List of Environmental Problems

Today the earth’s environment is in a sorry state. Wherever one looks, one encounters pollution. Forests are disappearing. The green patches in the city are being replaced by concrete buildings. Waste products are being dumped indiscriminately. Water is too toxic to drink. The air is unfit to breathe. Global warming has become a menacing issue. There is a question mark over the survival of life on the earth. The human race is at the brink of a self-created disaster. Truly there is a surfeit of environmental problems today.

List of environmental problems

There are a number of significant environmental problems today. They are as follows:

• Loss of forest cover. Forest are being cut down for timber, construction and for obtaining extra agricultural land.
• Air pollution. This is caused by polluting industries and vehicular traffic. Burning incinerators, furnaces and stoves cause it. Wind is responsible for spreading air pollution. The Ozone layer has been damaged because of the use of CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbons) which are used in a number of industrial, commercial, and household applications.
• Water pollution. Industries and factories release toxic wastes into the water. Leakage from oil tankers causes pollution of the sea. Pesticides and fertilizers also cause water pollution. Sewage released by cities into water bodies. It is predicted that there will be conflicts among nations because water will become scarce.
• Overpopulation. The increase in human population increases demands for the water resources. More land is required for housing. There is increased demand for food for which more agricultural land is needed. More fuel is required. More automobiles cause more pollution.
• Erosion of soil. When trees and plants are destroyed that causes increase in soil erosion.
• Climate change and Global warming. Human activities cause climate change like increase in temperature. Many animal and plant species may be destroyed by climate change.
• Introduction of genetically modified species. Humans are tinkering with the genes of various plants and animals. We do not fully understand how the introduction of new species will affect the environment.
• Destruction of biodiversity. Many plant and animal species have become extinct or are approaching extinction because of human activities. These endangered species may have important uses in medicine and science for humans.
• Devastation of natural habitats. Species such as tigers and lions are reducing in numbers because humans are steadily destroying the natural habitats which sustain them.
• Diminishing natural resources. Mankind is using up natural resources at an alarming rate. Fuel, water, minerals, timber are being consumed rapidly. Oil and natural gas resources are expected to get over by the end of this century.
• Marine habitats are being polluted. Overfishing has led to the extinction of many fish species. The oceans are vast but still vulnerable to pollution.

Conserving the environment

Conserving the environment is a major social and political issue. The following steps can be taken to conserve the environment:

• Reduce wastage of electricity, fuel and food.
• Encourage the use of environment friendly and renewable sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy and tidal energy.
• Establish sanctuaries for endangered wildlife.
• Stop exploitation of areas rich in biodiversity.
• Encourage planting of trees.
• Reduce usage of plastic since it is not biodegradable.
• Stop overfishing.
• Encourage organic agriculture.
• Polluting industries should be closed.
• Discourage harmful genetic engineering.
• Recycle garbage.
• Aggressive family planning to limit human population.
• Elect leaders who work for the environment.
• Promote the development and use of environment friendly technologies.

Before mankind reaches the point of no return these critical environmental problems need to be tackled on a war footing. Only the participation and cooperation of the entire global community will suffice to provide for a clean and safe environment in the future.