Environmental Problem

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Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about the environmental problem. Enjoy the class!

Environmental Problem

Environmental problems are problems caused by nature and man within our surroundings or community. The environmental problems are inevitable particularly the natural environmental problems.

Environmental problems are of two types

1. Natural environmental problems.
2. Man-made environmental problems.

Natural environmental problems

1. Drought: In simple terms, it means the absence of rainfall over a long period in a particular place. Drought may be caused by lack of rainfall, lack of cloud cover and low humidity, sudden changes in the climate of a particular place. It always has serious effects on the plant’s life and causes some streams or rivers to dry up. Furthermore, it adversely affects human beings and livestock and causes food shortage.
2. Earthquake: This refers to the result of a sudden release of energy in earth’s crust, which causes damage to buildings and other infrastructures. At the earth surface, it shakes and times displaces the ground. It is normally caused by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts and nuclear tests.
3. Erosion: simply, it refers to the washing away or removal of the earth surface (soil) through the consistent flowing of water. It is normally caused by deforestation, overgrazing, excessive rainfall, population pressure on land, etc. Some of its effects include loss of lives and properties, loss of farmlands, removal of top fertile soil etc.
   

4. Flooding: This is a situation where a large value of water settles on dry land normally meant for human beings. Some of its causes are blockage of drainage and culverts, excessive rainfalls, erection of building on water channels, improper urban planning etc. The effects include disruption of economic activities, dislocation of people, washing away of roads, destruction of lives and properties, spread of water-borne diseases etc.
5. Volcanic Eruption: This refers to the eruption of lava, ashes and gasses from opening in a hill or mountain. Its effects include the destruction of lives and properties, the disruption of socio-economic activities, etc.
6. Global Warming: This means an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans and landmass on earth. Some of its effects are extreme weather, increased freshwater flow, local climate changes, rise in temperature, low food supply etc.
7. Tornado: This is a violent and rotating column of air in contact with the ground. Many tornadoes take the form of a narrow funnel.
8. Hurricane: A hurricane is a very powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rains.Cyclone: This a violent rotating windstorm.

Man-made environmental problems

1. Air Pollution: This is the release of unwanted and dangerous substances like fumes, smoke, dust into the atmosphere. It is caused by the discharge of substances like smoke, dust and soot from industries, the release of mist from coal mining and cement factories. Some of its effects are impaired health (lungs and skin cancer, eyes irritation) acid rain, climatic variations etc.
2. Water Pollution: This is the release or injection of pollutants (chemicals) into water-rivers, oceans seas etc. A major cause is oil spillage, discharge of chemicals into the water, etc. Its effects include the existence of water-borne diseases, destruction of aquatic animals (fish) etc.
3. Land Pollution: This involves the contamination of land with toxic substances. A good example is oil spillage on land. Oil spillage is one of the greatest environmental problems in the Niger- Delta area of Nigeria.
4. Deforestation: This is the indiscriminate felling of trees and clearing of vegetation

Effects of environmental problems

1. Loss of lives and properties: Environmental problems like volcano, earthquake, tornado normally cause irredeemable losses when they occur. Usually, many lives are claimed and properties (buildings and industries) are destroyed.
2. Destruction of animals and plants: The occurrence of earthquake, hurricane, land and water pollution will lead to the destruction of plants and animals.
3. Spread of diseases: Air and water pollution will cause the spread of air and water-borne diseases.
   

4. Low agricultural productivity: Natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes and similar problems such as erosion hinder agricultural activities by farmers. This eventually leads to a lack of food for the populace.
5. Extinction of plants and animal species: This will disturb the development of new drugs for people in society. Some animals are also likely to go into extinction due to the devastating effects of earthquakes, hurricane etc.
6. Ozone depletion: This exposes people to skin cancer and cataracts. There will also be an increase in climatic natural disasters due to global warming.

Solutions to environmental problems

1. Education: Government should intensity efforts at educating the populace about the effects of man-made environmental problems like air, water and land pollution.
2. Legislation: Necessary laws should be enacted to prohibit air, water, land pollution and deforestation. Moreover, government through its agencies should make people know about these laws particularly the industrialists.
3. Sanctions: Those who flout environmental pollution laws should be dealt with to act as a deterrent to others. This will help in stressing government seriousness in controlling man-made environmental problems.
   

4. Tree planting exercises: Government should continue the tree-planting program it has started in many cities Government should encourage individuals to plant trees by making the nurseries available at subsidized rates to people.
5. Localization of industries: Industries should be sited in designated areas for easy monitoring of their activities. It will help the government to ensure that they strictly obey all laws guiding environmental pollution.
6. Proper disposal of wastes and sewage: Government should intensify effort to discourage indiscriminate burning and disposal of wastes. Definite sites should be provided at strategically located areas for the dumping of refuse. The government should also monitor the activities of sewage transportation to ensure proper disposal in the right place.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Abstinence.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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