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Top 10 Environmental Threats
From WikiVerde
You hear quite a few people talking about industrial pollution, global warming, soil erosion, and various other environmental threats. However, a new century and a largely uncertain future brings with it more environmental threats, comprising of both the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Scientists and environmental experts the world over, are looking at and discovering new situations that would threaten the existing environment to an alarming degree. There remains no doubt that such concerns are real if steps are not taken to curb such disastrous threats.
1. Toxic Nano-materials – Big Trouble in Small Packages
Nano-materials, when discovered, were considered the next big thing. Well, they still are but some such materials now seem to be having a large amount of toxicity attached to them. Some of their nano-structures resemble asbestos, and we all know how harmful asbestos can be. The worst bit is that there is still no certain method invented that would enable one to check for the harmful affects of nano-materials. These materials are not only toxic because of their infinitesimal size, but also because of their structure and shape. It’s the threat of the future; one we must guard against.
2. Acidification of Oceans – Forget Salty it will now be Acidy
This is the name give to the continuous decrease in the pH levels of the oceans. This has been a direct result of the large amount of anthropogenic carbon monoxide that is making its way into the oceans through the atmosphere. This will affect the marine environment in general and there will come a time, when we might be hard-pressed to find the remnants of a bustling, beautiful environment and life-forms in our oceans.
3. Man-made Viruses – Destroying Man and Environment
It has been said that the most virulent threat to the environment is from man. There can be no doubt as to that, but what’s more of a concern is that, ‘Man’ continuously thinks of new ways to harm nature. The latest is ‘man-made viruses.’ Viruses are being ‘scientifically manufactured’ for use in biological warfare and for other purposes like pest control. Apart from killing humans and animals, you can imagine the cost incurred by the environment.
4. Extremities of Weather - Even Your Home Won't Offer Shelter
Weathercasters tell of the difficulties they face trying to predict the weather. More than becoming unpredictable, it has become extreme. The summer heat has become scorching and rain pours down in buckets. We have seen numerous instances of cities, towns, and villages being destroyed through the effects of inclement weather. Such instances are on the rise and there is very little, if anything, that we are doing about it.
5. Offshore Power Generation – Wind Energy at a Cost
Various countries who have the advantage of a long coastline, are harnessing the power of wind and waves to generate power. While it is increasingly seen as one of the better solutions for combating the deepening energy crisis, it is negatively affecting the fragile marine ecosystems. Though the process is slow, it is continuous. It is not an ecological disaster waiting to happen, but is something that has already happened.
6. Rising Costs – Environmental Protection Expenses are on the Rise
It is becoming prohibitively expensive to clean up the environment. Experts suggest that, in due course, the primary cause of litigation might turn out to be the environment. The increase of spending on defense technology, war, the higher cost of living, and the threat of insolvency in insurance are some of the factors that have made protecting the environment a secondary or a tertiary issue.
7. Reclamation and Various Related Factors
As land will become scarcer, it will be reclaimed from many of the ecosystems prevailing on earth. Forests will be torn down, lakes and rivers will be dredged, and concrete will replace the last of the green spaces on Earth.
The choice, alarmingly, would be between the basic need to construct houses, and infrastructure to protect the environment. It is increasingly certain that brick and mortar would win, in the end.
8. Illegal Crops – More Money, Less Forests
Addiction to drugs like cocaine and heroin is the major factor causing the increase in illegal crops. This means that vast tracts of forests are cleared to farm such products, as they can be exploited to offer huge profits. Farmers in the poorer nations of the world see this as a great opportunity to improve their living conditions. Moreover, the governments of such countries are doing very little to improve their standard of living. Therefore, the problem persists.
9. River Salination – Salty Water at Your Disposal
Agriculture, in most parts of the world is dependent on water from rivers. It is repeatedly used for this purpose and hence the salinity of river water has increased over the years. Moreover, the high amount of agri-chemicals in river water are making it unsuitable for drinking purposes, and for future use in irrigating crops.
10. Man – Evergreen Threat
Since the dawn of time, humans have been the overriding threat to the environment. The very existence of man seeks could be the paramount threat in the future, as well. It is an interesting conundrum, as the survival of our species is entirely dependent on the survival of the environment. However, so far, all development, technological or otherwise has been at the cost of the environment. It’s an ironic situation; people are bent upon destroying their life support.
Stringent measures must be put into place, to combat against these environmental threats. The safeguards put in place, till date, will at best, delay the inevitable. The world must truly work hand-in-hand if we are to succeed in the difficult endeavor of environmental protection.
