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Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is increasing due to carbon emissions, with ocean acidity projected to rise by 150% by 2100. This acidification harms calcifying species like shellfish and causes issues throughout the food chain. Air pollution is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially in cities, where 80% of urban residents breathe unfit air according to the WHO. Lowered biodiversity means future generations will have fewer sources of fresh water and plants will be more vulnerable to pests. The nitrogen cycle is also impacted by human activity like fertilizer use, with excess nitrogen causing problems in marine ecosystems like algal blooms.

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52 views

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is increasing due to carbon emissions, with ocean acidity projected to rise by 150% by 2100. This acidification harms calcifying species like shellfish and causes issues throughout the food chain. Air pollution is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially in cities, where 80% of urban residents breathe unfit air according to the WHO. Lowered biodiversity means future generations will have fewer sources of fresh water and plants will be more vulnerable to pests. The nitrogen cycle is also impacted by human activity like fertilizer use, with excess nitrogen causing problems in marine ecosystems like algal blooms.

Uploaded by

Nare Balyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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8.

Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is the term used to describe the continued lowering of the pH
levels of the Earth’s oceans as a result of carbon dioxide emissions. It is estimated
that ocean acidity will increase by 150% by 2100 if efforts aren’t made to halt it.

This increase in acidification can have dire effect on calcifying species, such as


shellfish. This causes issues throughout the food chain and may lead to reductions in
aquatic life that would otherwise not be affected by acidification.

7. Air Pollution
Air pollution is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem, particularly in heavily-
populated cities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that 80% of
people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels deemed unfit by the
organization.

It is also directly linked to other environmental issues, such as acid rain and


eutrophication. Animals and humans are also at risk of developing a number of
health problems due to air pollution.

6. Lowered Biodiversity
Continued human activities and expansion has led to lowered biodiversity. A lack of
biodiversity means that future generations will have to deal with increasing
vulnerability of plants to pests and fewer sources of fresh water.

Some studies have found that lowered biodiversity has as pronounced an impact as
climate change and pollution on ecosystems, particularly in areas with higher
amounts of species extinction.

5. The Nitrogen Cycle


With most of the focus being placed on the carbon cycle, the effects of human use
of nitrogen often slips under the radar. It is estimated that agriculture may be
responsible for half of the nitrogen fixation on earth, primarily through the use and
production of man-made fertilizers.

Excess levels of nitrogen in water can cause issues in marine ecosystems, primarily


through overstimulation of plant and algae growth. This can result in blocked intakes
and less light getting to deeper waters, damaging the rest of the marine population.

4. Natural Resource Use


Recent studies have shown that humanity uses so many natural resources that we
would need almost 1.5 Earths to cover our needs. This is only set to increase as
industrialization continues in nations like China and India.

Increased resource use is linked to a number of other environmental issues, such as


air pollution and population growth. Over time, the depletion of these resources will
lead to an energy crisis, plus the chemicals emitted by many natural resources are
strong contributors to climate change.

3. Transportation
An ever-growing population needs transportation, much of which is fueled by the
natural resources that emit greenhouse gases, such as petroleum. In 2014,
transportation accounted for 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation also contributes to a range of other environmental issues, such as


the destruction of natural habitats and increase in air pollution.

2. Polar Ice Caps


The issue of the melting of polar ice caps is a contentious one. While NASA
studies have shown that the amount of ice in Antarctica is actually increasing, these
rises only amount to a third of what is being lost in the Arctic.

There is strong evidence to suggest that sea levels are rising, with the Arctic ice caps
melting being a major contributor. Over time, this could lead to extensive flooding,
contamination of drinking water and major changes in ecosystems.

1. Climate Change
The majority of the issues previously listed contribute or are linked to climate
change. Statistics created by NASA state that global temperatures have risen by 1.7
degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, which is directly linked to a reduction in Arctic ice of
13.3% per decade.

The effects of climate change are widespread, as it will cause issues with


deforestation, water supplies, oceans and ecosystems. Each of these have
widespread implications of their own, marking climate change as the major
environmental issue the planet faces today.

The Final Word


The impact that human activities have on the environment around us is undeniable
and more studies are being conducted each year to show the extent of the issue.
Climate change and the many factors that contribute to emissions could lead to
catastrophic issues in the future.

More needs to be done to remedy the major environmental issues that affect us
today. If this doesn’t happen, the possibility exists that great swathes of the planet
will become uninhabitable in the future.

The good news is that many of these issues can be controlled. By making
adjustments, humanity can have a direct and positive impact on the environment.

Please feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below or engage
your friends in discussion about the environment on social media.

Resources

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