The Earth

We live in such a breathtaking environment that is full of magic and wonder. It's interesting to note that modern humans have been around for a very long time and lived for much of it without causing much irreparable damage to the environment. However, overexploitation and pollution have started affecting the environment negatively over the last few centuries. 

People's Taste for Affluence

Earth has a great capacity for regeneration. As Mahatma Gandhi put it, "Earth has enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." From 1970 onwards, the world has been in an ecological overshoot; people's demand for environmental resources is exceeding the earth's supply capacity.

• While greatly improving quality of life, the industrial revolution that began in the 18th century marked the end of sustainable living. As people got used to more comforts, they yearned for still more.
• Transportation by fuel-guzzling land, water, and air vehicles is rapidly depleting fossil fuels, in addition to causing air pollution.
• Air-conditioning that keeps us warm in winter and comfortably cool in summer requires s a lot of energy.

Negative Impacts Caused by Humans

Unfortunately, humans are the most polluting species. Earth is very good at recycling waste, but people are generating far more than the earth can cope with. Pollution occurs at different levels and it doesn't just impact our planet; it impacts all species, including mankind, who dwell on it.

Soil/Land Pollution

Pesticides, herbicides, large landfills, waste from food processing industries, and nuclear waste generated from nuclear reactors and weapons deplete our soil of its nutrients and make it virtually lifeless. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "Usually, contaminants in the soil are physically or chemically attached to soil particles, or, if they are not attached, are trapped in the small spaces between soil particles."

For more information, check this video below:

Water Pollution

Effluence from industries, fertilizer runoff, and oils spills all damage fragile ecosystems. According to the Water Project, "Nearly a billion people do not have access to clean and safe water in our world." Worldwatch Institute says, "The 450 million kilograms of pesticides U.S. farmers use every year have now contaminated almost all of the nation's streams and rivers, and the fish living in them, with chemicals that cause cancer and birth defects."

For more information, click here:

Air Pollution

Burning of fossil fuels and toxic gases produced in factories causes pollution. Air pollution infects the environment and threatens the health of all who inhabit the earth. According to the United Nations, "The estimations we have now tell us there are 3.5 million premature deaths every year caused by household air pollution, and 3.3 million deaths every year caused by outdoor air pollution."

For more information, click the video below:

                                                                                                                                                               

Our world is changing and not entirely for the better. The climate is changing, ecosystems are being scarred, the ozone layer is disappearing, species of flora and fauna will never be seen again, and these are only a small handful of changes that are happening to our world. Earth is gradually decaying and, unfortunately, we all know the cause. Us. Humans.

Do not get me wrong, humans have made incredible things that we used to only dream about. Heck, I am writing this very article on such a creation, but at what cost? Are all of these technological advancements worth what we have put the world through? I am not saying that we should stop creating and evolving, it is human nature to evolve and better oneself after all, but could we just tone it down a little? From an early age, we are taught that our actions have consequences, so we need to think about the risks that come with our own evolution. In conclusion, we must face the consequences we've made, we must be responsible for it. 

We must work hand in hand to have a better home for the next generations to come.