The World’s 10 Worst Environmental Problems

Lets start with a short description of what are probably the 10 most commonly discussed global environmental problems. This is not in any order. I will describe each of these in detail and give my views on each later. (Modified from Speth, 2004)

1. Ozone Depletion-Loss of stratospheric ozone (O3) due to chlorofluorocarbons, halocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane, and other compounds called ODS’s or Ozone-Depleting Substances (Novel name I know).
2. Climate Change-Generally termed the heating of the earth’s average temperatures due to an increase in anthropogenic (man-made) “greenhouse gases” in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
3. Desertification-Loss of crop and grazing land due to erosion, climate change, and land use change.
4. Deforestation- Depletion of the world’s forests. This results in loss of animal habitat and biodiversity.
5. Mass extinction of species-Extinction primarily is due to loss of habitat.
6. Rapid population growth-The exponential growth of human population on the earth stressing the global earth systems.
7. Mismanagement and shortage of freshwater resources-Overuse, waste, contamination, or any other form of stressing our worldwide water supplies.
8. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution of worlds oceans
9. Mismanagement of chemicals-Threats to human health from poor use of pesticides, POP’s (Persistent Organic Pollutants), fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and countless other organic and inorganic species.
10. Acid Rain-The lowering pH of rainfall due to air pollution.

What do you think of this list?