As participants of a global society, we should keep ourselves educated about the current environmental issues that affect us all. Many of these issues are global and have the ability to escalate rapidly. World leaders are well aware of these problems. Problems like peak oil, global hunger, global warming, extinction of species, and many more are making headlines around the world.

In this article, I have selected 5 major global issues that are relevant today and are threatening our global society. Although each of the issues mentioned below are equally serious, some of these issues might be more relevant to you than for other readers. They are not in any particular order, but should be given equal attention.

1. Extinction of wild animals

Today, a massive number of species are disappearing from the face of the earth due to our unsustainable industrial practices. Our negative impacts on the globe can be traced back to 1775, when the steam engines were invented. Ever since, we have been burning fossil fuels that pollute the environment with carbon. Rapid industrialization and deforestation are major concerns that destroy the natural habitat and food sources for thousands of species of animals, birds, and insects. The implications of which are not totally understood.

Modern agriculture has altered the eco-system by introducing many unnatural inorganic elements such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMO and so on into natural systems. This has stripped the earth of nutrient rich top soil and destroyed the micro ecosystem, which takes millions of years to form. We also depend on several insects for the pollination of our crops. If the population of these insects and microorganisms drop, our food supply might be threatened in the future.

2. Global shortage of food and water

The quality and quantity of food and water are major problems in the developing world. With the destabilization of the economy in the USA and many other rich countries, hunger and poverty in third world countries has been intensified.

It has been estimated that there are 146 million children being deprived of basic needs such as food and water, along with other basic necessities such as education, medical facilities, sanitation, and so on. The World Bank and WHO have estimated that about 2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water and about 1 billion people do not have enough water to meet their regular requirements. UNICEF has also estimated that one in every four children in the developing countries is below the ideal weight for his or her age due to malnutrition. Furthermore, the number of deaths related to lack of nutrition is increasing.

3. Peak oil consumption

Oil takes about 50-300 million years to form, which we have managed to destroy in about 150 years. It has been a key element in the development of modern civilization, playing a major role in industrialization throughout the history of civilization. Nowadays, oil consumption has reached its peak and plays an integral role in our modern civilization; 96% of all global transportation systems require fossil fuels. They are also used to produce plastic, fertilizers, and a key ingredient in asphalts, and many other solvents.

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4. Economic collapse

The American government spends about 3.8 trillion dollars and produces about 2.2 trillion dollars annually. To make up for this deficit, our government borrows the difference in the form of government bonds from investors and banks. Some of these are foreign banks. Currently, the government owes about 14 trillion dollars in bonds and interests. So instead of raising taxes or cutting down government spending, America chooses to add money into circulation, which is causing inflation and bringing down the value of the dollar. In fact, we are currently recovering from the biggest inflation event in history. This inflation is causing global inflation because the corporations who were counting on money from America are not receiving this money.

5. Global warming

Global warming is considered to be one of the most dangerous threats that our culture has ever faced. Global warming is responsible for catastrophic weather events, water shortages, crop failures, changes in cloud formation patterns, ocean current, sea-level rise, and many other climatic changes. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, CFC, and other green house gases are responsible for these negative effects. When these gases get trapped in our atmosphere, they tend to cause the global temperature to rise, melt the ice caps, and deplete the protective ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Humans are arguably playing a major role in the destruction of Mother Nature’s systems and inherent balance. To fight against pollution, we will need to change our way of thinking and extent to how we consume resources. If we do not take any action against pollution, we will continue to alter the chemical composition of this planet and compromise the stability and sustainability of life itself.

So what do you think? Please let us know your thoughts on global issues and sustainability issues. Thanks for being our valuable visitor.We’d appreciate your comments and also please share this article.

Source: Environmental Professionals Network