Historical Reasons of Environmental Change - Essay Example

? Number] Historical reasons of environmental change Introduction The field of environmental changes is widespread as it deals with two broad themes prolonging in the world. The first one argues about that how earth, water, biosphere and land- natural changes have impacted upon humans over time. This theme also propagates the relationship of human beings with the natural environments and how they have contributed to it. The second theme discusses the belief system prevalent in the human race regarding natural environment. There are speculations about the emergence of natural settings in the world and human race posses’ diverse values, attitudes and beliefs about it. Concrete understanding of historical perspective is imperative to have concise idea about the development and radical changes in the environment.1 The happening of various events has led to the transformation of environment. The continuing worldly developments have positive and negative aspects too- destruction of environment is one of it.2 The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the reasons of environmental changes over time. Exemplify core problems, desertification, exploitation of fossil fuel and environmental relationship between past centuries and now days. The ideas of historians and scholars of the respective field have been gathered to argue on this important topic. Critical analysis has been also done for precise understanding. Bottom line remains to explore the crux of changes happened in the environment over time. Core Reasons There are several pragmatic constituents that accumulate to become the core reasons of the environmental changes. It includes desertification, solar variation, volcanism, resource depletion, deforestation, waste disposal, changes in Earth’s orbit around sun and the exploitation of fossil fuels. The natural settings of modifications in the environment cannot be controlled by humans as earth has its own phenomenon of changes.3 For instance changes in earth’s orbiting around sun are impossible to control because it is purely natural occurrence. However there are few elements that humans can control to make environment better and safer. Ozone layer is damaged because of increasing pollution in the environment. The damages in ozone layers can lead to disastrous circumstances because it makes sure that only pure light and rays enter into the world.4 According to the American Society of Environment History, the changes brought in the environment by the time are not positive. Mostly negative relationship is determined. This is mainly due to the association of humans with the natural settings. The discussion on the reasons of environment changes is extravagant as it argues about various aspects and issues. For instance the issue of deforesting is on the table of discussion for years. Environment will not remain suitable for human beings living if deforestation takes place gradually. Adequate measures need to be taken to stop this notion. The core reason of harming natural environment is generally due to the soiled acts of human beings. People have damaged earth in various dimensions for personal benefits. International world protection organizations have taken several steps to reduce these issues but few individuals continue illegitimate acts that have damaged different dimensions of the environment. Implementing strict laws is imperative and need of time now. 5 Environmental Problems There are several environmental problems that need to be addressed. Industrial agriculture and waste disposal is one of the primary ones. It has been observed that in developing or under developed countries; there is no proper mechanism of waste disposal. Due to the absence of waste disposal system problems occur for the environment. The impacts calculated from this mechanism are majorly of two types. At first different diseases surface ground because the waste has been disposed off at various locations. Secondly natural soil and the surroundings are affected. Problems in the surroundings occur as stinking and stanching issue does not even allow humans to sustain their livings in those conditions. Furthermore soil certainly starts damaging and the area becomes problematic. Proper diffusion of waste is therefore essential.6 Industrialization has brought several positive outcomes on human beings but its negativity should not be undermined too. Most of the industries have no appropriate waste disposal system that affects badly on the environment. Since industries are set out of the cities, near agricultural fields- the wastage of industries go directly into crops. It makes crops filthy and polluted. The water disposal primarily by industries is hazardous because it contains several perilous waste substances in it. When it gradually seeps into the fields, crops are damaged; consequently the available vegetables and fruits in the market are not suitable for eating.7 Desertification This mechanism is basically degradation of land that makes land dry and eventually loses fertility. This is one of the most serious environmental problems rampant in the world. There are two main reasons of desertification; human activities and the climatic changes. The climatic changes include dry and moist conditions where there is no access of water. For instance some of the fertile lands near deserts have lost fertility and are dry because of the unavailability of water. The loss of moisture is also one of the core reasons of desertification. Desertification fundamentally states the convergence of land into deserts as dry lands would eventually make it happen.8 The human activities leads to desertification include overgrazing, removal of natural vegetation cover, deforestation, inappropriate agricultural activities etc. The increase in population is one of the major causes of desertification. Populations affect as increase in inhabitants advocate to live on even fertile lands. Moreover such measures are taken which finishes the fertility of land so that it would be appropriate for continue livings. There are some experiments done by illiterate farmers and activists that diminish the fertility of land and eventually it becomes dry. The presence of too much livestock on certain place also causes deforestation. Irrigation practices that have no proper implication or application in the fields lead to deforestation too. Salinity eventually surfaces which destroys lands. The environment is therefore negatively affected from the desertification paradigm.9 Exploitation of Fossil Fuel The continuous exploitation of fossil fuels have emerged two major concerns for the human beings. The first addresses about the lack of fossil fuels in the lands due to over consumption and the second one discusses about the negative dimensions of fossil fuels. Consumption of fossil fuels is increasing everyday because of the massive developments taking place in the world. Most of the population has now access to private transport vehicles for which fossil fuels are required. Moreover in several industries and factories, fossil fuels acts as the backbone to run systems. There is no prior planning of alternatives usage in industrial and transportation sector due to which decrease in the reserves of fossil fuels are gradually taking place. There are limited amount of fossil fuels available in the earth’s crust and defiantly one day it will run out. 10 Another bigger concern regarding fossil fuels prevails by the usage of it. Poisonous gases emerge from fossil fuels that pollute the environment. Atmosphere gradually becomes contaminated and it’s difficult for humans to breath in it. Oil, petrol all are fossil fuels kinds that leads to massive pollution. The combination of oxygen with oil and petrol creates carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that are not suitable for the atmosphere. Government regulations have made fossil fuels expensive too by regulating taxes. The intention behind this notion remains to explore alternatives. The canvas of pollution through the exploitation of fossil fuels is massive and adequate measures are indispensible to be taken in this specific field. 11 Environmental Relationship between Past centuries and Now The problems in the current century are certainly more than the previous century. This is majorly because of the increasing industrialization and developments rampant in the world. Everything comes with a price and the price paid by humans for advancements and progression is pollution and contamination of environment. The environmental changes have been substantial considering from the past century. The industrialization inception in the world is one of the biggest elements of variation in the atmosphere. In 19th and 20th centuries, development in industrial sector grew enormously. Moreover exploration in the field of science and technology helped humans to explore several dimensions of the world’s deposits beneath.12 The evident relationship found in this whole paradigm remains the continuation of industrial and explorative measures that started from previous century and persists till date. The environment has been negatively affected through these sorts of developments. The major modification observed in this whole sphere is the implementation of safety measures in today’s world.13 Previously all the explorations and industrial developments took place without acknowledging the impact on environment, climate and atmosphere. Now considering the importance and virtue of these elements, laws and regulations have been made to ensure safety of the world. Furthermore proceedings are carried out in fitting manner which would not affect the environment. For instance gases have polluted the environment due to which ozone layer is damaged and humans are suffering from various diseases too. To eradicate this problem, laws in U.S are developed that prohibits the usage of old cars that exhibit more gases. Industrial sector is also advised to use state of the art machinery and equipments that would not affect the environment. Positive outcomes have been experienced from these regulations but there is a lot more room for improvement.14 Critical Analysis The factors of change in the environment propagates that problems surfacing in the atmosphere are of high intensity and must be resolved soon. Deforestation, desertification and exploitation of fossil fuels are one of the major problems world is facing these days. Lack of adequate and in time measures would bring destruction in the world. The desertification issue is one of the major concerns for the humanity as increasing dry lands will bring real problems in the long run. Due to infertility in lands there would be problems for food in the coming days. Poverty rate is increasing in those regions where dry lands are in abundance.15 These kinds of conditions are widespread in Africa primarily. Asia is the second biggest region where dry lands are in abundance. The measures taken in the current century are commendable for the protection and safety of environment but still there is an overwhelming majority of population that is continuing to pollute and devastate environment. Keeping aside climatic changes, humans are the biggest problem in extending issues of environment in the world.16 To address the problems of deforestation, fossil fuels exploitation, desertification and wastage disposal; international organizations have been striving but it solely depends upon the actions and measures taken by the government to diminish these issues. Conclusion The problems attached with environmental changes are making huge roar in the world. Human race is blessed with infinite natural resources but their usage must take place with great care and affection. Inappropriate measures taken have brought humans to difficult and unmanageable scenarios. The industrial sector in developed countries makes sure not to pollute environment and its inhabitants. For this purpose adequate planning and scheduling is done. The disposal of waste and gases is done smartly which would not pollute atmosphere. The conditions in developing countries is however not promising. Significant measures need to be taken to reduce these issues in developing countries because these regions are the major cause of polluting environment worldwide. UNDP and WHO are front row players to moderate issues prevalent in the world. WHO has taken considerable steps in Africa and Asia to reduce the problems of polluted edibles in the region. Furthermore UNDP has proposed development plans for changes in the environment settings. Countries are also striving for alternatives that would not pollute the environment and natural resources would be preserved too. For instance fossil fuels were used to address the energy requirements of the world too but now tolerable innovations have been brought in that eliminates the use of fossil fuels. 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