Impacts of Environmental Degradation
We do not have to look far to see the impacts of environmental degradation on our Earth.
What Is Environmental Degradation?
Environmental degradation is a result of socio-economical, technological and institutional activities. Degradation occurs when Earth’s natural resources are depleted. These resources which are affected include:
- Water
- Air
- Soil
The degradation also impacts our:
- Wildlife
- Plants
- Animals
- Micro-organisms
How Environmental Degradation Occurs
Environmental changes are based on many factors including:
- Urbanization
- Population growth
- Economic growth
- Intensification of agriculture
- Increase in energy use
- Increase in transportation
Cutting down massive forests impacts our biosphere.Our land, water and soil are compromised when people exhaust resources or release harmful chemicals into the air. Deforestation, wasting resources, and pollution all add to the demise of an environmentally-sound and safe planet. For example, when trees in forests are cut down in large quantities, so that more homes can be built on the land, the birds and wildlife who lived in the forest must find a new place to live. The vegetation that once grew on the land is destroyed. Trees that absorbed carbon dioxide to help the biosphere are now unable to do so. If the wood from the trees is used to make products and those products (such as paper) are later recycled, that is one hopeful aspect for the planet. However, some times trees are just cut down and burned. This is what is known as slash and burn, a practice that only destroys forests and all that live in them.
Unfortunate Impacts of Environmental Degradation
When factories produce harmful chemicals and toxic waste into bodies of water, humans suffer. Pesticides and fertilizers can also get into a region’s water system and pollute it. Drinking water is contaminated. Some residing in third-world countries are highly effected by the degradation of our planet and these unhealthy practices cause the following:
- Illnesses
- Death in children
- Death in adults
Poverty
In many countries in Africa, crop harvests are falling as consumption increases. People are finding less nutritious food to eat. One argument held is that while fields in wealthier nations are used to grow crops for biofuel, poorer countries, especially those around the Equator, are vulnerable to weather changes, water shortages, and urbanization. All of these factors are increasing the health and lives of thousands. Some scientists and environmentalists are asking that non-food items and agriculture waste be used as alternative fuel for vehicles instead.
Losing Earth’s Beauty
As humans dump waste products, use chemicals, and over fish in the oceans and seas, areas of beauty such as coral reefs are damaged. At times the destruction is so great that is cannot be reversed. We are killing our planet and the consequences are tremendous.
One example of this lies within the coast lands of Thailand. Here marine and coastal resources at risk. Vast areas of mangrove wetlands have been lost. Coral reefs continue to suffer degradation, and the total fish available for catching is declining. Not only is the degradation causing marine and coastal resources to be lost, but this issue holds large economic problems. When there are not enough fish to catch, fishermen are without income to support themselves and their families. In some coastal towns, the shores are eroding at a rate of one to five meters per year. This results in an annual loss of more than six billion baht ($150 million) in economic terms.
How to Stop Degradation
There are ways which you can help to decrease degradation in our environment. Some of these include:
- Purchase recycled products
- Conserve water
- Do not litter or toss waste into inappropriate places
- Conserve energy
- Join an awareness group
- Talk with others about the impacts of environmental degradation
- Be an advocate to save our planet!
Author: Alice Wisler