Environmental degradation - Causes, consequences and solutions

Environmental deterioration is the consequence of the various damages caused (causes) to the environment, such as the melting of glaciers. These causes can be varied, as well as the consequences, so it is important to know what they are in order to avoid them or find solutions.

Why does environmental deterioration occur?

There are different factors or aspects that influence the deterioration of the environment, such as the depletion of natural resources, the industry sector, forestry, habitat deterioration, species introduced into other habitats and pollution of any of its types.

Pollution

Is named contamination to the alteration of the environment by the introduction of elements that are not suitable or original, that is to say, it is basically the presence of any substance or object that does not belong to the habitat and causes a negative effect on it.

It is possible to find different Types of pollution, since they are usually classified according to the affected environment. Among them the most common are those of the soil, atmospheric, hydric or water and acoustic, which are usually studied in school; but also light, visual, thermal, electromagnetic, radioactive, genetic and garbage (electronic and special) must be taken into account.

On the other hand, pollution is also classified according to the extent of the source, that is, the way in which it is distributed in a medium; these are the point, diffuse and linear.

• The point is when the contamination is located in a single point, such as a drain.
• Diffuse refers to situations in which the presence of harmful substances are distributed in the environment, such as the acid produced in the rains by the combination of harmful compounds and the humidity of the air.
• The linear for its part, is the online distribution as its name implies. The clearest example of this is the garbage found in the avenues.

Industrial sector

The industrial sector is one of the aspects that produces the greatest amount of damage in environmental deterioration; in which it is also possible to classify them according to the area, such as agribusiness, forestry and factories that satisfy the demand caused by consumerism and lack of awareness.

• Agricultural industries They have changed considerably today, since previously the natural species of flora and fauna were maintained. However, today's agriculture is only concerned with using hybrid plants that according to them “benefit” the population; just like livestock.
• Afforestation For its part, it has become a highly artificial process, since plants have been modified to have a higher yield and reduce the probability of contracting some of the best-known diseases of trees or crops.
• The factories of goods, substances or anything are in constant production to satisfy a consumer society, which not only generates contamination with the processes carried out, but also offers the populations the agents or elements necessary to contribute to the deterioration of the half.

Habitat deterioration

Due to the actions carried out by human beings, such as dams and coastal tourism, the natural conditions of the habitat have deteriorated, which represents a danger for the species of plants and animals that reside in it.

Environmental deterioration also occurs with the introduction of species in different habitats, since these do not originate from that place, they can break the life cycle of a species.

Each of the causes follows a process that ultimately affects the environment where we live, and which in turn is something we are aware of but ignore most of the time. Although the campaigns about environmental damage have had positive results, there is still a long way to go to raise awareness among the entire population.

Population increase 

One of the great causes of environmental deterioration It occurs due to the increase in population. Because it will make the ecosystem saturate. Both houses and food are loads that will also intensify in the form of garbage. So the environment is not prepared to support such a population. We are depleting natural resources, especially non-renewable ones. So in the not too distant future there will be great repercussions. The more population there is, the more pollution.

Deforestation 

It is a problem, since the trees that are so necessary are being reduced. As we well know, they are responsible for cleaning the environment, in addition to producing more oxygen and other qualities for human life. The loss of trees it throws up quite worrying numbers. Therefore, it would have to be compensated with tree planting campaigns. One of the great problems of all this is the construction of new roads and highways, since to carry them out, large places full of trees have been eliminated.

Harmful gases

As we well know, there are several gases that can wreak more havoc. Some are CO2 and NH3. They are also the cause of holes in the ozone layer. Another collateral damage is the so-called acid rain. When enough of it accumulates on a surface it will completely eliminate the plants and damage the soil.

Resource depletion

When there is little fresh water, then drinking water will be used but uncontrollably. Something that will lead to the depletion of a much-needed resource. On the other hand, we find forest fires that devastate the land, vegetation and fauna. As such, deforestation will appear. Nor can we forget the hunting of certain species of animals, as well as the over-exploitation, for which they will become extinct.

Vehicles

It is true that for many reasons, we have to move by car. But it is also true that sometimes, although it is not so necessary, we also carry it. This implies that the more we use it, the more we will be polluting. Because engines are to blame for pollution, which we also talk about in this post.

What are the consequences of damage to the environment?

The causes mentioned above are the ones that cause the most environmental damage; Of these we also explain their main consequences, although in a general way we can highlight the damages of greater magnitude and that need effective solutions, such as global warming, deforestation, the effects of soil exploitation, microclimates, negative effects on human health, among others that we will see below.

1. Global warming

Global warming is the product of rising temperatures that have been studied over the last century, which produces devastating effects on the environment. These occur to a greater or lesser impact depending on the geographical location and the deterioration produced in it; as well as the side effects of some of the causes.

Within this consequence are also grouped different phenomena that deteriorate the environment, which are classified into environmental and social effects.

• The environmental effects They group together meteorological phenomena, high-level impacts, a rise in the level of evil and modification of ecological systems.
• The social effects they refer to the flooding of regions and the impacts on both infrastructure and the economy in general.

Only global warming is a truly devastating consequence that must be addressed with the greatest possible urgency, since it has a large amount of damage that affects the world population, plant and animal species, and the entire ecosystem in general.

1.1. Some environmental effects or consequences

a) Deforestation

Also known as “felling of trees”, it refers in a general way to all that action carried out by man that produces forest destruction; which is generally the product of the felling of trees to build spaces with different objectives.

The main damage produced is the soil erosion, because this would make it a non-productive area and brings with it many more consequences: endangered species, habitat modification and displacement of some populations. In turn, this phenomenon contributes to the worsening of global warming; Because trees have the ability to absorb harmful and toxic gases that damage the atmosphere.

b) Depletion of natural resources

Natural resources are not unlimited, so their use should be controlled to avoid problems in the future, although the main idea would be to get the population to adapt to a more conscious thought.

One third of the earth's population survives on less than thirty liters; while according to a study, a single tourist is capable of spending more than a thousand liters of water daily. Therefore, water is one of the most affected resources and it has truly alarming figures, as we mentioned earlier.

1.2. Various social effects or consequences

a) Infrastructure

Infrastructures are generally affected due to different causes. For example, floods generated by natural phenomena such as tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes.

b) Economy

The economy is also affected by the amount of money spent to find solutions for these problems, such as advertising campaigns, protection of endangered species, reforestation, among others.

2. Negative health effects

Human health and many species are affected by this phenomenon due to different causes, but the figures are truly alarming. For example, human quality of life can be significantly reduced by drinking contaminated water, breathing air infected with harmful substances, and diseases caused by pollution in general.

Just read the published figures, since they reflect the number of deaths (more than 5 million a year) and diseases caused by water pollution; thus affecting the health of any species or living being.

3. Biodiversity will be lost

Biodiversity means the ecosystem set and the variety of living things that make up the earth. All of it is not recent, but the result of many years of evolution. So all of this cannot be lost overnight. It is essential to be able to maintain balance in the ecosystem.

4. The ozone layer and its holes

As we well know, the ozone layer is very important. Because he is the one who covers and protects the earth from the sun's rays, which are harmful. But it also yields worrying data, because all the pollution there is, is giving a clue that the ozone layer may be weakening each time.

5. Glaciers prone to melting

It is another of the most immediate consequences. There are more intense droughts and the snow will melt much sooner, so the sea level it is going to increase and can cause flooding at certain points. This can lead to pests and more diseases.

6. Tourism will drop

Maybe it's a side effect, but it must also be mentioned. More than anything because if the green spaces and the most beautiful areas on the planet are lost, it is clear that tourists are going to think twice. You just need to imagine less green spaces with much more garbage. They don't make you want to move from home!

Contributions or solutions to avoid environmental deterioration

Certainly at present there is a large number of contributions made by organizations, foundations, international treaties, among others for fight against the deterioration of the environment. However, due to the seriousness of the situation, it is necessary to provide many more solutions if we want effective results.

The objective to be achieved is that both ordinary people who inhabit a city or town, as well as businessmen, manufacturers, politicians and other positions, are aware that the environment needs to be cared for correctly. Therefore, depending on the area, there will be several solutions that prevent or slow down the development of deterioration.

Solutions in society

In social terms, all people must have intelligent energy consumption, keep the taps closed and not let the water run, use energy-saving light bulbs or LEDs, keep vehicles in good condition or choose electric ones, avoid using plastic as bags, recycle and classify waste, maintain the cleanliness of public and natural places, among others.

Political contributions

Politicians and agencies in charge of caring for nature must create laws that regulate industrial activities or those of the inhabitants themselves (fines for polluting), for example.

Enterprise and factory solutions

Entrepreneurs and manufacturers, in addition to paying attention to laws and treaties regarding the control and maintenance of the environment, must also collaborate in finding solutions that allow them to reduce pollution.

These are just examples of some effective and viable solutions, which despite being applied today, environmental degradation continues to increase. Therefore, it is necessary to help spread the information through the different communication media to attract people's attention and make this knowledge a learning process.

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