EcoInnovate Ebook

This ebook includes ten environmental issues that you can use to create a model

10 Environmental Issues

1. Plastic Pollution

Over 350 metric tons of plastic waste is generated annually. Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that is caused by the build up of plastic materials in the Earth’s environment. Because plastic is not biodegradable, it takes around 1,000 years to break down which exacerbates the issue of our environment being contaminated with this harmful material. Once plastic enters our environment, it’s here to stay. Moreover, as plastic slowly degrades, it releases toxins into its surroundings. The plastic finds its way into the sea, lakes, and rivers, disturbing the organisms and habitats in aquatic life. Overall, plastic pollution is contributing to the loss of biodiversity and the deteriorating health of our ecosystem. To address this crisis, innovative solutions must be developed such as creating a new material like plastic that is biodegradable and creating smart recycling bins that can sort plastics efficiently.

2. Climate Change

Climate change is the gradual change in rising temperatures. With ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions, primarily caused by human actions such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, heat is being trapped into greenhouse gas molecules and warming up our environment. Consequently, our oceans absorb more heat and expand in volume. Ice sheets and glaciers melt at a more rapid pace. These factors cause sea levels to rise which pose life-threatening risks for life in coastal areas. Beyond sea level rise, increasing temperatures also create unstable conditions for all organisms on earth. They face challenges in quickly adapting to the new temperature changes and are forced to migrate in search of new cooler habitats which may not be accessible. Moreover, wildfires, floods, and droughts are all disasters caused by the threat of climate change. Livelihoods are at stake with these unpredictable weather conditions which is why it is adamant that climate change is addressed. Some innovative solutions for this issue include using technology that traps and stores carbon dioxide emissions to prevent it from entering our atmosphere and technology that reflects sunlight to cool the Earth’s surface.

3. Invasive Species

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. A possible solution could include detection mechanisms that detect the location of invasive species and transmit signals to eradicate the larger invasive species populations using biological or chemical methods.

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. Devices that detect cleared out areas and plant seeds in them as well as monitoring systems that track illegal logging can help restore forests and maintain them in healthy conditions.

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. One such solution is developing devices that can help with or supplement natural pollination processes. Additionally, creating pollinator-friendly habitats through urban green spaces can provide necessary resources for these species to survive. Implementing systems that reduce harmful chemical exposure to pollinators is also crucial. By using these technologies and sustainable practice, we can help protect pollinators,which in turn protects the environment we live in.

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. Devices used to detect wildfires across the world would be key to mitigating the damage caused by wildfires through allowing emergency crews to quickly respond. Finding a solution to the growing issue of wildfires will allow us to build a more resilient environment.

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. A portable water purification device could be used to desalinate sea water and purify contaminated water sources, which offers an efficient and accessible source of drinking water. Through such technologies and more, it is possible to ensure that natural freshwater sources are kept intact and the livelihood of life on earth is maintained.

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. A possible solution for this invention could be to develop meters that monitor the amount of energy being consumed and enhance its use to make it more efficient, implementing energy-saving behaviors. Using such innovations and more can lead us to maintain a more sustainable environment.

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.

Sample Invention Model

Water Desalination Model

Cover the bottom of a plastic container with a black sheet or paint the bottom black.
Place a plastic cup in the center of the container.
Pour saltwater in the container but make sure that the water level is below the plastic cup
Put a plastic wrap over the container to create a seal.
Place a pebble on the seal so that it is in the center of the plastic cup. This creates a condensation point.
Place the model in the sunlight

The black bottom of the container will absorb heat and cause the water to evaporate. The water will condense on the seal and drip into the plastic cup, collecting all the distilled water.

Step 1: Pick an environmental issue

Brainstorming: Think about various environmental problems you want to solve. If you're stuck, you can refer to the environmental issues listed in the ebook and choose to make a solution for any of those issues.
Research: Learn more about environmental issues through online resources and/or books.
Choose an Issue: Choose one environmental issue that you are passionate about and feel that you can contribute to solving.

Step 2: Come up with your solution

Specify your problem: Define the specific problem you want to solve within the broader issue. For example, for the environmental issue of drinking water scarcity, ask yourself, “How can I purify saltwater?”
Brainstorm Solutions: Think of various ways to address this problem. List down any ideas that come to your mind.
Evaluate Ideas: Consider all the ideas you have come up with and choose the best solution that is the most practical and impactful.

Step 3: Plan Your Model

Design Sketch: Draw a sketch of your invention model. Label the different components of your model and describe how it will work.
Materials: Make a list of materials you will need to build your invention model.
Methods: Write down the steps you will need to follow to build your model.

Step 4: Gather Materials

Collect Materials: Gather all the items you will need to construct your model.

Step 5: Build the Model

Construct the Model: Build the different parts of your model and make sure it is all working as intended as you go.

Step 6: Test and Improve

Test: Test your model to see if it works as expected.
Identify Issues: Note any problems or areas that need improvement.
Improve Model: Make necessary adjustments to improve functionality and efficiency.