Critical Global Environmental IssuesDr. Jessica Braswell, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

Global Environmental Issues

• Industrialized agriculture• Water depletion• Water pollution• Air pollution• Climate change• Biodiversity loss• Invasive species• Human population

growth

Agriculture• Industrialized agriculture:

“high-input” farming– Water– Fertilizer– Pesticides

• Agricultural practices influenced by– Climate– Economics– Local, national,

international politics

Environmental Impacts of Agriculture

Loss of soil fertility Air and water pollution due to

fertilizers and pesticides

Water depletion

Environmental Impacts of Agriculture

Reliance on fossil fuels

Water Depletion

• Water Use– Irrigation• Agriculture• Landscaping

– Drinking– Washing,

bathing, flushing toilets

Water Depletion

Water Depletion

Luke Robinson (flickr)Peakwater.org

Impacts of Water Depletion

Reduced water supplies for drinking and irrigation

Surface water, and the livelihoods it supports,

diminished

Svsu.edu

Water Pollution

• Nutrients from fertilizers and animal wastes

• Pathogens• Sediment• Debris• Toxic chemicals

Water Pollution

• Pollution does not respect international borders

• Tragedy of the commons

Bordersewagecoatlition.org

Impacts of Water Pollution

Aquatic habitats no longer support life

Water becomes unsafe for drinking and irrigation, health problems arise

Air Pollution

• Particulates, toxins, smog• Mainly results from the combustions of fossil

fuels, mining, agriculture

Maltaweather.info

Impacts of Air Pollution

Acid rain

Health problems

Global climate change

Carlyle Calvin

Climate Change

• Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases

• Mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture

Impacts of Climate Change

The Telegraph, UK

Biodiversity Loss

• Loss of species, purposeful or accidental

• Protection and enforcement highly variable among nations

Impacts of Biodiversity Loss

Loss of potential medicines and food resources

Loss of ecotourism

Ecosystems compromised

Invasive Species

• Purposeful or accidental introduction

• Outcompete or eat native species

• Introductions increase along with global movement of people and goods

Impacts of Invasive Species

Native species decline

Vpr.net

Biological and structural

habitat changes

Human Population Growth

Population growth rates

Less than –2%–2–0%0–1.44%1.44–2.5%2.5–3.5%More than 3.5%

Impacts of Human Population Growth