the use of fossil fuels, we people play a key role in reducing acid rain
emissions.
 The biggest step to prevent acid rain is to conserve energy. Simply shutting off electrical
appliance. Whenever you're not using them is a good start. You can also help reducing
auto emissions by using public transport or carpooling as well as riding bikes or even
walking to near destinations.
 Power plants need to do their part as well. Washing coal to remove some of the sulfur or
using coal comprised of low sulfur are some actions they can do. They can also use
devices called scrubber. They are capable of removing the sulfur dioxide from gases
leaving the smokestack.
4. Ozone Layer Depletion-
Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This
happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone
and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is
destroyed more quickly than it is created. Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on
exposure to high ultraviolet light, which then contributes to the ozone layer depletion. Such
compounds are known as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon

tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-
depleting substances that contain bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro
bromofluorocarbons.
Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is only when the
chlorine atom reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.

Ozone Layer Depletion

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion:
The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The
main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:
- Chlorofluorocarbons-Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer
depletion. These are released by solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners,
etc.
- The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by the
ultraviolet radiations and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and
destroy it.
- Unregulated Rocket Launches-Researches say that the unregulated launching of
rockets result in much more depletion of ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled,
this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer by the year 2050.
- Nitrogenous Compounds-The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are
highly responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
- Natural Causes-The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural
processes such as Sun-spots and stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-
2% of the ozone layer depletion.
Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion:
The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let us see the major
effects of ozone layer depletion on man and environment.
 Effects on Human Health-The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful
ultraviolet radiations of the sun due to the depletion of the ozone layer. This might result
in serious health issues among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract,
quick ageing, and weekend immune system.
 Effects on Animals-Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer
in animals.
 Effects on the Environment-Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth,
flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The forests also have to bear the harmful effects
of the ultraviolet rays.
 Effects on Marine Life -Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful
ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are
destroyed, the organisms present in the lower food chain are also affected.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion:
Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a global level:
 Avoid Using Pesticides-Natural methods should be implemented to get rid of pests and
weeds instead of using chemicals. One can use eco-friendly chemicals to remove the
pests or remove the weeds manually.
 Minimize the Use of Vehicles-The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases
that lead to global warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles
should be minimized as much as possible.
 Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products-Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and
bromine releasing chemicals that find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone
layer. These should be substituted with natural products to protect the environment.
 The Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited-The government should take actions
and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone layer.
People should be made aware of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products
emitting the gas so that its use is minimized at the individual level as well.