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26 Environmental Issues

John Spacey, updated on June 01, 2023

Environmental issues are human driven processes that are considered destructive to ecosystems, quality of life and health. Most of these issues have appeared within the past two centuries, an extremely short period of time relative to the history of the planet. Many are exponential or hyperbolic meaning that they are growing at an incredible rate to the point that they represent an existential risk. The following is a partial list of environmental issues that are offered as examples.

Air Pollution

Introduction of harmful particles and gases into the air by processes such as industrial production, transportation and power generation.

Coral Reefs

The widespread loss of coral reefs on a global basis due to a variety of factors including warming water and changing ocean chemistry.

Deforestation

The loss of forests.

Desertification

The process of fertile land becoming desert due to deforestation, climate change or mismanaged agriculture.

Destruction Of Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a cycle that supports life. These involve complex interactions between plants, animals and the elements that can be disrupted due to factors such as loss of habitat, climate change or extinction of a species.

Global Warming

A warming climate on a global basis attributed to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide.

Habitat Destruction

A reduction in biodiversity due to habitat loss primarily due to development. The majority of human land consumption is related to agriculture.

Habitat Fragmentation

The breakup of large habitats into small parcels that aren't large enough for ecosystems to thrive. Particularly impacted by roads and other infrastructure.

Invasive Species

A plant, fungus, or animal species that is not native to a specific location. Theoretically, an invasive species can also be created by human processes such as genetic engineering. In some cases, an invasive species thrives causing a variety of environmental problems such as extinction or breakdown of ecosystems.

Land Degradation

A broad term for undesirable changes to land such as loss of rainforest to clearcutting resulting in desertification.

Marine Debris

Waste such as plastics and chemical sludge commonly found in oceans and other waterways. For example, a field of debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be twice the size of the state of Texas.

Microplastics

Small particles of plastic that are manufactured for use in a variety of products and industrial processes. Commonly found in marine environments in significant concentrations.

Nanomaterials Pollution

The potential for emerging nanomaterials to become a ubiquitous source of pollution. In many cases, it takes decades before the health and environmental impact of novel materials and chemicals are well understood.

Noise Pollution

Noise generated by industry, transportation and other processes. Associated with health, environmental and quality of life impacts.

Ocean Acidification

The observed decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans attributed to rising carbon dioxide levels.

Radioactive Waste

The release of radioactive material due to improper disposal, nuclear accidents and other factors such as weapons testing.

Resource Depletion

The depletion of natural resources due to unsustainable practices such as excessive use or mismanagement.

Sick Building Syndrome

Indoor pollution such as poor air quality caused by outgassing of chemicals from building materials and furnishings.

Smog

Particularly dangerous levels of air pollution found in many urban areas.

Space Junk

A debris field orbiting earth primarily caused by out of service satellites and components of spacecraft.

Toxic Waste

Poisonous chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, pathogens and other poisonous materials that are released into the environment by industrial processes, agricultural runoff, mining activities, waste incineration, energy production, transportation, construction sites, laboratories, private residences and hospitals.

Urban Heat Island

A tendency for cities to be hotter than the surrounding countryside due to lack of green space and other factors such as heat exhausts.

Visual Pollution

The widespread conversion of things that are aesthetically pleasing such as forests into things that aren't visually attractive such as highways and industrial infrastructure.