Environmental issues are increasingly at the forefront of global discourse, with the looming specter of the climate crisis demanding urgent attention.
Amidst this complex landscape, certain challenges stand out as particularly pressing, warranting closer examination.
Here are some biggest environmental problems of our lifetime according to a certain report;
Global warming from fossil fuels. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime: as greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat, leading to global warming.
In 2023, the world experienced its hottest year, with temperatures surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.46C. This year saw six months and two seasons breaking temperature records.
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have soared to unprecedented heights, exceeding 420 parts per million. For thousands of years, CO2 levels remained around 280 ppm before doubling during the Industrial Revolution.
Greenhouse gas emissions are driving up global temperatures, leading to severe consequences worldwide. catastrophic events like bushfires in Australia and the US, locust swarms in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and even a heatwave in Antarctica have been linked to rising temperatures.
Scientists warn of tipping points being crossed, including permafrost melt, Greenland ice sheet melting, mass extinction, and Amazon deforestation. The climate crisis is intensifying tropical storms, hurricanes, heatwaves, and floods.
Halting emissions won’t immediately stop temperature rise, making urgent action to reduce emissions and switch to renewable energy crucial.
Poor Governance. Economists and environmentalists have long advocated for higher prices on activities emitting greenhouse gases to tackle our biggest environmental issue. Carbon taxes are suggested to spur innovations in low-carbon technologies.
Governments should boost funding for green innovation to lower the costs of clean energy and implement various policies targeting different market failures for emission reduction. Currently, 27 countries, including some in the EU, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Ukraine, and Argentina, have a national carbon tax.
However, the OECD suggests that these taxes are not tough enough on coal production but have been effective for the electricity industry. Sweden’s carbon tax, at $127 per tonne, has reduced emissions by 25% since 1995 while its economy expanded by 75%.
The United Nations, originally formed to prevent world wars, isn’t equipped to handle the climate crisis, with no mandatory compliance for its suggestions. Despite the Paris Agreement’s goals of reducing emissions, signing on is voluntary, and there are no real consequences for non-compliance.
Equity issues persist, with developing countries allowed to emit more to facilitate development, which can be exploited by countries like China.
Deforestation. Every hour, an area equivalent to 300 football fields is deforested. By 2030, the planet may only have 10% of its forests left, with the possibility of complete depletion in less than 100 years if deforestation continues.
Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia are the top three countries facing high deforestation rates. The Amazon, covering 40% of South America, is the largest rainforest and home to around three million species.
Despite efforts to protect forests, legal deforestation remains widespread, with Brazil’s Amazon losing 1.5 million hectares annually.
Plastic Population. A report in the journal Nature revealed that 14 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, harming wildlife and their habitats. Without action, this could increase to 29 million tons by 2040, potentially leading to 600 million tons of plastic in the ocean if microplastics are included.
Shockingly, National Geographic found that 91% of all plastic ever produced is not recycled, posing a significant environmental problem. Plastic takes 400 years to decompose, suggesting long-lasting environmental impacts.
Air Population. Millions of people die each year from air pollution, with most of them breathing polluted air. In Africa, the number of deaths due to outdoor air pollution increased from 164,000 in 1990 to 258,000 in 2017.
Air pollution is mainly caused by industries, vehicles, biomass burning, and dust storms. Air pollution in South Asia reduces life expectancy by approximately 5 years due to factors like inadequate infrastructure and funding.
Many countries in Asia and Africa lack necessary air quality standards and provide limited air quality data to their citizens. Over half a million people in the European Union died from health issues related to toxic pollutants exposure in 2021, according to a recent report.
As World Environment Day draws to a close, let’s reflect on the gravity of the environmental challenges we face. From global warming to air pollution in our cities, the stakes are higher. Lets us seize this opportunity to renew our commitment to the planet and pave the way for a sustainable future for all.
