What Are the Most Common Environmental Issues?
There are a variety of environmental issues that affect the world today. The most common issues concerning the environment involve consumption and waste production, which typically result in overuse and pollution. Other issues may include preserving plant and animal species, natural resources, and various areas of human life.
Many environmental issues are related to climate change, or global warming, which involves the rising temperatures of the earth. This is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases, largely due to human activity. Other climate change environmental issues include the burning of fossil fuels, rising sea levels, and global dimming, which is the reduction of direct radiation density on the earth's surface.
Some environmental issues revolve around energy use. The development of renewable energy is considered a high priority in many areas, as nonrenewable resources are largely depleted, resulting in a high demand for alternative energy sources. The depletion of these resources has led to overpopulation being an environmental issue as well. Energy conservation is also often encouraged through recycling programs, and advocacy of efficient energy use in homes and businesses.
The conservation of plants and animals makes up another area of environmental concern. The poaching of animals, particularly endangered and threatened species, may lead to species extinction. Pollinator decline has been an issue with the unexplained disappearance of bees, and invasive species, or plants and animals that are not native to an area. Habitat destruction, can drive out native species. Coral bleaching, oil spills, water pollution, overfishing, ocean dumping, whaling, urban runoff, and shark finning are all environmental issues that affect ocean life.
In addition to water pollution, air and land pollution are common environmental issues. The burning of coal, and the emissions from vehicles and businesses produce smog, a combination of smoke and fog, which can cause lung, eye and nose problems for humans. The quality of indoor air is another area of concern, as chemicals, gases and other containments permeate buildings. The growing population has resulted in urban sprawl, which shrinks the amount of land available for use. Soil erosion, contamination, desertification, logging and deforestation, and mountaintop removal mining are also land environmental issues.
Various areas of farming are considered to be environmental issues as well. Genetic engineering and genetic modifications of crops, the presence of hormones and pesticides within crops and farm animals, and the overgrazing of cattle can all affect the land, air, and human life. The meat industry itself, as well as the human consumption of meat, have become environmental contentions, as they involve the overuse of many resources.
Written by Sara Schmidt
