Environmental degradation is an increasingly pressing issue that affects us all. It is caused by a variety of factors, ranging from human activities to natural disasters, and its effects can be devastating. Many of these effects can cause further degradation, which means that this impact works as a downward cycle. We can all work together to mitigate its impacts. We can try to reverse this cycle and create a more sustainable future for communities all around our planet.
There are many causes responsible for environmental degradation. Poverty is a major contributor. People living in poverty often experience hunger and food insecurity, which leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. Trees are cut for use as firewood and charcoal. This leads to deforestation, air pollution, and other unsustainable practices that have a negative impact on the environment. Poverty is also linked with education. Due to lack of education and awareness, poor people unknowingly undertake certain activities, which have long-term negative impacts on the environment, including air and water pollution, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
As environmental degradation worsens poverty, it drives people towards overharvesting of resources including trees. When land is degraded, people are more likely to deforest an area in order to access the fertile forest soil for agricultural and other uses. Deforestation can also occur when land is cleared for agricultural or industrial purposes, or when forests are burned to create space for urban development. All of these activities can lead to a decrease in the amount of forested land available, which can have a devastating impact on the environment.
Second is deforestation; which is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. It is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation because it reduces biodiversity, disrupts the water cycle, and contributes to climate change. Trees play an important role in the water cycle by absorbing water from the ground and releasing it into the atmosphere. Without trees, the water cycle is disrupted, leading to droughts and floods. Deforestation also contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Additionally, deforestation can lead to soil erosion, which can lead to desertification and other land degradation issues. All of these effects of deforestation can have long-lasting impacts on the environment.
Third is climate change; which is a major contributor to environmental degradation. Because it can cause soil erosion, which is the process of wearing away the land surface by the action of natural forces such as wind, water, and ice. Climate change can cause an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms, worsening erosion. This can be especially damaging in areas that are already prone to soil erosion due to their topography or land use. Climate change causes an increase in the intensity and frequency of floods. Floods can carry away large amounts of sediment, which is then deposited elsewhere, leading to changes in the landscape. Furthermore, climate change can cause an increase in the intensity and frequency of droughts.
Fourth is soil erosion; which can have serious consequences for the environment. It leads to increased air pollution, as the dust particles are carried away by wind and deposited in other areas. Finally, soil erosion can lead to a decrease in biodiversity, as it can reduce the amount of habitat available for plants and animals.
To achieve the goal of creating a better world, we have to make investment in certain crucial areas; such as:
Education
In rural communities, accessible and quality education unlocks a slew of opportunities for the next generation, and girls and women especially benefit. Education equips people with the critical thinking skills and knowledge to broaden their horizons, while creating alternatives to potentially harmful situations.
Education boosts economic opportunities. With knowledge and skills, individuals can access better jobs, start businesses, and contribute to their community’s economic growth. This financial independence empowers women, allowing them to make informed choices about their lives and families. Education is also tied to better health outcomes.
Soil
Healthy soil is the cornerstone of food security. It provides nutrients, water, and support for nearly all of our food. Degraded soil leads to lower yields, malnutrition, and increased vulnerability to food shortages. Degraded soil can quickly escalate the impact of a natural disaster into a long-lasting famine.
Soil additionally acts as a powerful climate change mitigator. Regenerative agriculture is one of the most effective environmental solutions to revitalize soil.
Access to Water
For millions around the world, access to clean water has remained out of reach. Access to clean water brings a cascade of positive changes, rippling through individuals, families, and entire communities. Water borne diseases are a major cause of illness and death in rural communities. When children spend less time sick, they can attend school and learn. Adults are healthier and more productive, strengthening the community’s structure. Mothers, often responsible for water collection, are freed from this time-consuming and arduous task, allowing them to pursue additional opportunities.
Healthy forests
Healthy forests are critical for our children’s future. The world’s rainforests are the lungs of our planet, vital for the well-being of the next generation. Protecting and restoring these green giants, and all forests, holds the key to a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and release life-giving oxygen. By mitigating climate change, we ensure children inherit a habitable planet with stable weather patterns and reduced risks of extreme weather events. Restoring forests are among the most immediate environmental solutions available.
Land rights
The lack of self-determination over one’s land can greatly hinder a community’s ability to build healthy soil, protect water sources, expand forests, and enact other environmental solutions. This area is especially important in indigenous spaces, where land rights are threatened or have been taken away, or among ethnic minorities.
Peace and stability
Another difficult but necessary investment to be made in children’s futures is an investment in peace and stability. If we build security in all other areas but the threat of conflict looms, all that becomes volatile.
Our world is full of diverse communities, but amidst the differences, a common goal is shared by every community. People want to create a better world for the next generation. Parents want their children to have access to more abundant opportunities than they had. We must ensure that further degradation of our environmental does not take place, failing which, our children may not have access to more abundant opportunities than we had.
