The earth has seen a lot of damage done to it in terms of its hospitality, with issues like rising temperatures causing the melting of ice caps and consequently the rise in sea level. All this damage is the contribution of mostly one species – humans. Since the dawn of time, we, human beings have been exploiting resources that were available for the purpose of survival, and it is our responsibility to care for the environment by restoring the damages done.

While this is easier said than done, many steps, both big and small, are being taken to achieve this. From global summits and large NGOs to the use of reusable materials in some countries like eco-friendly coffee cups in the UK, each measure is equally important. 

Caring for the Environment

There are many problems that are plaguing our environment, and many of them are connected as well. Creating awareness about these issues is also vital to solving them. Let’s look at a few of the most important environmental issues.

• Climate Change – Climate change is one of the most dangerous issues today and can be fatal to almost all life on earth. The main reason for this is the greenhouse effect. This is when more of the greenhouse gases like CO2 are released, and as a result, the heat emitted by the sun becomes trapped in the atmosphere. Our CO2 emissions have increased by more than 50% since the 90s, and this has to be reduced. New regulations are being introduced in many fields and regions keeping this in mind. The carbon emissions of cars and factories are some examples of these regulations.
• Pollution – Pollution is the contamination of the environment, and it is causing many health issues worldwide. In fact, 90% of humans breathe polluted air, according to the WHO. Air pollution can cause many diseases, mainly affecting the lungs. Water pollution is also significant, accounting for a lot of diseases from dysentery to typhoid. Methods like eliminating the dumping of waste and treating water are being used as preventive measures to combat this. Gaseous emissions are also being reduced.
• Waste management – The dumping of waste into the environment is a contributing factor to many other problems including the above mentioned. There are gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes to consider while trying to solve this problem. Regulations are being made for both industrial and municipal waste. While treatment is encouraged in the case of industrial waste, reducing the amount of waste is the main goal in the municipal sector. This is mainly because of a very large amount of waste being generated. The motto in this scenario is “reduce, reuse, recycle”. The earlier mentioned example of the use of eco-friendly coffee cups in the UK is relevant in this case too.
• Energy Crisis – Conventional energy sources are limited and affect the environment when used. The burning of fossil fuels plays a huge role in climate change. Even if they are used with minimum emissions, they are only available in little quantity compared to demand. Renewable energy sources are the future with zero emissions and unlimited availability. Electric cars are a promising example of the shift to renewable energy with massive advancements in the field.

A sustainable model should be introduced wherever actions affecting the environment are carried out. Resources should be managed responsibly, and awareness should be created about all this. Protecting and maintaining our home is the central goal.

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