What is environment?

We live in a world under siege from so many sectors whereby various instabilities threaten to make our future unsustainable. However, the greatest threat to humanity lies not in the prospect of nuclear annihilation but due to adverse effects brought about by environmental degradation. Various stakeholders in the fight to protect the environment has identified important aspects that need special attention if the global trend that has seen the terrifying destructions is to be stopped. The most important factor that has contributed greatly to environmental problems is globalization which has seen cut throat competition leading to complete disregard for environmental prudence in order to achieve economical success. It is a movement that seeks to leading to a complete global integration by removing barriers to international trade: unfortunately it leads to the exportation of vices all over the world.

Industrial growth and lack of political will have led to increase in the amount of green house gas emissions that leading to global warming. Global warming is the significant and persistent rise in temperatures and its effect both in the short and long run is devastating (U S Environmental protection Agency, 2009). The need for raw material has led to over exploitation of nature leading to deforestation and over mining disrupting the ecology of many regions all over the world. Deforestation which is the destruction of forest cover which would normally cushion against global warming has taken a huge tall on the environment. Other practices like destruction of wetlands and farming on the banks of rivers have drastic consequences on the sustainability of important natural resources. Demand for such animal products has led to poaching which is the hunting of wild animals to sell their products. It has led to the diminishing of some animals and the extinction of others.

While the present environmental crisis has affected all in this world, Asia has been hit hard due to its manufacturing oriented economies. Furthermore, over population which is a major characteristic in Asia has played an important role in contributing to environmental degradation. Man has exploited the environment to enrich himself without due regard to the impact his greed is having on the environment. China is the largest polluter in Asia and rivaled only by the united sates in the world. It has the most polluted cities in the world due to the unwillingness of the government to introduce laws that will stop industries from blatant pollution of nature. The major reason why countries here fail to enact conservation policies is because it’s their attitude that such laws would increase the cost of production and hence slow down growth since it is the low cost of production that attracts foreign industries. Pollution therefore is rampant both in the air, water and destruction of nature including forests.

There have been significant efforts to conserve the environment by increasing awareness. Proponents of conservation have called unto people to realize that it is unethical to exploit the environment without due regard to the impact of such exploitation. Many have argued that present generations have an obligation to preserve nature for their children and others to come. Others have argued that all living things have a right to care and protection from senseless harm and hence governments must enact laws to prohibit wanton destruction of nature (Hannigan, 2006). Many movements like going green have resulted to the use of biotechnology to cut down emissions to the environment and reduce global warming which ahs severe effects like drought, heat waves and increase in sea level. Others are working for a greener world among them koffi Annan by advocating for a forestation and better farming methods that are environment friendly.

References

• Hannigan, J. (2006). Environmental sociology. New York: Routledge publishers.
• U S Environmental protection Agency. (2009). Ecosystems and biodiversity.