The rapid deterioration of the earth's environment is often thought of as being mainly global warming or climate change. However, the reality is far more complex. In fact, the environment is deteriorating rapidly in nearly every possible way — and this is primarily due to human activity.
Major categories* of deterioration include:
Air Pollution mainly resulting from burning fossil fuels and biomass in power generation, transport, industry and households, along with some natural sources such as wildfires and dust.
Biodiversity Loss driven by habitat destruction and fragmentation, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species and climate change.
Chemical Pollution contamination of air, water, and soil by industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other hazardous substances from production, use and waste.
Climate Change caused by large-scale emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel use, deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.
Deforestation and Forest Degradation primarily due to agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure and fires.
Freshwater Degradation and Loss including excess extraction of groundwater and surface water, pollution of rivers and lakes, altered flows by dams, and climate-driven changes in availability.
Invasive Species spread through global trade, transport and travel.
Marine Ecosystem Degradation primarily caused by excessive fishing and destructive fishing methods as well as pollution and coastal development.
Mineral Depletion a result of ever-increasing demand and the depletion of easily accessible sources for non-renewable resources.
Ocean Acidification caused by the oceans absorption of the massive volume of carbon dioxide emitted by human activity.
Ozone Layer Depletion resulting mainly from emissions of ozone-depleting substances such as certain fluorinated gases.
Plastic Pollution caused by the vast and ever-increasing production of plastic and the lack of a convenient and economic means of safely disposing of used plastic products.
Rising Sea Levels due mainly to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets as well as to thermal expansion of seawater due to global warming.
Soil Degradation and Loss due to erosion, nutrient depletion, salinization, compaction, contamination, and unsustainable farming, grazing and construction practices.
Urban Sprawl and Land-Use Change resulting from the continuous expansion of cities and related infrastructure.
Wetlands Loss mainly resulting from drainage and filling for agriculture, urban expansion and infrastructure projects.
_______ * Because the various types of environmental damage are closely interconnected, categorizing and ordering them is somewhat arbitrary. Nonetheless, this list highlights the most critical issues and the diverse ways human activities are harming the earth's environment.