Overview of Environmental Issues

Environmental Issue

Brief Definition

Some Impacts

Actions You Can Take To Make A Difference!

Acid Rain

Precipitation that becomes acidic due to air pollutants released into the atmosphere. The main sources of these pollutants are: coal-fired power plants, nickel and copper smelters, and motor vehicles.

Soil, water, plants and building materials can be negatively affected.

Walk, bike, carpool, or use transit to one of your regular destinations each week.

Climate Change

The chemical composition of the atmosphere is being altered through the build-up of greenhouse gases that trap heat and reflect it back to the earth's surface. This is resulting in changes to our climate, including a rise in global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.

Ecosystems around the world are being damaged threatening the health of future generations through increased disease, freshwater shortages, worsened smog, and more.

Don’t idle your automobile for more than 10 seconds (30 seconds in winter) as it wastes more fuel than restarting your engine and produces greenhouse gases.

Conserve energy wherever possible. Purchase energy efficient appliances, light bulbs etc.

Deforestation

As human population increases, so does the need for farmland and forest products so the world’s forests are being reduced at an alarming rate.

Loss of plant and animal species.

Local economies are suffering.

Releases of carbon into the environment.

Reduce paper consumption and reuse paper that has been printed on one-side.

Buy fair trade products such as coffee.

Energy Consumption

On a per capita basis, Canada is the largest consumer of energy in the world and the second largest producer of greenhouse gases.

Increased greenhouse gas emissions in the production of electricity. This also leads to air pollution and the destruction of ecosystems,

Reduce your home heating and electricity use e.g. Apply weather stripping. Use a clothes rack instead of the clothes dryer.

If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10 minutes, turn the monitor off or set your computer monitor to turn off automatically.

Hazardous Wastes

Discarded material which, because of its inherent nature and quantity, requires special disposal techniques to avoid creating health hazards, nuisances or environmental pollution. It can be solid, liquid, semi-solid or gaseous.

Direct human exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances.Long-term ecological damage as a result of substances leaching into soils and groundwater.

Save money and Save the Planet! Use rechargeable batteries.

Loss of Biodiversity

The richness and complexity of species and ecosystems on the planet are being lost due to pollution, over-exploitation, climate change, habitat loss and invasive species.

Biodiversity provides us with food, building materials and consumer goods; water and air filtering and purification; medicines from plant and animal material; and inspiration for everything from building design to patterns for clothing and material.

Loss of species and natural resources.

Reduced recreational activities.

Reduce how much “stuff” you consume to decrease the over-exploitation of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Overpopulation

The current world population is over 6 billion and is expected to grow to at least 9 billion by 2050. The increasing population, combined with rising consumption habits is pushing our claims on the planet beyond its natural limits.

Water tables are falling on every continent as demand exceeds the sustainable yield of aquifers.

Consumption of seafood as taken oceanic fisheries to their limits and beyond.

Limit the number of children to only replace yourself.

Reduce consumption habits to limit your ecological footprint.

Ozone Depletion

Certain industrial chemicals when released into the atmosphere, break apart and destroy molecules of ozone. Ozone depleting substances are used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foams, solvents, fire extinguishers and aerosol cans.

Increased exposure to UV-B radiation, causing quick sunburn, depression of the immune system, and an increased risk of skin cancer in humans and animals.

Damage to marine food chains and reduce crop yields.

Use baking soda and vinegar instead of chemical aerosol cleaners to clean your home.

Pollution

Any substance that is present in or has been introduced into the environment and has harmful or unpleasant effects. It comes in many forms, and may be present in air, land, water, or organisms. Although some is from natural sources, most is produced by human activities.

Health problems such as asthma, allergies and cancer.

If you are moving, choose a home within a 30 minute bike, walk, or transit ride from your daily destinations.

Reduce the amount of garbage you produce.

Buy organic.

Smog

A noxious mixture of air pollutants: including gases and fine particles that can often be seen as a brownish-yellow or greyish-white haze. The key components are airborne particles and ground-level ozone.

Particularly vulnerable are the elderly, those with existing heart or lung disease and small children.

Try to avoid using your vehicle and when buying your next vehicle, make sure it is fuel-efficient and low polluting.

Waste

Any substance introduced into water or a body of water that has unpleasant or harmful effects. Comes from direct sources, such as effluent emitted into lakes and rivers by industries, it may also fall out of the atmosphere or seep in from surrounding land.

One in three people do not have enough water for proper hygiene and one in five do not have enough to drink.

Over the next 20 years, the average global supply of water per person is expected to drop by one-third. By the middle of the 21st century, 2 billion to 7 billion people will be severely short of water.

Never flush old medications down the toilet. Return unused medications to the local pharmacy.

Avoid using toxic cleaning solvents, pesticides and fertilizers.

Choose at least one day a week to eat a meat-free meal.

Ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained as 1 drop of oil pollutes hundreds of litres of water.