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Essay on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Solutions | 1500+ Words

Essay on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Solutions | 1500+ Words

The word essay is derived from the Latin word  Exagium,  which means  translating one’s point of view . So, an essay is a short piece of writing describing one’s argumentation style, experiences, and stories.

Table of Contents

Types of essay writing:

There are many types of essays; they may be  argumentative, narrative, comparative, or expository.  These are common at school and college level or in world business, but at this point, these may be called reports.  To write a good essay, decide your topic wisely and engrave in a persuasive writing style.

Structure of an essay:

The  structure  of an essay mainly consists of three parts:

  • Introduction
  • Body or middle section

Essay on Environmental Issues

Introduction:.

Global environmental issues are now a major concern that need to be addressed immediately and with coordinated efforts due to their far-reaching effects. Numerous issues, from pollution and deforestation to climate change and biodiversity loss, threaten the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems. In order to protect our world for future generations, this essay examines viable, sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing environmental problems of our day.

Defining Environmental Issues

Environmental issues encompass a wide array of challenges that stem from human activities, disrupting the delicate balance of the natural world. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources are among the most pressing concerns. As Rachel Carson, the pioneer of environmental science, aptly stated:

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe around us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”

1. Climate Change:

One of the most significant environmental challenges is climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The rise in greenhouse gas emissions has led to global warming, resulting in erratic weather patterns, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.

Sir David Attenborough, a prominent natural historian, emphasizes:

“We are facing a man-made disaster of global scale. Our greatest threat in thousands of years. Climate change.”

Solution: Transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices can mitigate climate change. Governments and industries must collaborate to reduce carbon footprints and invest in green technologies.

2. Deforestation:

The relentless clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, and urbanization contributes to the loss of biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and intensifies climate change.

Wangari Maathai, the Nobel laureate , underscores the importance of trees:

“A tree is a little bit of the future.”

Solution: Sustainable forestry practices, afforestation initiatives, and promoting responsible consumer choices can help preserve and restore forests. Stricter regulations on logging and land-use planning are essential to curbing deforestation.

3. Pollution:

Air, water, and soil pollution pose serious threats to both the environment and human health. Industrial emissions, improper waste disposal, and the widespread use of harmful chemicals contribute to the degradation of ecosystems.

Mahatma Gandhi’s words resonate:

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”

Solution: Implementing stringent environmental regulations, promoting recycling and waste reduction, and adopting cleaner production methods are crucial steps. Public awareness campaigns can encourage responsible consumption and waste management.

4. Human Health

Air and water pollution, coupled with climate-related health risks, pose significant threats to human well-being. The World Health Organization warns:

“Climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.”

5. Loss of Biodiversity:

The extinction of species at an alarming rate is a direct consequence of habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of natural resources.

As Jane Goodall articulates,

“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Solution: Conservation efforts, protected areas, and sustainable resource management are essential to preserving biodiversity. International cooperation is crucial to addressing the global nature of biodiversity loss.

6. Renewable Energy

Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is pivotal to reducing carbon emissions. As Elon Musk envisions:

“We have this handy fusion reactor in the sky called the sun.”

7. Water Scarcity:

Growing populations, agricultural demands, and industrial activities strain freshwater resources, leading to water scarcity in many regions.

Solution: Efficient water management practices, investment in water-saving technologies, and conservation measures are vital. Developing and implementing policies to ensure equitable access to water can address social aspects of water scarcity.

8. Global Stability

Environmental issues exacerbate socio-economic disparities and contribute to conflicts over scarce resources. The Dalai Lama highlights the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment:

“It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.”

9. Plastic Pollution:

The widespread use of single-use plastics has resulted in vast amounts of plastic pollution in oceans and terrestrial environments, harming marine life and ecosystems.

Solution: Reducing plastic consumption, promoting recycling, and developing biodegradable alternatives can mitigate plastic pollution. Stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal are necessary to curb the problem.

10. Sustainable Practices:

Adopting sustainable practices in agriculture, industry, and daily life is imperative. Albert Einstein’s wisdom rings true:

“We won’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

11. Global Cooperation:

Environmental issues transcend national boundaries, necessitating collaborative efforts on a global scale.

12. Individual Accountability:

Every individual’s choices contribute to the overall environmental impact. Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless advice echoes:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Resolving environmental problems calls for a coordinated and aggressive strategy. To protect our world, communities, businesses, governments, and individuals all have important roles to play in putting into practice sustainable solutions. We have the power to build a more sustainable future for future generations by implementing ethical behavior, embracing environmentally friendly technologies, and encouraging a global commitment to environmental stewardship. Since inaction will have long-lasting and irreparable implications on our world, the moment to act is now.

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Environmental Issues Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on environmental issues.

The environment plays a significant role to support life on earth. But there are some issues that are causing damages to life and the ecosystem of the earth. It is related to the not only environment but with everyone that lives on the planet. Besides, its main source is pollution , global warming, greenhouse gas , and many others. The everyday activities of human are constantly degrading the quality of the environment which ultimately results in the loss of survival condition from the earth.

Environmental Issues Essay

Source of Environment Issue

There are hundreds of issue that causing damage to the environment. But in this, we are going to discuss the main causes of environmental issues because they are very dangerous to life and the ecosystem.

Pollution – It is one of the main causes of an environmental issue because it poisons the air , water , soil , and noise. As we know that in the past few decades the numbers of industries have rapidly increased. Moreover, these industries discharge their untreated waste into the water bodies, on soil, and in air. Most of these wastes contain harmful and poisonous materials that spread very easily because of the movement of water bodies and wind.

Greenhouse Gases – These are the gases which are responsible for the increase in the temperature of the earth surface. This gases directly relates to air pollution because of the pollution produced by the vehicle and factories which contains a toxic chemical that harms the life and environment of earth.

Climate Changes – Due to environmental issue the climate is changing rapidly and things like smog, acid rains are getting common. Also, the number of natural calamities is also increasing and almost every year there is flood, famine, drought , landslides, earthquakes, and many more calamities are increasing.

Above all, human being and their greed for more is the ultimate cause of all the environmental issue.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Minimize Environment Issue?

Now we know the major issues which are causing damage to the environment. So, now we can discuss the ways by which we can save our environment. For doing so we have to take some measures that will help us in fighting environmental issues .

Moreover, these issues will not only save the environment but also save the life and ecosystem of the planet. Some of the ways of minimizing environmental threat are discussed below:

Reforestation – It will not only help in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem but also help in restoring the natural cycles that work with it. Also, it will help in recharge of groundwater, maintaining the monsoon cycle , decreasing the number of carbons from the air, and many more.

The 3 R’s principle – For contributing to the environment one should have to use the 3 R’s principle that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Moreover, it helps the environment in a lot of ways.

To conclude, we can say that humans are a major source of environmental issues. Likewise, our activities are the major reason that the level of harmful gases and pollutants have increased in the environment. But now the humans have taken this problem seriously and now working to eradicate it. Above all, if all humans contribute equally to the environment then this issue can be fight backed. The natural balance can once again be restored.

FAQs about Environmental Issue

Q.1 Name the major environmental issues. A.1 The major environmental issues are pollution, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change. Besides, there are several other environmental issues that also need attention.

Q.2 What is the cause of environmental change? A.2 Human activities are the main cause of environmental change. Moreover, due to our activities, the amount of greenhouse gases has rapidly increased over the past few decades.

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Essay on Environmental Issues

Students are often asked to write an essay on Environmental Issues in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Environmental Issues

Understanding environmental issues.

Environmental issues refer to harmful effects on the environment due to human activities. These issues include pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

Pollution is the contamination of air, water, and soil. It’s caused by industrial waste, vehicle emissions, and littering. This harms wildlife and affects human health.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the cutting down of trees to make way for agriculture or construction. This leads to loss of habitats for animals and reduces the earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

Climate Change

Climate change is the long-term shift in weather patterns. It’s caused by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming. This affects ecosystems and causes sea levels to rise.

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250 Words Essay on Environmental Issues

Introduction.

Environmental issues are becoming increasingly significant due to their profound impact on human life and the planet’s survival. These problems, predominantly caused by human activities, range from pollution to climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.

Pollution, both air and water, is a pressing environmental issue. Industrialization and urbanization have led to the release of harmful pollutants, causing severe health issues and environmental degradation. The advent of plastics has further exacerbated the problem, leading to ocean pollution and threatening marine life.

Climate change, primarily due to the increase in greenhouse gases, is causing global warming. The consequences are far-reaching, including rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and threats to wildlife. It’s an issue requiring immediate attention and global cooperation.

Deforestation and Loss of Biodiversity

Deforestation for urban development and agriculture is leading to loss of biodiversity. This loss is not only about species extinction but also about the disruption of ecosystems and the services they provide.

Addressing environmental issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy changes, technological advancements, and individual actions. It is crucial for us to understand the gravity of these issues and work towards sustainable living to ensure the well-being of our planet.

500 Words Essay on Environmental Issues

As the world continues to evolve, environmental issues increasingly take center stage, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. The environment, our life-support system, is under threat from various angles, including pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

Climate change, primarily caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases, is arguably the most pressing environmental issue. The earth’s average temperature is rising, resulting in melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, have also increased, causing significant human suffering and economic loss.

Pollution, another major environmental issue, takes many forms, including air, water, and soil pollution. Industrialization, urbanization, and modern agriculture practices have led to the release of harmful substances into the environment. For instance, burning fossil fuels releases pollutants that contribute to air pollution and acid rain. Similarly, industrial waste and agricultural runoff can contaminate water bodies, leading to water pollution.

Deforestation, primarily driven by agriculture, logging, and urbanization, is causing extensive damage to the world’s forests. This not only leads to loss of biodiversity but also contributes to climate change, as forests are vital carbon sinks that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

Biodiversity Loss

The loss of biodiversity is another critical environmental issue. Human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation of species, and climate change, are driving an unprecedented rate of species extinction. This loss of biodiversity threatens ecosystem stability and the provision of ecosystem services upon which human societies depend.

Sustainable Solutions

Addressing these environmental issues requires sustainable solutions. Transitioning to renewable energy sources can help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing stricter pollution controls can help reduce pollution levels. Sustainable land management practices can help curb deforestation and promote biodiversity conservation.

Role of Education and Awareness

Education and awareness are crucial for promoting environmental sustainability. By understanding the causes and consequences of environmental issues, individuals can make informed decisions and adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. Moreover, education can inspire people to advocate for environmental policies and initiatives that address these issues at the systemic level.

In conclusion, the environmental issues we face today are complex and interconnected, requiring comprehensive and sustainable solutions. While the challenges are significant, the opportunity for change is immense. Through collective action, informed by education and awareness, we can address these issues and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Harvard students share thoughts, fears, plans to meet environmental challenges

For many, thinking about the world’s environmental future brings concern, even outright alarm.

There have been, after all, decades of increasingly strident warnings by experts and growing, ever-more-obvious signs of the Earth’s shifting climate. Couple this with a perception that past actions to address the problem have been tantamount to baby steps made by a generation of leaders who are still arguing about what to do, and even whether there really is a problem.

It’s no surprise, then, that the next generation of global environmental leaders are preparing for their chance to begin work on the problem in government, business, public health, engineering, and other fields with a real sense of mission and urgency.

The Gazette spoke to students engaged in environmental action in a variety of ways on campus to get their views of the problem today and thoughts on how their activities and work may help us meet the challenge.

Eric Fell and Eliza Spear

Fell is president and Spear is vice president of Harvard Energy Journal Club. Fell is a graduate student at the Harvard John H. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Spear is a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

FELL:   For the past three centuries, fossil fuels have enabled massive growth of our civilization to where we are today. But it is now time for a new generation of cleaner-energy technologies to fuel the next chapter of humanity’s story. We’re not too late to solve this environmental challenge, but we definitely shouldn’t procrastinate as much as we have been. I don’t worry about if we’ll get it done, it’s the when. Our survival depends on it. At Harvard, I’ve been interested in the energy-storage problem and have been focusing on developing a grid-scale solution utilizing flow batteries based on organic molecules in the lab of Mike Aziz . We’ll need significant deployment of batteries to enable massive penetration of renewables into the electrical grid.

SPEAR: Processes leading to greenhouse-gas emissions are so deeply entrenched in our way of life that change continues to be incredibly slow. We need to be making dramatic structural changes, and we should all be very worried about that. In the Harvard Energy Journal Club, our focus is energy, so we strive to learn as much as we can about the diverse options for clean-energy generation in various sectors. A really important aspect of that is understanding how much of an impact those technologies, like solar, hydro, and wind, can really have on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. It’s not always as much as you’d like to believe, and there are still a lot of technical and policy challenges to overcome.

I can’t imagine working on anything else, but the question of what I’ll be working on specifically is on my mind a lot. The photovoltaics field is at a really exciting point where a new technology is just starting to break out onto the market, so there are a lot of opportunities for optimization in terms of performance, safety, and environmental impact. That’s what I’m working on now [in Roy Gordon’s lab ] and I’m really enjoying it. I’ll definitely be in the renewable-energy technology realm. The specifics will depend on where I see the greatest opportunity to make an impact.

Photo (left) courtesy of Kritika Kharbanda; photo by Tiera Satchebell.

Kritika Kharbanda ’23 and Laier-Rayshon Smith ’21

Kharbanda is with the Harvard Student Climate Change Conference, Harvard Circular Economy Symposium. Smith is a member of Climate Leaders Program for Professional Students at Harvard. Both are students at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

KHARBANDA: I come from a country where the most pressing issues are, and will be for a long time, poverty, food shortage, and unemployment born out of corruption, illiteracy, and rapid gentrification. India was the seventh-most-affected country by climate change in 2019. With two-thirds of the population living in rural areas with no access to electricity, even the notion of climate change is unimaginable.

I strongly believe that the answer lies in the conjugality of research and industry. In my field, achieving circularity in the building material processes is the burning concern. The building industry currently contributes to 40 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, of which 38 percent is contributed by the embedded or embodied energy used for the manufacturing of materials. A part of the Harvard i-lab, I am a co-founder of Cardinal LCA, an early stage life-cycle assessment tool that helps architects and designers visualize this embedded energy in building materials, saving up to 46 percent of the energy from the current workflow. This venture has a strong foundation as a research project for a seminar class I took at the GSD in fall 2020, instructed by Jonathan Grinham. I am currently working as a sustainability engineer at Henning Larsen architects in Copenhagen while on a leave of absence from GSD. In the decades to come, I aspire to continue working on the embodied carbon aspect of the building industry. Devising an avant garde strategy to record the embedded carbon is the key. In the end, whose carbon is it, anyway?

SMITH: The biggest challenges are areas where the threat of climate change intersects with environmental justice. It is important that we ensure that climate-change mitigation and adaptation strategies are equitable, whether it is sea-level rise or the increase in urban heat islands. We should seek to address the threats faced by the most vulnerable communities — the communities least able to resolve the threat themselves. These often tend to be low-income communities and communities of color that for decades have been burdened with bearing the brunt of environmental health hazards.

During my time at Harvard, I have come to understand how urban planning and design can seek to address this challenge. Planners and designers can develop strategies to prioritize communities that are facing a significant climate-change risk, but because of other structural injustices may not be able to access the resources to mitigate the risk. I also learned about climate gentrification: a phenomenon in which people in wealthier communities move to areas with lower risks of climate-change threats that are/were previously lower-income communities. I expect to work on many of these issues, as many are connected and are threats to communities across the country. From disinvestment and economic extraction to the struggle to find quality affordable housing, these injustices allow for significant disparities in life outcomes and dealing with risk.

Lucy Shaw ’21

Shaw is co-president of the HBS Energy and Environment Club. She is a joint-degree student at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.

SHAW: I want to see a world where climate change is averted and the environment preserved, without it being at the expense of the development and prosperity of lower-income countries. We have, or are on the cusp of having, many of the financial and technological tools we need to reduce emissions and environmental damage from a wide array of industries, such as agriculture, energy, and transport. The challenge I am most worried about is how we balance economic growth and opportunity with reducing humanity’s environmental impact and share this burden equitably across countries.

I came to Harvard as a joint degree student at the Kennedy School and Business School to be able to see this challenge from two different angles. In my policy-oriented classes, we learned about the opportunities and challenges of global coordination among national governments — the difficulty in enforcing climate agreements, and in allocating and agreeing on who bears the responsibility and the costs of change, but also the huge potential that an international framework with nationally binding laws on environmental protection and carbon-emission reduction could have on changing the behavior of people and businesses. In my business-oriented classes, we learned about the power of business to create change, if there is a driven leadership. We also learned that people and businesses respond to incentives, and the importance of reducing cost of technologies or increasing the cost of not switching to more sustainable technologies — for example, through a tax. After graduate school, I plan to join a leading private equity investor in their growing infrastructure team, which will equip me with tools to understand what makes a good investment in infrastructure and what are the opportunities for reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure while enhancing its value. I hope to one day be involved in shaping environmental and development policy, whether it is on a national or international level.

Photo (left) by Tabitha Soren.

Quinn Lewis ’23 and Suhaas Bhat ’24

Both are with the Student Climate Change Conference, Harvard College.

LEWIS:   When I was a kid, I imagined being an adult as a future with a stable house, a fun job, and happy kids. That future didn’t include wildfires that obscured the sun for months, global water shortages, or billionaires escaping to terrariums on Mars. The threats are so great and so assured by inaction that it’s very hard for me to justify doing anything else with my time and attention because very little will matter if there’s 1 billion climate refugees and significant portions of the continental United States become uninhabitable for human life.

For whatever reason, I still feel a great deal of hope around giving it a shot. I can’t imagine not working to mitigate the climate crisis. Media and journalism will play a huge role in raising awareness, as they generate public pressure that can sway those in power. Another route for change is to cut directly to those in power and try to convince them of the urgency of the situation. Given that I am 22 years old, it is much easier to raise public awareness or work in media and journalism than it is to sit down with some of the most powerful people on the planet, who tend to be rather busy. At school, I’m on a team that runs the University-wide Student Climate Change Conference at Harvard, which is a platform for speakers from diverse backgrounds to discuss the climate crisis and ways students and educators can take immediate and effective action. Also, I write about and research challenges and solutions to the climate crisis through the lenses of geopolitics and the global economy, both as a student at the College and as a case writer at the Harvard Business School. Outside of Harvard, I have worked in investigative journalism and at Crooked Media, as well as on political campaigns to indirectly and directly drive urgency around the climate crisis.

BHAT:   The failure to act on climate change in the last few decades, despite mountains of scientific evidence, is a consequence of political and institutional cowardice. Fossil fuel companies have obfuscated, misinformed, and lobbied for decades, and governments have failed to act in the best interests of their citizens. Of course, the fight against climate change is complex and multidimensional, requiring scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial expertise, but it will ultimately require systemic change to allow these talents to shine.

At Harvard, my work on climate has been focused on running the Harvard Student Climate Conference, as well as organizing for Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard. My hope for the Climate Conference is to provide students access to speakers who have dedicated their careers to all aspects of the fight against climate change, so that students interested in working on climate have more direction and inspiration for what to do with their careers. We’ve featured Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, members of the Sunrise Movement, and the CEO of Impossible Foods as some examples of inspiring and impactful people who are working against climate change today.

I organize for FFDH because I believe that serious institutional change is necessary for solving the climate crisis and also because of a sort of patriotism I have for Harvard. I deeply respect and care for this institution, and genuinely believe it is an incredible force for good in the world. At the same time, I believe Harvard has a moral duty to stand against the corporations whose misdeeds and falsification of science have enabled the climate crisis.

Libby Dimenstein ’22

Dimenstein is co-president of Harvard Law School Environmental Law Society.

DIMENSTEIN:   Climate change is the one truly existential threat that my generation has had to face. What’s most scary is that we know it’s happening. We know how bad it will be; we know people are already dying from it; and we still have done so little relative to the magnitude of the problem. I also worry that people don’t see climate change as an “everyone problem,” and more as a problem for people who have the time and money to worry about it, when in reality it will harm people who are already disadvantaged the most.

I want to recognize Professor Wendy Jacobs, who recently passed away. Wendy founded HLS’s fantastic Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, and she also created an interdisciplinary class called the Climate Solutions Living Lab. In the lab, groups of students drawn from throughout the University would conduct real-world projects to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The class was hard, because actually reducing greenhouse gases is hard, but it taught us about the work that needs to be done. This summer I’m interning with the Environmental Defense Fund’s U.S. Clean Air Team, and I anticipate a lot of my work will revolve around the climate. After graduating, I’m hoping to do environmental litigation, either with a governmental division or a nonprofit, but I also have an interest in policy work: Impact litigation is fascinating and important, but what we need most is sweeping policy change.

Candice Chen ’22 and Noah Secondo ’22

Chen and Secondo are co-directors of the Harvard Environmental Action Committee. Both attend Harvard College.

SECONDO: The environment is fundamental to rural Americans’ identity, but they do not believe — as much as urban Americans — that the government can solve environmental problems. Without the whole country mobilized and enthusiastic, from New Hampshire to Nebraska, we will fail to confront the climate crisis. I have no doubt that we can solve this problem. To rebuild trust between the U.S. government and rural communities, federal departments and agencies need to speak with rural stakeholders, partner with state and local leaders, and foreground rural voices. Through the Harvard College Democrats and the Environmental Action Committee, I have contributed to local advocacy efforts and creative projects, including an environmental art publication.

I hope to work in government to keep the policy development and implementation processes receptive to rural perspectives, including in the environmental arena. At every level of government, if we work with each other in good faith, we will tackle the climate crisis and be better for it.

CHEN: I’m passionate about promoting more sustainable, plant-based diets. As individual consumers, we have very little control over the actions of the largest emitters, massive corporations, but we can all collectively make dietary decisions that can avoid a lot of environmental degradation. Our food system is currently very wasteful, and our overreliance on animal agriculture devastates natural ecosystems, produces lots of potent greenhouse gases, and creates many human health hazards from poor animal-waste disposal. I feel like the climate conversation is often focused around the clean energy transition, and while it is certainly the largest component of how we can avoid the worst effects of global warming, the dietary conversation is too often overlooked. A more sustainable future also requires us to rethink agriculture, and especially what types of agriculture our government subsidizes. In the coming years, I hope that more will consider the outsized environmental impact of animal agriculture and will consider making more plant-based food swaps.

To raise awareness of the environmental benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet, I’ve been involved with running a campaign through the Environmental Action Committee called Veguary. Veguary encourages participants to try going vegetarian or vegan for the month of February, and participants receive estimates for how much their carbon/water/land use footprints have changed based on their pledged dietary changes for the month.

Photo (left) courtesy of Cristina Su Liu.

Cristina Su Liu ’22 and James Healy ’21

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Liu is with Harvard Climate Leaders Program for Professional Students. Healy is with the Harvard Student Climate Change Conference. Both are students at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

HEALY:   As a public health student I see so many environmental challenges, be it the 90 percent of the world who breathe unhealthy air, or the disproportionate effects of extreme heat on communities of color, or the environmental disruptions to the natural world and the zoonotic disease that humans are increasingly being exposed to. But the central commonality at the heart of all these crises is the climate crisis. Climate change, from the greenhouse-gas emissions to the physical heating of the Earth, is worsening all of these environmental crises. That’s why I call the climate crisis the great exacerbator. While we will all feel the effects of climate change, it will not be felt equally. Whether it’s racial inequity or wealth inequality, the climate crisis is widening these already gaping divides.

Solutions may have to be outside of our current road maps for confronting crises. I have seen the success of individual efforts and private innovation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, from individuals wearing masks and social distancing to the huge advances in vaccine development. But for climate change, individual efforts and innovation won’t be enough. I would be in favor of policy reform and coalition-building between new actors. As an overseer of the Harvard Student Climate Change Conference and the Harvard Climate Leaders Program, I’ve aimed to help mobilize Harvard’s diverse community to tackle climate change. I am also researching how climate change makes U.S. temperatures more variable, and how that’s reducing the life expectancies of Medicare recipients. The goal of this research, with Professor Joel Schwartz, will be to understand the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. I certainly hope to expand on these themes in my future work.

SU LIU:  A climate solution will need to be a joint effort from the whole society, not just people inside the environmental or climate circles. In addition to cross-sectoral cooperation, solving climate change will require much stronger international cooperation so that technologies, projects, and resources can be developed and shared globally. As a Chinese-Brazilian student currently studying in the United States, I find it very valuable to learn about the climate challenges and solutions of each of these countries, and how these can or cannot be applied in other settings. China-U.S. relations are tense right now, but I hope that climate talks can still go ahead since we have much to learn from each other.

Personally, as a student in environmental health at [the Harvard Chan School], I feel that my contribution to addressing this challenge until now has been in doing research, learning more about the health impacts of climate change, and most importantly, learning how to communicate climate issues to people outside climate circles. Every week there are several climate-change events at Harvard, where a different perspective on climate change is addressed. It has been very inspiring for me, and I feel that I could learn about climate change in a more holistic way.

Recently, I started an internship at FXB Village, where I am working on developing and integrating climate resilience indicators into their poverty-alleviation program in rural communities in Puebla, Mexico. It has been very rewarding to introduce climate-change and climate-resilience topics to people working on poverty alleviation and see how everything is interconnected. When we address climate resilience, we are also addressing access to basic services, livelihoods, health, equity, and quality of life in general. This is where climate justice is addressed, and that is a very powerful idea.

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Environmental Problems And Its Solutions (Essay Sample)

Table of Contents

Environmental problems and its solutions

The globe is rampantly getting affected by climate impacts. The problems are ranging from prolonged water shortages to damaging coastal floods and wildfires. Ecologists studying the environmental variations are excited and eager to have their intellectual dispensation utilized in adaptive decision making. To enhance productive environmental management, community and science must engage productively within complex management as well as the policies issues. Environmental problems are depicted as issues within the entire ecosystem developed from either human interference or total mistreatment of the universe. The problems could either be in the water, soil, air or the three components of the atmosphere. It is unfortunate over four decades after the first Earth Day; the world is still struggling to various environmental concerns. In regards to various environmental concerns, this paper will address the most pressing environmental problems affecting the globe. Similarly, it will highlight the potential solutions help to restore ecological balance.

Global warming

The greenhouse gas emissions have been the primary contributors to global warming. The gas is released from burning of fossils fuels and other unsustainable forms of energy. The environmental consequences of this emission are calamitous in the developing countries. These ranges from heat waves, wildfires, flooding and prolonged droughts. According to the researchers, there is low political will to initiate a massive policy to restrict fossils fuels. Moreover, the effects of carbon emission are not only limited to the atmosphere, but it contributes to other health hazards. Public awareness and participation against carbon emission are essential than pressuring the policymakers for prompt actions.

Potential solution to global warming

The menace of global warming encompasses both the population well-being and ecosystem. The collective approach to ending the vice imperative and obligatory. The transportation industries are the key emitters of greenhouse gas. The second potential contributor is the home energy. Regarding this, certified home energy audit is necessary at the residential home for more efficient energy utilization. Moreover, for the transportation industries, walking or biking is recommended. However, with the modernization and improvement of technology, going electric can help to reduce global warming.

Air, water and soil pollution

Carbon emission creates the smoggy conditions in major cities and towns. Air pollution in the city is associated with various public health concerns. Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai are leading in the air pollution from industries and plants. Despite the public underestimation of water and soil contamination, they are also significant public health concerns. The health effects of consuming dirty water are severe according to Clean Water Act. Finally, soil pollution is a great concern to food security. The use of farms inputs like pesticides and fertilizers are the major factors in soil contamination in the modern world.

Potential solution to air, water and soil pollution

Managing air pollution is important to reduce respiratory infection cases. People should make a concerted effort to drive less but commute using a bicycle, skating or walking. The efforts of switching over to green energy should be motivated and supported by the government. Meanwhile, soil and water pollution can be reduced through organic farming. Pests and insects should be controlled mechanically rather than excessive use of inorganic chemicals.

Deforestation

Forests are essential natural resources in mitigating adverse climate change. According to scientists, forests are carbon sinks which enhance the absorption of emitted carbon gases from the factories. Clearing trees for settlement purposes or otherwise allows the greenhouse gases to escape into the environment thus causing the environmental problems. Other human activities like ranching may also cause deforestation. However, cattle flatulence is a primary source of methane gas, responsible for short term environmental challenges.

Proposed solution to deforestation

Planting trees to support the environment is an essential approach in promoting the clean and safe environment. Secondly, the consumers should avoid using paper towels but instead adopt washable clothes. Finally, the public should be encouraged to boycott products made by Palm Oil companies. This company has contributed to deforestation in many parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

essay about environmental problems and solutions

Solution to Environmental Problems Research Paper

Introduction.

In the recent past, human beings have been facing the several problems on the environment they live in. These environmental problems have been brought about by various factors, with the major factor being the increase in population on earth. Environmental problems can therefore, be defined as the issues that result to the degradation of the environment because of the negative actions of human beings on the biophysical environment.

The environmental problems experienced are diversified, ranging from pollution, global warming, resource depletion, floods, desertification, acid deposition to climate change just to mention a few. This paper will therefore explore the various environmental problems experienced on the earth while looking at the solutions to the problems as well as the implementation of the solutions.

The Environmental Problems

To begin with, climate change is the variation that takes place in the world’s climate, which could last either for a short period, decade or longer. Climate change comes about when the composition of the planet’s atmosphere is altered by the natural environment or anthropogenic sources.

It is mostly depicted through changes in weather patterns or extreme weather conditions (UNEP 8). Research has shown that climate change could be limited to a particular region or spread across the. Concisely, climate change emanates from changes in the global energy balance. This balance is brought about by equilibrium temperature and earth climate, which are determined by the speed at which energy is received and the speed at which it is lost to space.

Global warming is another environmental problem, which entails the persistent increase in the usual temperature of the atmospheric and oceanic regions of the earth. It is normally depicted by changes in weather conditions to the extreme. For instance, excess solar being experienced on earth is a sign of global warming.

Just like climate change, global warming could be limited to a particular region or spread across the planet. It has been noted that global warming is largely attributable to human actions such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels, which accelerate the level of greenhouse gases found in the earth’s space (atmosphere) (UNEP 8). The aforementioned human activities are responsible for the increase in the concentration of the atmospheric greenhouse gases.

When the temperatures on earth go to high levels, the precipitation cycle is affected thus, leading to the formation of subtropical desserts. Additionally, global warming is the cause of the ongoing retreat of glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost. “It also causes extreme weather patterns such as drought, heat waves, extinction of certain species, change in agricultural yields as well as heavy rainfall events” (UNEP 8).

Pollution on the other hand, is an environmental problem that comes about due to the exposure of contaminants into a natural environment leading to instability, damage, disorder, or distress to the ecosystem whether on the physical environment or living creatures. Pollution takes many forms such as air, water, soil, light, noise among others. Chemical substances, heat, noise, and light form the main agents of pollution.

However, human activities such as burning, agriculture, mining, war, and construction contribute largely to pollution (Negev et.al, 104). Research has indicated that most of the developed countries experience the worst air pollution because of nuclear chemicals, PVC factories, coal-powered plants, chemical plants among other chemical producing industries. Soil pollution could be because of chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals, aviation fuels, lead paints, and zinc, which deplete the soil (Negev, et.al, 104).

Most pollutants do not only affect air, light, and soil, but also, worsen the greenhouse effect leading to global warming. Continued bioaccumulation of particular organic pollutants can cause serious health problems or even death with serious impacts on water sources and the environment. In addition to this, most industries release their chemical wastes in water, polluting it and making it unfit for aquatic life and human consumption.

Ecosystem services

The concept of ecosystem services is one of the concepts concerning the environment that have been poorly perceived and understood by humanity. As a result, ecosystems as well as their services have been noted to be diminishing. By definition, ecosystem services refer to the transformation of a group of natural resources such as water, air, soil, plants, and animals to benefit humanity. This is caused by the different relationships experienced by species in a given ecosystem.

For instance, bacteria, fungi, and other worms convert raw materials such as carbon, nitrogen, and sunlight into organic matter in the soil making it fertile. Other examples of ecosystem services include breakdown and decomposition of waste, pollination, dispersal, primary production, and detoxification among other services. Ecosystem services can be categorized into four categories namely: provisioning, supporting, regulating, and cultural services (Carpenter).

The ecosystem services have resulted into a great link between the environment and population. It is understood that the population relies on the environment to survive. As such, a high population leads to strain on the environmental sources because of the increasing demand of resources such as food.

The strain is depicted to be the main cause of environmental exploitation leading to problems such as pollution, soils erosion, vanishing fish sticks and melting glaciers just to mention a few. However, it has been noticed that the environmental problems are more rampant in the poor underdeveloped countries where the population is normally high (Carpenter).

According to an economist Thomas Malthus, the famous proponent of the Malthusian school of thought argued that population was growing exponentially while food production grew arithmetically. From his study, he proposed that by 21 st century there would be no enough food to feed the population. This far, his prepositions are somehow true since the population is headed to 8 billion people and growing by 80 million people yearly (Camp).

This could be the epitome of the population considering that much awareness has been instilled on population. Nevertheless, the trend may be heading to 10 billion by 2050 considering that most of the women are in the childbearing bracket. There is a probability that population is going to increase even though each woman will be giving birth to lesser number of children. However, increased use of contraceptives gives hope for a diminishing population in the near future (Camp).

An increase in population will translate to increased demand for food and all other necessities that come from the environment. This has been evident in the recent global food crisis between 2005 and 2008. Prices of basic wheat and corn tripled while that of rice scaled fivefold instigating food riots and poverty to 75 million people. Ironically, the shortage was not because of low harvest; actually, there was a record of grain harvest.

This is a clear indication that the world is consuming more than it can produce as depicted by the high prices (demand is exceeding supply). Agricultural productivity growth is just between one and two percent annually, which is evidently too low compared to the increasing demand and population. The food shortage situation is worsened by climate change marked by hotter seasons and water scarcity. Scientists have noted that there is a likelihood of perpetual food crisis if harvests go down globally (Dawson 122).

The impact of culture on food systems

Globalization has brought with it an increase in the rate of urbanization in flooded cities. Increased global change and urbanization have affected food security and the nutritional status of urban residents. This has in turn affected the accessibility and availability of food, through adjustment of food production, security and distribution schemes, food trade environment, and largely, food culture. Cultures that advocate for subsistence agriculture might pose a challenge to food security as well.

However, due to globalization and the need for mass production is essential to retain organic foods and favorable techniques to the environment. Other cultures especially in developing countries have continued to retain practices that do not contribute to enhancing food security (Dawson 121). For instance, with the climate change, pastoralism is not practiced as it was in the ancient times because doing this would downgrade the environment even further.

The impacts of fossil fuel driven agricultural system on ecosystem services

One of the main sources of food is agriculture, and today there is pressure to produce more food to feed the budding population. This has led to extensive use of chemicals and fertilizers to boost production.

The fertilizers contain harmful chemicals that are driven to the environment particularly the aquatic ecosystem. Many of these chemicals released to the environment contain Nitrogen (N) and Phosphates (P) leading to eutrophication. This concept has endangered most of the aquatic life especially fish, plants, and other organisms.

Other types of pesticides in form of sprays contain high levels of chlorofluorocarbons that are instrumental in depletion of ozone layer (UNEP, 6). Large-scale agriculture does not only affect the environment through chemicals, but also, with the use of heavy machineries. In modern agriculture, especially in developed countries, powerful electrochemical combined harvesters, balers, rippers, cultivators, dickers and other forms of intricate tractors are used every day on the soil through the process of compaction (UNEP 10).

Most of the best soil, for instance, the Midwestern topsoil consists of slack, heterogeneous clumps with a lot of air pockets in-between. Through this process of compaction, the machines crush wet soil into an undifferentiated, dense, and nigh slab (Dawson, 119). The process of compaction also makes the roots not able to penetrate the ground, thus letting the soil loose hence soil erosion. Although the machines have huge tires that aid in spreading out the impact, compaction still is a serious problem.

Human beings get shelter from the environment, and with the increased population, ecosystems have been depleted to accommodate population. Additionally, in areas of wildlife there has been competition for resources such as vegetation and water between animals and humanity. In the end, the wildlife is threatened.

In underdeveloped countries, people reside near riverbanks or cut down forests for shelter. The poor urban slum dwellers have degraded the environment further by congestion, overutilization of ecosystem services, and waste dumping. The impact of population living in poverty is far much worse on the ecosystem (Dawson, 121).

Potential solutions

Several policies have been put forward to overcome the biting environmental problems. Among them are three concepts central to solving environmental problems, which are bioregionalism, sustainable development, and triple bottom line. The problem is that they have not been implemented yet, they could be just what the world needs to solve its environmental issues.

Sustainable development looks at how the environment is in a position to meet the future needs of the population as well as the current ones. This encompasses two basic doctrines of “intra-generational and inter-generational” equity and two main ideas of “needs and limits” (Kates et.al 8). The idea of needs requires that, main concern be set to the indispensable wants of the world’s poor people.

Uneven distribution of resources and poverty are recognized as the main reasons for environmental degradation. Sustainable development advocates for meeting the needs of everyone and broadening opportunities to everyone to meet the quest for a better life. These aspirations can only be attained if rich countries readapt their consumption patterns (Kates et.al 10). As such, human strain on the natural environment should be restrained.

Bioregionalism entails subdividing the regions of the earth into bioregions and viewing them as political and cultural systems of the environment (Thayer 2). Bioregions are geographical areas with distinctive composition of plants, animals, geology, weather, and watersheds.

A bioregion is distinguished by its natural borders and existing communities. It includes both geographical and conscious topography on the place and the ideas on how to live in that particular area (McGinnis). It involves attentiveness to local environment, community goals, and history leading to a sustainable future (McGinnis).

It is simply the call to become conscious and informed custodians of the environment we live in. It alerts people on their local water and land, weather and atmosphere, local flora and fauna, and local community. It advocates for joint hearts, hands and minds to the past, present and future existence of the place. Bioregionalism is a call to get to know our land, water, weather, plants, animals, and communities (Thayer 7).

Triple bottom line mostly abbreviated as TBL or 3BL is also popularly referred to as “people, planet, profit or the three pillars” (Camp). It refers to the incorporation of ecological and social results to the conventional reporting framework.

This concept encompasses an extended scale for measuring community and organizational success in terms of economic, ecological, and social success (Carter). It is also used in the measure of Eco Budget reporting standard of “ecological footprint.” The “people, planet, and profit” concept represents its aim of sustainability (Carter).

People represents fair labor practices of the corporate befitting the society and the region. Planet represents the environmental practices that are sustainable. A company using TBL approach tries as much as possible to benefit nature or do no harm to curtail it. They avoid activities that destroy ecological systems or deplete resources to reduce its ecological footprints. On this note, the company cautiously handles its manufacturing waste and safe disposal along with energy and non-renewables use (Camp).

The pros and cons of alternatives to large-scale fossil fuel dependent agriculture

The use of agricultural methods that use fossil fuels is the biggest challenge facing the fight on environment conversation and climate. There are however, other sources of energy that are available to produce the energy in equal amounts but environmentally safe. One of the alternatives to fossil fuels is the production of biomass fuels.

This involves production of sources of energy through natural processes for example, ethanol, biomass briquettes, bio-diesel, and woody body mass. Biomass use in the production of bio-fuels involves a type of bio-fuel life cycle. The life cycle comprises sowing, growing, reaping and conversion of the biomass to bio-fuel. This is contrary to the life cycle of fossil fuel, which involves acquisition of energy by mining, drilling, extracting, transporting, and processing of material.

The use of biomass for fuel and generation of electricity compared to fossil fuels connects with drawbacks of using petroleum fuels. Bioenergy production and release significantly lowers amounts of greenhouse gases than fossil fuel production. The process also assists in reusing the carbon dioxide released during the process. However, in the production of woody biomass, a lot of wood is utilized which does not contribute to flora and fauna conversation.

Another viable alternative source of energy is the solar energy, which is obtained by tapping it from the sun special equipment. It is viable because it helps in conserving energy that would otherwise go to waste and the fact that it is renewable.

It is also environmentally safe and the system can be resized making it flexible and modular. The problem with this energy source is that it is not feasible in cloudy areas since it only works in sunny environments. Similarly, electricity produced is expensive and energy must be stored in batteries, water, hydrogen, or any other matter.

Wind energy is yet another alternative energy source that is friendlier to the environment. It is obtained using windmills by harnessing wind to produce power. This energy can be converted to mechanical energy to carry out activities such as grinding grain, plumbing water or milling lumber.

Wind energy is renewable, clean, and non-polluting to the environment. It is also preferred for its convenience to be used as the mainstream power supply or as a backup to other sources of power. The biggest drawback lies in its appearance and noise, which turns out to be aesthetically disturbing. Wind behavior makes it unreliable while the windmills scare away birds because of the turbines and thus not enhancing ecosystem services.

The notable benefits of alternative energy sources are the positive impact they have on the population and human health through the provision of clean source of energy. They save the population many diseases that are brought about by air or land pollution.

They are also suitable in eliminating the effects of greenhouse gases that bring about global warming. They also have a positive impact on the ecosystem services since their mode of production ensures that most of the organisms either in the soil or in atmosphere are not adversely affected (FAO 2).

On the other hand, they involve a lot of human labor thus making sure that the population becomes more productive. They are very natural and subsequently form a chain that tends to re-use resources as it eliminates the negative impact of others. Additionally, they are quite similar methods that can be well used in enhancing food security.

They can be carried out in small scale even in remote and rural areas without a lot of technical knowhow. For instance, tapping sun in dry remote areas to produce energy for irrigation or replacing charcoal burning with biomass fuel. Finally, these alternative energy sources enhance environment and food security while safeguarding the health and employment of the people.

Implementation

The implementation of these energy sources have started in most parts of the world especially in the UK and the US. The process of implementing is not easy since people will argue that they do not have the ability to produce enough energy among other complaints.

The proposed alternatives will have different impacts on the ecosystem services. For instance, the use of organic farming will ensure a flow of the services through its techniques. Biomass fuel production will see production of equal energy but with the preservation of ecosystem and the atmosphere.

These methods help us benefit from the nature like wind, sun, and soil while at the same time addressing their possible negative effects they could have on the environment. They do not involve a lot of energy and chemical use, therefore not affecting biodiversity nature. It is also fit for well-being since it does not have chemicals to pollute the environment.

Even with the increasing population, it offers a balance because it is labor intensive and can act on the workforce. GMOs are crucial especially to impact on the ecosystem especially through pollination. Otherwise, it is well fitted to spare the environment while yielding produce to the population (Whitman 5).

Implementing these alternatives is going to benefit the population through increased food supply in safe and clean environment. First, the population will no longer be at risk of contracting diseases brought about by pollution hence remaining healthy.

To implement organic farming, there is a need to train farmers on how to go about the methods by following a proper module. In the end, organic farming is going to maintain the ecosystem services as everything will be where it should be and benefiting each other for the sake of production (FAO 3).

However, the challenge will be the cost of organic foods and marketing them. Electrical energy alternative might be very costly to implement especially in developing countries. However, it can be complimented by other means such as windmills and solar energy. Finally yet important, the best possible way of implementing these alternative energy sources is through creation of awareness through public campaigns, documentaries, and incorporating it in the education curriculum among other ways.

To sum up, environmental problems are affecting the planet in a severe way than predicted. It is therefore necessary to come up with sustainable solutions to address these problems inclusively. For this to be achieved there is a need to base the solutions on sustainable development, bioregionalism, and triple bottom line. The solutions should be a balance of sustaining the huge population by feeding it sufficiently in a safe environment and safeguarding of the ecosystem services.

Agriculture is a central issue to environmental problems due to its ability to generate food for the population as well as its use of chemicals and machines. The planet should move towards adopting agricultural alternatives that do not heavily rely on fossil fuels and toxic chemicals. Additionally, the agricultural systems should enhance ecosystem services and biodiversity instead of harming it. Most importantly, issues of poverty especially in the rural areas must be dealt with to ensure sustainable development.

Works Cited

Camp, Sharon. “Population: The critical decade.” Foreign Policy. Spring. (1993) Issue 90. Print.

Carpenter, Stephen. “Ecosystems and human well-being: scenarios: findings of the Scenarios Working Group.” Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Washington, DC: Island Press. Print.

Carter, Nail. Understanding sustainable development: a complex and contested concept . (n.d). New York: Cambridge university press. Print.

Dawson, Ashley. “Environment.” Social Text fall 27.3 (2009): 118-122. Print.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (FAO). Globalization of food systems in developing countries: impact on food security and nutrition . 2004. Web.

Kates, Robert., Parris, Thomas., and Leiserowitz, Anthony. “Environment .” Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 47.3 (2005): 8–21. Print.

McGinnis, Vincent. Bioregionalism . (1999). New York: Routledge. Print.

Negev, Maya. et.al. “Environmental Problems, Causes, and Solutions.” An Open Question Journal of environmental Education 41.2 (2010):101-115. Print.

Thayer, Robert. Life place: bioregional thought and practice . (2003). Berkeley: University of California press. Print.

UNEP. Global judges programme presentation 2. Major environmental problems. 2010. Web.

Whitman, Deborah. Genetically modified foods: harmful or helpful? 2000. Web.

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Bibliography

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Environmental Issues Essay

Climate change is happening because of human activity. We're releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the Earth to warm up. This is called global warming, and it's a huge problem. Here are some sample essays on environmental issues.

  • 100 Words Essay On Environmental Issues

Our environment is changing due to disruption. These are small steps you can take on an individual level that together can have a huge impact on the environment. And if enough individuals start taking such steps, we could make huge strides towards preserving the environment for future generations. As an individual, you can:

200 Words Essay On Environmental Issues

500 words essay on environmental issues.

Environmental Issues Essay

Reduce your energy consumption by changing to LED or CFL light bulbs and unplugging electronic devices when not in use;

Use public transport or carpool instead of driving;

Buy locally produced food and products as much as possible;

Separate your waste for composting and recycling instead of sending it all to landfills; and

Plant trees in your yard.

In the past several centuries, humans have altered land use in order to accommodate growing populations and economic development needs. This has led to a range of environmental issues such as habitat destruction, soil erosion, pollution, species extinction and water scarcity.

How Changes in Land Use Can Lead to Environmental Issues

As a result of the disruption due to growing population, the global climate has been thrown off balance, leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters like floods, hurricanes and droughts.

One of the most pressing environmental issues caused by changes in land use is deforestation. Trees are vital for storing carbon dioxide, as well as providing habitats for wildlife. Unsustainable logging practices have led to extreme cases of deforestation that result in global warming and habitat loss. Additionally, when trees are removed from ecosystems it can lead to soil erosion which contributes to water pollution and scarce resources for the surrounding wildlife.

In addition to deforestation there are many other activities that can disrupt land use such as oil drilling, urbanization or different types of agriculture. It’s important for us to be aware of how our behaviors can cause harm to our environment so that we can take steps towards improving land management practices in order to ensure our planet remains healthy for future generations.

You sit down to dinner, and suddenly you're confronted with a difficult decision. You can either have a steak that's been raised on a factory farm, where the animal has been exposed to antibiotics and growth hormones, or you can choose something that's organic and humanely raised.

The same dilemma confronts us when we shop for groceries, clothes, or anything else. Do we want to buy something that's bad for the environment, or do we want to make a conscious choice to purchase something that will help sustain it?

It's not always easy to make the right decision, but it's important that we try. Why has the climate been changing, and why do people think it's a problem?

Examining the Effects of Pollution

Pollution is having a devastating effect on the environment. Pollution is causing irreversible damage to our planet, and it's happening on a scale that is unprecedented in human history.

The effects of pollution are far-reaching and complex. They can be felt in every corner of the globe, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. Pollution is making our planet uninhabitable, and if we don't take action now, we will be facing a very uncertain future.

Impact of Deforestation on the Environment

Deforestation is a major issue that is contributing to climate change and has a serious impact on the environment.

When trees are cut down, it not only reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, but it also leads to the release of carbon dioxide. This, in turn, accelerates climate change and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Deforestation also affects water systems, contributing to floods and droughts.

Exploring Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Environmental Impact

One of the biggest things you can do to reduce your environmental impact is to make lifestyle changes. This can mean anything from reducing your consumption to changing the way you travel and even altering your diet.

Reducing consumption means buying less, reusing and repurposing items, and recycling more. It also means being mindful of what you throw away.

When it comes to transportation, try switching to public transport or carpooling when possible. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more sustainable, why not try walking or cycling?

Lastly, food is another area where you can make changes. Eating locally sourced food that’s in season reduces your carbon footprint and helps local farmers.

So, what do we need to do?

To start, it’s important to realize that individuals can make a difference. There is no single answer to this question; it will require action from all of us. But if we each take small steps in our own lives, we can make a big difference. Here are a few ideas to get started:

Reduce your consumption, and choose products that are environmentally friendly

Reuse and recycle whenever possible

Educate yourself and others about environmental issues

Support organizations that are working to protect the environment

Together, we can make a difference. Let's work together to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

  • Construction
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Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Cartographer

How fascinating it is to represent the whole world on just a piece of paper or a sphere. With the help of maps, we are able to represent the real world on a much smaller scale. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are those who make maps. But, cartography is not just limited to maps, it is about a mixture of art , science , and technology. As a cartographer, not only you will create maps but use various geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems to measure, analyse, and create different maps for political, cultural or educational purposes.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Operations manager.

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Bank Probationary Officer (PO)

Investment director.

An investment director is a person who helps corporations and individuals manage their finances. They can help them develop a strategy to achieve their goals, including paying off debts and investing in the future. In addition, he or she can help individuals make informed decisions.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing. Individuals in the plumber career path are self-employed or work for a small business employing less than ten people, though some might find working for larger entities or the government more desirable.

Construction Manager

Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.

Urban Planner

Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities. 

Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Naval Architect

A Naval Architect is a professional who designs, produces and repairs safe and sea-worthy surfaces or underwater structures. A Naval Architect stays involved in creating and designing ships, ferries, submarines and yachts with implementation of various principles such as gravity, ideal hull form, buoyancy and stability. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

Pathologist.

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Hospital Administrator

The hospital Administrator is in charge of organising and supervising the daily operations of medical services and facilities. This organising includes managing of organisation’s staff and its members in service, budgets, service reports, departmental reporting and taking reminders of patient care and services.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Videographer

Multimedia specialist.

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French , German , Italian . 

Public Relation Executive

Travel journalist.

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

Merchandiser.

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Metallurgical Engineer

A metallurgical engineer is a professional who studies and produces materials that bring power to our world. He or she extracts metals from ores and rocks and transforms them into alloys, high-purity metals and other materials used in developing infrastructure, transportation and healthcare equipment. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Business Intelligence Developer

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Essay on Environmental Issue

Environment is the surrounding of an Organism. This Environment in which an Organism lives is made up of various components like Air, Water, Land, etc. These components are found in fixed proportions to create a Harmonious Balance in the Environment for the Organism to live in. Any kind of undesirable and wanted change in the proportions of these components can be termed as Pollution. This Issue is increasing with every passing year. It is an Issue that troubles Economically, Physically and Socially. The Environmental problem that is worsening with each day needs to be addressed so that its harmful effects on Humans as well as the planet can be redressed. 

Environmental Issue

Our green world is now in Jeopardy. Humans depleted Natural Resources by polluting Water, Soil, and Air. We must tackle the challenges we have created by opening our eyes. The Environment has been profoundly impacted by Industrial Growth. People emit more Pollution for more convenience. Human actions have an impact on the Environment, both directly and indirectly. As a result, there is a symbiotic link between a creature and its surroundings. Let’s discuss some major Issues our Environment Issues which our Environment is facing nowadays:

Global Warming:

Foremost symptom of natural imbalance is Global Warming. When Greenhouse Gasses accumulate and cause the temperature to rise, we see the Greenhouse effect. It has an impact on the rising of the World Ocean level and the melting of Arctic ice. According to specialists, coastal countries and certain islands could be overwhelmed by water over several decades.

Increasing Population:

People require greater space and resources as their population grows, in order to meet all of their food and housing needs. To make room for pastures and agricultural fields, people began cutting down trees. Forests serve as the Earth's main lungs and the primary habitat for a wide range of animals, birds, and insects. Deforestation and Human activities have put a lot of forest species in Jeopardy.

Ozone Layer Depletion:

Depletion of the Ozone layer is a complex Issue that Humanity is grappling with. The Ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, which is damaging to Humans. Increased Ozone hole numbers result in more intense solar radiation and a rise in skin cancer.

Deforestation: 

Plants and trees are essential components of Human life. Everyone benefits from trees because they give air, food, and medicines. Forests are being cut down to meet rising demand. During the summer, natural wildfires are common. To maximize profit, people take down trees in an unethical manner.

Climate change is occurring at a faster rate than it was a century ago. The weather change has an impact on industrial advancement. Climate change has resulted in disastrous hurricanes, floods, and droughts. In recent years, many countries have been hit by a slew of natural disasters.

Polluted Environments can cause a variety of illnesses. Many species of flora and wildlife that are important to flora are threatened with extinction. Nature preserves balance, and all Organisms' feeding habits are linked in a food chain, as we all know. In areas with petroleum refineries, chemicals, iron and steel, non-metal products, pulp and paper manufacturers, and textile industries, the problem of industrial Pollution is often severe.

Causes of Environmental Issue

With the rise of the industries and the migration of people from villages to cities in search of employment, there has been a regular increase in the problem of proper housing and unhygienic conditions of living. These reasons have given rise in factors for Pollution. Environmental Pollution is of five basic types namely; Air, Water, Soil and Noise Pollution.

Air Pollution:  

Air Pollution is a major Issue in today’s world. The smoke pouring out of factory chimneys and automobiles pollute the air that we breathe in. Gasses like Carbon dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide are emitted which mix with air and cause great harm to the Human body, Flora and Fauna. The dry farm waste, dry grass, leaves and coal used as domestic fuels in our villages also produce harmful Gasses. Acid rain occurs due to excess Sulphur Dioxide in the Air. 

Water Pollution:  

Water Pollution is one of the most serious Environmental Issues. The waste products from the growing industries and sewage water are not treated properly before disposing into rivers and other water bodies, thus creating Pollution. Agricultural processes with excess fertilizers and pesticides also pollute the water bodies.

Soil or Land Pollution:  

The next source of Environmental Pollution is soil. Waste materials such as plastics, polythene, bottles, etc. cause land Pollution and render soil infertile. Moreover, dumping of dead bodies of men and animals, washing of clothes and utensils add to this Issue. It is a very dangerous aspect of Environment since it affects the fertility and food production of the area and the country.

Noise Pollution:  

This Issue is a very subtle form of Pollution. All Human activities contribute to noise Pollution to a large extent. Horns of the vehicles, loud speakers, music system, industrial activities contribute towards this Issue.

Problems like Ozone depletion, Global Warming, Greenhouse effect, change in climatic and weather conditions, melting of glaciers etc. are some more Issues in the Environment.

How to Minimize Environmental Issues?

To minimize this Issue, preventive measures need to be taken.

Principle of 3R’s:  

To save the Environment, use the principle of 3 R’s; Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. 

Reuse products again and again. Instead of throwing away things after one use, find a way to use them again.  Reduce the amount of waste products generated. 

Recycle:  

Paper, plastics, glass and electronic items can be processed into new products while using fewer natural resources and lesser energy.

To prevent and control measures of air Pollution including better-designed equipment and smokeless fuels should be used in homes and industries. 

More and more trees should be planted to balance the ecosystem and control Greenhouse effects.

Noise Pollution can be minimized by better designing and proper maintenance of vehicles. Industrial noise can be reduced by sound proofing equipment like generators, etc. 

To control soil Pollution, usage of plastic bags must be stopped. Sewage should be treated properly before using it as fertilizers and as landfills.  

Several measures can be adopted to control water Pollution. Some of them are that the water requirement can be minimized by altering the techniques involved. Water should be reused with treatment. The quantity of water waste discharged should be reduced. 

People, unfortunately, forget that we are a part of nature. We must live in harmony with nature and take care of it. We need to rethink how we consume natural resources. People must be aware that the natural world is on the verge of collapse. People must recognise that they are not the primary users of the Environment and construct Environmentally suitable homes. We must consider future generations and what will be left behind after we are gone. People come up with remedies to Environmental Issues. We recycle trash, develop electric automobiles, reduce air, water, and soil Pollution, and restore land erosion by planting new trees. But it is not enough; people must drastically alter their lifestyles until nature takes the last drastic measures.

Saving our planet from these Environmental Issues is the responsibility of every individual. If preventive measures are not taken then our future generation will have to face major repercussions. Government is also taking steps to create public awareness. Every individual should be involved in helping to reduce and control Pollution.

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FAQs on Environmental Issue Essay

1. What are the Major Environmental Issues?

The major environmental issues are environmental degradation, climate change, global warming, and greenhouse effects.

2. What is the Best Way to Control Greenhouse Effect?

Afforestation is the best way to control greenhouse effect.

3. What is the Principle of 3Rs?

The principle of 3Rs is Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.

4. How do you Minimize Soil Pollution?

Stopping the use of plastics can minimize soil Pollution.

essay about environmental problems and solutions

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IELTS Essay, topic: Environmental problems

  • IELTS Essays - Band 7

Nowadays environmental problems are too big to be managed by individual persons or individual countries. In other words, it is an international problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

essay about environmental problems and solutions

Lately, many presentations, conferences and international summits are held to deal with waste treatment, recycling, and soil and water contamination. joint efforts and consolidation can only help in the mutual war the ongoing environmental disaster. For instance, governments should offer support to companies and organizations, involved in manufacturing, industry or agriculture in order to find environment-friendly approaches. These could be special law regulations, recycling programs, helping courses in order to implement ISO certificates and many more.

However, the influence of individuals over environment should not be ignored. If we do not that our planet is our home, we will never be able to take care of it. We have to contribute every day to the preservation of nature and environment. For example, always remember to save energy by switching off lamps, computers and everything that we do not use. Our next obligation is to separate waste and throw bulk only in the designated areas. Driving vehicles can also be environment friendly. For example, we have to avoid accelerating the engines too rapidly or using the air conditioning in the country, where it would be better to save energy and simply open the windows.

To sum up, environmental problems should be handled by local and international authorities as well as individuals. Every single person should take care of the environment, moreover we have to bring up our children to be conscious citizens of a clean and preserved planet.

This is a very good essay, a Band 7+ candidate. The structure of this essay and sentences is correct as well as the spelling and punctuation. Good job!

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Essay On Environmental Problems And Solutions

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Capital , Finance , Capitalism , Environment , Ecology , Gas , Union , Business

Published: 02/20/2023

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1. The Bhopal gas tragedy occurred in India on December 2, 1984. What, who caused Bhopal? What case does Kovel present? Bhopal gas tragedy occurred due to accidental leakage of Methyl-isocyanide (MIC), a toxic gas, which was an intermediate used in the production of a pesticide ‘Sevin’ by Union Carbide corporation. Union Carbide plant’s site was located close to a populated region, and the unstable MIC based pesticide manufacture process was chosen purely for cost minimizing reasons (Kovel, 32). The intermediate remained unutilized due to low demand for the pesticide, and Union Carbide was morally responsible for creating all conditions favorable for a poisonous gas leak. However, sabotage was sited as the immediate cause for the massive disaster. Further, there were several safety violations, worker protests, previous gas leak incidents within the plant, which were neglected by the corporation (Kovel, 33). The whole accident was the result of Union Carbide’s desire to make more profits, and the actual perpetrators simply got away (Kovel, 38). From Kovel’s view point Union Carbide acted as an ideal capitalist, and the accident was waiting to occur. 2. What does Kovel identify are the dictates of capital? Capital is self-perpetuating, and in the process of growing itself, it destroys any kind of equilibrium that can exist within humans or in the natural environment. As capital needs to grow continuously, a capitalist should also constantly generate profit to survive (Kovel, 35). Hence, cost cutting is an inevitable dictate of capital. Cost cutting is done in the form of reducing worker wages or compensating in quality of machinery, building materials, neglecting pollution control, etc. (Kovel, 40). Thus irresponsibility towards human life as well as the environment, and their devaluation also becomes a dictate of capital (Kovel, 41). Finally, instability is an important capital dictate. Capitalists become personifications of capital and their constant drive to achieve more separates them farther from the poor (Kovel, 43). The instability is sustained by heavy competition for the ruler’s role, and aspiring capitalists follow the dictates for more capital. 3. Kovel argues that the ruling elite are structurally incapable of dealing with the eco-crisis. Why? Capitalists have a grandiose way of thinking, and their big dreams leave no space for ecological concerns (Kovel, 85). Also, they believe they are a secure and secluded class of elite, who will not be affected by even natural disasters. Further, as capitalists are used to luxurious way of life, they think only in terms of profits or monetary compensations, and ecological resources are also viewed as commodities with some price. The elite class tends to depend too much on technology, and their decisions are very mechanical, lacking foresight (Kovel, 86). Hence, long-term environmental impacts of their deeds simply don’t matter to them. Finally, the “optimistic denial” trait perfectly characterizes a capitalist (Kovel, 88). None of the capitalist giants would want to truly address an ecological crisis such as climate change, as their competitive nature will not allow them to make a unified decision. What they require is a short-term marketable response that would boost their image. Either they completely deny the very existence of a crisis or they simply pose to be eco-sensitive. The ruling elite wants to safeguard only its market interests, and is least bothered about ecological crises that are unpredictable. 4. Capitalism attracts what type of psychological traits? Capitalists strongly believe that capital can always compensate for destruction, and tend to attach a monetary value to their products, services, people and resources they use. They believe that it is the job of the lower economic class to endure problems or handle dirty cleanup tasks, and they can be compensated satisfactorily with capital. A true capitalist has a calculating mentality, ability to sell oneself and is a power monger (Kovel, 84). They desire for more profit within less time always, even if their actions have disastrous consequences (Kovel, 87). Psychologically capitalists do not believe any situation could go beyond their control, and they simply project an outward optimistic attitude to public, for market interests.

Works Cited

Kovel, Joel. The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or the End of the World? 2nd ed. London: Zed, 2002.

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10 Environmental Problems and Solutions in 2023

September 6, 2022

Graham Sawrey

There are so many environmental problems we face today, and they all have to be addressed. But which environmental issues demand our attention now?

We’ll discuss 10 environmental problems and solutions that we can work on now to change our collective future for the better!

10 Environmental Problems and Solutions

Want to know even more? Check out our List of Environmental Issues Examples where we discuss the 30 biggest threats earth faces today for a more in-depth understanding of environmental problems.

Here are the top 10 environmental issues that require immediate attention for the health of our planet and our own survival.

  • Climate Change
  • Water Pollution
  • Air Pollution
  • Natural Resource Depletion
  • Waste Management
  • Urban Sprawl
  • Energy Consumption
  • Environmental Degradation
  • Deforestation
  • Recycling Inefficiencies

We’ll discuss these top 10 environmental problems in detail and offer some real-world solutions to each one.

There is no magic bullet solution for the environmental issues we face. The real solution will come when individuals choose to make decisions in favor of the earth’s welfare .

When billions of us combine a lot of small actions they add up to a big impact on the earth.

1. Climate Change

A sign from a protestor saying there is no Planet B trying to fight Climate change

Climate change is a massive topic. Inside this topic are all the subtopics and environmental problems that add up to climate change.

Climate change is the term we use to refer to the changing atmospheric conditions that affect life on earth.

  • Global warming
  • The greenhouse effect
  • Increased saturation of atmospheric carbon dioxide
  • Polar ice melt
  • Rising seawater levels
  • Ozone layer depletion

These things are intertwined and many of them have the same root cause – the main one is the burning of fossil fuels.

However, along with increased carbon dioxide output from fossil fuels, there are mainly CFCs and halons though other substances also destroy ozone molecules.

These substances are found in aerosols, refrigerants (like air conditioners) and other machinery. CFCs are banned, but other ozone-destroying chemicals are still in use.

Depletion of the ozone layer allows more UVB rays to get through the atmosphere which has a warming effect in the atmosphere of the globe. This changes weather patterns and climate expectations everywhere.

Climate Change Solutions

The solutions to climate change involve viewing the world differently than we currently do as a global culture.

We view the world as something to use. We want to get as much as we can while it’s available. This is causing us to use things we don’t need, create waste, and deplete our resources too fast.

Here are a few things we can do to help combat climate change.

  • Drive less often and less far. If there is an option to walk, ride a bike, carpool, or use public transportation then use those options first to help decrease your carbon footprint.
  • Reuse things instead of throwing them away. Americans seem to view recyclables as the way forward but they have limitations. They help us to reuse existing resources, but an even better choice is to choose reusable items every chance we get.
  • Aim for zero waste. Think about it before you buy. Choose to invest your money in things that will last a long time and can be reused or upcycled instead of thrown away. The world is awash in used cheap clothing, single-use plastics, and cheap appliances that are recyclable yet sit in filthy heaps.
  • Get involved. Too many people like to talk about climate change and even yell about climate change but don’t do anything to solve it. Work to increase recycling facilities in your area, educate your community about reusables, and plant native species in your town.
  • Get Renewable Energy. Renewable energy is a must. Buying an EV car isn’t enough because plugging into a fossil fuel electric grid just perpetuates the problem. Investigate your own chain of energy and opt for the cleanest energy you can afford.

Climate change is a real environmental issue and it’s full of uncertainties. One thing we know is that the decisions we make today can have a major impact on the quality of life on planet earth in the future.

2. Water Pollution

A stream with garbage in it showing Water pollution

Water pollution includes marine pollution and freshwater pollution. Let’s take a look at both.

Marine pollution is largely caused by nitrogen that washes away from inland soils and drains into the ocean water.

The excess nitrogen creates algae blooms that prevent sunlight and oxygen from penetrating into the ocean water.

This creates a hypoxic environment called a “dead zone” where fish, crustaceans, and sea mammals can’t live. Mobile marine animals leave the area. Immobile marine life dies.

This is the primary cause of our loss of coral reefs around the globe.

Marine pollution also takes the form of trash and recyclables that wash into the ocean and form massive flotillas of rubbish .

Freshwater pollution refers to the pollution of inland water like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. We rely on these bodies of water for our drinking water, but they are quickly becoming too polluted to drink.

Freshwater pollution also happens due to nitrogen in the water , but it can also be the result of things people do.

  • Trash that ends up in the water
  • Sewer treatment plant releases (treated and untreated)
  • Dirty stormwater runoff
  • Pharmaceuticals, detergents, and other things people put in the water system
  • Heavy metals like lead and mercury

Some of these things we can’t avoid, but a lot of it is preventable.

Water Pollution Solutions

The effects of pollution could be minimized and possibly healed if we began to consciously make decisions that will protect our watershed instead of polluting it.

  • Farmers can use cover crops to fix nitrogen in the soil . It’s an investment, not an overnight fix, but it will make the biggest impact on the health of the oceans and will eventually eliminate dead zones.
  • Homeowners can use as little culinary water as possible for watering outdoor plants. Try xeriscaping to save water. Install rain barrels to collect free water to use on outdoor plants and trees.
  • Dispose of medicines, motor oil, household chemicals, and paint in the proper facilities so they stay out of the watershed.
  • Eat organic as much as you can. This isn’t fail-proof, but most organic farms rely on natural sources of nitrogen rather than synthetic nitrogen to increase crop yields.
  • Be happy with imperfect produce. There is a massive global cost to get those perfect fruits and vegetables. They’re treated with pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers to make them lovely. Go natural to encourage farmers who want to save the planet.
  • Enjoy water sports without a motor. You can greatly reduce your own impact on inland water supplies by enjoying muscle-powered water sports that don’t introduce oils, gasoline, and exhaust particulates into the water supply.

Think about how you’re using our precious water resources. Clean water is so easy to get in developed countries that we tend to forget the watershed it comes from.

That watershed needs our protection to continue to provide us with the clean water we need to survive.

3. Air Pollution

Industrial area with smoke and air pollution

Air pollution is what we call the suspended particulates that become part of the atmospheric gases that we breathe.

We’re not running out of oxygen. The earth has plenty of oxygen. The problem is that the concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing disproportionately and it’s pretty much all our fault.

There is a natural carbon dioxide cycle that we have with all of the plants on the planet. We naturally produce carbon dioxide, and they breathe it in and convert it to oxygen.

In a natural state, this would be in perfect balance.

However, when we burn fossil fuels we pump massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that can’t be offset by the plants in the world.

Furthermore, the carbon dioxide is mixed with a slurry of carcinogens and toxins like methane, formaldehyde, phosphorus, styrene, and more.

Curious to see the full list? The EPA has a list of 188 air pollutants . Nobody benefits from breathing in these compounds.

Air pollution affects everything – us, plants, animals, all water on the planet, and marine fish and mammals.

Air pollution causes and effects have to be clearly understood to really grasp the solutions that we have to implement to clear the air.

Air Pollution Solutions

The biggest solution we can implement is the switch to clean alternative energy sources because fossil fuels are the biggest polluters on the planet.

However, we have to be clear that there isn’t a totally clean energy solution .

  • Solar panels are made with coal and require toxic waste disposal when they’re decommissioned.
  • Wind turbines have some recyclable parts but the huge fiberglass parts end up in landfills. One of the pros of wind energy is that wind turbines produce zero-cost electricity for about 10 years.
  • Nuclear energy pros and cons are hotly debated. It’s a dependable and safe energy source that produces zero carbon emissions . However, uranium mining and disposal cause major environmental hazards.
  • One of the advantages of biomass electricity that it creates fewer carbons than fossil fuels. However, biomass production is resulting in deforestation .

Having said all that, we still have to choose these alternative energy sources over straight-up fossil fuel consumption.

Fossil fuels are the dirtiest sources of energy that we have and they contribute the most to the dirty air that we suffer from around the world.

  • Limit your time on the road. Vehicle emissions are responsible for most of the dirty air that’s found in cities and communities around the world.
  • Turn off the lights and turn down the heat. Electricity usage is directly tied to fossil fuel consumption for powering the electrical grid in many areas.
  • Help plant trees. You can plant native tree species in your own town to help clean the air.
  • Contribute to rainforest reforestation projects that aim to help strengthen the world’s clean air and biodiversity.
  • Choose reusable items and avoid using plastics as much as possible. Manufacturing single-use items contribute a lot to air pollution.

Reducing dependence on fossil fuels will go the farthest in clearing the air around the world.

4. Natural Resource Depletion

A closed dam showing how we can use natural resources effectively.

The world is full of natural resources. A natural resource is anything that we can use to live or make something from.

Some natural resources examples include:

  • Fossil fuels

The world is full of natural resources that we use to enable life as we know it. Natural resources feed us, give us electricity, wire our laptops, and keep us hydrated.

The problem is not all natural resources are renewable . Coal, natural gas, uranium, gold, and even salt are natural resources we depend on but once they’re used up we have no more.

This is why we have to focus on stewarding our renewable natural resources.

  • Keeping our water clean
  • Collecting sunlight for energy
  • Ensuring that fisheries are not over-harvested
  • Keeping soil as clean as possible – avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers
  • Managing timber stands wisely so that we aren’t using more trees than we can replenish in several decades.

When we overuse our natural resources we get a short-term payoff but a long-term loss.

For example, establishing reservoirs in the southwest was a good idea 90 years ago. It allowed the development of desert areas.

However, as communities expand across arid areas under the assumption that established water sources will be reliable, the water sources are being used faster than they can naturally replenish.

Natural Resource Depletion Solutions

One of the main natural resources that we’re depleting is fossil fuel. It is not only going away, but it’s also ruining our planet as we use it for fuel and energy.

Switching to cleaner energy sources is a non-negotiable for solving our climate crisis, but we also have to focus on decreasing our need for energy .

Here are some good ways to decrease your own energy demand so we use fewer natural resources to produce electricity.

  • Use less air conditioning in the summer. Willingness to be a little warm will go a long way toward decreasing your contribution to air pollution.
  • Use less heat in the winter. Wear a sweater and some slippers instead of cranking up the heat.
  • Get up and go to bed with the sun. This is harder in the winter, but by adjusting your waking and sleeping schedule to be more in tune with the sun you’ll feel better and use less electricity in the morning and at night.
  • Help to plant trees. Again, replenishing the world’s forests help ensure that our air is healthy and that we have timber stands ready to harvest in the future.
  • Waste less food. This doesn’t mean cleaning your plate. This means putting less on it in the first place. Food waste begins at the store and it can end there too.
  • Eat whole foods. Whole, natural foods don’t require processing. This means that there isn’t a ton of electricity and fossil fuels going into the production of what you eat. Whole foods are better for the environment and better for your body.
  • Refill your water bottle. The majority of single-use plastics that are wandering around in the environment are plastic water bottles. Get a sturdy reusable bottle and refill it. You can keep thousands of water bottles out of the waste stream in your lifetime.

By focusing on sustainability we can help to reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources and help to conserve the resources that we have so they last longer.

5. Waste Management

A woman sorting her recyclables and garbage so she can help avoid causing environmental problems

Waste management has come a long way in the last decade, but it has a long way to go in certain areas of the United States.

According to the EPA, the total waste production in the United States averages out to 4.9 pounds per person per day . This includes all sorts of trash that is binned and collected.

  • Recyclables (plastic, paper, glass)
  • Landfill items that can’t be recycled
  • Grass clippings
  • Electronics
  • Appliances, etc.

50% of the waste stream goes into landfills .

About 32% of the waste collected in the United States gets recycled or composted .

Nearly 12% gets burned as “biomass” to generate electricity.

Around 6% of the waste is food waste that gets treated in other ways. It might be used in animal feed, turned into fertilizer, used in the creation of biochemicals, or other methods of disposal or reuse.

It’s clear that the US has made a concerted effort to deal with waste streams. The problem is that the amount of waste generated per person is growing drastically.

In 1980 each person generated about 3.66 pounds per day. In 2018 that figure had risen to 4.9 pounds per day. This is the trend that we must change.

Worldwide waste production equals about 1.63 pounds per person with the bulk of that waste being generated in highly developed countries.

Though developing countries don’t tend to generate nearly as much waste per person, they don’t have any safe waste disposal infrastructure which leads to the creation of massive open dumps .

All landfills emit tons of greenhouse gases – mostly methane and carbon dioxide. This is another major contributor to global warming.

While recycling efforts in the United States and elsewhere have produced great results, the recycling waste stream produces much more material than can be currently recycled – ending in waste.

Waste Management Solutions

Waste management must be solved worldwide, but the only thing we can affect is our own consumption and waste patterns.

If each of us becomes wiser consumers we can have a dramatic impact on the waste streams and the carbon emissions from them.

  • Waste stops at the store. We can’t impact how much production waste there is unless we stop supporting it with our money. Less demand equals less production.
  • Choose reusables. The best purchases are things that can be used hundreds of times before they’re broken or used up.
  • Choose recyclables. The recycling stream is quickly outpacing available recycling facilities, so this still isn’t the best choice, though it’s better than throwing things in the landfill.
  • Don’t buy more food than you can eat. Some areas have food composting programs, but when food is thrown away it also releases greenhouse gases. Don’t fill your garbage can with food. Reduce your waste and compost food waste if you can. That will also help increase soil health.
  • Lobby for recycling. There are billions of dollars being spent on United States “infrastructure.” Citizens need to raise awareness of the need for more and bigger recycling centers so the United States can process its own rubbish.
  • Lobby for action. Certain landfills are known as “super emitters.” If local authorities and national politicians will focus on cleaning up the emissions from these sites it will make a huge difference.

In the case of waste streams, part of the responsibility lies with municipal governments to handle waste more cleanly.

The other part of the responsibility lies with the citizens. We are the ones generating the waste. We can all do our part to cut down on our own waste as much as possible.

6. Urban Sprawl

Los Angeles is a prime example of environmental problems caused by urban sprawl

Urban sprawl is the term used to describe the way that cities spread from an urban center into widening suburban neighborhoods. Dwellings go from high-density to low-density, taking up more land.

Urban sprawl is characterized by land use and natural resource consumption .

Undeveloped land that was farmland, ranchland, native plants and soil, or forest is paved over for low-density housing and new strip malls, grocery stores, and restaurant chains.

Here are key takeaways you should know about Urban Sprawl.

  • These sprawling areas greatly tax the water supply in the area because the new parks, city strips, lawns, and gardens have to be watered continuously to keep their nice appearance.
  • Urban sprawl is a major contributor to the carbon emissions from vehicles . People must commute from sprawling areas into the downtown area for work and school. This increases time on the road. In the worst cases, these vehicles idle while they’re stuck in traffic.
  • Urban sprawl creates a need for additional garbage processing resources, greenspace planning, freshwater wells, water treatment plants, waste treatment plants, power plants, substations, and more.

Many of these things aren’t bad, and urban sprawl is often the natural outflow of living in a prosperous area .

It can also be a sign that the municipal government is not keeping the urban areas clean and safe.

Regardless, it is a style of living that uses many more resources than a high-density urban lifestyle.

Some cities including the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and Los Angeles are experiencing increasing urban density as more residents refurbish downtown areas to make them desirable neighborhoods.

Urban Sprawl Solutions

There aren’t any surefire solutions to urban sprawl. The fact is that people move away from urban areas for many reasons – not all of which can be solved.

Here are a few things that local governments can do to encourage people to adopt a high-density housing lifestyle in urban areas.

  • Keep residents safe. When people and businesses don’t feel safe in an area they move. Most of the time they choose to move into a suburban or rural area that feels safer. When cities put the safety of residents first they enjoy the prosperity that a thriving urban core brings.
  • Focus on key infrastructure. Garbage services, stormwater runoff, sewage treatment, and traffic controls make a big difference in the quality of life in urban areas. When the urban areas feel dirty and congested people move out of the city.
  • Encourage community spirit. Cities that find ways to involve citizens in city life enjoy a much higher sense of community pride. This benefits everyone because people who take pride in their community work harder to keep it clean and safe.
  • Keep taxes fair. Many people choose to live outside of municipal boundaries because property taxes are much lower in unincorporated areas. Cities that cut fiscal waste can also keep property taxes lower while providing excellent city services.

Over time cities can turn urban life into a desirable living situation for many, diminishing the exodus to outlying areas and helping to curb the rapidity of urban sprawl.

7. Energy Consumption

High voltage transmission lines bring electricity to homes and businesses.

Our overall high energy consumption is the main contributor to climate change because 61% of the electricity generated in the United States is from burning fossil fuels.

So, on top of burning fossil fuels to commute from sprawling communities, we are also burning fossil fuels to charge our EV cars , keep the air conditioners running, and keep the lights on.

There is no denying the negative impact that our high energy consumption has on the planet, but we also rely on it for our highly technological way of life.

For example, let’s take a look at data centers . The world relies on data centers.

They serve all of your cloud storage, social media content, online shopping, virtual worlds, game streaming, on-demand entertainment, and remote workflows.

Right now, data centers alone consume about 2% of all the energy generated in the United States, and that number is growing as data centers pop up everywhere to handle cloud storage needs.

We can’t just stop feeding data centers because we rely on them for work, data storage, and socialization. Younger generations are more dependent on data center capacity and speed than ever before .

That’s just one example of an energy consumer that we can’t just shut down to save the planet. So we have to look at home to decrease energy consumption .

Energy Consumption Solutions

As with most solutions to our global environmental crisis, the answer begins at home.

  • Shut off the lights and opt for sunshine. Even small amounts of wattage saved add up to big savings for the planet.
  • Keep appliances clean. Did you know that vacuuming your refrigerator condenser will help it to run less often and cool more efficiently? Keep the dryer clean too so it can dry clothing faster and use less energy.
  • Accept a little discomfort. Instead of running the heat and air conditioning to keep yourself at the ideal temperature, let it fluctuate up and down to save energy.
  • Reduce energy use during peak hours. 7am to 10pm are peak energy hours for most of the country during most of the year. It’s hard to cut down on energy usage during waking hours, but if you can you’ll save a lot of energy and cut down on your bill too.
  • Invest in solar panels. Even a couple of solar panels can really help offset your energy usage. Many utility companies around the United States are taking advantage of government incentives and may be able to install your solar system for free!
  • Buy into renewable energy. Many energy companies offer programs where subscribers can buy into renewable energy projects. The electricity from renewables costs a bit more, but by buying in you allow your energy provider to buy into renewable and burn fewer fossil fuels.

There are dozens of ways we can all think of to save a little energy here and there. From riding a bike to eating fresh foods we can help decrease the amount of energy it takes to power our lives.

8. Environmental Degradation

Garbage floating in a waterway in India - a land suffering from the effects of air, soil, and water pollution.

Environmental degradation occurs when human activities change the environment for the worse.

Environmental Degradation Definition

Environmental degradation is the destruction or deterioration of the quality of natural resources and habitats including soil, water, air, and wildlife .

Degradation primarily happens through pollution, over-harvesting, and erosion.

Here are some examples of environmental degradation .

  • Strip mining
  • Urban sprawl
  • Overfishing
  • Marine pollution
  • Air pollution

Environmental degradation is inevitable because we have to use the land for food production, energy production, and dwellings, but we can do a lot to help preserve the quality of the land.

Environmental Degradation Solutions

There are a number of thing we can do to help reduce the amount of environmental degradation that happens as a result of our own needs and wants.

  • Replant native trees and plants . Much environmental degradation occurs because native plants are stripped away for development. Replanting exposed soil helps to replenish minerals, nitrogen, habitats, and stop erosion.
  • Curb energy consumption. Again we come back to energy use. The majority of the air pollution in the United States is caused by energy consumption and transportation.
  • Plan travel wisely. Instead of making lots of small trips, try to consolidate trips in the car to cut down on air pollution.
  • Invest in alternative energy. Alternative energy sources also cause soil degradation because of the raw materials that have to be mined to make them and soil disruption from placement. However, it is much less pollutive to the air than fossil fuels.
  • Eat whole foods. Responsible farming and ranching helps to replenish soils through crop rotation and the use of nitrogen-fixing cover crops. However, America’s insatiable appetite for snack foods creates a high demand for irresponsibly grown crops. Eating whole foods is much better for the earth.
  • Invest in urban revitalization. If you’re a renter it can be hard to find an urban dwelling. However, if you’re an invester, consider revitalizing downtown industrial areas for housing instead of developing low-density suburban housing.

Humans aren’t responsible for all types of environmental degradation, but we contribute a lot to it. We can also help clean up our habits and use fewer resources that result in habitat destruction.

9. Deforestation

A biomass power plant that burns chipped trees to generate electricity - causing deforestation.

Deforestation happens when trees are stripped away or burned away. It can be human-caused or the result of a natural disaster.

Sometimes humans and nature work together to create deforestation. Examples include when a hydroelectric dam bursts due to catastrophic rainfall, or a volcano like Mt. Saint Helens flattens a forest.

Human-caused deforestation is two-fold. Sometimes managed forests owned by timber companies are stripped and then replanted. This happens for lumber and to create biomass for power plants.

While habitat loss and environmental degradation are heartbreaking, the trees will regrow within a few decades. However, the animals and birds must shift from place to place to survive.

On the other hand, forest fires caused by human activity will deforest an area that may not ever recover. Habitat loss is sometimes permanent .

Deforestation Solutions

The most obvious solution to deforestation is to replant trees in areas that are logged or burned for any reason. Replanting with native species is a must.

The second solution to deforestation is to decrease the demand for paper products and lumber. Choose things that are reusable as much as possible.

The alternative to lumber is steel which creates a different problem because it requires mining and uses non-renewable resources .

However, steel can be recycled forever. One of the benefits of recycling steel is that the recycled steel is just as strong and pure as virgin steel.

So while the recycled steel industry can’t keep up with the need for new steel, as more steel is recycled for construction purposes we should see it gradually relieve some of the need for lumber.

10. Recycling Inefficiencies

Bales of recyclable paper waiting to be processed into new paper products.

The final huge environmental problem that we must solve domestically is our recycling inefficiencies.

Most Americans don’t realize that our recycling system is strained and largely broken because we don’t recycle our trash at home.

The story of US recycling is a long one that’s full of problems, even from the beginning. China used to handle the bulk of our recycling, but it is so polluted that they banned it in 2018.

Now America’s recycling waste is shipped to developing countries like Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia where it is piled waiting to be sorted and recycled into usable materials.

The problem is that anywhere from 20 to 70% of our recyclables end up in a landfill overseas or are burned. This is an outrage that has sparked a lot of discussions but it needs to be addressed at home.

Here are the reasons our recycling is not being recycled.

  • People are putting contaminated items into recycling bins. Dirty recyclables can cause an entire load of recyclables – several tons – to be dumped in a landfill.
  • People include non-recyclables in recycling bins. This wishful recycling is a major cause for discarding entire loads of recyclables. It’s too expensive to go through and sort it all back out, so it all gets put in the dump.
  • The United States isn’t processing recyclables. The United States doesn’t have a federal recycling program and has been dependent on other countries to handle our waste. Now they don’t want it, so we’re stuck with it. We have to implement a recycling program and do it ourselves to succeed.
  • Recycling is expensive. Cities used to sell their recycling as a type of raw material and make money from it. Now that global market has dried up and cities are having to pay to get rid of recyclables. That means tons of it are going into the landfill instead of being recycled.
  • There are too many types of plastic. Plastic is a particular problem because there are so many types and not all are recyclable. Even though there is a number and a recycling symbol on the bottom doesn’t mean it’s accepted for recycling.

All of this is discouraging because those of us who recycle carefully realize that in spite of us our clean, sorted recyclables might still be ending in a landfill.

Recycling Solutions

The keys to our recycling disaster are expensive, and we have to play the long game to win.

  • Education. Educate the public about what’s happening to recyclables and why. When people understand why they can’t throw grocery bags or plastic wrap in with clean water bottles they’ll stop doing it.
  • Federal Investment. The federal government needs to invest in recycling centers that can turn US recyclable waste into clean, usable materials. It’s an expensive solution but the only one that can turn the situation around long-term.
  • Business Investment. One of the major recycling benefits is that businesses can create packaging and goods with recycled materials. This will help to create a circular market for recyclables in the US economy.
  • Reduction. The US must turn away from consumerism and focus on sustainability. As long as we buy into the consumerist culture of getting as much as possible, the waste problem will continue to grow.

We can help at home by ensuring that our recyclables are clean and generating less of a need for recycling by decreasing our dependence on single-use items.

It would also be helpful to limit plastic production to only types that are safe to use and can be recycled.

The benefits of recycling clothes and textiles can’t be overstated. Engaging in this circular economy saves money, eliminates fabric waste, and turns fabric into a renewable resource!

Causes of Environmental Problems

The causes of environmental problems usually come back to excess consumption . As the human population expands we are also collectively demanding more resources per person.

Humans want to use more energy, more precious metals, more water, more food, and more luxurious items like fashionable clothing and multiple vehicles.

All of these demands can be met, but only by expending more of the earth’s natural resources. Metals and fossil fuels are non-renewable so as demand increases the price goes up and the supply goes down.

The key to so many of our major environmental problems is to decrease personal consumption.

Why are environmental problems common in developing countries?

Good question and the answer comes back to excess consumption . Many developing countries receive our excess clothing, recyclables, and used goods.

They develop a market around these used goods, but there is simply too much. It ends up in massive waste piles because many of the goods we discard are low-quality and non-recyclable.

Developing countries lack the infrastructure to deal with polluted water, overflowing landfills, and piles of unused recyclables so they stay in the environment creating health and environmental hazards.

One example is electronics recycling. While we all want to reap the benefits of recycling electronics , when they’re sent overseas for recycling the results are dangerous.

“Informal” recyclers are exposed to extremely high levels of neurotoxins and carcinogens as they break down e-waste by hand to recover gold, silver, copper, and other precious metals.

Instead of exposing the poor to these hazardous materials we should be doing the recycling at home and helping to develop a clean recycling industry abroad.

Final Thoughts

We’ve discussed 10 global environmental problems, and most of them center around the demands of the economically developed world.

The problems we face on planet earth can seem overwhelming, but they aren’t. We can solve them beginning with our own buying and consumption habits .

We can become involved in clean-up efforts in our own communities. We can lobby for domestic recycling plants.

We can help educate our own community members about why recycling is important and why it’s vital to do it right.

What do you think about these environmental problems and solutions? Do you have more ideas for how we can help to solve these environmental problems? Let us know in the comments below!

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