Throughout the course of history, humans have emerged as the dominant species on our planet, with immense power and intelligence.
However, this position of dominance has come at a great cost to the environment. As we shape the world to suit our needs and desires, we have inadvertently become the destroyer of the very ecosystem that sustains us.
According to UNESCO,” The World Heritage is one of the most successful international instruments to protect the most extraordinary natural places on the planet, characterized by their natural beauty or outstanding biodiversity, ecosystem and geological value. But this paradise is under threat because of human intervention in nature.
Natural Sites in Danger
Natural world Heritage sites Account for around 8% of the total surface area covered by all 280000+ terrestrial and marine protected areas worldwide. Yet they are increasing pressure.
According to the world heritage site almost 2/3 of forest is found to be prone to forest fire.
The first global scientific assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration in World Heritage Forests has revealed that at least 10 sites have been carbon sources over the past 20 years, since 2000.
Furthermore, it highlighted that a single climate-related hazard has the potential to transform a forest from a carbon sink into a carbon source.
Human Impact on Environment
Human impact the environment in many ways:
Overpopulation: An increase in population will inevitably create pressure leading to more deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and spikes in pollution and emissions, which will exacerbate climate change.
Pollution: Pollution is the introduction of harmful material into the environment.
These harmful materials are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash but mostly are created by human activities such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damages the quality of both air as well as water and also damages the land.
Deforestation: The removal of Trees without sufficient reforestation has resulted in habitat damages, biodiversity loss and aridity.
Deforestation causes extinction, changes to climatic conditions and many more. Due to this many wild animals also lose their habitat and enter the places where there are humans living.
According to a local daily of India it was reported a Tiger entered the residential area and harmed many 5 people including a kid of 3 years which was reported dead.
If we humans are destroying their homes. It’s obvious they will come to our house to live.
Depletion of Ozone Layer: Due to increase in the pollution and excess uses of air conditioners and refrigerators which produces Chloro Fluoro Carbon which has the impact on the ozone layer and also causes climate change.
Extinction: Years ago we used to hear the chirping of sparrows but now there are hardly any available in the cities due to construction every other day.
Not only sparrows but also other animals such as birds are also getting extinct
Humans have a great impact on this due to the radioactive waves of the mobile towers the excitation of species be it animals or birds increases up to 9.1%
These are the several causes which have greatly impacted the environment and have caused great damage to nature.
Steps taken by UNEP
The United Nation Environment Programme has taken various steps to protect the environment and protect our mother nature. They have conducted various drives to save natures which includes
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable development refers to a concept that emphasizes the harmonious integration of economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. It aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
And if we want our coming generation to remain in an environment which is not harmful for them we need to stop with our nonsense.
Some serious step is needed to protect our environment.
It’s enough destruction already.
Steps which can be taken by individuals:
1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Practice waste reduction by minimizing consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal.
Proper waste management helps conserve resources and reduces landfill waste.
2.Conserve Energy: Save energy by using energy-efficient appliances, LED light bulbs, and turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use.
In addition, consider using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power for electricity generation.
3.Practice Water Conservation: Be mindful of water usage by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, installing water-efficient fixtures, and using water wisely in daily activities.
Water conservation helps preserve this vital resource and protects ecosystems.
4. Plant Trees and Support Green Spaces:
Participate in tree planting initiatives or contribute to the conservation of green spaces. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, provide shade, improve air quality, and support biodiversity.
Forests: Need to protect them at any cost
According to Mr. Omkar a sociologist, Earth has 30% of green lush and dense forests
In these forests there are 80% of different types of animals and birds where they get food as well shelter and protection.
Now many of you will ask how animals are safe in the forest as they could be eaten by other animals but we all know it happens due to the food chain of nature not for recreation, hunting, for their skin, to make medicines or for the taste of their tongue.
We have seen many times wild animals by any means If they come to the cities they return back to the forest area which is their own territory as they feel really safe, this is the reason forest should be available for this diversity and for the ecosystem we also belong here,
We feel we humans are a huge part but this ecosystem is a really big cycle where humans have a really small part,which in some or the other way affects humans too.
The animals in the forest have different types of virus but with a span of time these animals use these virus(protein) as antibodies against these animals but when humans intervene this it causes great problem which we faced in the form of coronavirus in the year 2020 which took so many lives and impacted the lives of everyone.
Why it happened is because of the disturbance caused in Ecosystem. In the year 2019 a huge forest fire was faced by the Brazilian Rainforest.
Brazilian rainforest is considered as the oldest rainforest which is 5.5crore years old, 9000 acres of land got destroyed in this forest fire.
Not only Brazil but also in America California forest fire took place, Australia lost about 2 lakh km acres of land that was burned in forest fires. It was such a big area which is equal to Gujrat state.
In India during the time of summer Uttarakhand state also faces forest fire which destroys an Ecosystem of that area.
Germany also has faced more than 2 dozen such incidents of forest fire in the month of April,
An Environment magazine “The Nature” states that in the world about 15.2billion trees are cut down every year which means for a single human 2 trees are destroyed. Trees are destroyed for the purpose of agricultural land.
The forests of Europe and Germany which had great water holding capacity are now facing drought as the trees are cut down rapidly.
As forests are reduced day by day year by year the result will cause an impact on greenhouse gasses which will have its effect on climate change which we are already facing.
We are now stuck in such a vicious circle of the environment which has impacted air ,water cycle has also impacted other circles as well including humans as well as animals.
Deep analysis of why forests are needed in the mentioned video below.
We still have some time.Clear your mind and start taking responsibility for your actions.
Take actions which won’t destroy our environment otherwise the environment will destroy us.
Have you heard the quote?
Karma spares no one? Nature is the same when you destroy it. It will destroy you.
Start taking actions to protect the environment and see the magic of the environment.
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