Unit : 01

Module 04 : Environmental threats

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

 Learn what are the environment threats being faced today
 Understand the seriousness of environmental threats
 Discern the role of common man and the government

Introduction

In recent years, the expansion of science and technology, industrialization,

urbanization, and the advancement of transport and communication have impacted the
environment both positively and negatively. The negative impact is posing a threat
resulting in complete destruction of the environment. The World Economic Forum's 2018
Global Risks Report have pen down that in recent times, there is extreme weather events,
natural disasters, failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation, water crises,
biodiversity loss, air and soil pollution to name a few (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Threats

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 Environmental threats

These threats are of great concern now as well as in the future.

1. Climate change
2. Biodiversity loss
3. Pollution
4. Natural resources drain
5. Water crisis
6. Deforestation
7. Soil Degradation
8. Oceanic dead zones and ocean acidification

1. Climate Change
According to the Global Risk Report 2019, environmental worries have surpassed
economic concerns (Figure2).

Figure 2 Climate change

Environmental risks are found to be increasing at a fast pace. Increased
occurrences of extreme weather events are attributed to climate change, which is a
leading cause for concern. According to Scientific American, climate change is increasing
in its frequency and severity of natural disasters such as droughts, wildfires, heat waves,
rainstorms, tropical cyclones, flooding, decline in crop production and hurricanes. The
2018 Global Risks Report warns of the potential for catastrophic events to disrupt food
supply and cause famines.
NASA confirmed that carbon dioxide levels have increased from 280 parts per
million to 400 parts per million over the past 150 years. The use of fossil fuels, intensive
agriculture, and other human activities have been identified as some of the reasons.

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Global Warming
Since the Industrial Revolution, the progressive increase in the lower atmosphere's
temperature as a result of the growth in greenhouse gases is said to be cause for global
warming (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Global warming

Compared to pre-industrial levels, CO2 PPM (parts per million) is at 418 and the
global temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius. More than 4 million years ago,
carbon dioxide levels on Earth were as high as they are now. Increased emissions of
greenhouse gases have led to a rapid and steady increase in global temperatures, which
in turn is causing catastrophic events all over the world.The world is experiencing some
of the most devastating bushfire seasons ever recorded, locusts swarming across parts
of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, destroying crops, and Antarctica experiencing its first
heatwave with temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius. Constantly, scientists warn
that the planet has passed a series of tipping points that could have catastrophic
consequences.
One such example is the permafrost melt in Arctic regions as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 Permafrost
Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer on or under Earth's surface. It consists
of soil, gravel, and sand, usually bound together by ice. Permafrost usually remains at or
below 0°C (32ºF) for at least two years. Permafrost can be found on land and below the
ocean floor.

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 The others include Greenland ice sheet melting at an unprecedented rate,
accelerating sixth mass extinction, and increasing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest,
to name a few.

Melting Ice Caps and Sea Level Rise

The Arctic is warming more than twice as quickly as the rest of the earth due to the
climate crisis (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Melting caps

As a result of rising global temperatures, sea levels are rising more than twice as
quickly as they did for most of the 20th century. The world's oceans are currently rising
by an average of 3.2 millimeters each year and are projected to reach a height of
approximately 0.7 meters by the end of this century. Greenland Ice Sheet provides the
greatest threat to increasing sea levels in the Arctic since melting land ice is the primary
driver of rising sea levels. In light of the fact that last year's summer precipitated the loss
of 60 billion tons of ice from Greenland, sufficient to raise world sea levels by 2.2
millimeters in a matter of months, this is possibly the greatest of the environmental
challenges.
According to satellite data, the Greenland ice sheet lost a record quantity of ice in
2019: an average of one million tons per minute throughout the entire year. This is one of
the most significant environmental issues with cascading impacts. The sea level would
increase by 6 meters if the entire Greenland ice sheet melted.In the meantime, the
Antarctic continent adds around one millimeter every year, or one-third of the annual
world increase, to the rise in sea level. According to the Canadian Ice Service, the last
entirely intact ice shelf in the Canadian Arctic recently collapsed, losing around 80 square
kilometers, or 40 percent of its extent, over a two-day period in late July.
According to research and advocacy organization Climate Central, sea level rise
this century could flood coastal areas that are currently home to 340 million to 480 million
people, forcing them to migrate to safer areas and contributing to overpopulation and
resource strain in the areas to which they migrate.

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2. Biodiversity Loss
According to the 2018 Global Risks Report, biodiversity loss due to species
extinction is a threat not just to the environment but also to the global economy (Figure
6). An alarming pace of extinction is occurring globally.

Figure 6 Biodiversity loss

According to The Guardian and University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, intensive
agriculture, unsustainable fishing, animal poaching, habitat loss and destruction, acid
rain, and climate change threaten thousands of species. Even a smallest disruption to the
eco-system will cause a rippling effect on all species on earth. According to a recent WWF
analysis, the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians declined
by an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. This biodiversity loss is attributed to a
number of sources; the most important contributor towards biodiversity loss is the land-
use change. Further conversion of the ecosystems like the forests, grasslands, and
mangroves into agricultural lands has further deteriorated our ecosystem.
Over-fishing
We have taken the ocean for granted for a very long time. We have been throwing
lots of rubbish into the ocean without considering the consequences (Figure 7). Now, it’s
the time to pay for our mistakes.

Figure 7 Degradation of ocean

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 Due to indiscriminate fishing, numerous fish species are on the verge of extinction.
A decline in biodiversity poses problems for life species.Further the illegal wildlife trade
has a substantial impact on animals such as sharks, seahorses and pangolins. All these
are becoming critically endangered species.
3. Pollution
The 2018 Global Risks Report identifies air, water, and land pollution as one of the
most serious threats. The unpleasant result of industrialization over the past century is
pollution in all forms (Figure 8).

Figure 8 Pollution
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is currently the greatest
environmental concern in the world causing ill health among the life species. It is
responsible for around 3.7 million death annually. According to UNICEF, in 1990 Africans
who died due to outdoor air pollution was 164,000 (164 thousand). This number increased
to 258,000 in 2017. Industrial sources and automobiles are the primary contributors to air
pollution. The NOx and particulates from automobiles remain suspended in the air.
Acid rain
Acidic precipitation is believed to be primarily induced by the emission of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and oxides of nitrogen into the atmosphere (Figure 9).

Figure 9 Acid rain

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 Added to this are the emissions from burning biomass. Further poor air quality is
also caused by dust storms. According to an assessment from the EU's environment
agency, air pollution caused 400,000 (4 hundred thousand) deaths in the EU in 2012
alone.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased focus on the
role of air pollution, on how the chemicals play in the transfer of viral molecules.
Preliminary investigations have found a positive link between COVID-19-related deaths
and air pollution. An association is found between airborne particles and the propagation
of the virus. This may have contributed to the high death toll in China, where the air quality
is very poor. However research is required to find whether there is link between air
pollution and the spread of virus.Nearly 25-40 million people are affected due to air
pollution in the 20th century. This is because of the emission of industrial chemicals such
as CFCs. It is stated that the ozone layer has become thinner.This is because of a newly
discovered effect of air pollution namely the expanding "hole" in the ozone layer in the
atmosphere above Antarctica. Further there is mounting evidence of global ozone
depletion.This can increased the quantity of UV light that reaches the earth. This can
cause crop damage and skin cancer.
There are different types of pollution which is becoming a threat to the environment.
a. Water pollution
b. Poisoned Rainwater
c. Contaminated Groundwater
d. Salinated Water
e. Nutrient Pollution
f. Plastic Pollution
a. Water pollution: Earth's fresh water resources are dwindling, which is a significant
contributor to environmental degradation. Approximately 1.2 billion people on
Earth do not have access to safe drinking water.
b. Poisoned Rainwater: Rainwater collected in places with high population
concentrations and industrial activity has become poisonous. Both mankind and
animals are now poisoned by pollutant components such as nitrites, nitrates, sulfur
dioxide, and sulphates.
c. Contaminated Groundwater: Ground water, aquifers, and rivers are becoming
increasingly polluted. This is because of the liberal use of fertilizers and
agrichemicals for pest control to increase the production of agricultural products.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to get pure drinking water.
d. Salinated Water: As aquifers in coastal locations are getting overexploited and
their levels decline, seawater penetrates and takes their place. This causes
salinated water to get filled in the natural aquifiers.

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e. Nutrient Pollution: In addition, nutrient pollution from fertilizers, houses, and other
sources causes eutrophication in lakes, ponds, and the oceans. According to
Mongabay, nutrient pollution and global warming have created 500 oxygen-free
dead zones in the oceans.
f. Plastic Pollution: According to the 2018 Global Risks Report, micro-plastics are
present in 83 percent of the world's tap water due to plastic pollution. And majority
of the world population drinks the tap water.Further as a result of agricultural and
industrial chemical pollution, plants, animals sea species are killed or harmed by
these poisonous materials
According to a survey published in the scientific journal Nature, around 14 million
tons of plastics get into the oceans annually. This endangers the ecological habitats and
the species that inhabit the oceans. If no action is taken, it is expected that the plastic
catastrophe would expand to 29 million metric tons per year by 2040. Further if we are
going to include the micro-plastics in the ocean, then the number is expected to reach
600 million tons by 2040.
4. Natural Resources Drain
An expanding global population causes a drain on the natural resources (Figure
10) since a greater number of people on planet earth requires more amount of natural
resources.

Figure 10 Drain of natural resources

As the human population continues to increase, environmental stress and resource

depletion increase. As the population increases, more wood in the forest has to be
removed, for developing infrastructure, more "things" is manufactured, and consequently
more pollution is generated. Thus an expanding global population poses a hazard to the
environment. However, this is also related to the larger challenge posed by consumption,
which is far more intricate and closely related to the distinct supply and demand structure.
The Australian Academy notes that consumption might vary depending on economic
level, age, and gender.

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Food Waste
Around 1.3 billion tons of the food intended for human use is lost or squandered
(Figure 11). This would feed three billion people

Figure 11 Food waste

A third of greenhouse gas emissions each year are attributable to food loss and
waste. Both developing and established nations experience food loss and waste at
various stages; while in developing nations, 40% of food waste happens at the post-
harvest and processing levels, in developed nations, 40% of food waste occurs at the
retail and consumer levels. A startling amount of food is thrown away at the retail level
due to aesthetic considerations. For example, in the US, more than 50% of all produce is
discarded because it is regarded "too ugly" to be sold to consumers, which equates to
nearly 60 million tons of fruits and vegetables. Food insecurity is a result of this, which is
another of the top environmental issues on the list.
5. Water crisis
Water scarcity is one of the primary environmental issues identified by the WWF.
Every continent is experiencing a water deficit (Figure 12).

Figure 12 Drought conditions

Deutsche Welle reports that although 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered
by water, only 2.5% of this water is drinking, fresh water that people, plants, and animals

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can use for drinking. The majority of cases are caused by irresponsible overuse. The
demand for water extracted from groundwater-reservoirs and rivers is increasing.
6. Deforestation Impact
WWF considers deforestation a major environmental problem (Figure 13).
According to the 2018 Global Risks Report, 29.7 million hectares of forests has been
cleared during 2016.

Figure 13 Deforestation
Deforestation causes a serious threat to the natural equilibrium of ecological
systems. This is predominantly found in areas where trees are cut down and beyond.
Further drought can have a serious impact on food production, because forest loss is
directly related to soil erosion. Deforestation is also one of the major reasons for global
warming. In addition, it is responsible for the reduction of atmospheric oxygen and the
displacement of flora and fauna.
• Brazil,
• the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and
• Indonesia
are the three countries with the highest rates of deforestation. Since the turn of the
century, realizing the importance, Indonesia is combating deforestation by growing more
trees and presently is found to have started several afforestation measures.
7. Soil Degradation
According to WWF, soil degradation is another important threat to the environment
(Figure 14). The diverse outcomes of soil degradation can have devastating effects on all
forms of life. This soil degradation causes
• soil erosion,
• soil compaction,
• soil damage.

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 Figure 14 Soil degradation
Soil erosion can happen due to wind or water, when the protective cover of trees
and other vegetation is destroyed and the top soil is lost.
Soil compaction happens in regions where the ground is over-grazed, i.e. the soil
loses its fertility. The ground is not able to support the plants necessary for mineral
recycling.
Soil damage is caused by intensive tillage characteristic of modern agriculture.
Compaction and loss of soil reduces the land's capacity to absorb and retain
precipitation. This can result in soil drought and further decreases the recharge of
groundwater reservoirs and rivers. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that
the removed soil is deposited downstream as sediments, which, in excessive quantities,
can pollute and harm fish and other aquatic life.
8. Oceanic dead zones
When oxygen levels in the sea drops very low, the marine life in that part of the
ocean can no longer support marine life and the ocean develops "dead zones" (Figure
15).

Figure 15 Oceanic dead zones

Typically, they appear in heavily populated coastal regions, such as the Gulf Coast
of North America, where the water contains many pollutants.

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Ocean Acidification
The increase in global temperatures has had an impact on the ocean's pH levels
as well as the Earth's surface (Figure 16).

Figure 16 Ocean acidification

About 30% of the carbon dioxide produced into the Earth's atmosphere is absorbed
by our seas. The amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed back into the water increases
as larger concentrations of carbon emissions are released as a result of human activities
like burning fossil fuels and effects of global climate change like increased rates of
wildfires. The ocean's acidity can be significantly affected by even the smallest pH scale
adjustment. Ocean acidification has the potential to have a significant impact on marine
ecosystems, species, food webs, and habitat quality. Marine species like oysters, their
shells, and even their skeletons may start to dissolve once pH levels are too low.
However, coral bleaching and the ensuing loss of coral reefs are two of the major
environmental issues caused by ocean acidification. This phenomenon happens when
the symbiotic interaction between coral reefs and the algae that dwells there is disrupted
by rising water temperatures, pushing the algae away and causing coral reefs to lose their
naturally brilliant colors. According to some scientists, coral reefs could disappear entirely
by 2050.
The ability of coral reef systems to rebuild their exoskeletons and recover from
these coral bleaching events would be hindered by higher ocean acidity. Ocean
acidification has also been connected in several research as one consequence of ocean
plastic pollution. The buildup of germs and other microbes caused by plastic waste
deposited in the ocean harms marine ecosystems and causes coral bleaching.
Some criticisms that is getting recorded is
Poor Governance
According to economists such as Nicholas Stern, the climate catastrophe stems
from various market failures.

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 Economists and environmentalists have urged policymakers for years to increase
the price of activities that emit greenhouse gases (one of our greatest environmental
problems). The absence of what constitutes the greatest market failure, is the failure to
introduce carbon taxes globally. Introduction of carbon tax, is expected to stimulate the
development of low-carbon technologies. To reduce emissions fast and efficiently,
governments must not only substantially increase support for green innovation to reduce
the price of low-carbon energy sources, but also implement a variety of other policies that
address the other market inefficiencies.
Currently, a national carbon tax is in effect in 27 countries throughout the world,
including several EU nations, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Ukraine, and Argentina.
According to the 2019 OECD Tax Energy Use report, however, current tax systems are
not sufficiently aligned with the emission profile of energy sources. For instance, the
OECD suggests that carbon taxes on coal extraction are not severe enough,
notwithstanding their effectiveness for the energy business. Sweden has successfully
adopted a carbon tax; the charge is $127 per tonne and has decreased emissions by 25
percent since 1995, while the country's GDP has grown by 75 percent over the same
period.
According to the Paris Agreement, a pact made as part of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, nations must drastically cut their emissions
of greenhouse gases by the year 2100, ideally to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. However,
joining it is optional, and breaking it has no practical consequences.
The topic of equity, which permits certain nations, like China, to profit from allowing
poorer nations to pollute more in order to advance to the point where they can create
technology to emit less, continues to be a difficult one.
To conclude
• Our time has seen significant advancements in science, technology, and finance.
• Today's generation is up against a significant challenge: how to use the resources
at hand sustainably to create a more resilient future.
• It is the duty of scientists, decision-makers, global leaders, societies, and
governments from different areas and countries to lower the global dangers by
establishing more achievable goals and cooperating to create a better world for
everybody.

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