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Picture this: You wake up to the sound of birds chirping, take a deep breath of fresh air, and open your windows to admire the lush greenery outside. You feel good, with good reason, but you wonder what causes environment degradation?
But what if one day, you wake up coughing and sneezing because the air is thick and polluted. The trees have been replaced with concrete buildings, and the rivers and oceans are choked with waste. This dystopian scenario might seem far-fetched, but it is becoming a reality, and where I live in Chiang Mai it is normal.
What causes environment degradation is a major problem worldwide, which affects all of us. From climate change to the loss of biodiversity, the effect of environment degradation is far-reaching and potentially catastrophic. But there is hope on the horizon as we look further at possible solutions.
So, grab a cup of organically grown coffee, and let’s look at environmental degradation.
Causes of Environmental Degradation
Since environmental degradation is the deterioration of the ecosystem, it’s critical to understand what causes environment degradation. There are two possible causes of environmental degradation: human activities and natural causes.
Human activities
We, as a species, can be careless with our environment and bring about environmental degradation through overconsumption of resources, excessive waste production and emissions. Whether intentionally or unwittingly, the way we harvest the planet’s resources can have disastrous effects.
Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the most common causes of environmental degradation. The destruction of forests is usually prompted by a need to develop agricultural and urban areas, as well as to extract timber and other resources. However, clearing forests en masse, does more than deprive us of wood in the future.
Forests cover more than 30% of the planet’s surface and are responsible for absorbing about one-third of our carbon dioxide emissions along with providing us with oxygen. When we cut down trees, we reduce the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, thereby adding to the climate change and air pollution problems.
The environmental destruction of forests is directly tied to the water cycle. Trees help to regulate the flow of water, so when we cut down forests, we disrupt the natural water cycle. This can lead to floods, droughts and even soil erosion.
Pollution
Though its dangers have been preached since we were children, pollution is ruthless and comes in many forms. We pollute the air with crop-burning, smog-causing emissions from cars and factories. Then we pollute the water with industrial waste and agricultural runoff. And even soil through manufacturing processes that contaminate the earth with toxic chemicals.
Air pollution leads to acid rain, which damages crops and trees, contaminates soil and water, and poses a serious threat to human health.
Water pollution kills fish, birds and other wildlife that rely on clean water for survival. In turn, it can harm wildlife by contaminating the food chain. Thus poisoning larger animals when they hunt and eat smaller creatures.
Soil pollution damages biodiversity by reducing the number of species that live in an area. Like water pollution, soil pollution leads to the contamination of crops making them unsafe for consumption.
Overfishing
You may not be privy to the threat, but overfishing is another way human actions are hazardous to the environment.
As global demand for seafood increases, our oceans are becoming increasingly depleted of natural resources. We deplete fish stocks at an alarming rate, and this has led to a decrease in the number of species that inhabit the oceans.
The marine population has seen a decrease of nearly 40% since 1980. As a result, many species are now endangered, and some have been completely wiped out. This extends beyond fish, as well. Coral reefs have been severely damaged and destroyed because of traps, nets and other marine debris.
Overfishing disrupts the balance in delicate marine ecosystems by removing predators from the food chain and allowing prey species to flourish unchecked. Thus leading to an increase in pests, as well as a decrease in biodiversity.
Industrialisation
Together with pollution is industrialisation. Factories and power plants burn large amounts of fossil fuels, which release pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute greatly toward global warming, acid rain and smog.
Industrialisation has also led to the destruction of natural habitats, which can cause extinction for some species due to a decrease in available food and shelter sources. If it doesn’t kill wildlife, it can drive them away through increasing noise levels and introducing foreign chemicals into the ecosystems, which can lead to mutations.
Additionally, industrial processes often require water for cooling or producing steam. This water is usually discharged back into rivers or oceans at temperatures that are higher than usual, leading to thermal pollution.
Natural Causes
Even though humans are the most direct cause of environmental degradation, some natural processes can also contribute to it.
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods all lead to serious destruction of ecosystems as well as loss of human lives if not managed properly. They not only displace people but also cause landslides that wash away topsoil, which contains essential minerals for plants and animals.
Though people rarely discus it, volcanic activity is one of nature’s main contributors to environmental destruction. Volcanoes produce ash clouds and lava flows that can be devastating for life on nearby land or sea.
In addition, sulphur dioxide and other gases released by volcanoes form acid rain when they mix with water vapour in the atmosphere, damaging crops and forests as well as aquatic life.
These disasters, like human activities, lead to soil erosion, deforestation, and contamination of water sources.
Climate change
This may seem backwards or out of order, but climate change operates according to the snowball effect.
As humans cause environmental degradation, they bring about climate change. And as climate change progresses, it further damages environments. While environments declinine, humans speed up the degradation process, increasing the rate at which the climate worsens.
Consider the planet’s increasing temperature for a moment. As global temperatures rise due to human emissions (both natural and via industrialisation), ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. This, in turn, often results in flooding, drought and desertification.
The two main drivers of climate change are emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Both activities release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat and warms our planet at an alarming rate.
This warming causes extreme natural hazards — such as floods, droughts, storms, hurricanes, and heat waves. That alone can wipe out entire ecosystems in a single day.
Effects of environmental degradation
The effects of environmental degradation are both immediate and long-term, and they can be devastating for the planet.
Loss of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms that inhabit the Earth. When we disrupt biodiversity, it means that some species can no longer survive in their natural habitats due to changes in climate or their natural environment.
This loss of biodiversity has serious implications for all life on Earth, as every species plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of nature.
As of 2019, an estimated 1/8 of all living species are currently threatened with extinction. Without them, the planet would struggle to produce food or oxygen, regulate its water cycle and weather patterns, recycle nutrients into soil fertility and control pests.
In addition to the direct impact on ecosystems, the disappearance of certain animal species could also lead to the extinction of plants that rely on them for pollination or dispersal.
Climate change
Climate change can lead to a decrease in crop yields due to droughts or floods. It can also cause sea levels to rise, which will displace millions of people who live near coasts or riverbanks. Furthermore, it could lead to water shortages due to changing precipitation levels.
Then longer dry seasons will reduce water availability for humans and wildlife. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers and ice caps, changes in global rainfall patterns and extreme weather events are all results of an increasingly overheating planet.
Desertification
Wildlife won’t survive mass desertification. It occurs when land that was once suitable for farming or living on becomes barren and arid. Climate change, deforestation, overgrazing and other human activities are driving us over the cliff.
Desertification will cause displacement of people who lived on the affected land as well as disrupt food production in affected areas. As it spreads, it will lead to a decrease in biodiversity due to a lack of habitats and resources for wildlife.
In addition, desertification increases dust storms which damage crops by choking them with sand or dust particles.
Best Solutions for Environmental Degradation
Thankfully, humanity is beginning to wake up to the reality of environmental degradation, and there have been many initiatives taken around the world to help protect Earth from further destruction.
Conservation of natural resources
We’ll never be able to survive without harvesting what the earth has to offer — the life cycle and the food chain both demand it. However, our rapid rate of consumption has put such a strain on the planet to the point where it would be irresponsible for us not to act.
Benjamin Franklin once said,
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
By starting at the root of the issue — the usage of the planet’s natural resources — we can prevent further damage from occurring. How?
Sustainable forestry practices:
Forests are essential for life on Earth, and yet we’ve been overharvesting them for centuries.
To ensure that forests remain healthy and robust, it’s important to practice sustainable forestry. This means replanting trees after they are harvested, using non-destructive harvesting techniques and avoiding clear-cutting entire ecosystems.
Along with planting seeds, efforts must be made to help support their growth. Protecting forests from pests and diseases is critical to keeping them healthy, as well as protecting seeds and saplings via fencing and tree tubes.
While interfering with nature’s course seems counter-intuitive, we are the main contributors to the destruction of our planet and, therefore, are tasked with spearheading the Earth’s revival.
Marine conservation
Protecting the oceans and seas from overfishing needs to be a high priority. To do this, we need to change how we fish and limit the number of boats per area.
We can accomplish it by enforcing no-fishing zones, creating sustainable fishing quotas and prohibiting destructive fishing methods such as dynamite and sea bed trawling.
Enforcing regulations, monitoring fish stocks, and collecting population data consistently are effective, preventative methods of keeping in line with the sustainable quotas we set. These measures can help to ensure fish populations, coral reefs and other sea creatures remain healthy and balanced.
We can also create marine protected areas, which are specially designated areas that prohibit destructive activities such as fishing, drilling and dredging, in order to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Doing this will allow species to thrive and will help mitigate the effects of climate change in the oceans.
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife on land is just as endangered as wildlife in the oceans. To protect animals, we need to stop poaching and other illegal activities, as well as focus on rebuilding wildlife ecosystems.
We can achieve this by preserving the habitats of endangered species, by creating reserves and sanctuaries. By raising awareness about these species we can reduce humans exploiting them.
Reforestation will help to rebuild the habitats of flora and fauna. But ensuring these areas are off-limits to human activity will be key to preserving the ecosystem. Poaching and other hunting should be constantly scrutinised.
This means we must enforce laws and regulations, and volunteers must be enlisted to help the conservation efforts.
Pollution control and prevention
While we can’t completely rid the world of trash, what we can do is limit how much we create and make sure that it’s properly disposed of.
Air pollution alone is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It’s estimated that 7 million people die every year due to air pollution-related diseases.
To prevent further catastrophe, we must address this issue before it degrades environments beyond recognition.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions
While the Covid19 pandemic resulted in a plunge in global carbon emissions, 2021 saw a sharp rise as people returned to their normal routines. Because of this 36.3 gigatonnes of carbon emissions was pumped into the atmosphere that year, and the number has increased. But where do we start?
The main culprit of environmental degradation is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere. We will eventually need to eliminate the largest producers of emissions to combat the greenhouse effect. Before that, however, we can start making a difference at home.
Making small changes to your routine now will have a larger effect on lower carbon emissions than you might think. Switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, turning down your thermostat and washing your clothes in cool water are just a few ways you can minimise your carbon footprint.
Improved waste management practices
Recycling not only reduces the amount of emissions generated from manufacturing processes but also helps to conserve resources that would otherwise be lost forever once they are thrown away.
Reducing overall waste production is a great place to start. On a smaller scale, we can try to buy products with minimal packaging and plastic. Opt for reusable items instead of disposable ones whenever possible. This will avoid creating more trash in the first place and reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.
When it comes to disposing of waste, composting biodegradable items such as food scraps helps reintroduce nutrients into the soil while reducing landfill space. This way, landfills don’t become overstuffed with non-biodegradable garbage, which take decades (if not centuries) to decompose naturally.
Additionally, recycling non-biodegradable items like paper or plastic also reduces their negative environmental impact. Compare this to throwing them away in a landfill or incinerating them. Processes which release toxins into the air that contribute towards global warming.
Transition to renewable energy sources:
We rely heavily on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas to power our homes and businesses. However, burning these non-renewable resources has a major negative impact on environments by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The good news is that we can move away from these dirty energy sources. We can replace them with renewable energy such as solar, wind and hydro power. These alternative energy sources are clean, efficient, and cost-effective. And, they don’t contribute towards global warming like their fossil fuel counterparts.
Switching to electric cars and public transport systems will both help us lower our greenhouse gas emissions and make our transportation infrastructure more efficient.
Not only will switching to renewable energy help reduce our emissions, but it will also create more jobs in the field of green energy production (such as installing solar panels). This way, we can protect the planet from further damage while creating economic benefits for all communities.
Environmental education and awareness
The third major step we can take to end environmental degradation comes from more preventative measures. Thus, ensuring the next generation will continue to heal and protect the planet.
Educating people on the importance of sustainability, green living, and conservation is key to reducing human negative impact on the environment.
Encouraging sustainable lifestyles
We can encourage others to make more sustainable choices in their day-to-day lives by providing incentives or discounts for eco-friendly activities. Governments could provide tax breaks to those who use renewable energy sources or electric cars.
Creating a culture around sustainability is what will ultimately make us more mindful of our actions and how they affect the environment. For example, Denmark’s carbon emissions have been singlehandedly lowered by one significant aspect of their culture: the importance and popularity of biking.
Over the past 35 years, the country has invested millions into transforming its transportation infrastructure into a biking-centric one.
Over 12,000 kilometres of cycle routes run through Denmark, resulting in cycle superhighways which are more saturated than traditional roadways. Copenhagen, specifically, has become a biking capital of the world, rivalling Amsterdam.
As carbon emissions from cars are 13 times higher than from cyclists, the region is spared 90.000 tons of CO2 emission each year. Encouraging sustainable lifestyles like this not only reduces pollution but also introduces people to more eco-friendly habits, which will hopefully become the norm.
Promoting eco-friendly habits
To create sustainable lifestyles, like Denmark’s cycling culture, the rest of us must start small. If we don’t, then the process of implementing sustainable habits will seem too daunting and, in turn, discouraging.
That’s why we should start by introducing eco-friendly habits within families, schools and businesses. This could include reducing energy consumption by using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic ones. We can also introduce sustainable practices such as composting or planting a garden.
We can even take things a step further by creating green spaces such as community gardens in urban areas. This not only provides people with access to fresh food but also gives them the opportunity to learn about gardening and get their hands dirty in the process.
Adopting more eco-friendly habits is essential for environmental sustainability because it helps reduce our carbon footprint while giving us an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Something we lost when we started living modern lifestyles.
Supporting environmental policies and initiatives
We’ve been thinking smaller and laying the groundwork. Now it’s time to think bigger.
In order for us to make a real difference, we need to start supporting environmental policies and initiatives such as the Paris Agreement or the Green New Deal. By doing this, we can help create legislation that will protect our planet from further destruction and incentivise businesses to invest in renewable energy sources.
We can also support green companies by giving back financially or volunteering to help them with their projects. This way, they won’t just remain an idea but will become something tangible people can get involved in and contribute towards.
Lastly, we must put pressure on governments around the world (especially those of large polluters). This will ensure that they implement sustainable policies into their economic systems. We have reached the tipping point where we cannot afford not to act.
Final Thoughts
Environmental degradation is a complex and pressing issue that demands immediate action from individuals and governments alike. The causes are numerous, and the effects are far-reaching, from climate change to loss of biodiversity and beyond.
However, there is hope. Through conservation efforts, pollution control and prevention, and environmental education and awareness, we can work towards a more sustainable planet. But it will take a collective effort to make a real difference.
We can’t afford to sit back and hope that someone else will solve the problem. We all have a role to play in preserving the environment for future generations.
So, let’s act today. Whether it’s recycling, reducing our carbon footprint, or supporting policies and initiatives that prioritise the health of our planet. By working together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
FAQs
What are the causes of environmental degradation?
Environmental degradation can be caused by human activities and natural causes. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, overfishing, and industrialisation can have a significant impact on the environment.
Meanwhile, natural causes like climate change and natural disasters can also contribute to environmental degradation.
What are some of the effects of environmental degradation?
Environmental degradation can have a range of effects, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, desertification, water pollution, air pollution, and soil degradation. These effects can have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and human society.
What are some of the best solutions for environmental degradation?
There are several solutions for environmental degradation, including the conservation of natural resources, pollution control and prevention, and environmental education and awareness.
These solutions can involve actions such as sustainable forestry practices, marine conservation efforts, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved waste management practices, and promoting of eco-friendly practices.
Why is it important to address environmental degradation?
Environmental degradation has numerous negative impacts on both the environment and human society. These can include increased risk of natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, and negative effects on human health.
Addressing environmental degradation is crucial to ensure a sustainable future for both the planet and its inhabitants.
What can individuals do to help address environmental degradation?
There are many actions that individuals can take to help address environmental degradation. These can include reducing their carbon footprint, supporting sustainable and eco-friendly products and practices, and supporting environmental policies and initiatives.
Additionally, individuals can work to educate others about the importance of protecting environments and the steps they can take to make a difference.