Final PS PLG

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Environmental Degradation

Herman Walker

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Pete Thomas

ENGL 123

03/30/2023

The Growing Problem of Environmental Degradation

Abstract

Environmental degradation is among the biggest threats that are being overlooked in the world today. It is a problem that for a long time has not been effectively addressed as it should. The environment has been wrecked, common assets exhausted, and at this point, the environment can be said to be damaged and corrupted. This is a big problem and a threat to everything around it. Issues in the environment result from long-term ecological effects, and some of these effects can even destroy the whole environment if caution and effective strategies are not put in place. Therefore, it is in our best interest to ensure this does not happen by looking for effective and practical ways to solve this global threat. This can be done by using renewable resources, reducing consumption, and increasing public awareness on issues of the environment and many others.

Thesis statement: While environmental degradation is a major global issue that can be quite challenging to manage, several measures can be taken to prevent further damage to our planet and ensure a safe future for everyone.

Problems and why it should be solved: There are various causes of the degradation of the environment. Some of these causes include but are not limited to land disturbance. This is a major cause that has led to the destruction of our environment—land disturbance which could happen due to natural factors and other factors that humans influence. There are various weedy plant species, such as mustard, that are foreign and intrusive, and if the environment ruptures, these plants are allowed to begin growing and spreading. Their spread and growth are destructive as they could start controlling nature, hence the elimination natural greenery thus environmental destruction (Ahuti,2015).

Human activities such as over-consumption mean consuming resources that we cannot replenish. Ecosystems do not have the ability of coping with excessive extraction of resources, and this results in loss of biodiversity and deterioration of nature, which in turn leads to the destruction of the environment. Another cause is deforestation. This is the cutting down trees to build homes and industries (Hill,2020). This is very bad, especially if the cut trees are not planted. This is because of the rapid population growth; therefore, humans need more space for their homes and more land for agriculture at the expense of our environment. This is a real problem as they dispute the need to get shelter and our duty to protect mother nature.

Pollution is also another issue—any kind of pollution, be it air, water, or noise, harms our environment. Air pollution pollutes the air we breathe, causing health problems. Water pollution destroys the quality of water people drink and the living things that live in water bodies (Liang & Yang,2019). At the same time, land pollution degrades the earth's surface due to human activities. All these activities and practices and many others are harmful to the environment. Therefore, there is a dire need to implement strategies that control and minimize environmental degradation because if the environment is destroyed, it will be a huge problem for all living things as we all exist in an environment.

Potential Solutions: In addressing this issue, several strategies can be implemented. First, it is important to ensure that we stop deforestation. Trees are very important sources of life as they produce oxygen and are home to many animals and plants; thus, cutting them down means depriving them of their shelter, hence we will endanger them. We need to reduce consumption levels to avoid ecological effects. It is also important to ensure the utilization of renewable resources like solar and wind power; this helps reduce emissions. The most important and best solution to this pressing problem is increasing public awareness of environmental problems (Barbier & Hochard,2018). Most people are unaware that some of their actions are naturally destructive to the environment, and continued practice of those activities is endangering the environment and causing irreplaceable damage. Therefore, the most important is to create public awareness by educating the masses through several channels, such as mass media and social media, since they have a huge following which means a wider audience. Most environmental problems come from human activities; therefore, if people know how dangerous their actions could be, they will control them and thus make informed decisions.

Refuting possible objections: In a discussion about what is the right thing to do, especially with issues that require great global attention, there are always opposing sides and positions. Some people would probably argue that denying people to cut trees might be a good action for our environment; however, what about us and what we need as human beings shelter is a basic need, and if cutting down trees offers this, why not do it for the sake of humanity. Solving environmental degradation might not be as easy as it sounds; however, everybody must take responsibility for their actions.

Call for action: People must be aware of the activities that are dangerous to the environment and avoid them. Similarly, the government should pass rules and regulations that inhibit the cutting down trees and other practices that endanger our environment.

References:

Ahuti, S. (2015). Industrial growth and environmental degradation. International Education and Research Journal, 1(5), 5–7.

Barbier, E. B., & Hochard, J. P. (2018). Land degradation and poverty. Nature Sustainability, 1(11), 623-631.

Hill, M. K. (2020). Understanding environmental pollution. Cambridge University Press.

Liang, W., & Yang, M. (2019). Urbanization, economic growth, and environmental pollution: Evidence from China. Sustainable Computing: Informatics and Systems,  21, 1-9.