ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS.

These are problems caused by nature and man within our surroundings.

Environmental problems are of two types:-

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

NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ARE:-

1.                   Drought:- This refers to the absence of rainfall over of period in a particular place.  It has a great effect on plant life, animal life, and human beings at large.
2.                   Earth Quake:- This is a sudden, violent shaking of the earth’s surface as a result of a great release of energy in the earth’s crust.  Earthquake causes damage to buildings and other infrastructures.
3.             Erosion:- It refers to the washing away or removal of the earth’s surface (Soil) through the consistent flowing of water.
4.               Flooding:- This is a situation where a large value of water settles on dry land meant for human transportation.
5.               Volcanic Eruption:- This is the eruption of lava, ashes, and gases from the opening (cracks) in a hill or mountain.
6.         Global warming:-  This refers to an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans, and landmass on Earth.
7.               Tornado: This is an evident storm with very strong winds that move in a circle in some cases, there is a long cloud that is narrower at the bottom than the top in the form of a narrow funnel
8.                 Hurricane: This is a very powerful storm with story winds and heavy RAINS
9.                     Cyclone: This refers to a violent and strong storm in which strong winds rotate in a circle

Man-made environmental problems

1.   Air Pollution: This is a great release of unwanted and dangerous substances like fumes, smoke, and dust into the atmosphere such dangerous substances affect healthy living, its effects are skin cancer, eye irritation, leg cancer, acid rain, etc.
2.   Water pollution: This is a release of pollution i.e. chemicals into water-rivers oceans, seas, etc.

This pollution mainly comes from industries during oil spillage, discharge of chemicals into water, etc. It has effects on aquatic crenels

1.   Land pollution: It covers the continuation of land with toxic substances such as oil spillage. The Niger Delta area of Nigeria is a typical example of such pollution
2. 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 earthquakes, volcanoes, and tomatoes usually cause irredeemable losses when they occur
2.   Spread of diseases: Air and water pollution will cause the spread of air and water-borne diseases
3.   Destruction of animals and plants: The occurrence of earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and land and water pollution will to the destruction of plants and animals   
4.   Low agricultural productivity: Natural and non-made environmental problems hinder agricultural activities by formers which eventually leads to a lack of food for the populace
5.   Ozone depletion: It exposes people to skin cancer and cataracts. There will also be an increase in schematic natural disasters due to global warmly

Solutions to environmental problems

1.   Education: The government should put more effort into educating the populace about the effects of non-made environmental problems
2.   Legislation: Law should be enacted to prohibit air, water, and land pollution and deforestation
3.   Sanction: Any citizen who fails to abide by environmental pollution land enacted by the government should be dealt with to act as a deterrent to others
4.   Tree planting exercises: The government should encourage individuals to plant trees by making the nurseries (where young plants and animals are ground for sale or for planting somewhere else) available at subsidized rates to people
5.   Localization of industries: Industries should be sited in designated areas for easy monitoring of their activities
6.   Proper disposal of wastes aids sewage: Definite sites should be provided at strategically located areas you dumping of refuse by the Government likewise, they should monitor the activities of sewage transportation to ensure proper disposal to the right place

Evaluation :

–           what are environmental problems?

–          List the types and explain

–          State the effects of environmental problems

–          Highlight the solution