environmental degradation
Throughout the years, society has destroyed the environment in multiple ways. According to the Cambridge dictionary, the definition of environment is, "air, water, and land in or on which people, animals, and plants live." This is any sort of living thing on earth, the environment affects each thing. Our environment is in danger and it is important to take necessary actions to protect and revive the world that we live in. The different issues the environment is being affected, by are water pollution, air pollution, and climate change. As a population, humans should work towards creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly world and lifestyle.
Water and air pollution have greatly impacted the environment. National Geographic defines water pollution, as "From big pieces of garbage to invisible chemicals, a wide range of pollutants ends up in our planet's lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and eventually the oceans." This affects the oceans, lakes, and any water formation. This means that it also impacts the animals that live inside the water. Animals are consuming, breathing, and living in trash and chemicals. Factories and ships are releasing oil, fuel, and other wastes into the oceans killing sea life. Not just animals are being affected by water pollution, humans are as well. Humans are drinking polluted, toxic, and contaminated water. This causes humans to get sick frequently and problems in their bodies.
Air pollution is also an issue throughout the world. National Geographic states, "air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants." There are many ways air pollution is caused. Things such as factories releasing chemicals and smoke, trash, and cars infecting the air with gasoline. All of these are slowly harming the environment by polluting the air. Factories distribute all sorts of smoke and chemicals into the air, there are over a hundred thousand factories in the United States alone. That is an immense amount of pollution infecting the air. Protecting the air on earth is important because every living thing needs air to breathe. When the air is contaminated, it causes living beings to inhale smoke, chemicals, and more toxic waste.
Another way the environment is currently being affected is through climate change. "Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns." Humans have increased climate change by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Climate change has been slowly rising but recently has been an increase at a rapid pace. The Nature Conservancy states, "As the temperature rises, various impacts are changing aspects of our climate-hotter summers, rising ocean temperatures, melting polar ice, increased storm activity" Many of these have impacted the world greatly through the environment and animals' habitats. For example, the existence of polar bears is rapidly declining due to the melting of the ice. The ice-covered waters are dissolving due to the heat caused by climate change. It also causes a chain of problems, the ice is melting which causes a food shortage for polar animals, so the polar are starving and their homes are disappearing.
There are many ways to help rescue and to preserve the environment. There are small ways to help the environment. Some convenient ways to help the environment are to reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is important to be aware of the amount of consumption and waste you allow. When reducing it prevents waste that gathers across the world. Recycling is the action of converting waste into reusable products. Even doing small changes can help preserve the environment. When recycling reduces air and water pollution. Then when you reduce and reuse products it automatically prevents waste. Then there is to have a sustainable lifestyle, such as using sustainable products. Marine Stewardship Council states, "When looking for these products, prioritize ones that have been sourced responsibly and ethically, use sustainable or eco-friendly packaging, and avoid any harsh or damaging ingredients or microplastics." Even changing a few aspects throughout your life can create a great difference for the environment. When people do the above it also prevents the increase of climate change. This shows that if you make a slight positive change it can impact the world around you.
In conclusion, several problems are affecting the environment. These problems have been building up for years and now have become a worldwide issue. The future of the environment is in our hands, this includes any sort of nature, animals, and clean air. If these problems are not solved, the environment will slowly decrease and become extinct. We must unite and help the earth prosper again. If everyone did one thing to protect the environment, the world will progress. This means animals and humans would be able to live a greener and more beautiful lifestyle.
