Module 5 Environment

Module 5
ENVIRONMENT
The Most Important Environmental Issues Facing the Earth in The Next
Decades According to GEO-6 2019.
a. Overpopulation, urbanization and consumption. It was estimated that in

2019, there were 7.7 billion human beings living on this planet. At the same time
these people will be increasingly drawn to life in cities (50% now). It is estimated
that by 2050, roughly 68% of the population will live in urban areas that will lead
to increases in energy consumption by raising the demand for housing, food,
public utilities, land use, transportation, use of more electric appliances, etc.
b. Food production and waste for growing population. Earth encounters a rapid
global population growth and in addition climate pressures that will affect
agriculture. The result will be high demand of more food to feed the additional
population. Countries have to use greater efficiency and resilience in food
production and to encourage people everywhere to adopt diets that are more
sustainable (reduce meat consumption). Food waste is a huge part of the
problem. About 1/3 of all food produced for human consumption is ultimately lost
or wasted.
c. Climate change and rising temperatures. The United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change as “a change
in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the
composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate
variability observed over comparable periods of time” (UNFCCC, 1992). Floods,
droughts, forest fires and other climate disasters are already disrupting Earth‘s
food supply, natural resources and human health. Such threats will probably
become more frequent in the future.
d. Biodiversity is under serious threats as a result of human activities in exploiting

natural resources (air, soil, marine environment, forests, and aquatic resources).
The main dangers worldwide are population growth and resource consumption,
climate change and global warming, habitat conversion and urbanization,
invasive alien species, over-exploitation of natural resources and environmental
degradation. The three greatest proximate threats to biodiversity are habitat loss,
overharvesting, and introduction of exotic 7 species. Toxic pollution, has specific
targeted effects on species, but is not generally seen as threats at the magnitude
of the other causes.
e. Overexploitation of natural resources and ecosystems. Throughout of the

history of established human societies, their survival is dependent on exploitation
of natural resources. Even primitive humans have manipulated natural resources
to produce the materials (food, energy. construction materials, medicinal
products) they needed to sustain their growing populations. Natural resources
are an important material basis for a stable natural economy and social
development.
f. Global energy demand and renewable energy production.
Global energy demand is increasing substantially in the last decades and
although renewable energy production is on the increase, electricity generated
from coal and fossil fuels is also on the rise. Latest statistical evidence show that
about 2/3 of global electricity production still comes from fossil fuels which
produce CO2. Renewable power capacity is set to expand by 50% between 2019
and 2024, led by solar PV (PhotoVoltaic systems) and installation of wind
turbines (Renewables Now, 2018 https://renewablesnow.com/news/global-
renewables-capacity-reaches-235-tw-in-2018-649118/).
The relationship between economic growth and the environment has multiple
aspects and is a complex problem. Most of the key natural resources and ecosystems
services are scarce or under pressure. Thus, achieving sustained economic growth will
require absolute decoupling of the production of goods and services from their
environmental impacts. We have to make sure that our economic activity and
advancement will not seriously impact our environment. For we only have one planet to
live, unless you also believe that there is a place somewhere better that is better that
this planet.
Task for Today
Please watch the video on the link below and try to reflect how our forest played
a significant role to maintain a balance ecosystem and how it is being exploited for the
sake of our economic advancement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkaxUblCGz0
Activity 1
Identify at least three (3) environmental issues in your community and try to
examine its cause and effect and how it deters the development in your locality?
Simple Ways to Solve Environmental Problems
We are currently facing the most critical environmental issues in human history.
Our climate, planet, lives, and future as a civilization are all at risk. While the magnitude
of that thought can be extremely overwhelming, don’t allow yourself to feel helpless, not
knowing where to begin. Making small steps and adjustments in your daily routine will
give you a sense of success and a yearning to attempt more.
Here are 5 simple ways you can help the environment and spark others to
become more environmentally aware according to Unity College USA, Americas
Environmental College.
1. Replace disposable items with reusable
Anything you use and throw away can potentially spend centuries in a landfill. See
below for simple adjustments you can make to decrease the amount of disposable
items in your daily life.
 Carry your own reusable cup or water bottle

 Use airtight, reusable food containers instead of sandwich bags and plastic wrap
 Pack a waste-free lunch: carry your utensils, cloth napkin, and containers in an
reusable lunch bag
 Bring your own bags to the grocery store
 Consider buying bulk containers of your preferred beverages and refilling a
reusable bottle, instead of buying individually-packaged drinks
 Use rechargeable batteries
2. Pass on paper
We are living in the Digital Era, but think about all the paper products you use in your
daily life. These actions still align with reusing and repurposing, though may take a little
more time for transition.
 Join a library instead of buying books or buy a Kindle

 Print as little as possible; and if you must, print on both sides
 Wrap gifts in fabric and tie with ribbon; both are reusable and prettier than paper
and sticky-tape
 Stop using paper towels and incorporate washable cloths
 Cut out products made by palm oil companies that contribute to deforestation in
Indonesia and Malaysia
3. Conserve water & electricity
The tips you see below will seem like no-brainers; however, it may take to become
more aware of your unconscious habits.
 Turn the sink water off when brushing your teeth

 Water the lawn in the morning or evening; cooler air causes less evaporation
 Switch off anything that uses electricity when not in use (lights, televisions,
computers, printers, etc.)
 Unplug devices when possible; even when an appliance is turned off, it may still
use power
 Remove chemicals inside of the house; research companies that use plant-derived
ingredients for their household cleaning products
 Remove chemicals outside of the house; use eco-friendly pesticides and
herbicides that won’t contaminate groundwater
 Consider signing up for a renewable energy producer that uses 100% renewable
energy to power homes
4. Support local & environmentally friendly
Here are a few reasons to start buying local:
 Reduces plastic and paper waste

 Boosts cost efficiency
 Enables bulk purchasing
 Helps support your neighbours
 Retains farmland within the community
 Builds up the local economy
 Uses fewer chemicals for both for growing and transporting
5. Recycle (& then recycle properly)
Implementing recycling habits into your daily life is one of the most effective ways to
help lessen landfill waste, conserve natural resources, save habitats, reduce pollution,
cut down on energy consumption, and slow down global warming.
 Confirm you are using the proper separation containers for your household per the
local recycling services
 Remember to make sure your trash bags are recycled or biodegradable, and
always cut up the plastic rings from packs of beer or soda to prevent wildlife from
getting caught
 Educate yourself about what can and cannot be recycled, as not all plastic and
cardboard is acceptable (like pizza boxes for example, due to the grease)
 Learn how to identify and dispose of hazardous waste properly
For further readings: https://unity.edu/sustainability/ways-to-solve-environmental-

problems/
In pursuit of development, we have taken a lot from this planet. We dig whatever
elements and minerals that we could use to whatever human advancement that we
thought could lead us to a better future. We continue to exploit all available natural
resources without thinking its adverse effect in our environment and to the future
generation. We keep on striving for a better economic condition while sacrificing the
welfare of our environment without thinking that its welfare is equivalent to our life.
Taking care of our environment is not an obligation- our environment is our life
therefore, it is mandatory. If we will not change our perspective, it will be a big trouble in
the future as our population continue to increase while our natural resource is depleting.
If this day to day business continues, the future that awaits us as per predicted by some
development experts will be extinction. I hope, the above listed simple ways on how to
address environmental issues would enlighten your minds on simple acts that could be
useful to our environment.
Activity 1
Based on your identified environmental issues in your locality, examine what actions
were taken by your local officials to solve the problem and formulate your simple plan
that could also be used in addressing your identified environmental issues.
.

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Module 5

a. Overpopulation, urbanization and consumption. It was estimated that in

c. Climate change and rising temperatures. The United Nations Framework

d. Biodiversity is under serious threats as a result of human activities in exploiting

e. Overexploitation of natural resources and ecosystems. Throughout of the

Task for Today

1. Replace disposable items with reusable

 Carry your own reusable cup or water bottle

 Join a library instead of buying books or buy a Kindle

3. Conserve water & electricity

 Turn the sink water off when brushing your teeth

4. Support local & environmentally friendly

Here are a few reasons to start buying local:

 Reduces plastic and paper waste

5. Recycle (& then recycle properly)

For further readings: https://unity.edu/sustainability/ways-to-solve-environmental-

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