1.2.3-Environmental Issues

• Climate change

  Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth, largely driven by human activities
• Causes of climate change

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Deforestation
  • Agricultural Practices
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions


  Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) into the atmosphere
• Deforestation


  Reduces the number of trees that absorb CO₂, increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
• Agricultural Practices

  Includes methane emissions from livestock and rice paddies, and nitrous oxide from fertilized soils
• Impacts of climate change

  • Global Warming
  • Extreme Weather
  • Melting Ice Caps
  • Ecosystem Disruption
• Global Warming

  Increase in Earth's average temperature
• Extreme Weather


  More frequent and severe storms, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall
• Melting Ice Caps

  Rising sea levels leading to flooding and loss of habitat for polar species
• Ecosystem Disruption

  Changes in habitats affecting wildlife and plant species
• Types of Pollution

  • Air Pollution
  • Water Pollution
  • Soil Pollution
  • Noise Pollution
• Air Pollution Sources

  • Emissions from vehicles
  • Industrial processes
  • Power plants
• Air Pollution Pollutants

  • Particulate matter (PM)
  • Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)
  • Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Air Pollution Impacts

  Respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and environmental damage such as acid rain
• Water Pollution Sources

  • Industrial discharges
  • Agricultural runoff
  • Sewage
  • Plastic waste
• Water Pollution Impacts

  Contamination of drinking water, harm to aquatic life, and disruption of ecosystems
• Soil Pollution Sources

  • Use of pesticides and fertilizers
  • Industrial waste
  • Hazardous chemicals
• Soil Pollution Impacts

  Reduced soil fertility, contamination of crops, and harm to wildlife
• Noise Pollution Sources

  • Traffic
  • Industrial activities
  • Loud music
• Noise Pollution Impacts


  Hearing loss, stress, and disruption of wildlife behavior
• Non-Renewable Resources


  Resources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale
• Non-Renewable Resources Examples


  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
  • Metals
  • Minerals
• Non-Renewable Resources Impacts

  Depletion of resources can lead to increased extraction costs, environmental degradation, and geopolitical tensions
• Renewable Resources


  Resources that are replenished naturally
• Renewable Resources Examples

  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Biomass
• Renewable Resources Challenges

  Managing renewable resources to avoid overuse (e.g., deforestation for biomass)
• Types of Waste

  • Solid Waste
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Plastic Waste
• Solid Waste Sources


  • Household trash
  • Industrial waste
  • Construction debris
• Solid Waste Impacts


  Landfills take up space, can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater
• Hazardous Waste Sources

  • Chemical solvents
  • Batteries
  • Electronic waste
• Hazardous Waste Impacts

  Requires special handling to avoid health risks and environmental contamination
• Plastic Waste Sources

  • Packaging
  • Single-use plastics
  • Microplastics
• Plastic Waste Impacts

  Persistent in the environment, harmful to wildlife, and can enter the food chain
• Waste Reduction Strategies

  • Recycling
  • Composting
  • Waste Minimization
• Recycling


  Converting waste materials into new products
• Composting

  Decomposing organic waste into nutrient-rich soil
• Waste Minimization

  Reducing the amount of waste produced through design and consumer choices
• Conservation Importance

  Protecting various species and ecosystems to maintain ecological balance
• Natural Resources Importance

  Ensuring sustainable use of resources to avoid depletion and environmental harm
• Conservation Strategies

  • Protected Areas
  • Sustainable Practices
  • Restoration Projects