WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2021: PREVENTION, HALTING & CONVERSING DEGRADATION OF ECOSYSTEM

 

People all across the world commemorate World Environment Day on June 5th each year to promote awareness about the importance of nature and the environment. Ecosystem Restoration is the theme of World Environment Day 2021. Ecosystem restoration is a process assisting the recovery of Ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. It helps in reversing losses of Ecosystem like Climate Change, invasive species, degradation, etc. Growing trees, green cities, rewilding gardens, changing diets, and cleaning up rivers and beaches are all examples of ecosystem restoration.

What is the Environment?

The term "environment" refers to everything that surrounds us, including both living and nonliving things like soil, water, animals, and plants that adapt to their environments. It is a gift from nature that aids in the nourishment of life on the planet Earth. Earth is home to a variety of living species, and we are all reliant on those for food, air, water, and other necessities. As a result, everyone must save and protect it. 

Because our environment is continually changing, we must become more conscious of the environmental concerns that are causing these changes.

Environmental Issues

The adverse consequences of human actions on the environment are known as environmental concerns. Pollution, overpopulation, garbage disposal, climate change, global warming, the greenhouse effect and other issues are among them. 

In India, many Environmental Protection Programmes (EPP) are implemented for a safe and healthy workplace, environmental protection, and energy and natural resource conservation, such as:

• Green Skill Development Programme (https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/enablers/igcmc_gis/green_skill_development_programme/)
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (https://swachhbharat.mygov.in/)
• New Mass Movement against plastic use (https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/mann-ki-baat-pm-calls-for-mass-movement-against-single-use-plastic-from-oct-2-119082500203_1.html)
• Namami Gange Programme (https://nmcg.nic.in/NamamiGanga.aspx#:~:text='Namami%20Gange%20Programme'%2C%20is,rejuvenation%20of%20National%20River%20Ganga.)
• Toilets First, Temples Later (https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/india-does-need-toilets-more-than-temples-42373) and so on. 

Some of the current environmental challenges that require immediate attention are follows:

# Global Warming and Climate Change: Climate change encompasses many different factors. Global warming is just one of them. Greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, automobile emissions, and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). 

Global warming and Climate Change

As a result of rising greenhouse gas concentration, the earth's temperature has risen, causing glaciers and sea ice to melt, precipitation patterns to vary, and species to migrate.

# Ozone Layer Depletion: The reduction in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere) is referred to as ozone layer depletion. We are shielded from the sun's harmful UV radiation by the ozone layer. When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) present in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants, as well as other chemicals such as insulating foams, solvents, etc., are released into the atmosphere, it causes depletion of the ozone.

CFC affects the upper atmosphere and causes depletion of the Ozone layer

The thinning of the ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and weak immune systems in people.

# Water Pollution: Water pollution is defined as the introduction of harmful substances into rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds that alter the physical, chemical, or biological quality of the water.

Polluted Water

The organisms die due to the lack of oxygen in the filthy water. As water is the most important source of life, so that's our primary responsibility to protect it from pollution.

# Air Pollution: Chemicals or particles in the air that can damage the health of humans, animals, and plants are referred to as air pollution. Pollution enters the atmosphere through a variety of ways. The majority of air pollution is caused by industrial pollutants, vehicular emissions, and the increased usage of fossil fuels.

Air pollution causes heart illness, lung cancer, and respiratory ailments, as well as headaches, dizziness, and nausea owing to the unpleasant smell from industries. The surface of bodies of water and soil can be directly contaminated by air pollution. This can harm or reduce the yield of crops.

Air quality index: The local air quality has an impact on how you live and breathe. The air quality index (AQI) is used to report daily changes in the quality of your local area's air in terms of human health and the environment.

# Solid-waste management: The management of solid waste is an important part of urban planning. Unsanitary conditions can result from improper municipal solid waste disposal, which can lead to contamination and the spread of vector-borne disease.

Solid Waste Management

Sort garbage and place recyclables in the appropriate bin. Some items can be used to create new products. Use a washable and reusable drink bottle. Reusing items results in less waste. Food scraps should be disposed of in a compost bin or worm farm. Composting improves the soil and reduces landfill waste.

# Deforestation: Deforestation is simply the aggressive cutting down of trees and destruction of natural vegetation. The trees provide us with oxygen, several raw materials and also maintain the temperature of the earth. The depletion of trees for commercial purposes has resulted in a significant change in the earth's climate.

A variety of wild creatures and flora call forests their home. Forest destruction has resulted in the extinction of a huge number of plant and animal species, posing a threat to biodiversity.

# Overpopulation: The world's population is rapidly expanding. More than seven billion people are estimated. The growing population has resulted in a scarcity of resources. If this situation continues, maintaining such a large population will be extremely challenging.

Over-Population

Overpopulation is associated with other environmental challenges such as pollution, waste management, deforestation, climate change, and global warming.

Solutions to Environmental Issues

Following are some of the most common solutions to the environmental issue:

Ways to Save Environment

• To save natural resources and landfill space, follow the three "R's" (Reduce, reuse, and recycle).
• Participate in community cleanups as a volunteer.
• The best way to spread awareness about environmental problems & their solution is through education.
• Save the water. The less water you use, the less runoff, and water conservation is crucial because everyone needs it.
• Say NO to plastic bags. Plastic bags take years to decompose and can put people's lives in danger.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using long-lasting light bulbs. Turned off the lights, when not in use.
• Plant a sapling or a tree since trees offer food and oxygen. They aid in energy conservation, air purification, and climate change mitigation.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using long-lasting light bulbs. When not in use, the light was also turned off.
• Rather than driving, walk or ride a bicycle to reduce pollution.

Environmental concerns serve as a forewarning of upcoming disasters. If these problems are not addressed soon, there will be no life on Earth.

Because the Earth is analogous to the society in which we live, we must work hard to keep it clean and green. Let us make a vow to make it a better place to live on this day. Our ecosystem is the only legacy we can give to future generations. Planting a tree or a sapling at home is the simplest and most effective approach we can do to help the environment during this pandemic situation.

BE THE SOLUTION, NOT THE POLLUTION

 

#SaveEnvironment #WorldEnvironmentDay2021 #5June #Ecosystem #Restoration

Picture Credit: Google