What environmental issues are there

Each of these programs is a gateway that enables students and graduates to learn the skills, build tools, and the deep learning to make positive changes in the world—for the world. If you are interested in learning more about the hybrid learning programs offered at Unity College, contact us today. Start Your Journey. America's Environmental College is a registered trademark of Unity College. Search for:. What are the biggest environmental issues the world faces today?

Deforestation From deforestation decreased over the previous decade. Deforestation: How you can help Research is one of the best ways to change an environmental negative into a positive. Air Pollution What are the most significant sources of air pollution in the world? Air Pollution: How you can help There are many jobs in the environmental health industry. Global Warming was an odd year. Water Pollution The Earth is covered with water—71 percent.

Water Pollution: How you can help Agriculture is in dire need of finding ways to produce foods that do not pollute the water.

Natural Resource Depletion On the world stage, natural resources drive economic growth. Natural Resource Depletion: How you can help Exploration is high on the list of ways we can help improve how we handle natural resources. Become Part of the Solution Many people want to help, but not everyone has the skills needed to become a frontline warrior or a super sleuth who uncovers and documents critical discoveries.

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This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. But signing on to it is voluntary, and there are no real repercussions for non-compliance. Further, the issue of equity remains a contentious issue whereby developing countries are allowed to emit more in order to develop to the point where they can develop technologies to emit less, and it allows some countries, such as China, to exploit this.

A third of the food intended for human consumption- around 1. This is enough to feed 3 billion people. Food waste and loss accounts for 4. This leads to food insecurity, another one of the biggest environmental problems on the list. You might also like: 20 Facts About Food Waste. The report attributes this biodiversity loss to a variety of factors, but mainly land-use change, particularly the conversion of habitats, like forests, grasslands and mangroves, into agricultural systems.

Animals such as pangolins, sharks and seahorses are significantly affected by the illegal wildlife trade, and pangolins are critically endangered because of it.

More broadly, a recent analysis has found that the sixth mass extinction of wildlife on Earth is accelerating. More than species of land animals are on the brink of extinction and are likely to be lost within 20 years; the same number were lost over the whole of the last century.

The scientists say that without the human destruction of nature, this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years.

In , the world produced more than 2 million tons of plastic per year. By , this annual production swelled to million tons and exacerbating plastic waste in the environment. A report by science journal, Nature, determined that currently, roughly 11 million tons of plastic make its way into the oceans every year, harming wildlife habitats and the animals that live in them.

The research found that if no action is taken, the plastic crisis will grow to 29 million metric tons per year by If we include microplastics into this, the cumulative amount of plastic in the ocean could reach million tons by Considering that plastic takes years to decompose, it will be many generations until it ceases to exist.

Every minute, forests the size of 20 football fields are cut down. Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, another one of the biggest environmental problems appearing on this list. What's more, there are other serious environmental problems related to the oceans such as damage to ecosystems due to global warming, dumping of pollutants, wastewater and fuel spills.

The UN calls for improved management of protected areas, giving them sufficient resources, and reducing overfishing, pollution and acidification of the ocean caused by the increase in the earth's temperature. This situation requires an energy transition towards a cleaner, more accessible and efficient model based on the use of renewable energy sources to build communities that are more sustainable, inclusive and resistant to environmental problems like climate change. Water is vital to species survival and water scarcity already affects millions of people.

Intensive food production harms the environment by depleting the soil and damaging marine ecosystems. What's more, overexploitation of natural resources has put food safety and the availability of drinking water at risk.

The UN considers it essential to change the food production model and our food habits, including a more plant-based diet featuring local ingredients to save energy and reduce CO 2 emissions. The UN has called for conclusive actions to put an end to these threats and conserve our natural heritage, including our increasingly threatened forests.

The growth of cities , which will need to accommodate around 5 billion people by , will be another of the decade's big environmental challenges. For instance, there are typically more cars, which contribute to pollution, in urban areas than rural communities.

A growing population also leads to a growing need for food in a world where millions are already starving from lack of equity. Unfortunately, a number of developed nations are adding to the problem with their wasteful food practices and overconsumption.

In addition to the rising demands for food comes the demand for housing. Vast amounts of land are lost to development which affects farming efforts. Over the past 20 years, the U. To address population growth and the challenges that come with it, we need to start with increasing access to reproductive education and family planning.

Sex education paired with a revised and sustainable food system will benefit every part of the world. The urgency behind these issue has inspired activism from individuals and organizations worldwide. Here are some you should know:. Environmental Protection Agency sets standards and enforces regulations. MCI is working with scientists, politicians, government officials and other organizations to provide protection to essential ocean ecosystems and the wildlife living in them.

Charity Navigator also provides a list of 10 organizations working to preserve oceans and fight against ocean degradation. Clean energy. To reduce pollution and our use of oil and fossil fuels, efforts have been made to find clean, renewable energy sources. Some include biofuel, hydropower, solar energy, and wind power. Environmental education programs. One of the most basic things contributing to sustainability is environmental education. Learning about the environment and what is happening is one of the easiest ways to make a difference and reduce your carbon footprint.

Wildlife conservation. Wildlife, including plants, animals and habitats, plays a large part in balancing natural systems. A number of different organization are involved in wildlife conservation around the world and express the importance of conservation and investing in biodiversity. Ecological restoration. Not only does ecological restoration assist in the recovery of the environment, but it promotes a healthy relationship between humans and nature.

By repairing the damage we cause, we promote a healthier ecosystem and improve living conditions for humans, possibly with a profit. Research for advocacy and policy change. Possibly one of the most important steps to achieving a healthy environment involves policy.

But to gain government support, we need solid research and advocates to voice the facts. Now that you know more about the pressing urgency of these environmental issues, here are a few simple ways you can make a difference:. Educate yourself. The first step to environmental advocacy is learning more about the subject and then helping educate others through civil discourse. Eat like it matters. The way you eat has many different effects on the environment.

To make your contribution positive, you can start with a sustainable, plant-based diet. This, along with reducing portion size and food waste, leads to a healthier life and reduces stress on the environment.

Reduce your carbon footprint.