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REFERENCES
PREPARED BY
KAYODE OLADIPUIPO
JANUARY, 2016
1.1
INTRODUCTION
One of the most important characteristics of this global environmental
degradation is that it affects all mankind on a global scale without regard to any
particular country, region, or race. The whole world is a stakeholder and this raises
issues on who should do what to combat environmental degradation. The environment
encompasses the whole of life on earth and the complex interactions that link the
living world with the physical world. This covers everything contained within the air,
land and water. (Cassar, 2005)
As early as 1896, the Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius had predicted that
human activities would interfere with the way the sun interacts with the earth,
resulting in a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere
generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon
dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. His prediction has become true and climate
change is now disrupting global environmental stability. The last few decades have
seen many treaties, conventions, and protocols for the cause of global environmental
protection (Benjamin 2014).
Global Environmental Issues' refers to the effect on the climate of human
actions, in particular the on fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and large-scale
deforestation, which cause emissions to the atmosphere of large amounts of
'greenhouse gases', of which the most important is carbon dioxide. Such gases take up
infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and act as blankets over the surface
keeping it warmer than it would otherwise be. Connected with this warming are
changes of climate. The basic science of the 'greenhouse effect' that leads to the
warming is well implicit. More detailed understanding relies on numerical models of
the climate that integrate the basic dynamical and physical equations describing the
complete climate system (Harrabin 2007).
2.0
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. Changing consumption pattern has led to
rising demand for energy. The final outcomes of this are air pollution, global warming,
climate change, water scarcity and water pollution (Benjamin 2014). The meaning,
causes and effects of these environmental issues are explain below:
2.2.1 Land Degradation
Vijay (2013) claimed that Land degradation is a process in which the value of
the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of human-induced processes
acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived
to be deleterious or undesirable. Natural hazards are excluded as a cause; however
human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bush fires.
This is considered to be an important topic of the 21st century due to the
implications land degradation has upon agronomic productivity, the environment, and
its effects on food security. It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural
land is seriously degraded.
Causes of Land Degradation
According to Johnson and Lewis, (2007) Land degradation is a global problem
largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include:
Soil contamination
Vehicle off-roading
Increase in field size due to economies of scale, reducing shelter for wildlife, as
hedgerows and copses disappear
Plate 1: Land degradation due to Soil erosion in a Wheatfield near .Vijay (2013)
Effects of Land Degradation
According to Johnson and Lewis, (2007) overcutting of vegetation occurs when
people cut forests, woodlands and shrublandsto obtain timber, fuelwood and other
productsat a pace exceeding the rate of natural regrowth. This is frequent in semiarid environments, where fuelwood shortages are often severe.
Overgrazing is the grazing of natural pastures at stocking intensities above the
livestock carrying capacity; the resulting decrease in the vegetation cover is a leading
cause of wind and water erosion. It is a significant factor in Afghanistan. The growing
population pressure, during 1980-1990, has led to decreases in the already small areas
of agricultural land per person in six out of eight countries (14% for India and 22% for
Pakistan).
Population pressure also operates through other mechanisms. Improper
agricultural practices, for instance, occur only under constraints such as the saturation
of good lands under population pressure which leads settlers to cultivate too shallow
or too steep soils, plough fallow land before it has recovered its fertility, or attempt to
obtain multiple crops by irrigating unsuitable soils (Johnson and Lewis, 2007).
High population density is not always related to land degradation. Rather, it is
the practices of the human population that can cause a landscape to become degraded.
Populations can be a benefit to the land and make it more productive than it is in its
natural state. Land degradation is an important factor of internal displacement in many
African and Asian countries (Johnson and Lewis, 2007)
Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands,
decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. As the land resource
base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and competition for
dwindling resources increases, the seeds of famine and potential conflict are sown
(Vijay 2013).
acidity
(change
in pH), electrical
conductivity,
temperature,
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the ground, and eventually into our bodies. Corporations usually want to avoid the
costs associated with having to limit creation of hazardous waste.
Consequently, landfills are built on site and filled with waste, or sometimes pay
to have waste removed. Often, hazardous materials are transported to areas that accept
money to take the waste. It may prove very difficult to reduce hazardous waste in the
future. Unlike many other environmental problems, waste creation is something
people do not often think about. In near future, people may have to reduce not only
their generation of hazardous waste, but also their consumption of many products that
end up in landfills (Benjamin 2014).
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orbit around the Sun. Of these, the two factors relevant on timescales of
contemporary climate change are changes in volcanic activity and changes in solar
radiation. In terms of the Earths energy balance, these factors primarily influence
the amount of incoming energy. Volcanic eruptions are episodic and have relatively
short-term effects on climate. Changes in solar irradiance have contributed to
climate trends over the past century but since the Industrial Revolution, the effect
of additions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere has been about ten times that of
changes in the Suns output (Hulme, Jenkin, Lu, Turnpenny, and Mitchell. 2002).
Human Causes
Climate change can also be caused by human activities, such as the burning of
fossil fuels and the conversion of land for forestry and agriculture. Since the
beginning of the Industrial Revolution, these human influences on the climate
system have increased substantially. In addition to other environmental impacts,
these activities change the land surface and emit various substances to the
atmosphere. These in turn can influence both the amount of incoming energy and
the amount of outgoing energy and can have both warming and cooling effects on
the climate. The dominant product of fossil fuel combustion is carbon dioxide, a
greenhouse gas. The overall effect of human activities since the Industrial
Revolution has been a warming effect, driven primarily by emissions of carbon
dioxide and enhanced by emissions of other greenhouse gases (Cassar, 2005).
The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to an
enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect.
It is this human-induced
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of
natural
resources is
growth, sometimes
with
the
use
a negative
of natural
connotation of
fuels,
which
consists
resource that is exploited by humans are subsoil minerals such as precious metals that
are mainly used in the production of industrial commodities. Intensive agriculture is
an example of a mode of production that hinders many aspects of the natural
environment,
for
example
pollution in
the
an
degradation
aquatic.
16
As
of forests in
the world
a terrestrial
population rises
and economic growth occurs, the depletion of natural resources influenced by the
unsustainable extraction of raw materials becomes an increasing concern.
Karanth (2006) claimed that human greed for more has left them empty handed
in terms of natural resources in several parts of the world. Several human activities,
including the likes of mining, agriculture, fishing etc., has resulted in drastic
degradation of natural resources. While mining and agriculture have triggered largescale deforestation, over fishing has only resulted in the reduction of population of
marine creatures inhabiting the planet.
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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth, and its biological diversity.
The number of species of plants, animals, microorganisms and the enormous diversity
of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts,
rainforests and coral reefs are all a part of a biologically diverse earth. The World
Resource Institute reports that there is a link between biodiversity and climate change.
Rapid global warming can affect ecosystems chances to adapt naturally. Over the past
150 years, deforestation has contributed an estimated 30 percent of the atmospheric
build-up of CO2. It is also a significant driving force behind the loss of genes, species,
and critical ecosystem services (Zulfequar 2013).
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cause acid rain usually come from automobiles or coal-burning power plants. Acid
rain moves easily, affecting locations far beyond those that let out the pollution.
For years, science studied the true causes of acid rain. Some scientists
concluded that human production was primarily responsible, while others cited natural
causes as well. Recently, more intensive research has been done so that countries have
the information they need to prevent acid rain and its dangerous effects. The levels of
acid rain vary from region to region (Obajimi, 2008).
2.2.11 Over population
Overpopulation is a function of the number of individuals compared to the
relevant resources, such as the water and essential nutrients they need to survive. It
can result from an increase in births, a decline in mortality rates, an increase in
immigration, or an unsustainable biome and depletion of resources (Karanth 2006).
Karanth (2006) posits that another major global environmental issue is
overpopulation. As the population of world continues to soar at an alarming rate, the
pressure on the resources of the planet is increasing. The problems associated with
overpopulation range from food and water crisis to lack of space for natural burial.
Incessant population growth will not just result in depletion of natural resources, but
will also put more pressure on the economy.
In Nigeria the the present high rate of our population growth is already
contributing substantially to the degradation of the ecology of the country. It observes
that land fragmentation, over-farming and over-grazing have led to soil erosion and
desertification and that over crowding has led to the spread of shanty towns and urban
blight, all of which would worsen if the present population growth continues.
Omiegbe, 2009).
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2.3
world; contemporary societies of Africa and Nigeria in particular also grapple with
and or/tackle this menace in recent times. Analysis of the negative impact of
environmental pollution in contemporary Nigeria society would focus specifically on;
i.
Urbanization
Urbanization is caused by high population growth rate and rural- urban
Pollution
The growth and development of industries and Urbanization has contributed
greatly to the excess carbon monoxide produced by combustion and other human
activities. Carbon monoxide reacts with the blood vessel and prevent it from taking up
oxygen and the people are suffocated. In Nigeria, several rural towns that had in the
past enjoy fresh and dry air are currently experiencing air pollution problems
(Obajimi, 2008). This is due to industrialization process and expansion in human
activities. Aquatic or water pollution is the discharge of unwanted biological, chemical
and physical materials into water bodies from mans environment. The pollutant are
25
usually chemical, physical and biological substances that affect the natural condition
of water. This incidence is responsible for the wide spread water contamination in
most Nigeria cities. Also solid waste have equally flooded the water ways in these
Urban centers. Land surface pollution is the occurrence of unwanted materials or
waste on land. The commonest pollutant on land is the waste products that are often
scattered on land area in the cities. According to Onwioduokit (2008), most
environmental problems are due to the production or consumption of goods whose
waste products translates easily into pollutant. Ayeni (2008) and Sada (2009) believed
that the emergence of Urbanization is responsible for the rapid accumulation of solid
waste. Generally, it would appear that the growth of urbanization and industrial
development coupled with improper wastes management control have added a great
dimension to land area pollution in Nigeria.
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3.0
3.1
Conclusion
Nigeria has a total land area of 983, 213 km2 occupied by more than 150
million people. The interaction of these millions of people with their environment has
left indelible mark on the landscape. Attempts by these Nigerians to adjust their
seemingly endless wants and desire for food, shelter, recreation and infrastructure
facilities to mention but a few have resulted in deforestation, desertification,
urbanization, over population and all kinds of pollution. Although, these land-use
activities contribute to over all development of the country, they equally produce
negative impacts in the environment. If appropriate techniques and technology of
environmental protection and management which will be recommended below are not
put in place, Nigeria may become a difficult country to live in the next 15 years.
3.2
Recommendations
There are some uncertainties as to what effects a change in climate might have
on the earth. However, its solution lies on the coordination of national actions within
regional and international frameworks. The solution will need to involve countries
world-wide because the impact in one location may be felt in a completely different
location. Hence, countries should develop a plan of action to cope with these
problems. Some of the significant recommendations are:
Recycling is a process to convert waste materials into new products to prevent
waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials,
reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution
(from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal and
lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to plastic production. Recycling is a key
component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the
"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" waste hierarchy. Recycling can decrease the number of
pollutants entering the atmosphere and has been linked to lessening global climate
change. Decreasing the amount of raw materials an industry has to use to create new
products slows the cutting down of trees and reduces gas emissions. Buying products
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with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you)
will help to reduce waste.
The world's dependence on oil causes serious harm to the environment. Electric
cars replace vehicles with highly polluting internal combustion engines. Ethanol fuel
should be used to reduces gasoline consumption.
Planting a Tree will help to fight against environmental issue. During
photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.
They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but
there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by
automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb
approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends,
neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to
establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.
Government should improve environmental education with emphasis placed on
the global environmental issues and the role of forests. This will help to promote
action by all citizens, including children, Furthermore, education on energy issues
should be improved and offered at a variety of settings such as schools, local
communities and at homes.
The Government should have to develop facilities for environmental education
where a broad range of generations, from children to adults, can learn about
environmental problems, especially global environmental problems. At schools,
students should be given practical training for environmental protection and the
creation of a better environment through workshops learn and teaching materials, in
addition, textbooks should be printed on recycled paper.
Urban development planners and related agencies of government should
continue to sponsor jingles on radio and television houses on why it is not proper to
build houses on flood areas.
Sanitary and bush burning laws should be reinforced to apprehend and
prosecute offenders.
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A prompt legislative framework should be put in place to make laws that would
tackle headlong issues of noise pollution in Nigerian.
Rural farmer education on how to apply fertilizer and other related inputs
should be reemphasized to reduce health hazards involved.
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References
Aja, J. O. (2005). Environmental Education as a panacea for a sustainable
development in Nigeria: Schools environment in focus. Pp. 114 127, In the
African Journal of Environmental Laws and Development Studies, Vol. One,
Part 1.
Alfred, N. (2009). Explosive and Accessories for exports, Key Noch, Birmingham.
Benjamin, .K.. (2014).Environmental Issues, Climate Changes, and Energy
Security in Developing Asia. Journal of ADB Economics Working
Paper Series.Pp1-10
Bisgrove, R, and Hadley P (2002). Gardening in the global greenhouse: the impacts of
climate change on gardens in the UK. UKCIP, Oxford, UK.
Cassar, M. (2005). Climate Change and the Historic Environment. Centre for
Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London, UK.
Epstein, P.R (2002). Is Global Warming Harmful to Health? South American
Magazine. Accessed on 20-10-2015, from
file://C:/Users/user/Downloads/84726-211194- 1-PB.pdf
Federal Republic of Nigeria, (1999). National Policy on Environment. Lagos, Nigeria
Mabogunje A.L: The debt to posterity: Reflections on a national policy on
Sada. Pp. 17-26.
Harrabin, R. (2007). How climate change hits India's poor. BBC News? Journal of
Science. Poxwell Ltd, USA.
Holman, I., Loveland, P.J., Nicholls, R.J, Shackley, S., Berry, P.M., et al. (2001)
REGIS - Regional climate change impact and response studies in East
Anglia and in North West England (RegIS). DEFRA, UK Climate Impacts
Programme, UK.
Hulme, M., Jenkins G.J., Lu X, Turnpenny JR, Mitchell TD, et al. (2002). Climate
change scenarios for the United Kingdom: the UKCIP02 Scientific Report.
Open Grey: 119.
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