English paper revised

Problem Statement

Alicia Harris

Julia Intawiwat

English 215

11/05/2017

Climate Change and Destruction of Natural Resources

Indeed, a problem exists in the world, and it is posing a great threat to human life. Natural resources are down by at least 60% and what is left is also under attack, the climatic conditions are worsening by the day. It is a problem that is universal and affecting every part of the world. Climate change refers to the global or regional climate patterns which changed in the mid and late 20th century due to various factors such as increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere produced largely by use of fossil fuels (Costanza 36). Climate change is causing more harm than good from farming to other business that depends on natural resources for their establishment, these funds are being destroyed by human beings for personal gains without caring about the adverse effects the destruction has on the universe.

History, overview, and Status

Climate change was experienced in the late 20th century, and it has grown tremendously ever since. The climate patterns currently are unpredictable, and no one can rely on what they thought were the patterns previously. Climate change is a problem that is directly affecting natural resources where currently trees bud in the spring, lakes freeze and thaw while extreme events that affect large water masses are caused by changing temperatures and precipitations (Le Billon 25). Some animal species have died and are become distinct due to the problem while others are migrating to a new location in search of food sources and breeding zones. It has been reported that cases of diseases and pests outbreak in the forests have increased in the 21st century compared to years ago. Effects are more than normal since every sector is affected including the fish and aquatic life, wildlife, wetlands, drylands as well, parks and other reserved areas, water bodies and plants among others.

Economic Problems Invited by Climatic Changes

The international community has tried a lot to deal constructively with the problem of countering climate change over the past two decades. Climate change is the preeminent global crisis of our time, and through various measures and policies have been put in place, minimal positive growth is recorded. With the many articles, comprehensive reviews, and intensive research, a conclusion drawn from them is that the costs and benefits of mitigating climate change in the next five decades are uncertain (Le Billon 64). So far a lot of money has been spent by the government and non-governmental organizations to save up the world from issues to brought about by climate change. Measures put in place are money-intensive, the states spend a lot of money on these projects.

The cost of living has gone up at an alarming rate over the past few years, and that amounts to more deaths and poor living conditions. Food was available for everyone in the early 20th century, but currently, it seems like only the privileged in the society are food secure. Due to the insufficient rains or prolonged summer seasons, crops are not doing well thus causing a shortage in food supply (Creutzig 78). In 2004, food insecurity was said to be a global crisis by the UN.

Destruction of Natural Resources

Climate change and natural resources are a unit because each survives and depends on the other. Natural resources include trees, water sources, forests, mountains, lakes, seas, and oceans among others. Loss of degradation of natural resources is majorly caused by human activities. Natural resources serve the needs of both animals and humans such as shelter, clothing, energy, food et cetera. The continued depletion of these resources is putting human survival at risk because of his dependence on them. Some of the problems experienced include loss of fertile land to highways, residences, commercial centers, and grazing fields. Such land would feed more than an entire estate for months but reduce these agricultural lands is causing depleting food production as well (Creutzig 85). Use of fertilizers and pesticides to boost production in agriculture is slowly polluting the soil and rendering it harmful to humans, plants, and animals. Fossil fuel is non-renewable, and most countries in the world rely on it as the primary source of energy. Fuels such as diesel, kerosene, and petrol pollute the air after combustion leading to global warming.

Environmental degradation

This is the destruction of ecosystem or deterioration of the environment through depletion of natural resources such as soil, air, and water. It is characterized by a change in nature that appears to be pernicious. Human beings are continually developing the land economically per capita fortune not thinking about the importance of the soil and green land. He is using heavy pieces of machinery and technology that is polluting and exhausting earth’s natural resources (Rees 39). The UN identifies environmental degradation as the limit of the earth to support life both socially and environmentally. Some of the main contributors to this problem include the presence of landfills, deforestation, overpopulation, pollution, natural causes, and land disturbance among others.

Climate change, destruction of natural resources and environmental degradation are among the major problems the world is facing. Environmental matters have been issued with a red flag, and they are of international importance with talks being occasionally held among different states in the world to formulate policies and new ways of curbing problems related to the same. However, other than having human activities some biological systems degrade naturally. Some effects of these issues include impacts on human health, loss of tourism industry, ozone layer depletion, loss of biodiversity and economic influence among others.

References

Costanza, Robert, et al. An introduction to ecological economics. CRC Press, 2014.

Creutzig, Felix, et al. "Bioenergy and climate change mitigation: an assessment." Gcb Bioenergy 7.5 (2015): 916-944.

Le Billon, Philippe. Fuelling war: natural resources and armed conflicts. No. 373. Routledge, 2013.

Rees, Judith. Natural resources: allocation, economics and policy. Routledge, 2017.