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Invasive species are foreign organisms that cause harm to our native species. Many invasive organisms are able to beat native species in their hunt for food, shelter, and other necessities, causing the natives to die out.  Additionally, they degrade rivers and canals which in turn worsen our water quality. Oftentimes, invasive species are introduced to new areas through human actions. As ships travel across oceans, invasive species can hide in the ballast tanks of ships and be transported to new environments where they are threats. Invasive species are often accidentally released by people into new areas. Since invasive species are a threat to the way of life of organisms that live within their native areas, there should be a solution to detect and eliminate invasive species quickly. 

4.  Deforestation

Deforestation is the large-scale clearing of land which is primarily caused by human activity including wood cutting, agriculture, and construction. Deforestation causes a lot of damages to our environment including loss in valuable habitats and a loss in biodiversity. Additionally, deforestation disturbs the carbon cycle by clearing away trees that will absorb carbon dioxide which accelerates climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and changes in water cycles are all effects of deforestation.  As the environment faces the damages from deforestation, so do people and wildlife as they get displaced.  In order to make a change for the environment and all the organisms living in it, we need to develop creative solutions to reduce the amount of deforestation. 

5.  Loss of Pollinators

The loss of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects is a threatening environmental issue that leads to the loss of biodiversity and food supply. Pollinators are key for many plants to make seeds, including lots of our food crops. However, their numbers are dropping because of habitat destruction, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. The decrease in pollinator populations can lead to less food from crops and loss of plant species that depend on pollinators for reproduction. This environmental issue is causing serious damages which is why innovative solutions to this issue must be made. 

6.  Soil Contamination

Soil contamination occurs when chemicals infiltrate the ground which can harm the health of many organisms. The most common type of pollutants are heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and manganese. Organic chemical contaminants come from oil, gas and solvent or detergent products. Without proper treatment, crops grown in contaminated soil are either unfit for consumption or not in sufficient quantity to feed the population. Additionally, contaminants can flow into groundwater, causing damage to nearby ecosystems and human populations. There are several signs to look out for when detecting soil contamination including discoloration of the soil, strong odor, and plants growing in a weak and stunted manner. Soil erosion and nutrient loss can be avoided by practicing proper farming techniques and planning farm activities. Soil contamination can be cleaned using physical, chemical, or biological depending on the condition of the soil. Soil contamination has serious negative environmental consequences which is why we need to cleanse it in order to produce healthy crops for food, protect wildlife, and have pure drinking water.

7.  Wildfires

Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that cause damage to vegetation, forests, and grasslands. Wildfires are commonly caused by human actions such as unattended campfires, cigarettes, and burning debris. And natural causes include lightning. Without any intervention, wildfires can rapidly grow out of control based on extra oxygen, dry fuel, wind, and excess vegetation. Wildfires destroy entire ecosystems and wipe out homes, habitats, and wildlife. The smoke from wildfires present threats to human health as they can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues as well as other detrimental health effects for those near the fire. Air quality significantly decreases due to wildfires which pollutes cities and rural areas with greenhouse gasses. Moreover, the increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere contributes to the global warming blanket around the earth. Wildfires are devastating to the environment, wildlife, and to human life, so finding a solution to combat it is of utmost importance for the preservation of our world. 

8. Drinking Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is a pressing environmental issue because the amount of drinking water that is available is not enough compared to the number of organisms which require it. Population growth, pollution and poor water management further increase water scarcity. Climate change has a significant impact on it because high temperatures affect precipitation leading to light rains which interrupts water cycles. All these factors combine to stress on freshwater systems. The water scarcity has led to some environmental effects such as depletion of aquifers, diminished flow in rivers and streams, as well as degradation in wetlands, leading to ecosystem decay and biodiversity loss. It is important to address this scarcity in drinking water because it is critical for the health of all living things as well as the sustainability of the environment. 

9. Energy Overconsumption

When energy is used in more than necessary amounts, energy overconsumption occurs. Rising population and technological advancements are increasing the demand for energy. However, this is putting stress on our environment’s natural resources and causing negative environmental impacts. When more energy is being used, electricity plants have to burn more fuel which releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, increasing global warming. The burning of these fossil fuels caused by the electricity plants contributes to air pollution. Additionally, overconsumption uses up the Earth’s natural resources such as forests, fish, soil, minerals, and water. Because of all of its environmental damages, it is imperative that a change must be made in energy overconsumption. 

10. Unnecessary Food Waste

Food waste occurs when food is spoiled and purposefully or unintentionally thrown away. Overproduction can also cause significant amounts of food waste as restaurants, grocery stores, and other establishments order much more food than necessary. When food is wasted, so is the energy and water that were used to produce the food. So, large amounts of food waste can quickly lead to the depletion of many resources. The wasted food is thrown in landfills where it is left to rot and produce methane gas which is a harmful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change. Finding solutions to reducing the amount of food wasted is essential for maintaining the health of our environment. Implementing effective composting systems that sort food scraps and smart refrigerators that detect expiration dates and spoilage are both good starts to mitigating food waste and making a positive change for our environment.