Introduction:
Environmental degradation is the destruction of the environment. When any natural habitats are destroyed, or any natural resources get depleted, the occurs ecological degradation.
MEANING:
Environmental degradation means, any change or disturbances in the natural surrounding which is undesirable and permanent. It is depletion of nature through the extinction of plant and animal species, pollution, destruction to ecosystem any many more reasons.
Resources affected:
During environmental degradation the resources which are affected include,
- Water,
- Air,
- Soil,
- Wildlife,
- Natural vegetation and
Causes of environmental degradation:
There are various factors which result in the degradation of the environment.
Pollution:
Pollution means adding up of impurities. Corruption in any form, soil, air, water, and noise causes degradation of the environment. Due to contamination the natural constituents of an atmosphere or a water body or soil changes. There are also many harmful chemicals which are set-free in an environment which causes pollution and environment degradation. The core reason for pollution is industrialization and deforestation.
Overpopulation:
Uncontrolled multiplication of species is referred to as overpopulation. Since the industrial revolution, the birth rate is increasing at a rapid speed and is continuing to expand even today. Increase in population puts a strain on natural resources. Although the population is rising the deposits of any natural resource is very limited on earth. Due to massive population, there are considerable demands to meet -up. This, in turn, causes more exploitation of natural resources and degradation of the environment.
Deforestation:
Deforestation is cutting down trees and forest areas for human dwelling and industries. Deforestation contributes large proportion to global warming. It increases the level of carbon and hydrocarbons in the atmosphere leading to environmental degradation.
Land disturbance:
Land damage is the most fundamental cause of environmental degradation. Due to the release of chemicals, ruptures, droughts, etc., the quality of land decreases.
Effect of environmental degradation:
Impact on human health:
Because of a damaged environment, there is widespread of many harmful diseases which causes danger to human life. Areas exposed to toxic chemicals can cause fatal diseases like pneumonia and asthma.
The loss to biodiversity:
Due to pollution, natural calamities and large-scale deforestation damage are caused to earth’s ecology. Polluted ecology will, in turn, be dangerous of plants and animals living on land.
Global warming:
Global warming can be referred to a significant amount of increase in pollution is global warming. Deforestation, volcanic eruption, etc., release a considerable proportion of greenhouses gases. Greenhouse gasses are those gases which are responsible for global warming. Some of the greenhouse gases are carbon monoxide, methane, chlorine-floor carbon, freons, sulfur-di-oxide, nitrite, etc. The effect of this global warming is melting of glaciers, the rise in the level of ocean water, depletion of ozone layer, severe respiratory diseases, etc.
Economic impact:
With the loss of the environment, There will be no resources left for a country to use, so they will have to import it which will increase the cost. Also, environmental degradation makes the beautiful environment look ugly. Thus the rate of tourist visiting each year will also reduce. Thus, with the deterioration of environment the country’s economy also comes to an end.