What is an environmental problem and examples

A environmental problem It is one negative alteration or modification on natural systems of the planet. Therefore, an environmental problem that can be local or become global, always begins with some kind of negative impact on nature.

We encourage you to learn more about what is a negative and positive environmental impact with examples with this other article.

As we have mentioned before, environmental problems arise as a result of the impact of the industrial revolution in the Amiente. Therefore, it could be said that Causes of global environmental problems They are due to the environmental impact of anthropic activities such as:

• The production made in the factories.
• The burning of fossil fuels for obtaining energy.
• The waste discharge.
• Bad waste management from products for human consumption.
• Mining
• Deforestation.

After knowing What is an environmental problem And what are the most frequent causes of the negative impacts that these problems generate, here we talk about several Examples of environmental problems:

Deforestation

It is the elimination of the vegetation roof through talas and fires, whether herbaceous, shrub or tree species, at a rate higher than that of its regeneration. As a consequence there is a landscape fragmentation, an impoverishment of soil quality, loss of species and pollution. The objective of deforestation, in addition to obtaining raw material for the wood industry, is to expand the territory for livestock and intensive agriculture.

Here you can discover the different causes of deforestation.

Desertification

Irreversible elimination of plant cover, causing the loss of soil fertility and its inability to produce plants, as a consequence in desertified areas the appearance of hunger is a reality. In addition, the lack of vegetation also produces a modification of the weather. In this other post you can learn more about desertification: definition, causes and consequences.

Loss of biodiversity

Species biodiversity is lost in most cases due to anthropic activities: species habitat alteration, hunting, illegal trade, pollution or introduction of species in other ecosystems. The total or partial fragmentation of habitats is the action with the greatest impact on biodiversity. In this link you will see more information about the causes and consequences of the loss of biodiversity.

Climate change and greenhouse effect

The Earth has an optimal temperature for life thanks to the greenhouse effect, this is because the existing gases naturally in the atmosphere, absorb solar radiation from the earth’s surface (30% of the solar radiation of 100% that the Earth receives, is returned to the atmosphere).

With the increase in greenhouse gases produced by anthropic activities, there is an increase in atmosphere gases and, therefore, an increase in global temperature, since retained solar radiation is greater, in addition this has an effect on oceanic currents and winds. This increase in the greenhouse effect that produces an increase in global warming accelerates climate change.

Here you can read about the differences between greenhouse effects and climate change and their relationship.

Air, water and soil pollution

Air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution are related to each other, since if a pollutant is in one of these media at the end it can end in others. For example, a pollutant that is on the floor can end in groundwater until you reach the sea. The contamination of these media has the origin in anthropic activities: industries, waste waste, agriculture, livestock, etc.

Discover more about these contamination in these other interesting and complete articles about:

• Atmospheric pollution: causes, consequences and solutions.
• Causes and consequences of water pollution.
• Soil pollution: causes, consequences and solutions.

Waste generation

The consumerist life model and overpopulation causes waste generation to increase more and more. The main consequences that this has are the exploitation of natural resources that are in danger of exhausting and the contamination of natural spaces.

Extensive livestock

The excessive consumption of meat, approximately 100 kilos of meat per person per year, makes large spaces allocate to the cultivation to feed the cattle. This not only degrades the soil and increases the deforestation of natural spaces, it also entails a problem with water, since large volumes of water are needed not only for crop irrigation, but also for meat production.

Water scarcity

Agricultural, livestock and large -scale industry activities are generally exploiting all water resources unsustainably. In addition, pollution also causes water quality to be lost, becoming a danger to living beings. Water scarcity not only brings a problem to the environment and their living beings, but it is also a trigger for wars and conflicts. We advise you to read this article about water scarcity: what is, causes and consequences.

If you want to discover many more environmental problems, we recommend this other post about 20 environmental problems and its solutions.

The consequences that all these environmental problems bring are many and some of them are irreversible. Enter the consequences of environmental problems We highlight:

• Air pollution will be one of the main causes of mortality.
• The accumulation of waste not only contaminates the areas where they are discarded, but will also produce the increase in diseases and the damage to biodiversity.
• Health risk due to exposure to toxic spills that have not been correctly managed.
• Water shortage in many areas of the planet, due to the increase in the industry.
• Increase in atmosphere gases, increasing the greenhouse effect and therefore the global temperature.
• Loss of biodiversity, causing the appearance of new diseases.
• Lower CO2 regeneration capacity due to the large deforestation.
• Loss of soil production capacity, affecting agriculture and, therefore, creating food failure.

In order to address environmental problems, a model of sustainable life and environmental respectful and, therefore, it is also necessary to inform and sensitize about environmental problems. Some of the Measures to solve environmental problems are:

• Reduction of consumption to just buy the products that are needed.
• Reduction of meat consumption, opting for a richer food in vegetables, fruit and legumes.
• Promote the use of clean and renewable energy.
• Reduction of plastic use, using reusable or biodegradable containers.
• Recycle all the waste that is discarded.
• Decrease the use of automobile, opting for public transport or bicycle.
• Creation of strict laws that, for example, consider as a criminal offense the modification of natural spaces aggressively.
• Bet on a circular economy, based on the reduction, reuse and repair.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is an environmental problem and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.