These 10 environmental issues are being experienced by the planet where people live, the earth. Today the condition of the earth is increasingly apprehensive and is in a very high level of vulnerability. Here we summarize ten of the many environmental problems that the earth is experiencing.
- The ozone layer is perforated
On the surface of the earth that we stand, there is a layer that covers it, called the ozone layer. The atmospheric layer is located at an altitude of 20-35 km above the earth’s surface that protects the Earth’s creatures from solar ultraviolet radiation. Unfortunately, the ozone layer is getting thinner and one of the causes is there are holes in the layer. This hole can be derived from the many uses of chemicals and pollutants that occur on earth. To restore the ozone layer as usual it takes up to ten years.
- Public health concerns
A dirty environment can cause many health problems to living things. Currently, the health problems being faced by the earth are caused by a copper mine, water pollution, polluted water that contains toxins, and depletion of the amount of forest land surrounding the earth. Vital protection is necessary to address this issue.
- Deforestation
Forests have an important role in preserving the survival of the Earth’s creatures. Forests are the main areas where biodiversity lives and function as absorbs of carbon dioxide. The existing vegetation in the forest produces oxygen which is one of the main components of the continuing life of the Earth’s creatures. If there is no oxygen, then there will be no life because living things can not survive without inhaling oxygen.
Ironically, the number of forests on earth is now diminishing. Illegal logging is increasingly occurring until the global rate can reach about 32 million hectares per year. Not only that, the drought caused by global warming also exacerbated the condition of forests in some regions of the world.
- Acid rain
All kinds of rain with pH below 5.6. The frequent occurrence of acid rain may pose a danger to living beings. Acid rain is a reaction of sulfur and nitrogen in the air with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The occurrence of acid rain is very dangerous for fish and plant life.
- Energy crisis
The shortage or increase in prices in the supply of energy resources to the economy is what is called the energy crisis. Petroleum, electricity, or other natural resources that began to decrease in number is a form of energy crisis occurrence. This crisis can result in an economy that generates a lot of recession as it happens in some form.
- Garbage disposal
Rubbish disposed of haphazardly becomes a source of pollution for the environment. Automatic impact also affects the survival of the Earth’s creatures. The use of disposable goods is also a factor in the accumulation of waste. If the pile of garbage continues to be left, then the earth will be more polluted and the life of the creature of the earth will be increasingly threatened.
- The extinction of biodiversity
The main trigger for the extinction of biodiversity is the existence of deforestation, habitat struggle, and human hunting. The World Conservation Union reported a 2008 red list of endangered species identifying that nearly 45,000 species are at risk of extinction.
- Pollution
Pollution is the presence of living things, substances, energy or other components that enter or be inserted in air or water. Pollution can also occur if the composition of water or air changes due to human activities and natural processes so that water or air becomes less or can not function properly again.
In fact, two-thirds of the earth is covered by water and humans can not live without air. So just imagine if the water and air are polluted, then living things that depend on water and air will not last long. The effects of global warming also affect the supply and quality of air and water on earth.
- Climate change
Climate change is increasingly unpredictable due to several factors, such as the greenhouse effect. The largest contribution of greenhouse gas emissions comes from the livestock industry, which is 18%. That number beats the combined total of GHG emissions from all transport worldwide at around 13%.
- Population explosion
The current human population is increasing rapidly. Within a century alone the increase from 1.6 billion in the early 20th century to about 7.5 billion. The rate of the population becomes a potential conflict of land and natural resources that are limited in number, such as water, food and fuel.
By reflecting on these ten environmental issues, it is the right time for the world community to build environmental behavior that relies on the ecological paradigm. Environmental preservation measures need to be demonstrated in the public sphere so as to prove the real action of supporting the environment. Thus, that 10 environmental issues will be more easily addressed.
