Critical Threats to the Global Environment

Introduction

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that there are a number of issues that continue to threaten environmental stability. These are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; rise on ocean levels, globalization, civil wars, global pandemics (such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic), lack of educational opportunities in developing nations, etc. In essence, owing to the finite nature of resources, stakeholders ought to focus on only the most serious threats at a time. At present, I consider the most serious threats to environmental stability to be; a) the use of fossil fuels as an energy source and b) insufficient educational opportunities in developing countries. These are the threats that will be explored in this discussion. In addition to assessing how the two issues highlighted above impact the global environment, this text will also highlight the role that humans have played in the aggravation of the said threats to the planets environment. In the final analysis, the various measures that stakeholders could embrace in efforts to reign in the impact of the identified threats on the environment will also be explored.

Effect on Global Environment

i) Use of Fossil Fuels as an Energy Source

To begin with, the negative effect that burning of fossil fuels has on the environment has been well-documented in the past. In essence, fossil fuels are inclusive of natural gas, crude oil, as well as coal. Denchak (2018) points out that in addition to harming our health, burning of fossil fuels is harming the environment. In as far as the environmental impact is concerned, Denchak (2018) is categorical that burning of fossil fuels has been linked to global warming. This, according to the author, is more so the case given that when burned, fossil fuels produce massive amounts of carbon dioxide. The said gas results in the entrapment or retention of heat in the atmosphere. The end result is global warming which has been linked to changing weather patterns across the globe (Butler, 2016). As the author further indicates, the changing weather patterns have been associated with droughts that are not only longer, but also more intense. Further, climate change contributes to the melting of glaciers and rising of sea levels (Butler, 2016).

Next, one other serious impact of burning fossil fuels relates to air pollution. On this front, it should be noted that as Denchak (2018) points out, there are numerous other gasses and particles that are emitted following the burning of fossil fuels. The said gases are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; sulfur dioxide and mercury. To be more specific, Denchak (2018), in his own words points out that coal-fired power plants singlehandedly generate 42 percent of dangerous mercury emissions in the United States, as well as two-thirds of U.S. sulfur dioxide emissions (which contribute to acid rain) and vast majority of soot (particulate matter) in our air.

Third, scientists have also linked burning of fossil fuels to ocean acidification. Indeed, according to Denchack (2018), available evidence indicates that the basic chemistry of our oceans is altered when fossil fuels are burnt. This is more so the case given that a significant portion of carbon emissions that are essentially man-made end up being absorbed by our seas. As a matter of fact, our oceans have experienced a 30 percent increase in acidity since the commencement of the industrial revolution (Denchak, 2018). The said acidification significantly disrupts ocean life and could, as Butler (2016) observes, endanger or jeopardize whole food chains.

ii) Insufficient Educational Opportunities in Developing Countries

In my opinion, despite receiving little attention, this happens to be one of the most serious threats to environmental environment and security. To begin with, it should be noted that illiteracy has in the past been linked to poorer health outcomes. For instance, according to King (2010), persons who are illiterate or semiliterate are less likely to be aware of effective health promotion activities. This is particularly the case in relation to the relevance of diet and physical activity in the maintenance of health and overall wellbeing Further, according to King (2010), in healthcare settings, patients who are unable to read and/or write happen to be less likely to adhere to treatment regimens. This, as King (2010) observed, is more so the case given that patients who are illiterate are less likely to comprehend medication instructions. In the end, this results in lower life expectancy.

Secondly, illiteracy has also been associated with less financial stability. In modern societies, persons who are less educated have a lower probability of securing permanent and/or gainful employment. For this reason, the ability of those without proper education to provide for their own selves as well as their families is greatly diminished. For this reason, we could come to the conclusion that limited educational opportunities in developing countries happen to be the greatest drivers of poverty. Further, poverty has been shown to trigger crime. Indeed, as Dong, Egger, and Guo (2020) point out, crime rates tend to increase with an increase in poverty and financial destitution....

…pointed out elsewhere in this text, 71% of global emissions could be traced back to a handful of corporations. The relevant regulatoryagencies could come up with ways to incentivize or compel large enterprises to switch to renewable energy sources in the powering of their operations.

Next, the governments could also engage in coordinated public awareness efforts to ensure that members of the public are aware of the need to rein in CO2 (and other greenhouse gas) emissions, and the role they can play at the individual level towards this end. For instance, some of the measures that the general public could be sensitized on include; ensuring that electrical appliances and lights are turned off when not in use, minimizing the utilization of air conditioning, and purchasing appliances that are designed to conserve energy.

i) Insufficient Educational Opportunities in Developing Countries

The developed world has a role to play in efforts to stem corruption which, as has been indicated elsewhere in this text, negatively impacts the education sector. For instance, developed countries can slap corrupt nations with sanctions meant to force corrupt regimes to mend their ways. Individual government officials (as well as businessmen) found to be corrupt could also be denied entry into participating developed countries, and their assets in the said nations frozen. With sustained pressure to end corruption, corrupt countries are likely to be more prudent in the deployment of public resources which would inevitably benefit the education sector and, thus, open up educational opportunities.

The relevance of reducing the cost of education cannot also be overstated. This is a solution that developing countries could implement with assistance from various partners (both external and internal). Abolishing school fees would be a good start as this would ensure that even those from the poorest of households have an opportunity to attend school. According to Chens, Jenkins, and Sinclair (2013), jurisdictions that have abolished school fees have been shown to register an increase in enrolments.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, it should be noted that this is the only planet we have. If we do not show any concern for the global environment and are negligent towards the same, we are likely to cause irreversible damage to the very essence of life as we know it. For this reason, the relevance of formulating and implementing the relevant measures to deal with the threats identified above cannot be overstated. However, for such efforts to bear fruit, there would be need for stakeholders to collaborate in meaningful formats. In the absence of collaboration, these efforts are…