Human Induced Environmental Challenges

This article discusses the various human activities that are causing adverse effects on the environment such as air pollution, land degradation, climate change, and water contamination. It also highlights the causes and effects of air pollution on both human health and the environment.

Running head: HUMAN INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 1
Human Induced Environmental Challenges
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HUMAN INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 2
Humanly Induced Environmental Challenges
Humans are inducing adverse effects on the environment. Activities like waste disposal,
agriculture, large-scale fishing, transportation and manufacturing are being conducted without
moderation. These are creating huge impacts on land, water and air. Some of the challenges
created is air pollution, land degradation, climate change and water contamination (Cochran,
2018).
Air Pollution
This is a very serious impact created as a result of human activities. It is a condition in
which vile substances are added to the atmosphere which affects the quality of life, human health
and environmental damage (Agudo, 2017).
Causes
It is caused by humans through their activities at homes, cities, industries, offices and
schools. One of the major contributors to this problem is the transport sector where cars, trains,
ocean vessels and planes consume fossil fuels. When these fuels are burnt, they release carbon
dioxide, nitrous oxides and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Cochran, 2018). The
other contributor is the manufacturing sector. These plants will emit sulfurs and carbons
previously absent in the ecosystem. This causes an ecosystem imbalance with air composition
and quality adversely affected.
Air pollution is also caused indirectly when we buy commodities and services that utilize
energy during their production. This means that more gasoline, natural gas and coal will be used
to manufacture these goods (Air Pollution, n.d.).

HUMAN INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 3
Effects of This Pollution on Population
Exposure to nitrogen dioxides, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, mercury
and lead are hazardous to our health. Poisonous lead and mercury cause brain damage and are
toxic to organ systems and lead to death. Similarly, these heavy metals are toxic to aquatic life
and are a threat to public health when consumed. Others like particulate matter and ozone cause
health and respiratory challenges mainly in kids and elderly people (Air Pollution, n.d.).
Effects on the Environment
One of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is causing climatic change at a broader scale. It
is causing a temperature rise leading to a phenomenon known as global warming. The
consequences of this effect is the melting of ice caps on the poles, increase in precipitation, sea
level rise and other adverse effects like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought and heat
waves. Water and food shortages, infectious diseases and skin diseases are indirect effects of this
form of pollution (Air Pollution, n.d.).
Other effects include reduced visibility from smog associated with volatile compounds and
nitrous oxides emissions. A good example is a smog common in Beijing. Also, nitrogen oxides
and sulfur dioxide react with water forming acid rain. This acid rain is detrimental to aquatic life,
lakes, soil and vegetation. It also causes buildings and monuments to deteriorate (Air Pollution,
n.d.).
Contribution of Population Size to This Problem
Urbanization in need for prosperity and jobs is attracting people to cities. It is estimated
that half of the world’s population resides in cities. Air quality is exacerbated by increasing
demands for urban development and bloating population density. As human population continue
expanding, the need to manufacture commodities also increases. This means that more industries

HUMAN INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 4
will be established. Lavish lifestyles call for automobiles which release lead and exhausts to the
urban air (Urbanization Effects, 2017).

HUMAN INDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 5
References
Agudo, K. C. (2017). Environmental Issues Caused by Human Activities in the Biosphere.
Retrieved from https://owlcation.com/stem/Drastic-Changes-in-the-Biosphere
Air Pollution. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/resources/air-
pollution.html
Cochran, A. L. (2018). Effect of Human Activities on the Environment. Retrieved from
https://sciencing.com/effect-human-activities-environment-11374.html
Urbanization Effects. (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/urban-threats/?
user.testname=none