Let’s save our Planet
Picture by Isaac Yuen
Climate Change
Impact: Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions (especially CO2 and methane) are causing sea levels to rise, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions in ecosystems and agriculture.
Why it’s urgent: Climate change has cascading effects on nearly every environmental issue, and the window to limit global warming to 1.5°C is rapidly closing.
Picture by Matt Palmer
Biodiversity Loss
Impact: Species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate due to habitat destruction, pollution, over-exploitation, and climate change. This threatens ecosystems that provide vital services like clean air, water, and pollination.
Why it’s urgent: Biodiversity underpins the health of the planet and human survival, with ecosystems on the verge of collapse due to rapid species loss.
Picture by Tahamie Farooqui
Deforestation
Impact: Large-scale deforestation, particularly in tropical rainforests like the Amazon, contributes to climate change, biodiversity loss, and disruptions to water cycles.
Why it’s urgent: Forests act as carbon sinks and are home to vast amounts of biodiversity. Deforestation accelerates climate change and eliminates ecosystems critical to global health.
Picture by Roya Ann Miller
Pollution (Air, Water, and Soil)
Impact: Industrial waste, plastic pollution, and the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers are contaminating air, waterways, and soil. Microplastics, heavy metals, and chemical pollutants are now found in ecosystems worldwide.
Why it’s urgent: Pollution affects human health, threatens wildlife, and damages ecosystems. Air pollution, in particular, is a major cause of premature deaths globally.
Picture by Antoine Giret
Water Scarcity
Impact: Due to overuse, pollution, and climate change, freshwater resources are depleting. Many regions face severe droughts, leading to food insecurity, displacement, and conflicts over resources.
Why it’s urgent: Access to clean water is essential for life, yet billions of people lack safe drinking water. Water scarcity also directly impacts agriculture and industry.
Picture by Chamika Jayasri
Ocean Acidification
Impact: The oceans are absorbing more CO2, which is lowering their pH. This makes it difficult for marine organisms, like coral and shellfish, to survive and thrive, disrupting entire marine ecosystems.
Why it’s urgent: Ocean health is critical to global ecosystems and food chains. Coral reefs, which protect shorelines and provide habitats for marine life, are especially vulnerable.
Picture by Daniel Pelaez Duque
Overpopulation and Overconsumption
Impact: As the global population continues to grow, so does the demand for resources like food, water, and energy, leading to increased strain on the environment.
Why it’s urgent: Overconsumption, especially in wealthy nations, leads to unsustainable practices that deplete resources, cause pollution, and contribute to global inequity.
Picture by Kenneth Williams
Waste Management (including Plastic Waste)
Impact: The world generates millions of tons of waste daily, with plastic waste being a significant issue. Improper waste disposal leads to environmental degradation, wildlife harm, and the proliferation of landfills.
Why it’s urgent: The long lifespan of plastics means they persist in the environment for centuries, causing widespread damage to ecosystems and marine life.
Picture by Hermes Rivera
Soil Degradation
Impact: Over-farming, deforestation, and improper agricultural practices are depleting soil nutrients, leading to reduced agricultural productivity and loss of arable land.
Why it’s urgent: Healthy soils are the foundation of food production. Soil degradation threatens food security and increases the risk of desertification.
Picture by Bernd Dittrich
Ocean Pollution
Impact: Dumping of waste, oil spills, and runoff from agriculture and industries are polluting oceans, threatening marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Why it’s urgent: Oceans cover 71% of the Earthâs surface and are vital for regulating climate and supporting biodiversity. Pollution degrades these ecosystems and affects human livelihoods.
Picture by Abukar Sky
Recommended book : The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert