A call to action: now or never
For decades, we have faced many environmental abuses and problems around the world. Among these abuses are mining, illegal logging and deforestation, improper disposal of waste from factories and other infrastructure, and other complicated environmental problems. On top of that, we’ve also had previous large wildfires on every continent, like in Australia and California this year, which burned acres of forest and endangered the lives of wild animals.
According to DW Zimmermann, 2016, five of the world’s biggest environmental problems are: (1) air pollution and climate change; (2) Deforestation; (3) extinction of species; (4) soil degradation; and (5) Overpopulation.
Air pollution and climate change
There is air pollution when the atmosphere or the air we breathe is filled with a higher level of CO2 or carbon dioxide than oxygen or any other gas. This CO2 came primarily from burning factories, burning coal and fossil fuels, and other industrial activities contributing to the increasing number of parts per million (ppm) that was from 280, 200 years ago to around 400 ppm today. . The result: climate change.
In 2012, the World Health Organization estimated that one in nine deaths in 2012 was due to diseases caused by carcinogens and other poisons in polluted air.
Solution: Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. Change Industrial processes.
Deforestation
Today about 30 percent of the planet’s land is covered by forests, half of which was 11,000 years ago before agriculture began. About 7.3 million hectares of forest are destroyed each year, mainly in the tropics. Now only 6 to 7 percent of tropical forests cover the planet’s land area, up from 15 percent.
Solution: Deforest and restore what remains of natural forest.
Species extinction
Both on land and in water, species were hunted legally and illegally. On land, wild animals are being hunted near extinction for bushmeat, ivory, or medicinal purposes. At sea, huge fishing boats wiped out vast fishing populations. Habitat loss and destruction are also a contributing factor to mass extinction.
Solution: Restore habitats and call for government action to prevent further extinction of endangered species.
soil degradation
Overgrazing, monoculture planting, erosion, overexposure to pollutants, land use conversion and a long list of ways that cause soil damage. Nearly 12 million hectares of farmland a year are severely degraded, according to UN estimates.
Overpopulation
The human population continues to grow rapidly around the world. From 1.6 billion people entering the 20th century, we are now about 7.5 billion. Estimates put us at almost 10 billion by 2050. The growth of the world’s population, combined with increasing wealth, is putting increasing pressure on essential natural resources both on land and in water. Most of the growth is occurring on the African continent and in South and East Asia.
Solution: Family planning and 2-3 children per family could be applied. Accessibility to education especially for young girls in tropical regions.
Among those five big environmental problems in the world, there are still many minor problems that we are facing today, such as: water pollution, improper waste disposal, poor drainage system, mining, and a long list of environmental abuses.
In the Philippines, its rich biodiversity is under threat, primarily from human activities, including deforestation and forest degradation, illegal fishing, and the illegal wildlife trade.
Despite the abuses of our environment, we are fortunate to have many social groups and environmental activists who fight for the protection and conservation of our environment.
We had the famous Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old Swedish environmental activist who has gained international recognition for promoting the view that humanity faces an existential crisis stemming from climate change. He has also published several books that promote the protection and conservation of the environment and among others such as: “No one is too small to make a difference”, “Scenes from the heart, Greta Thunberg (I know this is true): About the truth, the courage and save our planet (Brittanica Whang, 2020).
She urges everyone, especially young people, to talk about climate change and other environmental issues. Today, she has already gained many followers around the world, marching to save our planet.
In the Philippines, environmental activist Gina López had accomplished many environmental jobs, including cleaning up at least 17 tributaries of the heavily polluted Pasig River and nearby streams, when she chaired the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and headed Save Palawan. island movement.
López ordered the closure of 23 mines and many others denied or suspended their operations. He also canceled 75 contracts with mines that he said posed a threat to nearby water supplies.
However, in August 2019, Gina died, aged 65, following multiple organ failures after losing her battle with brain cancer. Many mourned her, in the best of cases the ABS-CBN Foundation, a social development organization of which she was president for many years (Nytimes Gutiérrez, 2019).
Today, the Philippines is considered the second deadliest country for environmental activists according to last year’s report with 34 murders. Colombia, with 64 murders, ranked first (Bernanews Espina, 2020).
On the other hand, you don’t have to join any environmental group to be recognized for your efforts as an “environmentalist.” You can still make a big difference on your own simply by knowing and doing what is right for our environment. In a few words, segregating your garbage from biodegradable to non-biodegradable, cleaning the canals and the drainage system, planting trees, saving water and electricity, and other environmental activities. Consider this thought, your efforts today are the future of our next generation. And together with our little ways we can make a difference. Protect our Mother Nature, today and in the future to come.
Do something good, no one can see or recognize it, but future generations will.