Environmental Issues

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity, is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach. In some way or form, almost all cultures have recognized the importance of nature and its biological diversity for their societies and have therefore understood the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance. 

Loss of  Biodiversity and Extinctions
It has long been feared that human activity is causing massive extinctions. Despite increased efforts at conservation, it has not been enough and biodiversity losses continue. The costs associated with deteriorating or vanishing ecosystems will be high. However, sustainable development and consumption would help avert ecological problems. 




Nature and Animal Conservation

Preserving species and their habitats is important for ecosystems to self-sustain themselves.

Yet, the pressures to destroy habitat for logging, illegal hunting, and other challenges are making conservation a struggle.

Climate Change Affects Biodiversity

Rapid global warming can affect an ecosystems chances to adapt naturally.

The Arctic is very sensitive to climate change and already seeing lots of changes. Ocean biodiversity is already being affected as are other parts of the ecosystem.

Addressing  Biodiversity Loss

At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was born. 192 countries, plus the EU, are now Parties to that convention. In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention committed to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity loss by 2010.

Perhaps predictably, that did not happen. Despite numerous successful conservations measures supporting biodiversity, the 2010 biodiversity target has not been met at the global level. This page provides an overview on how the attempts to prevent biodiversity loss is progressing.

Climate Change and Global Warming

The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing. Many are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns.

This section explores some of the effects of climate change. It also attempts to provide insights into what governments, companies, international institutions, and other organizations are attempting to do about this issue, as well as the challenges they face. Some of the major conferences in recent years are also discussed.

Environmental Issues: Pollution

Pollution can take many forms. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the ground where we grow our food, and even the increasing noise we hear every day—all contribute to health problems and a lower quality of life. Find out about the environment issues of pollution, what’s being done on a global level, and what you can do in your community. 

       Environmental pollution is the biggest menace to the human race on this planet today. It means adding impurity to environment. The environment consists of earth, water, air, plants and animals. If we pollute them, then the existence of man and nature will be hampered.

It is true that trees are being cut down rapidly. Our earth is becoming warmer. If pollution continues, the day is not far when our earth will be a boiling pan and become a desert. Or it will be covered with sea water causing destruction of mankind.

Pure air is always needed for inhaling. If we take pure air, our health improves. On the other hand impure air causes diseases and impairs our health and causes our death. Smoke pollutes the air. It is the root of air pollution. The smoke which is discharged from industries, automobiles and kitchens is the mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane etc. These are all poisonous gases. These cause lung-cancer, tuberculosis etc. which take a heavy toll of life.

Top 10 environmental issues:

1. Environment Goes Mainstream

2. Climate Change

3. Overpopulation

4. Global Water Crisis

5. Big Oil and Big Coal versus Clean Energy

6. Endangered Species

7. Nuclear Energy

8. China

9. Food Safety and Chemical Contamination

10. Pandemics and Super bugs

 

Man Pollutes His Environment

                       On our way to school we often run into black smoke coming from buses. Our classmates in the suburbs sometimes see smog (smoke and fog) hanging low over the Greater Manila Area. All around us in the city we have an unhealthy environment. This has a harmful effect on us and other living things like plants. We get sick . Plants die.

                 But we are not alone in this problem. Other countries are affected also. Smog belts in the United States include New York in the Atlantic Coast and the lake cities like Cleveland and Detroit. Poisonous gases and particulates released from steel and chemical plants of West Germany have  been carried to as far as London and Stockholm. Smog spreads out. The reported "brown snow" in Scandinavia was due to gases, dust, and other pollutants carried by the wind.


               All over the world, the situation is serious. But all is not lost. Here in our country, the National Pollution Control Commission spreads information on pollution and pollution control to the public. The Department of Health, the Fisheries Commission, and the National Science Development Board have organized working groups of experts on the study and control of pollution.


Let hear the Voice of our Mother Earth.
"Help save the Earth. Help conserve energy. Simple things make the difference."
                   
                                                - by: Students Community of Advocates in Rescuing the Environment
                                                                                                  (SCARE)