Global Environmental Issues and challenges

Global Environmental Issues
Organisms have to deal with both abiotic and biotic factors to succeed living in a given environment. Such physical and chemical environmental conditions as salinity, light, wind, pressure and heat, constitute abiotic factors. Biotic factors include the whole set of biological conditions that a species faces including the abundance of both predator and prey, space available, food availability, inter and intra species competition (Sherbinin, Alex de et al. 1). The relationships of interdependent nature among and between the living organisms; also referred to as the biotic aspects of an ecosystem can be classed in terms of whether they are harmful or beneficial to a given species. They may also have no effect on a given organism in focus. Human-environment interaction leads to changes and shifts in the global environment via a series of associated causes. These causes change the environments in certain ways to the extent of affecting it globally. The issues discussed below relate to the relationship between human population growth and the global environmental issues.
One of the main global environmental concerns in the modern world is the anthropogenic climate change triggered by greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions, widely, occur due to fossil fuel combustion, clearance and burning of forests, agricultural emissions, pastoralism and other changes in land use (“The environmental crisis”, 1). Changes in the climate affect both the ecological system and social setup. Scientists have estimated that these effects will soon lead to changes in the average surface temperature, distribution of species, climatic zones, seal level, ocean movements, ecosystem functions and precipitation patterns.
The climate in the north east is changing. The changes are also expected to increase in the coming years. It is observed that in the years between 1895 and 2011, there was an increase in temperature by about 2oF. Matters are estimated to worsen by 2080s; with an estimated rise of between 4.5oF and 10oF. The intensity, frequency and duration of heat waves are also expected to increase. The region has witnessed higher precipitation and even heavier precipitation events in recent years (Climate Impacts in the Northeast | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA”, 1). Deaths as a result of heat are expected to increase. The quality of air will also reduce; especially in the urban centers. The sea level in the north east has risen by at least a foot since 1900. The change has increased flooding in the coastal strip.
It has been projected that the sea level across the globe will increase by between 1 and 4 feet by the century turn. It is noted that the north east is likely to experience an even higher rise in its sea level because of the sinking of local land and warming waters. The rise in sea level and floods are likely to destroy and disrupt human life activities and infrastructure including roads, airports, communication systems, access to clean water, production of energy and management of waste. The resultant effects can be catastrophic; economically (“The environmental crisis”, 1). The estimated economic damage in Boston alone as a result of sea level rise in this century is placed at $ 94 billion.
The north east is endowed with diverse species and ecosystems. They are all affected by changes in the climate. Some tree species have been noted to be moving towards the north where the average temperatures are lower. It is also expected that the range of species of trees that are of economic importance including the sugar maple will decrease in the US in the coming years. The trees appear to prefer the Canadian climate. Another issue is the increase in numbers of pests and pathogens. They include a rise in woolly adelgid and hemlock. High deer population is also damaging the understories of forests. Some invasive plants such as kudzu are expanding their coverage, hence causing biodiversity disruptions, resilience in certain ecosystems and biodiversity function.
The rising temperatures are also expected to negatively affect the dairy industry in the north east. Farm animals experience heat related stress, leading to poor milk production. The birth rates of calves also drops (“The environmental crisis” 1). Other effects of such temperature changes include early bird migration patterns and faster blooming of plants. Coastal ecosystems will suffer because of temperature changes and the rise in sea water levels. Thus, it is expected that the water quality will decline; algae that are harmful will thrive while the marsh habitat will keep shrinking.
The Greenhouse Gas Initiative (IGGI) is a partnership by ten states from the northeast and the Mid-Atlantic region. The central goal of the initiative is to reduce gas emissions from power plants across the region. It also seeks to show the benefits of well managed climate programs that are market-based (“The environmental crisis” 1). Some states, including Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have already legislated on how to decrease warming emissions.
Tom Stayer, a climate change activist has indicated that Super PAC Next Gen Climate will direct enormous resources against Republican candidates that claim that climate change does not exist. Those in support of fossil fuel interests will, of course, try to counteract these efforts (Sherbinin, Alex de et al. 1). Stayer points out the essence of the implementation of the final Clean Power Plan by EPA. The plan seeks to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide emanating from coal plants. He sums up by pointing out the importance of cooperation from global leaders and their sustained effort in achieving success in managing and mitigating climate change and its effects.
Climate change is a global problem and must be dealt with by using a strategy. The strategy should aim at both reducing the effects of climate change in the short term and in the long run. To achieve such success, US citizens, NGOs, the state administration and international agencies must pool resources and energy towards new policies in the management of climate change. It has been noted that the global population will increase because there are better healthcare facilities and services accompanied by improved standards of living. Thus, natural resources are likely to be subjected to more stress. The need for holistic strategies to curb climate change cannot be overemphasized under the circumstances.
















Work Cited
“Climate Impacts in The Northeast | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA.” snapshot.epa.gov. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2018.
Sherbinin, Alex de et al. “Population and Environment.” Annual Review of Environment and Resources 32.1 (2007): 345-373. Web. 6 Feb. 2018.
“The Environmental Crisis.” Soas.ac.uk. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2018.