The Most Important Environmental Issues Today
Environmental pollution and global warming are harsh and honest realities of the 21st century. The continued reliance on fossil fuels and the lack of alternative sources of green energy are taking their toll. Melting ice caps and an ever growing endangered species list confirm the overuse and abuse of earth's natural and precious resources. Overpopulation, overproduction, and over consumption are all to blame for our planet's current state. It's important to understand why climate change is a problem, but arguably more important to know ways to help reduce pollution, greenhouse gasses, and the use of toxic chemicals worldwide.Â
The future of our planet as a whole is threatened by the environmental issues listed below. The way we're living and operating businesses is directly affecting the resources we need to support those foundations. Political and social issues often play into concerns regarding our environment, so it's important to stay informed and up to date on what's going on in the world as a whole. This list of the most important environmental issues to date covers all the most pressing matters that affect human, animal, and plant life on the planet.  Â
What's most important to you personally? What do you believe is the absolute most urgent issue that should be addressed? Read through these current environmental problems and types of pollution and up vote the ones you find most important.Â
- 1
Water Pollution
Oil spills and radiation are rabid factors, as is chemical pollution based on human activity. As water is important to human health and our ecosystem, what can we do to keep our oceans, rivers, and lakes cleaner?
Smog, emissions from livestock, and carbon dioxide are all major contributors to air pollution worldwide. Air pollution can contribute to global warming and have detrimental effects on human health. Should we be doing more to make our air cleaner?
- 3
Industrial Waste
Industrial waste is any solid waste that is produced by manufacturing or industrial processes. America produces roughly 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste per year, which can have devastating effects on the environment.
- 4
Marine Trash
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a huge chunk of collected debris and trash that's accumulated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. How can we stop corporations and other entities from dumping waste in our oceans?
- 5
Land Pollution
If there's pollution in the soil, there's a risk of hazardous chemicals and toxicity in the agricultural growth in surrounding areas. Should we be doing more to cut back on land pollution?
- 6
Waste Disposal
Given our booming population, public waste companies can't keep up with demand for sanitary trash disposal. This results in rising toxicity, compromised public health, and a polluted environment.
