environmental degradation

What are Socio-economic issues?

Socio economic issues refer to problems that affect the economy and the social lives of citizens.

What is Environmental Degradation?

Environmental degradation is a process through which the natural environment is compromised in some way, reducing biological diversity and the general health of the environment. This process can be entirely natural in origin, or it can be accelerated or caused by human activities. Many international organizations recognize environmental degradation as one of the major threats facing the planet, since humans have only been given one Earth to work with, and if the environment becomes irreparably compromised, it could mean the end of human existence.

Environmental degradation is a result of socio-economical, technological and institutional activities. Degradation occurs when Earth 's natural resources are depleted. These resources, which are affected, include: water, air and soil. The degradation also impacts our wildlife, plants, animals and microorganisms.
How Environmental Degradation Occurs
Urbanization
Population growth
Economic growth
Intensification of agriculture
Increase in energy use
Increase in Environmental changes are based on many factors including:
Transportation
Cutting down massive forests impacts our biosphere.
Our land, water and soil are compromised when people exhaust resources or release harmful chemicals into the air. Deforestation, wasting resources, and pollution all add to the demise of an environmentally sound and safe planet. For example, when trees in forests are cut down in large quantities, so that more homes can be built on the land, the birds and wildlife that lived in the forest must find a new place to live. The vegetation that once grew on the land is destroyed. Trees that absorbed carbon dioxide to help the biosphere are now unable to do so. If the wood from trees is used to make products and those products (such as paper) are later recycled, that is one hopeful aspect for the planet. However, some times trees are just cut down and burned. This is what is known as slash and burn, a practice that only destroys forests and all that live in them.
Unfortunate Impacts of Environmental Degradation
When factories produce harmful chemicals and toxic waste into bodies of water, humans suffer. Pesticides and fertilizers can also get into a region 's water system and pollute it. Drinking water is contaminated. Some residing in third-world countries are highly affected by the degradation of our planet and these unhealthy practices cause illnesses, death in children and death in adults.
Poverty
In many countries in Africa, crop harvests are falling as consumption increases. People are finding less nutritious food to eat. One argument held is that while fields in wealthier nations are used to grow crops for biofuel, poorer countries, especially those around the Equator, are vulnerable to weather changes, water shortages, and urbanization. All of these factors are increasing the health and lives of thousands. Some scientists and environmentalists are asking that non-food items and agriculture waste be used as alternative fuel for vehicles instead.
Losing Earth 's Beauty
As humans dump waste products, use chemicals, and over fish in the oceans and seas, areas of beauty such as coral reefs are damaged. At times the destruction is so great that is cannot be reversed. We are killing our planet and the consequences are tremendous.
One example of this lies within the coastlands of Thailand. Here marine and coastal resources are at risk. Vast areas of mangrove wetlands have been lost. Coral reefs continue to suffer degradation, and the total fish available for catching is declining. Not only is the degradation causing marine and coastal resources to be lost, but also this issue holds large economic problems. When there are not enough fish to catch, fishermen are without income to support themselves and their families. In some coastal towns, the shores are eroding at a rate of one to five meters per year. This results in an annual loss of $150 million in economic terms.

How environmental degradation affects a business?

If environmental degradation continues, the business environment could suffer greatly because there won’t be enough raw materials produced in order to make the finished products that companies sell. This will result in cut backs in the business and an increase in the price of the finished product. The company will have to let go of some of their employees due to the fact that they can’t afford to pay them. The employees will have trouble finding a new job which could lead to them living in poverty and being unable to afford their basic needs. Companies will lose money if people can’t afford the products they sell.

How to Stop Degradation
There are ways that you can help to decrease degradation in our environment. Some of these include:
Purchase recycled products
Conserve water
Do not litter or toss waste into inappropriate places
Conserve energy
Join an awareness group
Talk with others about the impacts of environmental degradation
Be an advocate to save our planet!

The impact of environmental disasters can be devastating on the social, economic, and environmental systems of a country or region as well as the global ecosystem. Environmental disasters do not recognize man-made borders, and threaten the legacy left to future generations of a clean and supportive environment. Because of the interdependency of earth ecosystems, international co-operation is important to prevent, and when disaster strikes, respond to relieve quickly and effectively the effects of environmental disasters. Thus, Governments, International organizations and communities must work together – at all levels – to lessen the risks associated with environmental degradation and its contributing factors, such as climate change, and ensure that vulnerable people are prepared to survive and adapt. At the same time, companies, organizations and individuals must also ensure that their work is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_meant_by_the_term_socio-economic?#slide=2

http://environmentaldegradation.wordpress.com/about/

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Impacts_of_Environmental_Degradation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation

http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/effects-of-environmental-degradation/

http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/resurgence/2011/251-252/cover02.htm

Bibliography: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_meant_by_the_term_socio-economic?#slide=2 http://environmentaldegradation.wordpress.com/about/ http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Impacts_of_Environmental_Degradation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/effects-of-environmental-degradation/ http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/resurgence/2011/251-252/cover02.htm