From Guest Blogger Rebecca Vaxon: Environmental Issues–Main Problems and Modern Solutions

The world that we live in is being stripped of its treasured components day by day. It faces multiple issues that lead to environmental problems which cause long-term destruction. The lifestyle of man plays a significant role in how the surroundings are affected. The primary current environmental problems are:

• Climate change
• Global warming
• Pollution
• Soil erosion and degradation
• Deforestation

Climate Change

This is one of the most exceptional threats that humans have ever encountered. Climate change has harmful effects like a change in the seasons, melting polar ice, frequent floods, new diseases, etc. The public can put more pressure on the policy makers if extreme weather events like the drought, wildfires, floods and heat waves continue to occur. These issues need to get addressed before it is too late. The impact of climate change is responsible for killing an estimated 315,000 people yearly and damaging ecosystems. There is urgency in dealing with these problems.

Solution

Did you know that your home and transportation could be sources of greenhouse gases? By use of clean energy like wind, tidal and solar power, you could make your home more energy efficient. If you own a motor vehicle, consider trading your gas guzzler to a fuel-efficient hybrid or go electrical. When you walk, cycle or use public transportation, you are fighting global warming. If you are flying, you should reduce your flight carbon footprint from air miles traveled by carbon offsets from a respectable company.

Global Warming

This is a significant problem. The substantial changes being observed currently on the planets climate system are indisputable. They could be either natural or as a result of human effect.

Solution

Global warming gets stopped if only humans and world leaders move forward to implement solutions. By reducing activities that emit greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, we move a step towards reversing global warming. Recycling is another way of reducing global warming. Bottles, papers or glass reuse can help. The use of plastics should get banned. Using containers instead of plastic bags is another method of reducing global warming. Murka co-founder Max Polyakov expressed his point of view that energy-saving products should be your friend as they save cost and save the environment.

Pollution

This is the process of introducing harmful or poisonous contaminants to the environment. The environmental pollutions are air, water, and soil. Contamination of air, water, and soil takes many years to recover from. Pollution can be natural, or manmade. Example of natural pollution is through volcanic eruption.

Air pollution gets caused by the industries that are built in populated areas, causing a significant disturbance, which creates an increase of humans getting diseases, e.g., thrombosis, heart and brain conditions.

Water pollution gets instigated (gets instigated? – ed) as a result of the release of toxic materials in bodies of water like rivers and lakes whether intentional or unintentional. This affects the water sources, which translates to less fresh water for drinking, cooking, washing, etc. Soil pollution has a harmful effect on farm productivity. Also, it contaminates the groundwater.

Solution

Environmental pollution is mostly brought about by humans; it is therefore only logical that we find the answers. Factories that already exist near the populated areas cannot get physically removed. However, the wastes of companies can be set up at a far place away from humans, and they should not be allowed to dispose of their wastes into water bodies.

Also, in future, governments should not let factories to set up near populated areas. Sewage should be recycled or disposed of in a way that it prevents polluting of air. Water usage should be conserved and taps should be shut when water is not being used.

Conclusion

We exist in an era of mass extinction, and it is up to humans to take proper care of the environment. Activities such as planting trees to curb soil erosion and deforestation, and practicing organic farming to counter soil degradation should be encouraged. Great organizations, like the UN and WHO are taking notice and have been vocal in trying to come up with ways to save Mother Earth.