20 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS and possible solutions

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Planet Earth is suffering from major environmental problems as a result of the overexploitation of its natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, to satisfy the increasingly abusive consumption of human beings. The consumption that human beings carry out is based on the acquisition of any material product, the obtaining of food or health products, on any action that consumes water or energy, among other actions.

If you want to know what are the environmental problems that our planet suffers and the solutions that could be taken to address and stop them, continue reading this interesting article by Green Ecologist in which you will discover 20 environmental problems and their solutions.

Climate change

Earth is facing a climate change Because temperatures are getting higher and higher, this is being very accelerated due to anthropic activities, that is to say that we carry out by people, which have increased greenhouse gas emissions.

To face it requires a global commitment, in which all countries must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. For this, it is necessary to bet on renewable energies, on public transport and cars that run on clean energy and also regulate by law the emissions of the industries.

We recommend reading these other posts to learn more about How climate change affects us and How to avoid climate change.

Atmospheric pollution

Air pollution, that is, the presence of pollutants in the air it is due to both natural and man-made causes. Those that most contribute to the pollution of the atmosphere are: mining due to the use of chemicals and heavy machinery that is needed to develop it, deforestation, the increase in transport that works with the burning of fossil fuels, fires and the use of pesticides in agriculture.

To reduce it, measures can be taken such as promoting public transportation, responsible consumption of fossil fuels, building more green areas or reducing consumption in order to generate less waste. Here you can learn more about Air Pollution: causes, consequences and solutions.

Acid rain

The acid rain is the one that occurs when precipitation is composed of both water and toxic waste, especially acids, which come from vehicles, industries or other types of machinery. To prevent it from occurring, control pollution emissions and close the industries that do not comply, also reduce the levels of sulfur used for fuels or promote and invest in renewable energy.

Learn more about Acid Rain: definition, causes and consequences here.

Deforestation

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) determines which countries in South America and Africa are the most affected by deforestation as a consequence of an unsustainable type of agriculture and logging overexploitation. Forest fires, although in a lower percentage, are also a cause of the loss of thousands of trees a year in different parts of the world. Here you can learn more about the Causes of deforestation.

One possible solution would be to have better coordination between policies on agriculture, timber industry, land use, forestry and rural development.

Soil degradation

When the soil degrades it loses its physical-chemical properties and as a consequence this stop being productive for services such as agriculture or ecosystem services. The causes of soil degradation They are due to different factors: intensive logging, extensive agriculture, overgrazing, forest fires, construction or overexploitation of water resources.

A solution to avoid or minimize this problem would be the implementation of environmental policies that regulate land use. Here we tell you much more about what is soil degradation.

Soil contamination

The use of harmful agricultural technology (using pesticides, pesticides and fertilizers or sewage or polluted rivers), improper disposal of urban garbage, construction of infrastructure, mining, industries, livestock and sewage are the more common causes that contribute to soil contamination.

It can reduce this pollution thanks to good urban planning, recycling and not discarding waste into the environment, with the prohibition of illegal landfills, with a regularization of the management of mining and industrial waste, among other solutions. If you read these other Green Ecologist articles, you will be able to learn much more about Soil Pollution: causes, consequences and solutions and on How to avoid soil pollution.

Residuous generation

Overpopulation and the consumer model of life implanted is causing the residuous generation is increasing and, as a consequence, the exploitation of natural resources that are threatened with being depleted increases. To prevent this, the population should be educated and emphasized circular economy carrying out activities such as reduction, recycling or reuse.

Enter here to learn more about How consumerism affects the environment, What is solid waste and how is it classified and What is waste management to improve this environmental problem.

Lack of recycling

Although in many countries, especially in developed ones, if waste management is carried out and there are entities that deal with it. There are also many countries where recycling does not take place. Lack of recycling translates into a massive accumulation of waste in landfills, in addition to a greater extraction of new natural resources. For the lack of recycling It is important to raise awareness and educate the population, but there must also be a commitment from governments, so that good waste management is a reality.

To improve in this area, we suggest you read these other posts about What are the benefits of recycling, Things that can be recycled and Recycling symbols and their meaning.

Use of disposable plastic

They have established a throwaway culture, to offer us a more comfortable way of life and this is seen above all in plastic products. But what is the price of using so much plastic? The seas are the most affected by the production of plastic, since these residues end up reaching them, affecting the health of marine species and later on terrestrial species, including ours. The solution must be reduce the use of plastics and look for other types of packaging more respectful with the environment.

Here you can learn +20 tips on how to avoid plastic contamination.

Increase in the ecological footprint

The ecological footprint is an environmental indicator which refers to the impact that a person has on the environment, indicating how much productive territory they need to produce the resources used and to obtain the waste generated. Irresponsible consumption and globalization they make the ecological footprint both general and individual level increasing. To reduce it, you must bet on a life model based on a circular economy, in addition to always trying to obtain products of local origin.

In these links you will find information on How to reduce the ecological footprint and What are environmental indicators, types and examples.

Non-organic production

The production of products in general is based on a production with non-ecological materials. In fact, there is a abuse in the use of plastic even for packaging products that don't even need packaging. With policies that oblige companies to produce ecologically, the large generation of waste that currently exists could be reduced.

Scheduled obsolescence

Currently, most electronic devices have implanted the planned obsolescenceIn other words, the product we have is manufactured to have the years of life that the manufacturer wants. This forces the consumer to have to change, for example, their mobile phone every two years. This is a big problem since generate more hazardous and bulky waste, which need a special treaty to be managed and thus do not pose a danger to the environment. Even so, many end up thrown into rivers, seas, in forests, etc. As a consumer, you should take this into account and buy products free of planned obsolescence, although the product is somewhat more expensive at the beginning, but in the end it will also be more durable and, therefore, the investment is more profitable.

We advise you to read this other article on What is programmed obsolescence.

Biodiversity loss

The deterioration of ecosystems due to the transformations they undergo, either to be used for agriculture, livestock, for the extension of urban centers, the implantation of industries, the overexploitation of the natural environment or actions such as the introduction of non-native species , illegal hunting and pollution, among other anthropic activities, is the main environmental problem of biodiversity loss. To find a solution, natural spaces must be protected through laws in addition to educating the population to respect natural environments.

In this article and in this video you can learn more about the environmental problem of Loss of biodiversity: causes and consequences.

Illegal species trafficking

exist illegal markets for species trafficking that capture living beings from their native area and trade with them, ending up in other territories where this species is considered invasive. Invasive species can end up displacing native species for the fight for territory and food, in addition to transmitting new diseases in the area. A tightening of the laws can put a stop to this type of activity.

Here we explain how to avoid illegal animal trafficking.

Overfishing

The demand for food products that come from marine animals, causes the depletion of many fishing grounds and sometimes those fish that have not reached maturity. A regularization of fishing and a diet with less fish consumption could solve this problem.

To learn more about overfishing and other similar problems, we encourage you to read this other article: Causes and consequences of overexploitation of natural resources.

Meat-based diet

In industrialized countries, approximately 100 kilos of meat are consumed per person per year, dedicating a large part of the agricultural land to growing food for livestock, in addition to the problem of the large amount of water that is needed. With a healthier diet and reducing meat consumptionIn addition, always betting on organic meat from traditional livestock we could contribute to reducing the problems caused by large-scale meat industry.

Overproduction of food

In the world about 1/3 of food is wasted that are produced, therefore energy, water and raw materials are being used for food packaging that will never be used, as well as the loss of the crop itself or livestock. This problem should be regularized by some law, which commits the industries not to produce more than what is consumed, it must also be a commitment at the individual level and buy only what is needed when shopping at the supermarket.

Here we will talk more about food waste: causes, consequences and how to avoid it.

Lack of water

Industry and agricultural activities unsustainably exploit water resources, and pollution and climate change also contribute to the loss of quality of this resource. Only with laws that regulate its use can solve part of this environmental problem of water scarcity.

In this link you will see more information about Water Scarcity: what it is, causes and consequences.

Burning of fossil fuels

The fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) are an increasingly scarce resource and, furthermore, because of their use they are a source of contamination and they contribute to the destruction of natural spaces. The use of clean and renewable energy is an alternative to the use of these resources.

Here you will see what fossil fuels are and how they were formed.

Oil accidents

The tankers that transport the oil are at risk of accidents and, in fact, many of them have occurred pouring tons of oil into the sea, affecting marine species and coasts.

Here you can consult 7 natural disasters caused by man, among which these oil accidents and the Environmental Impact of oil enter.

If you want to read more articles similar to Environmental problems and solutions, we recommend that you enter our category of Other environment.

Bibliography

• UN News (16 October 2022) Food waste, an opportunity to end hunger: https://news.un.org/es/story/2018/10/1443382#:~:text=En%20el%20mundo%20se%20desperdician%20anually%201300%20millones%20de%20toneladas%20de%20alimentos. & text = Some% 201300% 20million% 20of% 20tons, the% 20world% 20 suffers% 20of% 20hunger.
• Fernández Muerza, A. (June 8, 2022). Food production and environmental impact: How much does your diet cost the planet?: https://hablandoenvidrio.com/produccion-alimentos-impacto-ambiental/