A variety of
environmental problems now affect our entire world. As globalization
continues and the earth's natural processes transform local problems
into international issues, few societies are being left untouched by
major environmental problems.
Environmental Problems
The problems of the environment can be grouped under five categories:
(a) Population explosion is the rapid increase of population which started in 1650. This was brought about by advanced knowledge in medical science and technology which resulted in the increased longevity of man's existence and reduction in the death rate.
(b) Pollution is the contamination of air, water, and land with the introduction of impurities which are harmful to man and other desirable organisms. Smoke pollutes the air; improper disposal of sewage and liquid wastes pollutes the water; and junk cars and improper disposal of garbage pollute the land.
(c) The Depletion of Natural Resources will increase with the increase of population and the establishment of more factories. The natural resources particularly the metals and mineral fuels such as coal, oil and gas are exhaustible.
(d) Agricultural production cannot increase indefinitely. According to Malthus, population grows by geometric progression while food supply increases only by arithmetic progression.
(e) Industrialization is the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacture. This involves the mechanization of labor and dependence on inanimate sources of energy and the use of raw materials for the production of more goods and services.
