Top 30 Environmental

Issues Presentation By Allah dad Khan

Top 30 environmental issues Although the top 30 environmental issues that face the planet can be at best “subjective” we have attempted to aggregate and prioritise the list in order to put things into perspective.We have also accompanied each of the environmental issues with a video that explains the matter in depth. You can view the clip by pressing the play button on the image.

1. Over Population growth and poverty

Without a doubt the biggest issue facing the environment is over population of humans. All other major environmental issues flow from the very fact that we are over populating the planet.

The worlds population has tripled in the last 60 years placing stress on every aspect of the environment. More land is developed every day to accommodate the urban spread.

In 1950 the population stood at 2,555,982,611 compared to 2012 which it now stands at over 7,000,000,000. The actual maths is that the worlds population has increased by almost 3 times. That is staggering when you think about it. That figure is increasing even as we speak!

The rate of population growth is one of the fastest and according to estimates it would double in just 25 years. What is obvious from this is, if the population continues to grow at this rate, it would take a severe toll in the environment. Unfortunately Pakistan is not endowed with resources required to sustain such a huge population.

2. Climate Change and global warming

The most controversial and political of the top 10 environmental issues. Recently an overwhelming majority of climate scientists, believe that human activities are currently affecting the climate and that the tipping point has already been passed. In other words, it is too late to undo the damage that climate change has done to the environment.

At this stage the best we can do is regulate the further impact upon the environment by developing more environmentally friendly methods of energy production by reducing the mining and burning of fossil fuels.

The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing.

3. Loss of Biodiversity and Land use

The loss of biodiversity on the planet can be directly related to the behaviours of human beings. Humans have destroyed and continue to destroy the habitats of species on a daily basis.

When we exterminate one species, it has a knock on effect in the food chain which in turn upsets the Eco-systems inter dependent on one another.

The catastrophic impact of loss of biodiversity is likely to affect the planet for millions of years to come. The current loss of biodiversity is also being named “The Sixth Extinction”

4. The Phosphorus and Nitrogen Cycles

Although the effect of human activities on the carbon cycle is better known, the lesser known effect on the cycle of Nitrogen actually has a greater impact on the environment.

The human race’s use and abuse of nitrogen  has been one of the most beneficial technologies for our own species for decades. Every year, humans convert an estimated 120 million tons of nitrogen from the atmosphere into reactive forms such as nitrates, mainly in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizer for crops and in the use of food additives.

The run off from crops into our oceans has a negative  effect upon phytoplankton which is responsible for the production of of most of the oxygen in our air.

5. Water:

Many experts believe that in the near future water will become a commodity just like Gold and Oil. Some experts say that wars will be fought over who owns the water supply.

Currently, one third of humans have inadequate access to clean, fresh water. The number is expected to increase by to up to two thirds by 2050. That is that two thirds of the worlds population will not have access to clean water.Over population, demand and pollution from industry is to blame.

6. Ocean Acidification

A direct effect of excessive CO2 production. The oceans absorb as much as 25% of all human carbon dioxide emissions. The gas then combines with other elements to form compounds such as carbolic acid.

Over the last 250 years, surface acidity of the ocean has increased by an estimated 30%. The acidity is expected to increase by 150% by 2100.

The effect of over acidification of the oceans on sea creatures such as shellfish and plankton is similar to osteoporosis in humans. The acid effectively is dissolving the skeletons of the creatures.

The effect of ocean acidification may soon challenge marine life on a scale that the planet has not seen for millions of years.

7. Pollution of water , air , soil and noise

Pollution of air, water and soil by chemical compounds that take many years to breakdown. Most of these chemicals are the bi-products of our modern lifestyle and are created by industry and motor vehicle exhaust.

Pollution isn’t just limited to the air. Soil is another place where pollution is starting to take hold.

Common toxic substances include heavy metals, nitrates and plastic.

A lot of the plastics that are discarded by humans end up the ocean. These plastics tend to go unseen by humans as the pollution is usually blown out to sea by prevailing winds.

8. Ozone Layer Depletion Depletion of our ozone layer has been mainly attributed to the release of

chemical pollution containing the chemicals Chlorine and Bromide. Once the chemicals  reach the upper atmosphere, they cause ozone molecules to break apart causing a hole to form, the largest of which is over the Antarctic.

The atmosphere blocks many of the harmful UV rays from the sun that can damage living tissue. In an effort to reduce this process, CFCs have been banned in many manufacturing processes and products.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one atom of chlorine can break down more than 100, 000 ozone molecules.

9.Over Fishing:

It is estimated that by 2050 that there will be no fish left in the sea. I actually think that this is the single most devastating truth that I have discovered.

The extinction of many fish species is due to humans over fishing the oceans to supply an ever increasing populations demand for sea food.

The collapse of the Atlantic Cod Fishery is one such example of how humans have exploited the planet’s natural resources to the brink of extinction.

10. Deforestation:

Since 1990 half of the worlds rain forests have been destroyed. The clearing of forests continue at an alarming rate.

To add to the worry a recent phenomenon has been added to the list.

Trees are now dying globally at a rate never before seen.

11.Acid Rain Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid rain can be caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting vegetation which release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Acid rain is a known  environmental problem that can have serious effect on human health, wildlife and aquatic species

12. Public Health Issues The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to health of humans,

and animals. Dirty water is the biggest health risk of the world and poses threat to the quality of life and public health. Run-off to rivers carries along toxins, chemicals and disease carrying organisms. Pollutants cause respiratory disease like Asthma and cardiac-vascular problems. High temperatures encourage the spread of infectious diseases like Dengue.

13.Genetic Engineering Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic

engineering. Genetic modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes from an allergic plant can transfer to target plant. Genetically modified crops can cause serious environmental problems as an engineered gene may prove toxic to wildlife. Another drawback is that increased use of toxins to make insect resistant plant can cause resultant organisms to become resistant to antibiotics.

14. Urban Sprawl Urban sprawl refers to migration of population from high density urban areas to low density rural areas which results in spreading of city over more and more rural land. Urban sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and health issues. The ever growing demand of land displaces natural environment consisting of flora and fauna instead of being replaced.

15. Waste disposal The over consumption of resources and creation of plastics are

creating a global crisis of waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive amount of waste or garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and, less developed countries. Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it. Plastic, fast food, packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the well being of humans. Waste disposal is one of urgent current environmental problem.

16. Natural Resource DepletionNatural resource depletion is another crucial current environmental

problems. Fossil fuel consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases, which is responsible for global warming and climate change. Globally, people are taking efforts to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas and geothermal energy. The cost of installing the infrastructure and maintaining these sources has plummeted in the recent years.

17. Wild Life Conservation More than 40 percent of Americans expressed concern about

wildlife conservation and associated environmental issues, such as endangered species, animal and plant extinction, coral bleaching, introduction of invasive species, poaching, and loss of natural animal habitats resulting in relocation and a break in the food chain.

18.  Species Extinction

An alarming rate of species extinction is happening worldwide. As of 2010, the rate of loss is estimated to be more than 1,000 times the normal rate. Greater preservation tactics and strategies are needed with laws put into place to protect species. Once more, manmade pollution is the culprit along with land encroachment by developers. Both causes are created by consumer demands as people branch out into areas that were once remote habitats for various species.

19. Used lead–acid battery recycling.

These are used everywhere, and are also known by the name of “car batteries”. Although they can be recharged, after a number of cycles, they loose their ability to hold energy and become hazardous waste. The main problem here is the release of lead. The fact that in many countries the recycling operations and facilities are located in areas with very limited control, makes the problem a lot more serious.

20. Desertification - The spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due

to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change.

21. Greenhouse gas  A gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere

causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

22. Overgrazing  The grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can

naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land.

23. Slash-and-burn agriculture  A rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and

burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment 

24 .Soil degradationDamage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. 

25. Soil erosion  The removal of soil by the action of water or wind,

compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. 

26. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and

naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans

27. Natural disasters

Pakistan is subject to frequent earthquakes which are often severe (especially in north and west) and severe flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August). Landslides are common in the northern mountains.

28. Destruction of natural habitats The area has been heavily settled for several centuries, large

swathes of natural vegetation, particularly in the lowlands, have been cleared for agriculture and urban development.

29 .Soil contamination  Soil Contamination: Soil erosion, soil

conservation, soil salination, and soil contamination by waste, pesticides, and lead worries

30. Toxins,Including chlorofluorocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides,

herbicides, toxic waste, PCB, DDT, bioaccumulation, endocrine disruptors, asbestos, and poorly implemented hazardous waste management.