If you’re searching for answers to the 10 biggest environmental problems and solutions, you might be concerned with the state of the planet today. If you’re worried, I want you to know that although the world faces major environmental problems, there are solutions. The solutions aren’t simple, and there are no magic bullets, but they exist. There
are also a lot of voices and opinions about environmental issues. So along with basic information about environmental problems and solutions, I also offer different perspectives and further reading so you can form your own opinions. Because there are many possible environmental solutions, and not even the “experts” have all the answers. So I encourage you to keep an open mind to every option. Let’s look for progress, not perfection. I’ll write more about the UN Sustainable Development
Goals below but wanted to mention these goals up-front. If you’re reading this article because you’re concerned about the environment (or maybe you’re feeling stressed or anxious about climate change) learn about the Global Goals first. The Global Goals offer a solid framework for solving environmental problems. Now, on to the 10 biggest environmental problems we face today. These are the 10 biggest environmental problems in no particular order. Climate change is a hot topic right now so
I include it first. It’s also first on the list simply because so many of the problems related to climate change are also connected to other environmental problems. Environmental problems like oil spills, deforestation, and poverty need to be solved in and of themselves. But solving these problems indirectly helps solve the problem of climate change. There are also environmental problems like fluorinated gases that have a large impact on the climate, but not directly on our health or
wealth. These problems are extra tricky because they’re expensive to solve and they get little media coverage. That’s why international laws and cooperation are especially important for solving the hardest problems. Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates.” Climate change happens when greenhouse
gases are released and trapped in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect creates a layer around the earth’s atmosphere that traps heat from the sun, making our atmosphere warmer, similar to a greenhouse. The following greenhouse gases contribute to climate change. Resource:
Drilled Podcast: The origins of climate denial Poverty is indirectly linked to environmental problems. When you solve issues related to poverty you also solve environmental problems such as
deforestation1, population growth, gender inequality, and climate change. The world has been making steady progress toward ending extreme poverty for years according to the UN. The COVID-19 crisis has reversed
some of the progress. But before the virus, life was better for many people around the world than ever before in history. Now, we need to deal with the crisis and get back to making progress. Related: Population growth explained with IKEA boxes Gender inequalityAlthough gender inequality is also not a direct environmental problem, solving problems like inadequate access to birth control, health services, and education has a positive impact on the economy and environment.
Related: Melinda Gates: Why equality can’t wait Fluorinated gases used in refrigerantsFluorinated gases, like the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigerators and air conditioners, are considered major contributors to climate change according to Drawdown.org. The most commonly used refrigerants have a high Global Warming Potential. The Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol offers a timeline for phasing out refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential, but it’s essential for companies and governments to maintain their commitments. To minimize your personal impact, make sure to properly recycle refrigerators and air conditioning units. If you’re not sure how to recycle an appliance contact your local waste management company.
Oil spillsIn 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig sank in the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the most environmentally damaging oil spills in history. The spill covered over 43,300 square miles. It killed and harmed dolphins, sea turtles, fish, and a variety of organisms (source). The environmental problems associated with oil have many layers. Not only does an oil spill kill wildlife and fishing industries, but oil is also a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change. Although oil is a necessary source of energy in every developed and developing country today, it comes with dire environmental problems. Wasted natural resources267.8 million tons of municipal solid waste went to landfills instead of being recycled, upcycled, composted, or used for something else in 2017, according to the EPA. That’s a lot of wasted natural resources that originally came from nature, in one form or another. In a circular economy, these natural resources would not be wasted. Instead, they could be upcycled, recycled, or used to regenerate other materials. Total Municipal Solid Waste Generated by Material, 2017. Image from the Environmental Protection Agency (source).Plastic pollutionYou’ve probably seen images of marine life drowning in plastic pollution. Maybe you’re aware of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which is about twice the size of Texas. The people and countries with the highest income generate the most plastic waste. That’s because we can afford to buy more stuff wrapped in plastic. Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem. Plastic comes from fossil fuels, which we need to phase out, so using less plastic is important. But ultimately solving the problem of plastic pollution may come down to improving waste management technology and creating a more circular economy for plastics. Related: The world’s plastic pollution crisis explained Food wasteFood waste2 is a big environmental problem. Up to 40% of food is wasted from farm to fork to landfill according to the National Resources Defense Council. There’s a lot of media coverage about how diet is related to the environment. But the majority of that coverage has to do with how individuals should eat, not how agriculture and waste management services should improve. Instead of focusing on how individuals should change their eating habits (which is so darned hard) the answers just might lie in improving technology and holding companies to higher environmental standards. This leads me to deforestation, which is closely related to agriculture. DeforestationDeforestation is linked to many environmental problems, and the biggest problem is agriculture according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States.
Related: Can planting billions of trees save the planet? Ocean acidificationOcean acidification is one of the main problems associated with climate change. It doesn’t get as much attention as other environmental problems, but it can have a major impact on ocean ecosystems.
10 environmental solutionsNow that you understand the environmental problems we face today, it’s time to understand the potential environmental solutions. I say potential solutions because the cause and effect from environmental problem to environmental solution is complex. There’s a word for this, it’s called dynamic complexity. The below environmental solutions have the potential to solve different problems within a complex, dynamic, and interconnected system. But there is no magic bullet for environmental problems. So I encourage anyone interested in environmental solutions to think big-picture. Each solution is simply one piece of a giant puzzle. Again, look for progress rather than perfection. Related: Climate solutions 101 by Project Drawdown UN Sustainable Development GoalsThe UN Sustainable Development Goals offer the best possible framework for dealing with most of the problems listed above. These are the 17 goals that almost all countries have agreed to.
Green innovationGreen innovation may be the most important environmental solution. People around the world are working on new technologies and solutions that could revolutionize the way we look at energy and waste. We haven’t scratched the surface yet on how humanity will solve these problems. But there’s no time to waste, and we need governments and companies to invest in research and development.
Read: We need clean-energy innovation and lots of it Affordable and clean energyThere are several different forms of clean and renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydro energy are considered renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy, a non-renewable source of energy that contributes little to climate change, is an example of clean energy. U.S. primary energy consumption by energy source, 2019 image from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Electrify everythingHow to make energy clean and affordable for everyone is not an easy solution to implement. However, the phrase “electrify everything” is a concept that’s fairly easy to understand. Here’s a paragraph that helped me understand how we can truly get clean and affordable energy for everyone on the planet.
Related: The Rewiring America Handbook: A Guide to Winning the Climate Fight. Carbon taxesYou may have read statements from economists like former Federal Reserve Chairmen Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, Janet Yellen, and Paul Volcker in support of a carbon tax. That’s because pollution and emissions are considered negative externalities.
Related: Why Put a Price on Carbon? by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Conservation of natural resourcesConserving the natural resources we already have is one important environmental solution. The strategies below help individuals and companies conserve resources:
Carbon capture and sequestrationCarbon capture and sequestration (CCS) removes carbon dioxide The simplest way to capture carbon is through photosynthesis. Trees and plants take atmospheric carbon dioxide and store that carbon in healthy soil and plants using photosynthesis. But there are more high-tech ways to capture and sequester carbon as well. One way is through geoengineering.
There are also companies that will sequester carbon for you. Sustainable business and investingSome businesses, like Patagonia, Interface, and IKEA, have built sustainability and resilience into the core of their companies. Others have fought against sustainability by lawyering up, using loopholes, and lying about the damage their businesses create. If we want environmental solutions, we need to support companies with sustainable business models that support progress. If you’re interested in learning more about what businesses and consumers can do, here are a few places to start:
Improved food productionThe environmental problems associated with food production get a lot of attention in the media. Some environmentalists and journalists advocate for plant-based diets and veganism as a solution to the problems associated with food. Changing our eating habits may have a small impact on the environment, but there’s a much larger movement underfoot lead by farmers and entrepreneurs. Below is a shortlist of potential environmental solutions to problems associated with food production and water shortages:
Sustainable homesOur homes use a lot of energy to run our dishwashers, washer and dryers, and HVAC systems. And let’s not forget about all the energy we use charging our computers and watching TV. It adds up. But instead of turning off our devices, it’s possible to build more efficient homes that waste less energy and use cleaner energy sources. Although we have a long way toward making most homes sustainable, here are a few environmental solutions related to homes.
Read: The ultimate guide to solar homes Home with solar panels on the roof.Environmental frameworks and certificationsAs mentioned earlier, the UN Sustainable Development Goals offer a framework for solving most environmental problems. If you’re interested in learning more about the environmental movement, here are a few places to start.
If you’re interested in buying better products, consider looking for products with these certifications.
What are the 5 major environmental problems explain?Ozone Depletion, Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming 2. Desertification 3. Deforestation 4. Loss of Biodiversity 5.
What are the 10 biggest environmental problems?The top ten environmental issues are these:. Climate Change.. Energy.. Water.. Biodiversity and Land Use.. Chemicals, Toxics and Heavy Metals.. Air Pollution.. Waste Management.. Ozone Layer Depletion.. What are the 3 major environmental problems and how can we solve them?Today, water scarcity and polluted water are posing a big threat to the human existence across many nations of the world.. Invest in and encourage production of sustainable technology.. Commercial and residential buildings should aim to achieve zero-emission or zero-waste.. What is the solution of environmental pollution?Basic solutions for air pollution must involve moving away from fossil fuels, replacing them with sustainable renewables like solar, geothermal, and wind and producing clean energy. The world is phasing out coal. 4. Now, as solar radiation is at a climatic peak, solar power is a fantastic solution.
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