Problem Identification

Negligence of sustainable development will destroy ecology and

environment endangering the survival of future generations.

Environmental Concerns
From pollution and deforestation to global warming and habitat loss, our
environment’s health is looking increasingly grim as the years go by—but all is
not yet lost. We can still turn things around if we make a serious commitment to
changing our habits and investing in sustainability.

Wildlife Conservation
Focusing our efforts on wildlife conservation is more pressing than ever. Due to
an unfortunate confluence of factors—like habitat loss, invasive predatory
species, and disease—wildlife populations have declined at a rate 1000 to 10,000
times faster than what would be expected without human impact. Indeed, 99% of
the current at-risk species are directly threatened by human activity.[1]
Wildlife conservation is vital to our ecosystems to preserve our planet’s
biodiversity, the variety of life found in each ecosystem. Every species native to a
specific ecosystem has a specific job to do, no matter how small. Biodiversity
ensures survival across species, from animal, to plant, and even insects.[2]
Consider bees. Population collapse of bee colonies around the world imperils not
only insect biodiversity, but as pollinators, bees also ensure the survival of
thousands of flowering plants and the animals that consume them—including
humans.

Massive Coral Reef Die-offs

Coral reefs only cover a small percentage of the vast ocean, but they’re home to
about 25% of all ocean species. Ocean acidification, overfishing, physical
destruction, and human pollution bleach and destroy reefs. Climate change
disrupts corals’ food chain, compromising their ability to survive while
encouraging the proliferation of opportunistic fungi that transform these colourful
coral forests into underwater graveyards.[3]
In addition to warming oceans, ocean acidification poses another dangerous
threat, hindering coral reefs from building their skeletons and even breaking apart
existing reef structures and causing corals themselves to crumble when touched.
Humans have a more direct and harmful influence on the decline in coral reefs by
overfishing, which disrupts their ecosystems and leads to an overpopulation of
invasive species that can dominate the coral reefs. Additionally, even activities
that seem totally unrelated like pesticide runoff from lawn care and sewage can
all reach our oceans and make water inhospitable for marine life.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is any kind of pollutant found in lakes, streams, rivers, oceans,
and human water systems that contain harmful compounds. This pollution is
caused by human sewage, improperly disposed of toxic waste, accidental oil
spills, and even sediment from soil erosion. Water pollution presents a clear
danger to marine life, but it affects all life. Sewage and agricultural runoff
encourage the growth of algal blooms that rob the water of dissolved oxygen.
Synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and other medications often end up in water,
leading to unfortunate side effects for animals that are exposed.
Air Pollution
Emissions from vehicles, industry, and power plants are what come to mind when
most people think of air pollution, but methane and other gases from landfills and
animal agriculture are significant contributors as well. The release of heat-
trapping air pollution perpetuates a positive feedback loop that further increases
the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Beyond climate
change, these air pollutants endanger our health, but children and the poor often
face the most serious health consequences.
But it’s not just large companies that release these harmful gases into the
atmosphere—your taste in consumer products also contributes. Even small
things like cleaning products, cigarettes, and air fresheners release toxic gases
called volatile organic compounds, more commonly called VOCs, that have been
linked to cancer in humans and hormone disruption in wildlife. Natural disasters
like dust storms from new desertification, wildfires, and volcanoes all compromise
the air quality even thousands of miles away.

Unsustainable Waste Generation

We are encouraged to create a lot of waste with little insight into how it affects the
world at large. We produce and consume at an incredible rate, stripping natural
resources from the environment. Hyper consumption leaves trash
nonbiodegradable trash in the form of plastic packaging, toxic e-waste, and
harmful chemicals that leach into our waterways. When making new purchases,
think about the life cycle of the product—from its manufacture to the end of its
useful life. Many of the things in our homes will one day end up in a landfill takes
dozens of years if not centuries to degrade.
Minimalism and zero waste are becoming more mainstream since modern
technology allow us to have significantly fewer things today. With our lives lived
increasingly in digital environments, belongings like books, music collections, art,
and even what need to work, and study can all fit neatly in the cloud. Consider
your purchases carefully before making them and buy things that serve multiple
purposes and last for years.  
Climate Change
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and
CFCs are released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels that
power our cars and houses, fertilizers, deforestation, and decomposing waste.
[4] An increase in these gases leads to a warming planet that promises to drown
the large coastal cities where much of the world’s human population lives.[5]
Climate change causes extreme weather such as heat waves, storms, and forest
fires. These effects endanger our safety and our economic welfare. In the long-
term, it will have adverse effects on public health, ecosystems, and water and
food resources.[4]

Deforestation
Deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate all around the globe. Between 1990
and 2016, we lost about 502,000 square miles of forests—the equivalent of the
landmass of South Africa.[6] The rate of deforestation is due in large part to
animal agriculture, mining, and drilling. Forests are also being replaced to grow
palm oil, a common ingredient in mass-produced processed food, soaps, and
cleaning products, that’s destroyed what was once the habitat of orangutans.

Overpopulation
Since 1950, the human population rose from 5.3 billion to 7.3 billion people
worldwide.[7] By 2050, it’s expected to grow to 9.7 billion people.[2] This
population growth is due to the increase in survival rates for mothers and their
children, increased availability in life-saving medicines and vaccines, longer life
spans, and greater access to nutritious food. A growing population puts a greater
strain on our natural resources to produce more to keep a greater number of
people healthy and productive.   

Natural Disasters
Natural disasters include hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and drought. The
economic costs of these disasters are staggering. From 1980-2018, natural
disasters caused $1,537.4 billion in damages in the United States alone.
[8] These disasters also affect the survival of entire ecosystems and the plants
and animals that rely on them. As the world continues to warm, scientists expect
the effects and costs to worsen if global warming continues unabated.
Ignoring That There Is a Problem
We all know that our planet is in danger, but many people, especially those in
power, prefer to put their heads in the sand rather than alienate or frighten their
supporters. Climate change over the past 50 years has been easy to write off
since these changes are difficult to see year over year—especially in areas that
have yet to experience the devastation wrought by climate change—but the hard
evidence, like extreme weather and severe droughts, is increasingly difficult to
refute.

Responsible organizations and companies can drive the way to greater

sustainability with responsible resource management and transparent
manufacturing practices. Customers like you can likewise refuse to buy products
and services that are produced irresponsibly, while supporting companies whose
ethos align with yours.  We only have one planet and it’s up to all of us to take
better care of it for the generations to come.
17. Genetic Modification Of Crops

Environmental issues caused by man-made chemicals are becoming

clearer. For example, there has been a 90% reduction in the
Monarch butterfly population in the United States that can
be linked to weed killers that contain glyphosate.

There is also some speculation that genetically-modified plants

may leak chemical compounds into soil through their roots, possibly
affecting communities of microorganisms.

16. Waste Production

The average person produces 4.3 pounds of waste per day, with the
United States alone accounting for 220 million tons per year. Much
of this waste ends up in landfills, which generate enormous
amounts of methane.

Not only does this create explosion hazards, but methane also ranks
as one of the worst of the greenhouse gases because of its
high global warming potential.

15. Population Growth

Many of the issues listed here result from the massive population
growth that Earth has experienced in the last century. The planet’s
population grows by 1.13% per year, which works out to 80 million
people.

This results in a number of issues, such as a lack of fresh water,

habitat loss for wild animals, overuse of natural resources and even
species extinction. The latter is particularly damaging, as the planet
is now losing 30,000 species per year.

14. Water Pollution

Fresh water is crucial to life on Earth, yet more sources are being
polluted through human activities each year. On a global scale, 2
million tons of sewage, agricultural and industrial waste enters the
world’s water every day.

Water pollution can have harmful effects outside of contamination

of the water we drink. It also disrupts marine life, sometimes
altering reproductive cycles and increasing mortality rates.

13. Deforestation

The demands of an increasing population has resulted in increasing

levels of deforestation. Current estimates state that the planet is
losing 80,000 acres of tropical forests per day.

This results in loss of habitat for many species, placing many at risk
and leading to large-scale extinction. Furthermore, deforestation is
estimated to produce 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

12. Urban Sprawl

The continued expansion of urban areas into traditionally rural

regions is not without its problems. Urban sprawl has been linked to
environmental issues like air and water pollution increases, in
addition to the creation of heat-islands.

Satellite images produced by NASA have also shown how urban

sprawl contributes to forest fragmentation, which often leads to
larger deforestation.

We have written an article outlining exactly what is urban

sprawl? the issues it creates, along with potential solutions to those
issues.
11. Overfishing

It is estimated that 63% of global fish stocks are now considered

overfished. This has led to many fishing fleets heading to new
waters, which will only serve to deplete fish stocks further.

Overfishing leads to a misbalance of ocean life, severely affecting

natural ecosystems in the process. Furthermore, it also has negative
effects on coastal communities that rely on fishing to support their
economies.

10. Acid Rain

Acid rain comes as a result of air pollution, mostly through

chemicals released into the environment when fuel is burned. Its
effects are most clearly seen in aquatic ecosystems,
where increasing acidity in the water can lead to animal deaths.

It also causes various issues for trees. Though it doesn’t kill trees
directly, acid rain does weaken them by damaging leaves, poisoning
the trees and limiting their available nutrients.

9. Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone depletion is caused by the release of chemicals, primarily

chlorine and bromide, into the atmosphere. A single atom of either
has the potential to destroy thousands of ozone molecules before
leaving the stratosphere.

Ozone depletion results in more UVB radiation reaching the Earth’s

surface. UVB has been linked to skin cancer and eye disease, plus it
affects plant life and has been linked to a reduction of plankton in
marine environments.
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.

We have written a sperate article breaking down 6 Causes of Air

Pollution, their effects along with some solutions to this growing
problem. After doing extensive research we were able to see how
these issues may impact our future.

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

adjusting, humanity can have a direct and positive impact on the
environment.
OTHER NAMES:
Environmentally unsustainable development
Failure to recognize limits to growth
NATURE:
Unsustainable development compromises the ability of future generations to meet their
needs. Phenomena including global warming, destruction of the ozone shield,
acidification of land and water, desertification and soil loss, deforestation and forest
decline, diminishing productivity of land and waters, and extinction of species and
populations, demonstrate that human demand is exceeding environmental support
capacities. Population growth increases poverty and deprived people are forced to
undermine the productivity of the land on which they live. It is extremely difficult for
people, or other species, to adjust to change at this rate.

BROADER PROBLEMS:
Irreversible problem emergence
Irreversible environmental trends

NARROWER PROBLEMS:
Maldevelopment
Resource depletion
Uncontrolled urban development
Unsustainable rural development
Unsustainable population levels
Unsustainable energy consumption
Socially unsustainable development
Unsustainable economic development
Unsustainable scale of development
Excessive consumption of resources in industrialized countries
Destruction inherent in development
Unsustainable agricultural development
Irreversible depletion of natural capital
Unsustainable development of forest lands
Unsustainable development of fresh waters
Unsustainable development of coastal zones
Increasing unsustainability of global development
Unethical practices in natural resource management
Imperfect synthesis of concepts of sustainable development
Environmental impact of sports

AGGRAVATES:
Environmental degradation
Human consumption of animals
Irresponsibility towards future generations

STRATEGIES:
Reducing energy consumption
Creating sustainable cities
Advocating sustainable development
Creating global sustainability
Developing sustainable economic systems
Ensuring national economic policies support sustainable development
Managing land
Managing land
Reducing population growth
Addressing acute debt-servicing problems
Ensuring sustainable population levels
Promoting sustainable energy consumption
Achieving sustainable national fiscal policies
Reducing ecologically unsustainable marine traffic
Reducing unsustainability of macroeconomic policies
Ensuring political support for sustainable policies
Recognizing ecological limits
Limiting ability to recognize ecological limits