Land

There are an estimated 14 million species on earth. Of these, 10 million species are animals, 1.5 million species are fungi, and 300,000 are plants. The remaining one million species are algae, bacteria, and microorganisms (source: Global Biodiversity Outlook, Convention on biological Diversity, UNEP, 2002).

Destruction of natural habitats and the hunting of animals for their commercial value threatens species with extinction. Land, air, and water pollution also endangers earth's flora and fauna.

Once a species disappears - such as the Stellar's sea cow or the dusky seaside sparrow - it never reappears. In 2000, 24% of mammals (1,130) and 12% of birds (1,183) were considered globally threatened for extinction (source: Global Biodiversity Outlook, Convention on biological Diversity, UNEP, 2002).  

Each year, 77 million babies are born on earth (source: WorldWatch Institute, 2002). Eleven percent of the earth's surface is used to grow food (source: Global Biodiversity Outlook, Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP, 2002).  

It takes centuries to develop arable farmland. Destruction of this precious resource can occur in just a few years. Crop rotation, irrigation, improved seeds, and efficient farming methods and equipment are vital for maintaining farmland.

In developed countries, farmers employ these methods in addition to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Although crop yields increase, the chemicals seep into underground water tables. This contaminates both land and water.

Farmers around the world lose valuable topsoil through wind and rain degradation. Land degradation occurs as a result of overgrazing, deforestation, agriculture, and exploitation. An estimated 10-20% of the world's cropland are degraded to some degree (WorldWatch Institute, 2002).  

After the harvest is complete, fields are often left barren, exposed to drought and flood. Valuable topsoil is lost. In dry areas of the world, land degradation causes desertification - the creation of new deserts. This loss of topsoil forces farmers to abandon their fields and move to urban areas.

Mismanagement of forests create barren land through deforestation. Indigenous populations rely of trees for fuel, building materials, food, fodder, medicine, and fiber. Without replacing the trees used, barren soil results.

Trees are an important component of life on earth. Trees recycle moisture through their leaves. They absorb the heat of the sun and soak up carbon dioxide. Deforestation is responsible for adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

In developing countries, the wood of exotic trees is harvested for its commercial value. This creates a valuable economic base. At the same time, the felling of trees destroys the delicate balance between plant and animal ecosystems. In order to maintain the balance, reforestation is necessary.

Forests serve as natural habitats for 2/3rds of the earth's species. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified cancer-fighting properties in many plants unique to the rain forest ecosystem.

Wetland ecosystems (swamps, mangroves, shallow water estuarine, and marine areas) offer disappear due to economic desperation. In some countries, governments offer incentives to peasant farmers willing to establish new farmland from former wetlands. If the crops fail, the land often is often used for cattle grazing.

Twenty-six percent of the world's land mass is used in the production of beef and beef products. A portion of the earth's cropland is used for growing grain to feed cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry.

After meat is processed for human consumption, it is packaged for distribution. Product packaging adds to the world's waste disposal problem. Landfills throughout the world are reaching capacity. As landfill refuse rots, disease multiplies. Contaminants seep into the earth and its underground water tables.

Hazardous chemical waste products have leaked through unlined landfills. The town of Love Canal, New York, USA, was built on a 25-year-old chemical waste dumpsite. Radioactive contamination seeped into their groundwater. Similar situations exist throughout the world.

Worldwide, 300-500 million tons of hazardous waste are generated every year (source:WorldWatch Institute, 2002). Safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste is an unresolved issue throughout the world. The nuclear waste created when physicist Enrico Fermi completed his original nuclear experiment in 1942 is still intact.  

Another stress on the environment is tourism. As the largest generator of jobs in the world, the tourist industry is expected to employ 328 million people by 2010. The US$4.4 trillion industry creates conveniences for tourists which often destroy local ecosystems (source: World Bank, 2002).

The eco-tourism movement aims to maintain the natural beauty and innate culture of an area. Eco-tourism allows visitors to explore nature without impacting the environment.

Air

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Beijing, Mexico City, Jaharta, Teheran, Bangkok, Manila, Sofia, and Santiago are among the most air polluted cities one earth. Cars, factories, nuclear reactors, wood-burning stoves, volcanic eruptions, etc. contribute to air pollution.

In developing countries, the majority of the residue launched into the air is the result of burning coal, wood, and charcoal for fuel. Developed countries pollute the air with sulfur dioxide (from industry and power stations), nitrogen oxides (from power stations, industries, and cars), and carbon monoxide (from cars).

The mixture of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and water return to the earth with the next rainfall or snowfall. Known as acid rain, these chemicals damage forests, buildings, and monuments.  

Scientists know that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete the ozone layer above our planet. CFCs are found in aerosol propellants from refrigeration units and air conditioners as well as propellant gas in aerosol sprays, foam styrofoam, halons used in fire extinguishers, and solvents used in the production of building and packaging foams.

With a lifetime of 50 to 160 years, CFCs released into the air 30 years ago are now reaching the stratosphere. The ozone layer of the stratospheres is 9.3 to 31 miles (15 to 50 kilometers) above the earth's surface. The ozone shields the planet from UV-B radiation. Without ozone protection, incidences of skin cancer, cataracts, and blindness will multiply.

A natural occurrence in our atmosphere is the exchange of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide and water vapor combine to create the moisture of a greenhouse. This exchange maintains the earth's atmospheric temperature. Deforestation and pollution affect the natural exchange of protective greenhouse gases. Without this exchange, the temperature of the earth will increase.

Since 1990, the average global surface temperatures have increased .6 degrees C. Sea levels have rised by 1 cm per decade. Artic sea ice thickness has declined 40% in the past 40 years. Major glaciers are retreating (source: UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002).

As polar ice melts, rising sea levels will affect low inlets. Summer monsoons will intensify. Vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, will shift their regions of habitation northward.

Naturally occurring events, such as the release of matter from volcanic eruptions, also affect the earth's atmosphere and temperature. Likewise, accidents at nuclear reactors and industrial factories also spew particulate matter into the atmosphere.  

Pollution of interior air is also a health concern. Second-hand cigarette smoke is one form of indoor air pollution. In developing countries, smoke from biomass cooking (fuelwood, crop residues, or animal dung), often results in acute respiratory infections. More than two million women and children die from

inhaling these particulates each year (source: UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002).

In developed countries, chemicals used in building materials, pressboard furniture, wallpaper, and stain-resistant fabrics and synthetic fibers in carpets and drapes create an indoor toxic overload. This interior air pollution is known as environmental illness.

Water

Fact: 71% of the earth's surface is water.

Fact: 94% of the water on earth is salt water.

Fact: 99% of the earth's fresh water supply lies frozen in glaciers, lies under polar ice caps, or is buried underground.

Fact: Water is essential for sustaining life on earth.

Fact: Water poisoned by residents of one country affects plants and animals in neighboring countries.

Global temperatures have been increasing for the past 50 years. Land and ocean measurements reveal that 2001 was the second warmest year on record since the late 19th century.

Most (69%) of the earth's limited supply of fresh, clean water is used for food production. Twenty-three percent of fresh, clean water is used for industry (in some developed countries, industries re-used water). Eight percent is used domestically. 1.3 billion people lack access to potable water.

Whereas one nation may use its available water supply for the disposal of human waste, its neighbors may use the same waterway for drinking water. About 40% of the world's population relies on shared water sources.

Contaminated water and food, poor hygiene, and inadequate sanitation resulted in the death of 1.7 million children under the age of five in 1991 (source: UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002). Agricultural soil run-off, pesticides, other chemicals, waste and sewage all flow into waterways. The pollutants flow from inland waterways to the oceans. Many pollutants remain trapped near the shore. Those pollutants poison marine life which is an important source of food.

As the populations increase, additional water pollution from tourism, oil pollution, industrial waste, fertilizers, and pesticides creates marine blooms of algae known as red tides. These toxic tides deplete oxygen from the water. Without oxygen, dead zones occur in the ocean.

Polluted land run-off, ship refuse, land-based garbage dumping, off-shore mining operations and oil production are major causes of marine pollution. Accidental and deliberate oil spills also occur.

The leakage of radioactive isotopes from nuclear submarines is another source of marine pollution.