The Top 25 Environmental Concerns

Our Mother Earth is currently facing a lot of environmental concerns. The environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution, climate change and much more affect every human, animal, and nation on this planet. Over the last few decades, the exploitation of our planet and degradation of our environment have gone up at an alarming rate. As our actions have been not in favor of protecting this planet, we have seen natural disasters striking us more often in the form of flash floods, tsunamis, and cyclones.

Different environmental groups around the world play their role in educating people as to how their small actions, when combined together, can play a big role in protecting this planet. If you look at the environment around us, you can see that there are a number of issues that come to our attention. Here are 25 of the most important environmental concerns to keep an eye on today.

Top 25 Environmental Concerns

1. Air Pollution

Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When ozone forms air pollution, it's also called smog.

Some air pollutants are poisonous. Inhaling them can increase the chance you'll have health problems. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from air pollution. Air pollution isn't just outside - the air inside buildings can also be polluted and affect your health.

2. Water Pollution

We all need clean water. People need it to grow crops and to operate factories, and for drinking and recreation. Fish and wildlife depend on it to survive.

Many different pollutants can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. The three most common are soil, nutrients, and bacteria. Rain washes soil into streams and rivers. The soil can kill tiny animals and fish eggs. It can clog the gills of fish and block light, causing plants to die. Nutrients, often from fertilizers, cause problems in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Nitrogen and phosphorus make algae grow and can turn the water green. Bacteria, often from sewage spills, can pollute fresh or salt water.

3. Soil and Land Pollution

Soil or land pollution is a result of many activities and experiment which is done by mankind. For example, industrial waste such as harmful gases and chemicals; agricultural pesticides; fertilizers; and insecticides etc. This may cause cancers including leukemia, kidney damage, headaches, eye irritation, skin rash, affect groundwater, agriculture. the animal kingdom also suffered through this land and soil pollution.Constant human activity on land forced these species to move further away and adapted to the new region, die trying to adjust.

4. Climate Change

Climate is the average weather in a place over a period of time. Climate change is the major change in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for many years. It can be caused by natural factors or by human activities. Today climate changes are occurring at an increasingly rapid rate.

Climate change can affect our health. It can lead to more heat-related illness and deaths. More pollen, mold, and air pollution. This can cause an increase in allergies, asthma, and breathing problems. Mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases spreading to areas that used to be too cold for them.
More floods and rising sea levels. This can cause an increase in contamination of food and water.
More extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires. These can cause death, injuries, stress, and mental health problems.

5. Global Warming

Global warming is already having significant and costly effects – and these consequences will only intensify as the planet’s temperature continues to rise. This will cause the accelerating of sea level, damaging wildfire seasons, climate change, affecting human's health and heavier precipitation and flooding.

6. Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stands of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use.Deforestation occurs for multiple reasons: trees are cut down to be used for building or sold as fuel, while cleared land is used as pasture for livestock and plantation. The removal of trees without sufficient reforestation has resulted in damage to habitat, biodiversity loss, and aridity. It has adverse impacts on biosequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Deforestation causes extinction, changes to climatic conditions, desertification, and displacement of populations as observed by current conditions and in the past through the fossil record.

7. Increased Carbon Footprint

Temperature increases, like climate change, are the consequence of human practices, including the use of greenhouse gasses. When the atmosphere changes and the heat increases, it can cause a number of problems and start to destroy the world we live in.

8. Genetic Modification

Genetic modification utilizing biotechnology is called genetic engineering. Genetic engineering of food brings about expanded poisons and sicknesses as qualities from a hypersensitive plant can exchange to target plant. Some of these crops can even be a threat to the world around us, as animals start to ingest the unnatural chemicals and such.

9. Effect on Marine Life

The amount of carbon in the water and the atmosphere is continuing to be a problem in the world around us. The primary effect is on shellfish and microscopic fish, and it has similar effects to osteoporosis in humans.

10. Public Health Issues

The current environmental concerns represent a considerable measure of danger to well-being of people and creatures. Dirty water is the greatest well-being danger of the world and poses a risk to the health and lifespan of people and animals.

11. Overpopulation

The number of inhabitants in the planet is arriving at unsustainable levels as it confronts deficiency of assets like water, fuel, and food. Overpopulation is one of the most important environmental concerns. It is among the most pressing environmental issues, silently aggravating the forces behind global warming, environmental pollution, habitat loss, the sixth mass extinction, intensive farming practices and the consumption of finite natural resources, such as freshwater, arable land, and fossil fuels, at speeds faster than their rate of regeneration.

12. Loss of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is yet another casualty due to the impact of human beings on the environment. It is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution. Habitat destruction is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Habitat loss is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution and global warming.

13. Household and Industrial Waste

The over utilization of assets and formation of plastics are making a worldwide emergency of waste transfer. Developed nations are infamous for creating an unreasonable measure of waste or junk and dumping their waste in the seas and, less created nations.

14. Ozone Layer Depletion

The ozone layer is an undetectable layer of protection around the planet that secures us from the sun’s unsafe beams. Depletion of the critical Ozone layer of the air is credited to contamination brought about by Bromide and Chlorine found in Chloroform carbons (CFC’s). When these poisonous gasses each the upper parts of the atmosphere, they cause a gap in the ozone layer, the greatest of which is over the Antarctic.

15. Mining

Mining results in extraction of minerals from earth’s core. These minerals also bring out harmful chemicals from deep inside the earth to the earth’s surface. The toxic emissions from mining can cause air, water and soil pollution.

16. Natural Resource Depletion

Non-renewable resources are limited and will get expired one day. Consumption of fossil fuels at an alarming rate can lead to global warming which can further result in melting of polar ice caps and increase in sea levels.

17. Natural Disasters

Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic eruption can be unpredictable, devastating and can cause irreparable damage. They can cause huge loss of life and property ……….

18. Nuclear Issues

Radioactive waste is a nuclear fuel that contains radioactive substance and is a by-product of nuclear power generation. The radioactive waste is an environmental concern that is extremely toxic and can have devastating effect on the lives of the people living nearby, if not disposed properly. Radioactive waste is considered to be harmful for humans, plants, animals and surrounding environment.

19. Loss of Endangered Species

Human overpopulation is prompting the elimination of species and environmental surroundings and the loss of various bio-mes. Environmental frameworks, which took a huge number of years to come into being, are in risk when any species populace is huge.

20. Acid Rain

Acid rain happens because of the vicinity of specific poisons in the climate. Corrosive downpour might be brought about because of use of fossil fuels or volcanoes or spoiling vegetation which discharge sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air.

21. Agricultural Pollution

Modern day agriculture practices make use of chemical products like pesticides and fertilizers to deal with local pests. Some of the chemicals when sprayed do not disappear and, infact, seeps into the ground and thereby harms plants and crops. Also, contaminated water is used for irrigation by farmers due to disposal of industrial and agricultural waste in local water bodies.

22. Light and Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is another common form of pollution that causes temporary disruption when there is excessive amount of unpleasant noise. Construction activities, industrialization, increase in vehicular traffic, lack of urban planning are few of the causes of noise pollution.

23. Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl alludes to relocation of populace from high thickness urban ranges to low density provincial zones which bring about spreading of city over more rustic area. Urban sprawl brings about expanded movement, environmental concerns and well-being concerns.

24. Medical Waste

Medical waste is any kind of waste that is produced in large quantity by healthcare centers like hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics and is considered to be of a bio-hazardous nature. The waste can include needles, syringes, gloves, tubes, blades, blood, body parts and many more.

25. Littering and Landfills

Littering simply means disposal of piece of garbage or debris improperly or at wrong location usually on the ground instead of disposing them at trash container or recycling bin. Littering can cause huge environmental and economic impact in the form of spending millions of dollars to clean the garbage of road that pollute the clean air.

Landfills on the other hand are nothing but huge garbage dumps that make the city look ugly and produce toxic gases that could prove fatal for humans and animals. Landfills are generated due to large amount of waste that is generated by households, industries and healthcare centers everyday.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution is an incurable disease. It can only be PREVENTED.

Environmental pollution has existed for centuries but only started to be significant following the industrial revolution in the 19th century. Pollution occurs when the natural environment cannot destroy an element without creating harm or damage to itself. The elements involved are not produced by nature, and the destroying process can vary from a few days to thousands of years. In other words, pollution takes place when nature does not know how to decompose an element that has been brought to it in an unnatural way.

Pollution must be taken seriously, as it has a negative effect on natural elements that are an absolute need for life to exist on earth, such as water and air. Indeed, without it, or if they were present in different quantities, animals – including humans – and plants could not survive. 

There are 3 Major Types of Pollution.

1. Air Pollution

Pollution of air takes a huge number of years to recover. Industry and engine vehicle fumes are the most obvious toxins. Substantial metals, nitrates, and plastic are poisons in charge of pollution. Air contamination is created by different gasses and poisons discharged by businesses and manufacturing plants and burning of fossil fills.

2. Water Pollution

Clean drinking water is turning into an uncommon thing. Water is turning into a monetary and political concern as the human populace battles for this need. Waste from industrial and agricultural activities pollute the water that is used by humans, animals, and plants.

3: Soil and Land Pollution

Land pollution simply means degradation of earth’s surface as a result of human activities like mining, littering, deforestation, industrial, construction and agricultural activities. Land pollution can have a huge environmental impact in the form of air pollution and soil pollution which in turn can have an adverse effect on human health.

What're the Effects of theses Pollutions?

1. Effects of Air Pollution
    - Respiratory and heart problems 

The effects are known to create several respiratory and heart conditions along with Cancer, among other threats to the body. 

    - Global warming

Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is witnessing.
    - Acid Rain

Harmful gases are released into the atmosphere. When it rains, the water droplets combines with these air pollutants, becomes acidic. This can cause great damage to human, animals, and crops.

    - Eutrophication 

When a high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants gets developed on sea’s surface and turns itself into algae and adversely affect fish, plants and animal species. 
    - Effect on Wildlife

Toxic chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to a new place and change their habitat. The toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water and can also affect sea animals.

    - Depletion of Ozone layer

As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful UV rays back on earth and can cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.

2. Effects of Ocean Pollution
    - Effect of Toxic Wastes on Marine Animals
The long-term effect on marine life can include cancer, failure in the reproductive system, behavioral changes, and even death.

    - Disruption to the Cycle of Coral Reefs
Oil spill floats on the surface of the water will prevent sunlight from reaching to marine plants and affects the process of photosynthesis. Skin irritation, eye irritation, lung and liver problems can impact marine life over a long period of time.
    - Depletes Oxygen Content in Water
When oxygen levels go down, the chances of survival of marine animals for a long time also goes down.
    - Failure in the Reproductive System of Sea Animals
Chemicals from pesticides can accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals, leading to failure in their reproductive system.
    - Effect on Food Chain
Small animals ingest chemicals used in industries and agriculture and are later eaten by large animals, which then affects the whole food chain.

    - Affects Human Health
Animals from impacted food chain are then eaten by humans which affect our health and can lead to cancer, birth defects or long-term health problems.

3. Effects of  Agriculture Pollution

    - Soil Pollution

This leads to loss of fertile land for agriculture, forest cover, fodder patches for grazing.
    - Change in climate patterns

The effects of land pollution are very hazardous and can lead to the loss of ecosystems. When land is polluted, it directly or indirectly affects the climate patterns.

     - Environmental Impact

When deforestation is committed, the tree cover is compromised on. This leads to a steep imbalance in the rain cycle. A disturbed rain cycle affects a lot of factors. 
    - Effect on human health

The land when contaminated with toxic chemicals and pesticides lead to problems. The toxic chemicals can reach our body through foods that we eat as they are grown in polluted soil.
    - Cause Air Pollution

Landfills across the city keep on growing due to increase in waste and are later burned which leads to air pollution. They become home for rodents, mice etc which in turn transmit diseases.
    - Effect on wildlife

The constant human activity on land is leaving it polluted; forcing animals to move further away and adapt to new regions or die to try to adjust.

Solution for these Pollutions

1. Solution to Air Pollution

    - Use public mode of transportation

    - Conserve energy

    - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

    - Emphasis on clean energy resources
    - Use energy efficient devices

2. Solution to Water Pollution 

    - Use Less Plastic

    - Do Not Dispose Oils in the Sink

    - Limit the Use of Detergents and Bleaches

    - Stop Chemical Pollution

    - Join Water Conservation Organizations

3. Solution to Land Pollution

    - Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

    - Reduce the use of Pesticides and Fertilizers
    - Avoid buying Packaged Items
    - Do Not Litter
    - Buy Biodegradable Products

 

Several attempts are being made worldwide on a personal, industrial and governmental levels to curb the intensity at which Pollution is rising and regain a balance as far as the proportions of the foundation gases are concerned. This is a direct attempt at slacking Global warming. We are seeing a series of innovations and experiments aimed at alternate and unconventional options to reduce pollutants.Pollution is one of the larger mirrors of man’s follies, and a challenge we need to overcome to see a tomorrow.

Extra Knowledge about Pollution 

Noise Pollution 

Noise pollution isn't just annoying: it can cause deafness, fatigue, and even psychological problems. If you want to cut back on the noise pollution in your life, work on eliminating loud sounds made by machines both inside and outside your house. If necessary, sound-proof your home so you can get some peace and quiet. Taking measures to prevent noise pollution will help you and your family feel happier and healthier.

Visual Pollution
Visual pollution is referring to the impacts of pollution that impair one's ability to enjoy a vista or view. The term is used broadly to cover visibility, limits on the ability to view distant objects, as well as the more subjective issue of visual clutter, structures that intrude upon otherwise "pretty" scenes. Visual Pollution can cause distraction, eye fatigue, decrease in opinion diversity and loss of identity.

Light Pollution 
Light pollution receives far less attention than other forms of pollution, but negatively affects the environment in similar ways, shrouding the stars from our eyes at night and disrupting the migration patterns of birds. Luckily, light pollution is reversible. Take action to rein in your own light practices and spread the word to others.

Global warming has been a heated discussion in these few years since it is affecting our daily life seriously... WITHOUT ANY PAUSE!! We need to take action NOW!!!

Over the last few decades, the exploitation of our planet and degradation of our environment have gone up at an alarming rate. Our actions have been not in favor of protecting this planet. There is no denying that. As our environment changes, so do the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround it. With a massive influx of natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, different types of weather patterns and much more, people need to be aware of what types of environmental problems our planet is facing. Current environmental problems require urgent attention.

Let's start with a classic question. WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?

Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate. The scientific consensus on climatic changes related to global warming is that the average temperature of the Earth has risen between 0.4 and 0.8 °C over the past 100 years. 

So...WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING?

The Earth maintains a habitable temperature due to the Greenhouse Effects, which allows heat from the sun to penetrate our atmosphere, where it is absorbed by the Earth’s surface or radiated out and reflected back to Earth by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Without it, the Earth would be a cold and hostile planet, and would most likely be uninhabitable.

However, maintaining the natural balance necessary to keep the Earth’s temperature within a range that is viable for life as we know it is a very fine line that can easily be crossed.

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases that pose no harm when they are in balance. However, since the dawn to of the Industrial Revolution, humans have increasingly been contributing unnatural sources of greenhouse gases into the system, causing the system to become unbalanced and things start to go awry.

Look at the GIF below to have a better understanding about Greenhouse Effects.

Anthropogenic Causes of Global Warming
The most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. While all these gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, emissions from human sources have caused their levels to rise to a point that is no longer sustainable.

Let's take a look at the major human causes of global warming.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING?

Even a seemingly slight average temperature rise is enough to cause a dramatic transformation of our planet. Human influences are the number one cause of global warming, especially the carbon pollution we cause by burning fossil fuels and the pollution-capturing we prevent by destroying forests.

This warming is altering the earth's climate system, including its land, atmosphere, oceans, and ice, in far-reaching ways.Higher temperatures are worsening many types of disasters, including storms, heat waves, floods, and droughts. A warmer climate creates an atmosphere that can collect, retain, and drop more water, changing weather patterns in such a way that wet areas become wetter and dry areas drier. 

The increasing number of droughts, intense storms, and floods we're seeing as our warming atmosphere holds—and then dumps—more moisture poses risks to public health and safety, too. Prolonged dry spells mean more than just scorched lawns. Drought conditions jeopardize access to clean drinking water, fuel out-of-control wildfires, and result in dust storms, extreme heat events, and flash flooding in the States. Elsewhere around the world, lack of water is a leading cause of death and serious disease. At the opposite end of the spectrum, heavier rains cause streams, rivers, and lakes to overflow, which damages life and property, contaminates drinking water, creates hazardous material spills and promotes mold infestation and unhealthy air. A warmer, wetter world is also a boon for food-borne and waterborne illnesses and disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

GLOBAL WARMING = HIGHER DEATH RATES

GLOBAL WARMING = HIGHER WILDLIFE EXTINCTION RATES

GLOBAL WARMING = MORE ACIDIC OCEAN 

GLOBAL WARMING = HIGHER SEA LEVEL

GLOBAL WARMING = DIRTIER AIR

WONDERING HOW TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING?

Nations around the world are upping their game in the fight against climate change. At the Paris climate summit in 2015, 195 countries signed a historic agreement to reduce their carbon emissions, with the goal of limiting future warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

It was a big step in the right direction. But it’s important to remember the equally vital contributions that can be made by private citizens.

The goal is simple. Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. It’s released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving money.

Here are 10 easy, effective ways each one of us can make a difference:

1. Speak up!

What’s the single biggest way you can make an impact on global climate change? Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions. By voicing your concerns—via social media or, better yet, directly to your elected officials—you send a message that you care about the warming world. 

2. Power your home with renewable energy.

Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from the wind or solar and has been certified. 

3. Weatherize, weatherize, weatherize.

Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy. Indeed, heating and air-conditioning account for almost half of home energy use. You can make your space more energy efficient by sealing drafts and ensuring it’s adequately insulated.

4. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Since they were first implemented nationally in 1987, efficiency standards for dozens of appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. That’s about the same amount of the annual carbon pollution coughed up by nearly 440 million cars. When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient.

5. Actually eat the food you buy—and make less of it meat.

Approximately 10 percent of energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food—about 40 percent of which just winds up in the landfill. If you’re wasting less food, you’re likely cutting down on energy consumption. Since livestock products are among the most resource-intensive to produce, eating meat-free meals can make a big difference, too.

6. Buy better bulbs.

LED light bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescents. They’re also cheaper in the long run.

7. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. 

8. Maintain your ride.

 A simple tune-up can boost miles per gallon anywhere from 4 percent to 40 percent, and a new air filter can get you a 10 percent boost.

9. Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles.

Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the air. Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too. 

10. Shrink your carbon profile.

You can offset the carbon you produce by purchasing carbon offsets, which represent the clean power that you can add to the nation’s energy grid in place of power from fossil fuels.


Global warming isn't a prediction. It's happening. The story of humankind and our relationship to the Earth maybe seen as a continuing adventure or a tragedy shrouded in mystery. the choice is ours. Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. do not sit this one out. Do something and make a change.