GEN100 Week 8 Environmental Issues PDF

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES AGENDA 1) Environmental Issues Overview 2) Pollution 3) Biodiversity Loss 4) Climate Change 5) Personal Response Environmental Issues Overview Environmental issues encompass a wide range of challenges that affect our natural world. The term itself can be...

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES AGENDA 1) Environmental Issues Overview 2) Pollution 3) Biodiversity Loss 4) Climate Change 5) Personal Response Environmental Issues Overview Environmental issues encompass a wide range of challenges that affect our natural world. The term itself can be defined in numerous ways, depending on who you're talking to or the context in which it's being used. In general we can define environmental issues as follows; Harmful effects of human activities on the environment. Environmental Issues Overview Examples of environmental issues include; Air Pollution Waste Disposal Climate Change Biodiversity Loss Climate Change Ocean Health Environmental issues are not isolated events, they are deeply interconnected and intertwined with one another. Pollution Overview Pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances or materials into the environment, and these harmful materials are known as pollutants. Pollutants can come from a variety of sources, and they have significant impacts on both our natural surroundings and human health. They contaminate our air, water, and soil, often in ways that are difficult or impossible to reverse. Pollution Overview Some of the most well-known pollutants include; Carbon monoxide Plastics Nitrogen oxides Heavy metals Industrial waste Pesticides Pollution Overview Some pollutants occur naturally, such as the smoke and ash produced by forest fires or volcanic eruptions. Natural pollutants can be harmful in localized areas, but they are generally part of natural cycles and ecosystems are often adapted to handle them. Pollution Overview Pollution is not just a localized problem; it’s a global issue that affects every corner of the planet. Natural pollutants can be harmful in localized areas, but they are generally part of natural cycles and ecosystems are often adapted to handle them. Pollution Overview Pollution comes in different forms, such as air, water, soil, and even noise pollution. Each of these forms affects the environment in unique ways, but they all have one thing in common: they stem from human activities and have far-reaching consequences. Pollution Air Pollution Sometimes, air pollution is visible, for example, smoke from car pipes, or smog in the city. More often than not, air pollution is invisible, making it even more dangerous because we can’t always see the threat we’re breathing in. Even when air pollution isn't something we can see, its effects can be very real and hazardous.  Pollution Air Pollution One tragic example of this occurred in 1984, when a disaster at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, released a highly toxic gas into the air. At least 8,000 people died within just a few days of the accident, and hundreds of thousands more suffered permanent injuries. The Atlatnic, 2014 Pollution Air Pollution The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) estimates that air pollution is responsible for around 7 million deaths every year. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 99% of the global population was living in areas where air quality guidelines were not being met. Pollution Air Pollution Acid rain forms when air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide mix with moisture in the atmosphere. One of the most concerning aspects of acid rain is that it doesn’t just affect the areas where the pollutants are produced. Wind can carry these acid-forming pollutants far from their original sources. Pollution Air Pollution Over time, acid rain can kill entire forests. When lakes and streams become too acidic, they can no longer support aquatic life. Acid rain also erodes marble, limestone, and other types of stone, wearing away at gravestones, statues, and historic buildings. Pollution Air Pollution Governments around the world, particularly in Europe and North America, have made efforts to combat acid rain. Countries in Asia, in particular, continue to struggle with the problem as industrial activities increase. Pollution Water Pollution Activities that contribute to water pollution include; Industrial runoff Mining and Drilling Oil Spills Buried Chemical Waste Untreated Sewage Agricultural Runoff Garbage Pollution Water Pollution the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a massive accumulation of plastic debris located in the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean. Pollution Water Pollution Low-income communities, both within wealthy countries and in developing nations, are disproportionately impacted by water pollution. In developing countries, the United Nations estimates that around 4,000 children die each day from drinking polluted water. In conflict-affected regions, UNICEF found that children under five are 20 times more likely to die from diseases caused by polluted water than from the conflict itself. Pollution Water Pollution People die from polluted water because contaminated water and poor sanitation are directly linked to the transmission of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. the World Health Organization reports that 15% of patients globally develop infections in hospitals, but this rate is much higher in low-income countries where healthcare facilities often lack access to clean, safe water. Pollution Water Pollution In many communities where clean water isn’t readily available, women have historically been the primary collectors and transporters of water. It’s estimated that women globally spend a collective 200 million hours each day collecting water- this contributes to female children missing school, and adult women losing economic opportunities. Chronic fatigue, reproductive health issues, and pelvic deformation have all been linked to the repeated transportation of heavy water loads. The journey to collect water often puts women at risk of gender-based violence, Pollution Land Pollution Land pollution refers to the degradation or contamination of the Earth's surface due to human activities. These pollutants not only degrade the quality of the land but also disrupt ecosystems, making it difficult for plants and animals to thrive. Land pollution can come from various sources, including industrial waste, agricultural chemicals, deforestation, and improper waste disposal. Pollution Land Pollution Inefficient garbage collection systems are a major contributor to land pollution. In some cases, waste is shipped from developed countries to less developed nations. This practice can create significant environmental and health problems, particularly in countries that lack the necessary infrastructure and regulations to safely manage large amounts of waste. Pollution Land Pollution Many landfills are not properly sealed, allowing harmful substances to leak into the surrounding soil and groundwater. When pollutants from these landfills seep into the earth, they contaminate the soil and nearby plant life- As herbivores eat these plants, and carnivores in turn eat those herbivores, the pollutants accumulate at each level, a process known as bioaccumulation. Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity loss refers to the ongoing reduction or disappearance of species and genetic diversity within ecosystems. This loss of biodiversity can affect ecosystems on any scale, from a small pond to entire regions, and even the planet as a whole. Biodiversity Loss The loss of a single species, or even a reduction in population size, can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem, affecting food chains, pollination, nutrient cycles, and overall ecosystem health. Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and the introduction of invasive species are some of the key human-induced factors contributing to this decline. Biodiversity Loss Land Degradation Land degradation, is often closely associated with biodiversity loss. It occurs when land loses its ability to support life and provide essential ecosystem services. This deterioration can result from both natural processes and human activities such as deforestation, unsustainable farming practices, and overgrazing. Biodiversity Loss Land Degradation Land degradation can severely affect food production, undermine livelihoods, and threaten the survival of ecosystems. Desertification is the process by which once-fertile land becomes dry and barren, typically due to prolonged drought, deforestation, overgrazing, or poor land management practices. Biodiversity Loss Land Degradation As land degrades, it becomes less rich in nutrients and less capable of supporting diverse life forms. This loss of habitat reduces the variety of species that can survive, leading to a further decline in biodiversity. Biodiversity Loss Impact on Human Health The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that biodiversity loss puts us at risk of losing many of nature’s valuable chemicals and organisms that could potentially be used to treat medical conditions. Biodiversity Loss Impact on Human Health This disruption can have a direct impact on human health, particularly through the spread of infectious diseases. When ecosystems are destabilized, there is a greater risk of diseases spreading more rapidly and in new ways. Biodiversity Loss Impact on Animals The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has identified several species at significant risk, including animals like dolphins, whales, giant pandas, leopards, and elephants. From small insects to lesser-known plants and microorganisms each species, no matter how small, plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Climate Change Climate change refers to long-term shifts in average weather patterns on Earth, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic indicators. While the Earth's climate has naturally fluctuated throughout history, today’s climate change is primarily driven by human activities— specifically, the significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Climate Change Climate change affects nearly every aspect of the environment including; Intense droughts ​ Severe fires ​ Rising sea levels ​ Flooding ​ Melting polar ice caps ​ Catastrophic storms ​ Decreasing biodiversity ​ Climate Change Developing countries are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on agriculture, weaker infrastructure, and limited resources. For those who rely on farming as their primary source of income and sustenance, the effects of climate change are devastating, leading to hunger, poverty, and displacement. Climate Change The impacts of climate change are often described as "threat multipliers"—factors that exacerbate existing social and political tensions, especially in countries with unstable governments or regions prone to terrorism. Climate Change Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall create ideal conditions for disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes to thrive, leading to a rise in diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. Communities with limited access to healthcare and poor infrastructure are especially vulnerable to these outbreaks, leading to higher mortality rates and greater strain on already fragile health systems. Climate Change The World Bank predicts that climate change could push an additional 100 million people below the poverty line by 2030. Moreover, a study by Stanford University found that climate change has increased the economic inequality between developed and developing countries by 25% since 1960. Climate Change Climigration refers to the relocation of an entire community due to climate-induced changes in their environment, such as coastal erosion, flooding, or the salinization of freshwater sources. Climate Change Climate refugees are people who are forced to leave their homes due to the effects of climate change. In the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, the entire population of a coastal village is being forced to relocate inland because rising sea levels are flooding homes and contaminating their freshwater supply. The community is planning to permanently move to higher ground within the island.  A farmer in sub-Saharan Africa is forced to leave his home after years of severe drought have made it impossible to grow crops and provide for his family. He moves to a neighboring country in search of better living conditions and work opportunities.  A small island nation is experiencing frequent hurricanes, rising sea levels, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, making life increasingly difficult for residents. The government plans to relocate certain communities most affected by these changes to the mainland. However, some individuals choose to leave the island independently, moving to other countries for better opportunities and safety, while others await the organized relocation. PERSONAL RESPONSE What was one topic that you learned about today that you would like to continue learning about, and why?​