Global environmental problems involve one or more of the following:
1. Deforestation
2. Desertification
3. Rapid Population Growth
4. Food Production and Equitable Distribution
5. Global Warming
6. Depletion of the Atmospheric Ozone
7. Acid Precipitation and Air Pollution
8. Ocean Pollution
Characteristics of International Environmental Problems:
1. Many of the international problems involve the use of common pool resources - air, water, ocean and forests – that are owned by no one nation.
2. Human and environmental impacts of the problems transcend the borders of any one country. Impacts of such problems as acid precipitation, ozone depletion and air pollution are not felt at only within countries where the problems are often created.
3. International Environmental Problems require international Cooperation to resolve them
Factors Responsible for the Emergence of the Environment as a Global Issue
1. The Multiplication and Deepening of Environmental Problems. The rapid growth in population and its effects on resource exploitation has led to the emergence of many environmental problems. Problems such as deforestation, air pollution, acid precipitation and oil spills have become a common sight. Many people have experienced the effects of human activities on the environment such as the impacts of toxic waste dumping at Love Canal, New York and the Chernobyl nuclear fall out.
2. Improvement in Scientific Research: An increase in scientific research on environmental problems has contributed to much richer and by no means, a complete understanding of several environmental problems. The work of Rachel Carlson on DDT educated the public on the consequences of chemicals.
3. Effective Dissemination of Information about Environmental Disasters: The advent of radio and television, e-mails and the web, book publishing and air transportation brought about very