Environmental Degradation Essay Example

growth, climate change, urbanization, and modern lifestyle demands. The issue is worsened by rapid climate changes that result in droughts, floods, greenhouse gas emissions depleting the ozone layer, landslides, and soil erosion. This erosion leads to a decline in vital minerals in the soil and adversely affects crop cultivation.

Climate change, which is the result of global warming, profoundly affects our planet. It results in a rise in the Earth's temperature and triggers swift alterations in ecosystems. As a consequence, there are disparities in precipitation patterns with tropical regions and higher latitude areas receiving more rainfall compared to other places. This unequal distribution of rain has an impact on the availability of water resources on Earth. Additionally, precipitation plays a vital role in shaping groundwater resources.

The impact of changes in precipitation on vegetation patterns and population growth is crucial. As the population grows, so does the demand for water usage. Although more precipitation can result in increased water resources, there will also be a rise in water demand due to population growth. This increase in population creates a greater need for water resources for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes. In particular, agriculture necessitates a substantial amount of water resources as it is essential for everyone's survival.

Recent surveys in the United States show that there has been a significant migration of people from rural to urban areas over the last twenty years. This has resulted in an increased demand for water in specific regions. Likewise, developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil are also experiencing a rapid movement of individuals towards urban centers. As a result, overcrowding and higher population density have become common, making people

more susceptible to diseases. Consequently, these factors contribute to the prevalence of deaths caused by contaminated water in developing nations.

When it comes to agriculture, precipitation has several effects such as surface runoff, evapotranspiration, and percolation into groundwater. As the population becomes wealthier, there is a growing demand for agriculture. In Western countries, meat is the preferred food choice which will result in an increased demand for food by 2050. This increase in demand will have an impact on water supply. Irrigation plays a crucial role in agriculture and has beneficial consequences like increasing salt and nutrient levels in certain areas. The application of fertilizer in soil leads to soil acidification.

Efficient water management can greatly reduce the depletion of freshwater, but it is difficult and time-consuming to adapt to current hydrological conditions. To promote sustainability and decrease overall water demand, new innovations are needed. Despite the impact of the economy and culture, it is possible to manage both the quantity and quality of water through water management. This involves performing operational tasks, examining engineering designs, planning, and optimizing strategies to prevent water degradation.

The depletion of water resources is occurring rapidly, posing a significant threat that nations must address collectively by implementing measures to enhance these resources. The cost of environmental degradation comprises three main components. The initial component pertains to the pollution of both indoor and outdoor land areas. Studies demonstrate that this air pollution has detrimental effects on human health, resulting in premature deaths. Furthermore, pollutants are responsible for ninety percent of respiratory diseases, which can progress to the development of cancer cells.

Pollution has a dual impact on a nation's growth and development rate, both

directly and indirectly. In places like Egypt, pollution, especially in cities like Cairo, has resulted in a decrease of 2% in the country's development rate. Studies reveal that approximately 20,000 individuals lose their lives annually due to air pollution-related causes, which subsequently affects the tourism industry and ultimately impacts the economy. Additionally, indoor air pollution is also widespread within confined areas such as our households, particularly during cooking activities.

The use of biomass fuel for cooking and heating is a health risk, particularly for women who spend more time indoors. There are also concerns about land degradation in different regions. In the Middle East and North Africa, many countries have soil with high salinity levels which cause frequent water erosion. These issues result in an annual loss estimated at 80 million dollars for these countries. Lebanon has recently experienced the loss of its natural vegetation and habitat due to quarrying. Land degradation can take on multiple forms including soil erosion, acidification, alkanisation, and waterlogging.

Soil erosion is the process of minerals and fertility depletion in the land, which causes landslides and acidic sulphate formation, leading to infertility. Water logging happens when stagnant water accumulates in the soil and brings about various negative effects. A related problem regarding land degradation is the decline of coastal zones. Coastal zones are renowned for their abundant marine life, coral reefs, and popular tourist spots. Nevertheless, coastal pollution has become more widespread in recent years due to factors like ports and harbours, uncontrolled urban development, and inadequate waste management.

Coastal damage in the Red Sea is exemplified by Hurghada in Egypt. Along the Mediterranean coastline, Lebanon's coastal area spans approximately 225 kilometers

and faces challenges due to resorts and wastewater disposal, leading to coastal degradation. Consequently, tourists are now traveling longer distances in search of clean beaches. Eutrophication can occur naturally or due to human factors, such as sewage and fertilizer runoff from cultivation practices. This represents a case of man-made eutrophication. Furthermore, eutrophication can also result from the accumulation of nutrients and other causes.

Excessive plant growth and decay, such as algae and plankton, can diminish water quality. Normally, plants need phosphorus to survive. However, in freshwater ecosystems, an overabundance of phosphorus can lead to the proliferation of algae. When these algae die, bacteria assist in their decomposition and convert them into an inorganic state. This decomposition process reduces oxygen levels in the water, putting fish at risk. The excessive growth of algae consumes a significant amount of oxygen, causing disruption throughout the entire ecosystem.

Contaminated water frequently has a greater density than normal water and can display various colors such as green, yellow, or red. Consuming this polluted freshwater can lead to health issues, particularly if it is eutrophic. Eutrophication is more prevalent in Asian lakes but less common in African lakes. Runoff from agriculture and pollution via sewage pipes are additional contributors to eutrophication as they release phosphorus that fosters the growth of algae. This phenomenon primarily takes place in lakes, rivers, and oceanic waters. In marine waters, nitrogen serves as the primary nutrient limitation.

There are 375 hypoxic coastal zones on the planet, mainly located in western Europe, Japan, and the southern and eastern coasts of the United States. These areas experience habitat destruction that leads to a reduction in biodiversity. The main causes of this

destruction are industrialization and urbanization, with activities like agriculture, mining, and logging contributing to habitat clearance.

Habitat destruction, including volcanism and climatic change, is responsible for the majority of species extinction. Countries such as New Zealand, Philippines, Madagascar, China, India, Japan, and western Africa are particularly affected by this issue. The fragmentation of habitats in tropical rainforests has historically resulted in a decrease in amphibian diversity while reptile diversity suffered during drier climates.

The collapse of habitats is caused by human activities, including the creation of agricultural lands, development of infrastructure, and pollution. This destruction takes various forms such as desertification in deserts, deforestation in forests, and degradation of coral reefs in coastal areas. The harmful effects on ecosystems are significant as habitat destruction is responsible for over 90% of extinct species. Global warming refers to the increase in Earth's average atmospheric temperature, which has been accelerated by human activities over the past century. Greenhouse gas concentrations like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) have increased due to these activities. A major source of greenhouse gas emissions is power plants that emit substantial amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Deforestation also contributes to global warming as it reduces the number of trees capable of absorbing CO2. These environmental changes can result in rising sea levels and an elevated risk for vector-borne diseases such as plague, malaria, and yellow fever.

The greenhouse effect refers to the heating of a planet's lower atmosphere and surface by absorbing and emitting infrared radiations. Future predictions primarily center around the period leading up to 2100. Even if no additional greenhouse gases are emitted, global warming and sea levels

will continue to rise for more than a thousand years due to the long average lifespan of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Climate change is expected to cause water stress for numerous individuals in the next two decades. Additionally, it contributes to the intensification and prolongation of hurricanes, as well as exacerbating flood severity.

Heat stress and dry soils have a negative impact on agricultural crop production in tropical and subtropical regions, leading to decreased yields. This has adverse effects on food supply and nutrition for many individuals. Both global warming and the greenhouse effect contribute to the rapid degradation of the environment.

In 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency released a report stating that toxic chemicals emitted from households throughout America are more likely to cause certain types of cancer compared to outdoor or other chemicals. Air pollution occurs when various substances, including chemicals, biological materials, particulate matter, and others, are released through different means. These pollutants can exist as liquid droplets, solid particles, or gases and may occur naturally or be manmade.

In modern times, smoke emissions from vehicles, industries, internal combustion processes contribute significantly to smog formation (a mixture of smoke and fog). Humans are also exposed to air pollution in poorly ventilated caves where fires are burned.

The earth's surface has experienced severe pollution, which was initially a minor environmental problem. However, the introduction of chemicals has escalated it into a significant issue. The primary pollutants include:
- Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless but highly toxic gas released by vehicles and burning fossil fuels.
- Carbon dioxide, a non-toxic greenhouse gas that is part of the carbon cycle but can cause health problems and contribute to

global warming when released into the atmosphere.
- Sulphur oxides, mainly sulphur dioxide emitted by volcanoes, which can lead to acid rain when oxidized and cause respiratory issues.
- Nitrogen oxides, with nitrogen dioxide as the leading pollutant among nitrous oxides. These contribute to the greenhouse effect, especially at high combustion temperatures.
- Chlorofluorocarbons or Freons released from refrigerators. They have a significant impact on the ozone layer and expose Earth's surface to dangerous ultraviolet radiation that poses threats to all living organisms.

If global warming continues unchecked, there is a risk of major cities being submerged in seawater. Ozone, a hazardous air pollutant found in the lower atmosphere, can cause respiratory issues and damage plants. Ammonia is emitted from agricultural processes and has a strong odor. Radioactive pollutants are often released during wars or nuclear explosions; they can cause cancer and pose greater risks for pregnant women.The industrial revolution, which began in the mid-nineteenth century, and the burning of fuels by power plants during the twentieth century have had a significant impact on pollution.

The release of greenhouse gases from industries, like heaters, generators, boilers, engines, and similar sources, has greatly altered the climate. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality in rooms and their surroundings, including other buildings. IAQ is important because inadequate air or ventilation in a room results in higher levels of air pollution. IAQ is affected by various primary and secondary air pollutants.

One additional pollutant is the gasoline additive. In 1992, the US government introduced oxygenated additives to decrease air pollution from gasoline combustion. These additives have extra oxygen for thorough and clean burning. The specific additive utilized was methyl tertiary butyl ether.

While it initially aided in reducing air pollution, it was later found out in 1998 that incomplete combustion of organic chemicals released benzene, a recognized carcinogen, into the atmosphere.

Originally produced by natural sources such as volcanoes and fires, this chemical was initially employed as a solvent in different industries. However, its damaging impacts were subsequently identified, prompting its utilization as an additive in gasoline. Benzene is recognized for its ability to cause cancer, particularly in children, and can also lead to headaches and respiratory problems. Nowadays, it is extensively used in the production of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and more. Numerous significant incidents resulting in air pollution encompass the Bhopal gas tragedy, Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion, Italian crises, London smog disaster, and three-mile island nuclear disaster.

Poisonous gas cloud, also known as smog, suddenly emerged at approximately 1 am on December 3, 1984 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India). This event caused confusion among the people as they had no means of escape from the imminent danger. The American company Union Carbide Corporation had established its presence in India through Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). During the incident, a chemical named methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked into the atmosphere, along with other chemicals. This leakage led to the formation of toxic gases, which appeared as a cloud. In fact, this cloud consisted of 15 metric tons of MIC spread over a distance of approximately 30 miles.

Due to the improper closure of MIC tanks, water entered and caused an exothermal reaction, releasing MIC continuously. The reaction led to the release of safety valves, as certain valves were absent, the incoming water was uncontrolled. The disaster was a result of

workers' carelessness, leaving the city's water polluted. The consequences were severe, with over 15,000 fatalities and approximately 200,000 people suffering from various chronic diseases. Cancer was particularly prevalent among young children.

Despite efforts, the state's population continues to face fatalities and hardships without a visible solution to this situation. This is the main cause of air pollution. Even after recovering from the gas tragedy, another catastrophic event occurred on April 26, 1986. Ukraine experienced a nuclear reactor accident at an improperly shut down power plant, resulting in a burnt and exploded reactor. The improper shutdown caused temperatures to skyrocket to approximately 2,000 degrees Celsius and increased pressure. As a result, steam was released through damaged water pipes. Four hazardous substances were emitted: plutonium, cesium 137, iodine 131, and strontium 90. These releases have led to significant health issues that continue to affect the affected population.

Recent studies indicate that millions of people live on this contaminated land. Disasters like the Italian crisis, London smog, and Three Mile Island incident have also persisted causing severe problems such as respiratory and skin-borne diseases for inhabitants of these areas. Governments in these regions have spent huge amounts of money attempting to salvage both the land and its people.

The consequences of air pollution have significant impacts on health, leading to various issues such as respiratory problems, lung and throat cancer, and heart problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.3 million deaths have been attributed to both indoor and outdoor pollution. Out of these deaths, around 2.4 million are caused by harmful gases in the atmosphere, while the remaining deaths are a result of indoor pollutants.

Several measures have been

implemented to mitigate air pollution:

• One primary measure is reducing energy consumption.
• The use of recycled materials like plastics, papers, aluminum cans, and cardboards is crucial.
• Promoting eco-friendly cars and low-polluting vehicles while ensuring proper tire inflation is another important step.
• Prioritizing rechargeable batteries over lithium batteries for sustainability plays a role in combating air pollution.
• At home, turning off lights, fans, and other electrical appliances can minimize charge emissions and protect the ozone layer.

About 40 to 50 years ago, Bangkok had minimal pollution compared to other countries.

In the mid-1990s, air quality deteriorated due to climate changes. The country underwent fast development, leading to a twofold increase in the number of vehicles from 1991 to 2000. This rise was mainly caused by two-wheeled vehicles, which greatly added to air pollution. Despite their greater power, two-stroke engines released a substantial amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere. In comparison with other nations, Bangkok fell behind in terms of emissions systems and other measures.

80% of nitrous oxide emissions, 100% of hydrocarbon emissions, and 75% of carbon monoxide emissions were attributed to these vehicles. Additionally, the release of particulate matter played a role in emitting these detrimental gases. By 1992, pollution levels had significantly escalated, leading to severe repercussions across various aspects. Investigations uncovered that students at the school level encountered heightened levels of lead in their blood, posing considerable hazards. Consequently, the government implemented emission standards and carried out periodic inspections to control pollution levels and maintain air quality.

In 1995, the government eliminated gasoline from use, leading to a decrease in lead pollution. This action was combined with smaller measures, such as regular road cleaning and smoke inspections at various vehicle locations.

All vehicles underwent pollution checks and transportation systems were examined and enhanced. By 1999, electric trains were introduced, and there was a significant production of highly environmentally friendly buses and vehicles.

Despite not having smoke-producing facilities or heavily polluted areas surrounding it, Bangkok has made significant efforts to control pollution and maintain high environmental standards. The city is committed to upholding its standards by actively working towards pollution control and keeping its land relatively free from pollutants. Industries in Bangkok have also taken proactive measures to reduce emissions, such as capturing and storing carbon in dedicated tanks.

Put simply, carbon is only emitted when burned and subsequently stored in enclosed tanks. This approach effectively decreases the quantity of carbon dioxide released by industries like petroleum, cement, and iron. Moreover, another technique known as scrubber technology is employed to purify the exhaust and emissions from industrial sources by eliminating particulate and dangerous substances from the gases. Hence, it is crucial to implement practical and groundbreaking measures for pollution control.

The implementation of ideas is vital, taking into account the geographical conditions and including measures to minimize health risks. It is crucial to control pollution for a safe and healthy life due to the growing demand for alternative energy resources caused by the depletion of fossil fuels.

Both advantages and disadvantages exist in the field of science. The pursuit of solving the issue of diminishing fuel reserves has led to a new set of challenges. Bio fuel, a kind of fuel that derives its energy from biological carbon fixation, which is the process of breaking down carbonaceous compounds to release essential energy, provides a significant distinction from conventional fuels as biotechnology

contributes to the production of bio fuels.

When considering BIO FUELS, it may be mistakenly assumed that they are environmentally friendly and have no negative impact on the climate. However, bio fuels like ethanol actually require the destruction of forested areas to make room for fuel crops such as corn, resulting in the release of carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. If these practices continue unchecked, severe consequences for the environment and climate could occur.

The increase in population and energy demands has created a challenging situation where the cultivation of food crops and energy crops must be balanced. Food crops are grown to meet daily needs, while energy crops are commercial crops used to fulfill energy demands. As civilization expands, forests are cleared to make way for these crops.

This raises the question of whether prioritizing food or fuel production is necessary. While finding alternatives to petrol and diesel from an environmental standpoint is important, significant farming and deforestation methods for crop cultivation come at a high cost. They exploit existing farmland and result in the loss of forested areas, directly affecting atmospheric carbon levels.As trees increase through photosynthesis process, carbon content decreases.

However, achieving optimal efficiency with bio-fuels requires their combination with other fossil fuels.

In the spring edition of TiMES magazine in 2011, Mr. Grunwald discussed the captivating concept of bio-fuels and their potential benefits. However, it is important to recognize that oil wells cannot be closed due to the emission of carbonaceous gases that contribute to climate change. This excerpt from Mr. Grunwald's article emphasizes the necessity of addressing issues with bio-fuels in order for them to be a viable solution for the future.

Grunwald argues

that while biofuels offer advantages such as decreasing reliance on foreign oil and generating employment in rural areas, the primary concern lies in their detrimental impact on carbon-storing environments like forests, wetlands, and grasslands. These alarming occurrences are happening worldwide with substantial financial backing.

According to a report by Wetlands International, Indonesia has experienced a significant increase in its carbon emissions ranking, moving from 21st place to third. This concerning rise is attributed to the destructive practice of bulldozing and burning wilderness areas in order to cultivate palm oil trees for biodiesel production.

Similarly, Malaysia is quickly converting forests into palm oil farms, resulting in a shortage of uncultivated land. Additionally, U.S. farmers have shifted a substantial portion (one-fifth) of their corn towards ethanol production, causing soybean farmers in the country to switch their focus to corn cultivation.

Furthermore, Brazilian soybean farmers are expanding into cattle pastures, leading to the displacement of Brazilian cattlemen who are forced into the Amazon region.

References:

- Larsen, B., Sarraf, M., & Pillet,G., 2002
- METAP-The World Bank, 2003
- Meade, J.E., 1973
- Pillet,G., Zein,K., Carrara,A., & Benyahia,N., 2004

In LRI (1989), there is a review titled "Effectiveness and Social/Environmental Impacts of Irrigation Projects" available in the Annual Report 1988 of the International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (ILRI). This report can be found on pages 18-34 under the section "Land: Programmes and Activities". ILRI is located in Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The United Nations Environment Programme offers free articles and software related to drainage of waterlogged land and soil salinity control.Conacher and Conacher (1995) discuss rural land degradation in Australia in their book published by Oxford University Press Australia and mention this information on page 2

with ISBN 0195534360. Johnson et al.'s work, published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, volume 26, pages 581-589 (1997), discusses the meanings of environmental terms but does not directly relate to the aforementioned content. Sample (2007-08-31) reports in The Guardian about the depletion of fertile land caused by climate change and population growth leading to an impending global food crisis.

The following texts discuss various topics related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and deforestation:

1.

Barbault, R. and S. D. Sastrapradja. 1995. Generation, maintenance and loss of biodiversity. Global Biodiversity Assessment, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge pp. 193–274.

2.

Burke, L., Y. Kura, K. Kassem, C. Ravenga, M Spalding, and D McAllister . 2000.Pilot Assessment of Global Ecosystems: Coastal Ecosystems.World Resources Institute.Washington,D.C.

3.

Cincotta,R.P.,and R Engelman .2000.Nature's place:human population density and the future of biological diversity.Population Action International.Washington,D.C.

4.

Geist,H.J.,and E.E.Lambin .2002.Proximate causes and underlying driving forces of tropical deforestation.

BioScience 52(2): 143-150. Kauffman, J. B. and D. A. Pyke. 2001. Range ecology, global livestock influences. In S. A. Levin (ed.), Encyclopedia of Biodiversity 5: 33-52. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. Laurance, W. F. 1999. Reflections on the tropical deforestation crisis. Biological Conservation 91: 109-117. McKee, J. K., P. W. Sciulli, C. D. Fooce, and T . A. Waite. 2003.Forecasting global biodiversity threats associated with human population growth. Biological Conservation 115: 161-164.MEA. 2005.Ecosystems and Human Well-Being.Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.Island Press, Covelo, CA.