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Considering the current state of the environment, we have to admit that it is man and his activities that have caused what it is currently suffering. The three main human activities that have had the most negative impact on the environment are the invention of plastic, deforestation, and the destruction of freshwater supplies.
The invention of plastic is the most problematic pollution problem. Plastic is a commonly used material for making things because plastic can change its shape easily. Plastic waste is everywhere on the Earth, even in the oceans, and these plastics remain in the environment for 1000 years. These days, the world is producing almost 300 million tons of plastics in a year, and 20% to 40% of these plastics wind up in landfills, while 10 to 20 million tons are thrown away in the ocean. Besides, there are chemicals present in plastic. The trashed plastics in the ocean release chemicals, affecting the organs of marine animals. They can also cause rapid cell division which results in cancers. A lot of marine animals have died after consuming a large number of plastics. A dead whale found on the coast of Scotland in June 2017 had consumed 9 pounds of plastics, and this was causing a block in its digestive system. To make this problem worse, more than 4000 cases of fish with plastics in their bodies are found worldwide.
Deforestation is the removal, clearing, or destruction of a forest or a stand of trees for many reasons: land for building, farming, plantation, pasture for life stock, or sold as fuel. Deforestation can happen in the rainforest or any area densely populated by trees and other plant life. Mostly 31% of the Earth's land is covered by forests. Deforestation can lead to the loss of habitat of animals, increased greenhouse gases, desertification, soil erosion, and floods. The loss of habitat of the animals is one of the dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation. The trees of the rainforest can provide shelter for some species of animals, which can help to regulate the animal's body temperature. In addition to the loss of habitat, a decreased number of trees will increase the amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere. Desertification means the process of land degradation in areas that results in dryland and fragile ecosystems. Then farming becomes almost impossible because the area became desert and the crops can't grow well, so because of this reason many farmers sell and leave their land. Soil erosion is the washing or blowing away by water or wind of the top layer of the soil known as dirt. If the soil has eroded, the crops that make food will not grow well. Soil erosion also leaves a large hole in the ground that can weaken or collapse the structure of buildings. A flood means overflowing water on the ground due to an overflowing river, a dam break, or heavy rainfall. In an area without plant life, a flood is a lot more eminent because there is nothing to stop water from gathering and going all over places.
A lot of human activities have destroyed fresh water supplies such as streams, rivers, and aquifers. Intensive farming is the most influencing cause because of the large number of agrochemicals, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and other harmful substances that find their way into waterways. The invention of man-made dams and water diversion for irrigation or during infrastructural construction has also made the natural flow of water in rivers and streams inefficient. Then these particles gradually destroy the freshwater. Increased contamination in lakes makes it difficult for some species to survive.
The question arises, how can we help the environment? Firstly, recycling is one of the possible solutions. Recycling is using up scrap or waste material in a useful way. In other words, recycling is the process of changing waste and non-useful materials into new and useful materials. Recycling the material would produce a fresh supply of the same material without losing the purity of the product. Recycling is an important element of reducing waste and it's the 3rd component of the 'Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle'. Using a reusable beverage container also can help to improve the environment. Instead of buying individually-packaged drinks, consider buying a bulk container of the beverage you want and buying a reusable water bottle. Not only will this help the environment, but it will also help you save money. Moreover, we can use energy-efficient light bulbs instead of regular bulbs. They last longer, which will save a bit of money. It is important to turn off the lights, TV, and other appliances when we are not using them. As well as lower the air conditioning or heat when it’s not being used. Water is wasted more frequently than we can see. So, we need to turn off the faucet while brushing our teeth, don’t turn the shower on until we’re ready to get in and wash our hair, and limit our water usage as we wash dishes. And finally, since cars are harmful to the environment, we should use public transport, walk or ride a bike more. Carpool is also a good decision.
Summing up, the invention of plastics, deforestation, and destroying freshwater supplies are human activities that affect the environment. Recycling, using a reusable beverage container, using energy-efficient light bulbs, saving water, and carpool are examples of possible solutions for the environment. The Earth is our home, it’s where we live, so we should take better care of it. For sure we could be a better people if we help with small things for our home, this planet Earth is the only one that we have now. The more we don’t care about our environment, the more it will become polluted with contaminants and toxins that harm our health.
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