7 biggest threats to the environment – why we still need Earth Day

This Sunday is <a href="https://inhabitat.com/10-awesome-eco-activities-to-do-this-earth-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earth Day</a>, and while it's a time to celebrate our planet, it's also a prime opportunity to take a closer look at the <a href="https://inhabitat.com/why-we-need-earth-day-7-most-pressing-environmental-problems-we-need-to-solve/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">serious environmental issues we're facing</a> and the solutions that need to be put in place to alleviate them. Ignorance may be bliss, but it's getting increasingly difficult to ignore the damage we've done to the environment, especially when the <a href="https://inhabitat.com/yale-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-now-believe-global-warming-causes-extreme-weather/">effects have been hitting so close to home</a>. If you want to make this Earth Day an opportunity to educate yourself about the problems, read on as we break down the 7 biggest environmental threats facing our society right now and how we might be able to solve them before it's too late.

This Sunday is <a href="https://inhabitat.com/10-awesome-eco-activities-to-do-this-earth-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earth Day</a>, and while it's a time to celebrate our planet, it's also a prime opportunity to take a closer look at the <a href="https://inhabitat.com/why-we-need-earth-day-7-most-pressing-environmental-problems-we-need-to-solve/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">serious environmental issues we're facing</a> and the solutions that need to be put in place to alleviate them. Ignorance may be bliss, but it's getting increasingly difficult to ignore the damage we've done to the environment, especially when the <a href="https://inhabitat.com/yale-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-now-believe-global-warming-causes-extreme-weather/">effects have been hitting so close to home</a>. If you want to make this Earth Day an opportunity to educate yourself about the problems, read on as we break down the 7 biggest environmental threats facing our society right now and how we might be able to solve them before it's too late.

<h3>Climate Change</h3> Across the globe, regions have been experiencing the effects of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shiny-copper-clad-hive-library-built-to-resist-climate-change-until-2050/" target="_blank">climate change</a>. From heat waves to freak storms to flooding and droughts, experiencing freakish weather has unfortunately become a norm. A recent study called “<a href="http://inhabitat.com/yale-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-now-believe-global-warming-causes-extreme-weather/" target="_blank">Extreme Weather, Climate &amp; Preparedness in the American Mind</a>” investigates the public’s awareness and acceptance of climate change, brings relevance to this very real problem. Through its efforts, hopefully more awareness will be brought globally.

<h3>Deforestation</h3> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/indian-man-single-handedly-plants-1360-acre-forest/" target="_blank">Deforestation</a> is also a problem rapidly affecting areas like Africa, Central and South America. Not only does this mean less trees, less cleansing oxygen, and the displacement of the wildlife that live within the forests, but <a href="http://inhabitat.com/two-extinct-trees-discovered-in-tanzania-remain-at-risk-from-deforestation/" target="_blank">deforestation</a> is also a large contributor to global warming and enhanced greenhouse effect. Removing trees also leads to much drier climates, as trees extract groundwater to release into the air. As citizens, we can easily make sure to purchase goods made with FSC certified wood as a very simple step in the right direction.

<h3>Pollution</h3> The issue of pollution can be overwhelming, linked in every facet of industry and consumerism. As the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/another-giant-garbage-patch-found-in-the-atlantic-ocean/" target="_blank">Great Pacific Garbage Patch</a> grows larger, and Chinese rivers still flow rainbow colors with fabric dyes from the fashion industry, the visible signs of pollution are more than evident. Each of us should begin by living responsibly, by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/supercyclers-unveil-innovative-designs-made-from-waste-during-milan-design-week/" target="_blank">recycling</a>, using as little packaging as possible, disposing of waste and not using plastic bags. If everyone adopted these easy principles, the world would be in a much better place.

<h3>Loss of Biodiversity</h3> Each species has a role in planet, and as they dwindle or become extinct, this points to a much larger problem. For example, the decline of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-harvard-study-gives-convincing-evidence-that-pesticides-are-linked-to-bee-colony-collapse/" target="_blank">bee population</a> has a direct effect on both the environment and food production, with their instinctual <a href="http://inhabitat.com/urban-bee-keeper-michael-leung-creates-a-new-bee-saving-buzz-in-hong-kong/" target="_blank">role of pollination</a>. A major factor of saving the earth is to also protecting its inhabitants.

<h3>Rising Sea Levels</h3> Global warming, caused by a slew of factors such as <a href="http://inhabitat.com/study-calls-for-50-percent-reduction-in-meat-consumption-to-prevent-catastrophic-climate-change/" target="_blank">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, excess heat and air quality also means a more serious problem- rising sea levels. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/architecture-students-propose-an-elaborate-lattice-work-bib-to-protect-manhattan-from-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank">Manhattan alone has already dreamt up ways</a> to deal with the potential rise over the next few years, and other regions at sea level will have to do the same.

<h3>Oceanic Dead Zones</h3> Along the coasts of heavily populated communities, scientists have found more and more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_zone_(ecology)" target="_blank">dead zones</a>- areas where depleted oxygen levels cannot support marine life. 146 dead zones were found in the world’s oceans, caused by high levels of chemicals in the waters. North America’s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eyeless-shrimp-and-deformed-crabs-a-serious-problem-2-years-after-deepwater-horizon/" target="_blank">Gulf Coast</a> has a high concentration of dead zones, which causes fish to become unable to reproduce.

<h3>Rise in Human Population</h3> With all of these serious factors to consider, the exploding human population is only making matters worse. With a planet in serious need of repair, an increasing population puts a strain on food production, water, and energy. <br> Although these factors can seem overwhelming and serious, awareness is key so that as a global community we can take the necessary steps to take care of the only planet we’ve got.