ecological problem essay

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

Bargain eBook Deal! 30% Discount

All 4 Writing eBooks for just  $25.86 Find out more >>

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

• Band Score Calculator
• Writing Feedback
• Speaking Feedback
• Teacher Resources
• Free Downloads
• Recent Essay Exam Questions
• Books for IELTS Prep
• Useful Links

Recent Articles

Improve Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing

Oct 27, 24 07:24 AM

Lesson on Writing IELTS Line Graphs

Oct 15, 24 02:26 AM

Time Management Tips for IELTS

Oct 06, 24 12:59 PM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening   IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Before you go...

30% discount - just $25.86 for all 4 writing ebooks.

Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Top Streams

• Accounting Courses
• Data Science Courses
• Digital Marketing Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Courses
• Healthcare Management Courses
• Business Analytics Courses
• Business Management Courses
• Cyber Security Courses
• Management Courses
• Nursing Courses

Top Specialization

• Masters in Computer Science
• Masters in Management
• Masters in Public Health
• Masters in Cyber Security
• Masters in Engineering Management
• Masters in Law
• Masters in Finance
• Masters in Project Management
• Masters in Civil Engineering
• Masters in Psychology

Top Universities

• Golden Gate University
• Illinois State University
• Northern Illinois University
• Santa Clara University
• Lincoln University
• Missouri State University
• Clarkson University
• Yeshiva University
• The State University of New York
• University of West Florida
• USA vs Germany to Study
• Canada vs USA to Study
• Student Visa for the USA
• Software Engineer Salary in USA
• Spring Intake in USA
• Cost of MBBS in USA
• Cost of Masters in USA

USA Study Visa Requirements

• Education System in the USA
• Scholarship for MS in USA
• Diploma Courses
• Hotel Management Courses
• Medical Courses
• Psychology Courses
• Teaching Courses
• Masters in Business Analytics
• Masters in Data Science
• Masters in Teaching in Australia
• Masters in Education
• Masters in Pharmacy
• Masters in Social Work
• Masters in Information Technology
• Australian National University
• Edith Cowan University
• University of South Australia
• University of Wollongong
• Murdoch University
• University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle
• Charles Darwin University
• University of Canberra
• University of Southern Queensland
• Cost of Living in Australia
• Career Opportunities in Australia
• Canada vs Australia to Study
• Student Visa Australia
• Australia vs Ireland to Study
• MBA in Australia Cost
• PR Courses in Australia
• Scholarship for Indian Students in Australia
• Post Study Work Visa in Australia
• How to Get Australian Citizenship
• Project Management Courses
• History Courses
• Masters in Biotechnology
• Cape Breton University
• McMaster University
• Simon Fraser University
• Trent University
• Trinity Western University
• University of Ottawa
• University of Guelph
• Toronto Metropolitan University
• Brock University
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Cost of Living in Canada
• Student Visa for Canada
• Average Salary in Canada
• NOC Code Canada
• How to Get PR in Canada
• Cost of MBA in Canada
• Cost of MBBS in Canada
• Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students

Why Study in Canada

• Education System in Canada
• Best Courses to Study
• Masters in Marketing
• Cranfield University
• University of Essex
• University of Leicester
• University of Southampton
• University of West London
• University of Sussex
• Bournemouth University
• University of Sunderland
• University of Northampton
• University of Huddersfield
• Student Visa for UK
• Cost of Living in UK
• Doctor Salary in the UK
• Education System in UK
• Cost of Studying in UK
• Accommodation for Students in UK
• Cost of MBA in UK
• Software Engineer Salary in UK
• How to Get UK Citizenship
• Why Study in UK
• University of Cologne
• University of Freiburg
• University of Hamburg
• University of Stuttgart
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Saarland University
• Arden University
• University of Europe for Applied Sciences
• University of Bremen
• Job Opportunities in Germany
• Cost of Living in Germany
• Cost of MBA in Germany
• Scholarships for Indian Students in Germany
• Education System in Germany
• Germany Student Visa
• Free Education in Germany for Indian Students
• Cost of Study in Germany
• Winter Intake in Germany
• Pharmacy Courses
• Civil Engineering Courses
• Dentistry Courses
• Business Courses
• Mechanical Engineering Courses
• Law Courses
• Electrical Engineering Courses
• Aviation Courses
• MS in Civil Engineering
• MS in Mechanical Engineering
• MS in Pharmacy
• MS in Accounts and Finance
• MS in Agriculture Services
• MS in Behavioural Science
• MS in Biology and Science
• MS in Chemistry
• MS in Computer Engineering
• Dublin City University
• University of Limerick
• Maynooth University
• University College Dublin
• Dublin Business School
• National College of Ireland
• Technological University Dublin
• University College Cork
• National University of Ireland Galway
• Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Ireland vs Canada to Study
• Jobs in Ireland
• Cost of Living in Ireland
• Ireland vs New Zealand
• Average Salary in Ireland
• Cost of MBA in Ireland
• Cost of Studying in Ireland
• Education System in Ireland
• PhD in Ireland
• Doctors Salary in Ireland
• France vs Ireland to Study
• France vs Canada to Study
• France vs Australia to Study
• France Student Visa
• Cost of Living in France
• Business Schools in France
• Scholarship for Indian Students in France
• France vs USA to Study
• MBBS in France
• Why Study in France
• Education System in Finland
• Study in Finland
• Job in Finland
• Finland Work Visa for Indians
• Cost of Living in Finland
• Student Visa for Finland
• Average Salary in Finland
• PhD in Finland
• Study Dentistry in Finland
• Finland University Fees for Student

Top Masters Courses

• Masters in Education Abroad
• Masters Programs Abroad
• Masters in Law Abroad
• Masters in Psychology Abroad
• Masters in Interior Design Abroad
• MBA in Finance Abroad
• Masters in Design Abroad
• Masters in Fashion Designing Abroad
• Masters in Pharmacy Abroad

Top Bachelors Courses

• Bachelors Abroad
• BSC Nursing Courses
• BA in Fine Arts
• Btech in Mechanical Engineering
• Banking and Finance Courses
• BSC in Fashion Design
• Btech in Marine Engineering
• BSC in Horticulture
• BSC in Life Science
• BA in Journalism and Mass Communication

IELTS Exam Details

• IELTS Exam Fees
• IELTS Exam Dates
• IELTS Exam Pattern
• IELTS Test Format
• IELTS Syllabus
• IELTS Eligibility
• Types of IELTS Test
• IELTS Test Centres
• Validity of IELTS Score

IELTS Preparation and Tips

• IELTS Preparation
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Tips and Tricks
• Idioms for IELTS Speaking
• Phrases for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Reading Practice Test
• IELTS Reading Tips
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

IELTS Scores & Details

• IELTS Band Score
• IELTS Band Score Chart
• IELTS Speaking Band Score
• IELTS Reading Band Score
• IELTS Score for Australia
• IELTS Score for UK
• IELTS Score for New Zealand
• IELTS Score for USA
• IELTS Band Descriptors
• IELTS Speaking Test

IELTS Extra Resources

• Bar Chart IELTS
• Pie Chart IELTS Task 1
• IELTS vs TOEFL
• Universities in Canada Without IELTS
• Types of Essays in IELTS
• Documents Required for IELTS Exam
• Grammar for IELTS
• How to Download IELTS Score Card
• Study in UK Without IELTS

GRE Exam Details

• GRE Exam Fees
• GRE Exam Syllabus
• GRE Exam Eligibility
• GRE Registration
• GRE Exam Benefits
• GRE Exam Results
• GRE Exam Score
• GRE Exam Dates
• Score High on GRE

GRE Preparation and Tips

• GRE Verbal Preparation
• GRE Study Material
• GRE AWA Essays
• GRE Sample Issue Essays
• GRE Preparation
• Sections in GRE Exam
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning
• GRE Verbal Reasoning
• GRE Vocabulary List
• GRE at Home

GRE Extra Resources

• GRE vs GMAT
• GRE Score for Stanford
• GRE Score for Harvard
• Universities in USA Without GRE
• How to Send GRE Scores to Universities
• Things to Carry for GMAT Exam
• GRE Percentiles
• How Many Hours is GRE Exam

Free GRE Ebooks

• GRE Preparation Guide (Free PDF)
• GRE Syllabus (Free PDF)

GMAT Exam Details

• GMAT Eligibility
• GMAT Syllabus
• GMAT Exam Dates
• GMAT Registration
• GMAT Exam Fees
• GMAT Sections
• GMAT Quantitative Syllabus
• GMAT Exam Pattern

GMAT Preparation and Tips

• How to Prepare for GMAT at Home
• GRE to GMAT Score Conversion
• GMAT Preparation Books
• GMAT Preparation
• Score 700 in GMAT
• GMAT Reading Comprehension
• GMAT Retake Strategy
• GMAT Results

GMAT Extra Resources

• GMAT Scholarships
• GMAT Score for Harvard
• GMAT Test Centers
• GMAT Purpose
• GMAT Math Formulas
• MBA in Canada Without GMAT
• MBA in Germany Without GMAT
• MBA in Australia Without GMAT
• MBA in Ireland Without GMAT

Free GMAT Ebooks

• GMAT Guide PDF
• Download GMAT Syllabus PDF

TOEFL Exam Details

• TOEFL Exam Registration
• TOEFL Exam Eligibility
• TOEFL Exam Pattern
• TOEFL Exam Preparation
• TOEFL Exam Tips
• TOEFL Exam Dates
• Documents for TOEFL Exam
• TOEFL Exam Fee
• TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL Extra Resources

• TOEFL Vocabulary
• Types of Essays in TOEFL
• TOEFL Preparation Books
• TOEFL Speaking Section
• TOEFL Writing Section
• TOEFL Reading Section
• TOEFL Listening Section
• TOEFL Accepted Countries
• TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA
• TOEFL Accepted Universities in UK

Free TOEFL Ebooks

• TOEFL Exam Guide (Free PDF)

PTE Exam Details

• PTE Exam Dates
• PTE Exam Syllabus
• PTE Exam Pattern
• PTE Exam Fees
• PTE Exam Duration
• PTE Exam Registration
• PTE Accepted Countries
• PTE Exam Eligibility Criteria

PTE Extra Resources

• PTE Exam Preparation Tips
• PTE Speaking Test
• PTE Reading Test
• PTE Listening Test
• PTE Writing Test
• PTE Essay Writing
• PTE Describe Image Task
• PTE exam for Australia
• PTE Exam Preparation Books
• PTE Accepted Universities in USA

Free PTE Ebooks

• PTE Syllabus (Free PDF)

Duolingo Exam Details

• Duolingo Exam
• Duolingo Syllabus
• Duolingo Test Validity
• Duolingo Preparation
• Duolingo Test Score
• Duolingo Exam Dates
• Duolingo Test Eligibility
• Duolingo Exam Pattern
• Duolingo Exam Fees
• Duolingo Test Results

Duolingo Extra Resources

• Duolingo vs PTE
• Duolingo English Test Certificate
• Duolingo English Test Booking
• Duolingo English Test Preparation
• Duolingo Accepted Universities in Canada
• Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA
• Duolingo Accepted Universities in UK
• Duolingo Accepted Universities in Australia

Free Duolingo Ebooks

• Duolingo Guide (Free PDF)
• Duolingo Test Pattern (Free PDF)

SAT & ACT Exam

• ACT Eligibility
• ACT Exam Dates
• Act Exam Syllabus
• Act Exam Pattern
• SAT Syllabus
• SAT Exam Pattern
• SAT Exam Eligibility

USMLE & OET Exam

• USMLE Syllabus
• Usmle Exam Fees
• USMLE Step 1
• USMLE Preparation
• USMLE Exam Eligibility
• OET Exam Fees
• OET Syllabus

PLAB & LSAT Exam

• PLAB Exam Syllabus
• PLAB Exam Fees
• PLAB Exam Eligibility
• PLAB vs USMLE
• PLAB Accepted Countries
• LSAT Exam Fees
• LSAT Eligibility

Other Exams

• TOEIC Result
• MHT CET Exam
• AP EAMCET Exam
• MCAT Eligibility
• Scholarships

Study Abroad Essentials

• Why Study Abroad
• How to Study Abroad for Free
• Study Abroad Consultants
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• Study Abroad Myths
• How to Choose a Study Abroad Destination
• Best Countries to Study Abroad
• Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad
• Best Countries to Study MBA Abroad

SOPs & LORs

• SOP for Internship
• SOP for Phd
• SOP for Business Analytics
• SOP for Undergraduate
• SOP for Masters
• SOP for MBA
• LOR Samples
• LOR for Masters

Jobs & Salary

• Part Time Jobs in Australia
• Highest Paying Jobs in UK
• Highest Paying Jobs in Australia
• Jobs After MBA in Australia
• Part Time Jobs in USA
• Average Salary in Singapore
• Average Doctor Salary in USA
• Best Education System in the World
• Toughest Exams in the World
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
• Types of Engineering
• Best Flying Schools in the World
• Difference Between Diploma and Degree
• Difference Between College and University
• Difference Between GPA and CGPA
• BCA Course Subjects
• How to Convert GPA to Percentage
• Scholarships for Indian Students in UK
• Chevening Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarship
• Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
• British Council Scholarships
• Cambridge University Scholarships for Indian Students
• DAAD Scholarship
• Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
• Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Programme
• SBW Berlin Scholarship
• Scholarships for Indian Students in USA

Fulbright Scholarship

• Stuart Hall Scholarship
• Australia Awards Scholarship
• Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program

Country Guides

• UK Study Guide PDF
• Canada Study Guide PDF
• USA Study Guide PDF
• Germany Study Guide PDF
• Australia Study Guide PDF
• Singapore Study Guide PDF
• Ireland Study Guide PDF

Exams Guides

• IELTS Preparation PDF
• TOEFL Preparation PDF
• GRE Preparation PDF
• GMAT Preparation PDF
• SAT Preparation PDF
• Duolingo Preparation PDF
• ACT Preparation PDF
• PTE Syllabus PDF

Recommended Reads

• Fully Funded Masters PDF
• Jobs After MBBS PDF
• Scholarships for Canada PDF
• Data Science Guide PDF
• MBA Guide PDF
• US F1 Visa Guide for Aspirants PDF
• Study Abroad Exams PDF
• Scholarships for USA PDF
• SOP Samples for Canada Student Visa PDF
• SOP Samples for Canada Visa PDF
• SOP Samples For Australia PDF
• SOP for MS in Computer Science PDF
• SOP for Business Management PDF

Technology/Science

• IIT Full Form
• PHP Full Form
• NTG Full Form
• OTG Full Form
• ECG Full Form
• EDP Full Form
• SIM Full Form
• PCB Full Form
• VLC Full Form
• EEG Full Form

Finance/Banking

• DBS Full Form
• RBL Full Form
• PNR Full Form
• HSBC Full Form
• BFSI Full Form
• CUB Full Form
• SIDBI Full Form
• TSCAB Full Form
• TGB Full Form
• SME Full Form

Government/Organizations

• DIG Full Form
• IB Full Form
• SSB Full Form
• NAAC Full Form
• RAW Full Form
• DGP Full Form
• SHO Full Form
• AAI Full Form
• ILFS Full Form
• ADB Full Form
• LKG Full Form
• CSE Full Form
• SAT Full Form
• PGDCA Full Form
• M.Ed. Full Form
• MBBS Full Form
• B.Sc Full Form
• BMBS Full Form
• XAT Full Form
• LLM Full Form
• Alumni Connect
• Booster Program
• Scholarship
• Offline Centres

GPA CALCULATOR Convert percentage marks to GPA effortlessly with our calculator!

Expense calculator plan your study abroad expenses with our comprehensive calculator, ielts band calculator estimate your ielts band score with our accurate calculator, education loan calculator discover your eligible loan amount limit with our education calculator, university partner explore growth and opportunities with our university partnership, accommodation discover your perfect study abroad accommodation here, experience-center discover our offline centers for a personalized experience, our offices visit us for expert study abroad counseling..

• 18002102030
• Study Abroad

Environmental Problems And Solution Essay : IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample & Tips

• IELTS E-Books
• IELTS Registration
• IELTS Exam Fee
• IELTS Exam Dates 2024
• Documents Required
• IELTS Test Centers
• Test Format
• Band Descriptors
• General Reading Test
• General Writing Task
• IELTS Coaching
• Types of Essays
• IELTS for Australia
• IELTS Results
• IELTS Cue Card
• Generation Gap Essay
• GPA Calculator
• Study Abroad Consultant In India
• Study Visa Consultants in India

Updated on 29 July, 2024

Sunita Kadian

Ielts expert.

Attempting the IELTS Writing Task 2 environmental problems and solutions essay? There are certain things you should know. This includes the minimum word count, total allotted time, and approach to answer such questions. 

While writing the problem of pollution IELTS essay, it must be accompanied by examples, arguments, and logical reasons. Read the instructions carefully before starting. Let’s look at some samples for a better understanding.

What is IELTS Writing Task 2

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is the essay section of the IELTS exam. It measures your capability to write a concise, clear, and well-organized essay on various general or academic topics.

A prompt will be presented to you and using that you have to create an essay of at least 250 words. The duration of IELTS Writing Task 2 is approximately 40 minutes.

The common types of prompts include opinion essays, two-question essays, advantages and disadvantages essays, discussion essays, and problem and solution essays like environmental problems and solutions essay questions. You must provide an opinion, summarize information, outline major issues or identify solutions for relevant problems.

For example, if your prompt is an essay about environmental problems and solutions, you must write a minimum 250-word essay about it. Your answer should include insights into how to solve environmental problems, present and justify your opinion, present a solution, and provide applicable evidence.

How to Approach Writing Task 2

You can follow the below steps to learn how to write an essay on writing task 2, environmental problems and solutions:

• Understand what type of essay you must write.
• Create a rough outline and a few ideas about what to include and how to complete the essay.
• Write an engaging introduction that includes a brief on the topic at hand, i.e., discuss environmental problems.
• Start writing short, clear body paragraphs explaining how your solutions will solve the problems.
• Make sure to use a formal tone and be consistent with the styling when writing the essay.
• Add any examples or evidence to support your solutions and point of view. For example, let’s imagine you are presenting the   idea of reducing deforestation as a solution to environmental problems. Mention creative ideas that show how deforestation can solve this specific problem.
• Before submitting, proofread your essay to remove typos, grammatical errors, or tone inconsistencies. 

Vocabulary for Writing Task 2  

To complete IELTS Writing Task 2 environment topics with answers, you should have a strong vocabulary and avoid repetitive words. Use proper connectors and transitional words as much as possible to ensure the smooth flow of the sentences.   You can use a thesaurus to learn synonyms for connecting words. Try to start and end the paragraphs with connectors to get a higher score.   When writing an essay about environmental problems and solutions, you can incorporate phrases like:  

• In my opinion (to express your views about environmental issues)  
• For example (to present evidence)  
• One way to solve this could be (to mention solutions to environmental problems)  
• I quite agree that (to mention that you are agreeing with)  
• The main reason is (to explain the root cause of the environmental problems) 
• To conclude (add a summary to your essay)

Some advanced vocabulary you can include in your IELTS essay are as follows:

Table of Contents

Ielts writing task 2 environmental problems essay sample - 1, download e-books for ielts preparation, download ielts sample papers, ielts environmental problems and solutions essay sample - 2, important study abroad articles, frequently asked questions, learn more about study abroad, popular study abroad destinations.

Go through some samples that will help you frame a good essay:  

Question:   Many people think that environmental problems are too big for individual citizens to fix. In contrast, others feel that the government cannot solve them unless individuals take constructive actions. Discuss both perspectives and let us know what you think.  

Answer:  

There are pressing environmental problems that the world faces today. Some believe that they are outside the ambit of individuals to solve, while others believe that unless people step up, the governments will be unable to solve them either. This essay will discuss both these views before concluding. 

The argument is heavily tilted toward individual citizens lacking the material resources and social networks to fix long-standing environmental problems. There are several facets towards solving environmental issues, notably those concerning the administrative, governmental, regulatory, authoritative, law and order, and legal domains. For instance, manufacturing units keep releasing poisonous gases into the atmosphere while polluting rivers with toxic materials. Individuals cannot possibly combat these instances. People may argue that every stakeholder can step up and pressure the authorities and companies to take proactive steps. However, this is not a feasible solution since these companies are largely under the ownership of businesses and funds that only seek profits and do not prioritize the environment. 

It leads to the natural deduction that solving environmental problems is the joint responsibility of public stakeholders and the government. The authorities should offer legal and administrative support towards curbing pollution and other environmental issues. If any individual wishes to notify the authorities of something harmful in their region, then steps should be taken to streamline this provision as much as possible. Governments may consider setting up pollution control bodies, desks in every administrative office, random environmental inspections at manufacturing units, fines and legal provisions for a rule violation, and similar steps. 

Hence, the above premise supports the argument that the government can't fix everything unless there is sustained pressure from a section of society and individuals. The responsibility seems to veer directly towards individual actions collectively harnessed to pressure legislative and administrative mechanisms to fix prevalent issues. The combined initiatives of citizens and authorities will be the most effective solution for solving environmental problems. However, this does not mean that individual responsibility takes a backseat until there is government support. Individuals can contribute in numerous smaller ways towards ecological preservation. (Words: 360)

Master IELTS for FREE

Unlock your potential with our expertly crafted IELTS FREE Course designed to help you achieve your desired band score. Don't miss this unique opportunity to start your journey towards global success.

In this Course you will find:

• Expert instructions from experienced instructor.
• Comprehensive coverage of all IELTS modules.
• Flexible, self-paced online learning.
• Interactive lessons and practice tests.
• Exclusive tips and strategies.

Important Resources to Read:

Question:   Some citizens feel that the biggest environmental issue currently is the loss of animal and plant species. Some think that there are bigger ecological issues worth addressing. Discuss both perspectives and let us know what you think.  

Many people feel that there are bigger environmental issues and potential disasters that should be tackled first. In contrast, others believe that the loss of particular animal and plant species is the biggest threat at the moment. Despite the first argument having some merits, I agree that the loss of biodiversity through the vital plant and animal species is the biggest environmental issue we face today. 

Natural disasters have increased worldwide, and scientists cite climate change as the major reason. Many experts argue that the temperature increase, especially across oceans, has led to a higher risk of blizzards, hurricanes, cyclones, and tsunamis. There are multiple natural disasters, including the devastating cyclones  Aila and  Amphan,  which struck India periodically over the last two decades. The biggest tragedy of the entire century was arguably the 2004 tsunami that destroyed Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, causing innumerable deaths, serious injuries, loss of property and homes, livelihood risks, and unimaginable damages. 

The key reason animal and plant species have to be safeguarded is the growing number of endangered species over the last few decades. Take the example of polar bears, who reside in the Arctic, where they currently face threats due to the prolonged melting of the ice caps. Polar bears may completely become extinct by 2100, as per forecasts. It will have a chain effect on the Arctic ecosystem and other animals in the endangered category, such as narwhals and seals. It is only a single example of global warming and how it impacts the lives of plant and animal species. 

In my opinion, biodiversity loss is the biggest threat the environment faces today. Citizens, action groups and governments, should find ways to collaborate and take positive steps toward preserving endangered wildlife and plants along with their ecosystems. It is because biodiversity is the bedrock of natural growth, maintenance, and evolution. Governments should simultaneously look at ways to lower carbon emissions, the usage of fossil fuels, and other factors causing climate change and deadly natural consequences. (Words: 353)

In conclusion, addressing environmental problems requires a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and a commitment to implementing practical solutions. Essays on environmental problems and solutions for IELTS Writing Task 2 should not only highlight the urgency of these issues, such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, but also emphasize the effectiveness of solutions like renewable energy adoption, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices.

By critically analyzing these topics, candidates can demonstrate their awareness, analytical abilities, and language proficiency. Furthermore, such essays encourage a global discourse on environmental stewardship, underscoring the need for collective action and innovative approaches to safeguard our planet for future generations. 

As we move forward, it is imperative that we all contribute to these solutions, embodying the change needed to address the environmental challenges that face us today.

Recommended Reads:

Pursue MBA in USA

Learn all about MBA programs in the USA

Scholarships for Students

Learn about types of scholarships, how to get a scholarship, their sources & a lot more.

PNP Program Canada

Learn all about eligibility, documents, application process, cost & more.

Canada Part Time Jobs

Learn how you can earn living costs by doing part-time jobs in Canada.

Statement of Purpose Format

Learn all about how to write a SOP along with perfect SOP samples

Know the best reasons to study in Canada and detailed requirements

Letter of Recommendation Format

Learn all about a LOR and how to write a LOR with these LOR samples

Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Study abroad by applying for a student loan at the Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Masters Courses in USA

Master's in the USA is a dream for aspirants who wish to build a fulfilling career

How to Check Visa Status

Learn how to check your visa status online using the passport number or application ID.

MS in Germany

Know the various courses at top German universities offering MS in Germany.

Experience Certificate

Learn about job experience certificates with work experience certificate format

Study in Germany for Free

Learn about studying in Germany for free for Indian students

CGPA to GPA Conversion

Difference between GPA and CGPA, and also learn how to convert GPA into CGPA.

Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Best countries to study abroad with quality education & highly paid job opportunities

MBA in Australia

Learn about different aspects of pursuing MBA in Australia including the costs involved.

MBBS in Canada

Learn all about pursuing MBBS in Canada including job prospects after graduating.

NOC for Canada

Get complete details of NOC code in Canada to get started with Job hunt in Canada

Learn about USA study visa requirements

What is Motivation Letter

Learn how to write a motivation letter and simplify your admission process.

What to write in the 'how to keep our environment clean essay' ?

As human beings, we are blessed with a beautiful and nurturing environment. However, it is fast being reduced to shreds owing to the negative impact of our destructive and careless actions. 

Out of our greed, selfishness, and carelessness, we are steadily destroying the environment brick by brick. The rising incidence of natural calamities throughout the world and growing emissions are only two indicators of what is to come if we do not mend our ways. 

I strongly feel that communities, governments and individuals should take more concrete steps towards keeping their immediate environments clean and in good shape. 

We should enhance our environment by planting more trees and encouraging others to do the same, especially the future generations. 

We should also advocate legal regulations that ban the usage of plastic in order to preserve our future ecosystems and oceans. We should reuse our plastic bags and not dispose them. We should gradually switch towards paper bags as well. 

We should also use more public transportation and reduce electricity and water consumption. I believe that with responsible steps, we can ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.

What should be included in the 'how to protect the environment essay' ?

Our environment refers to our ecosystems, communities, surroundings and our living conditions. However, it is now on its way towards being endangered owing to the callous actions of Man for greed and profit. Milking natural resources to the point of exhaustion, we have already been chipping away at the natural environment bit by bit. 

I believe that all is not lost;  we can start taking proactive steps toward safeguarding our environment. 

We can start with more tree plantations since green cover is the only solution for combating the impact of natural calamities and flooding and reducing the artificial  heat island effect that major global cities are suffering from. More oxygen will also ensure better quality of life in the bargain. We can also endeavor to protect natural habitats, urban forests and other natural ecosystems including water bodies. We should also conserve forests with dedicated initiatives and awareness programs. A lot has to be done at the government level in this regard. 

Other measures include waste management, zero-tolerance policies for littering, soil conservation and pollution prevention. In this way, we can all work together to protect what is left of our environment in order to combat future calamities and destructive occurrences, while ensuring the sustainability of life on the planet.

How to save our environment essay?

Saving the environment is imperative in the current scenario. The word  save assumes immense significance here since we have already managed to destroy large parts of our environments and natural habitats owing to greed, conspicuous consumption, and  politics. 

We can start by emphasizing  tree plantation and the conservation of existing natural habitats and ecosystems. We should take steps towards reducing carbon emissions and footprints while switching to electric mobility, cutting down on water waste,  and managing solid waste carefully. We should eliminate plastic usage to save our oceans. 

Forest and soil conservation are also essential for saving the environment for the future. Solar and wind energy should be promoted as the new-age formula for environmental conservation. 

Recycling and reusing are also  ways to  conserve natural resources.

With these positive steps being implemented by environmental organizations and authorities worldwide, we can attempt to save our environment, leaving it intact and sustainable for future generations.

What can I write in the 'how I care for the environment everyday essay' ?

As human beings, we are all governed by a set of fundamental duties and responsibilities to ourselves, our families, society,  and the environment. We are all entrusted with the responsibilities to leave behind a sustainable environment for upcoming generations instead of defiling it and leaving behind the planet in a hazardous state. 

At my end, I try to take various proactive steps towards caring for my environment. I try to plant trees as often as possible by organizing tree plantation drives, not just in proximity to my residence, but also throughout my community. I gift saplings to my loved ones and acquaintances.

I also reuse plastic bags at home while avoiding the usage of new ones. I use paper bags for my shopping as much as possible. I regularly volunteer for beach and park clean-up drives in my locality while also spreading awareness amongst children and younger generations. I try to  use less water and encourage my family to do the same. I also buy sustainable seafood and have cut down on my consumption of electricity. 

These are some small ways through which I care for my environment. I firmly encourage others to do the same. We only have one livable planet, and it is time for us to stop taking it for granted.

How do humans affect the environment essay?

Over centuries, human beings have adversely impacted the environment, especially with a rapid growth in population, housing and societal requirements, along with widespread urbanization and industrialization. 

Human beings have contributed to large-scale deforestation and the elimination of precious forest cover throughout the world for housing, industries, profitable enterprises and other purposes.

Industrialization and consumerism have become a lethal cocktail that has led to increasing usage of plastic that chokes up our oceans , more toxic emissions with an increase in vehicles and burning of fossil fuels, and contamination of soil and water through harmful chemicals. 

As human beings, we have already destroyed the tender ecological balance by misusing and exploiting of natural resources for profits. Littering and careless waste disposal have also hurt the environment along with wildlife extinction and biodiversity losses. 

Last but not the least, we have also contributed to soil erosion, higher radiation and noise pollution. These are the catastrophic ways in which we have harmed the environment. Decades of restorative measures are required to reverse these damages to an extent.

What is Scholarship

Learn all about the scholarships like types of scholarships and how to get a one

Provincial Nominee Program Canada

Learn all about Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Canada

Learn about the eligibility, benefits, procedure etc about Fulbright Scholarships

Education Loan for Study Abroad

Learn about educational loans, types, amount, eligibility & more in this article.

Best Universities in Australia

Learn about best universities in Australia along with other information

SEVIS Fees for F1 Visa

Learn about SEVIS fees amount & how to pay SEVIS fee here.

Best Universities in Germany

Learn more about the best universities in Germany for higher education

Learn all about USMLE exam here including USMLE steps, process & more

Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

Find our all about an LOR and also how to effectively write an LOR

Best Courses After 12th Commerce in USA

Know about the best courses to study in the USA after 12th commerce.

MBA Jobs in Australia for Indians

Know about the best-paying jobs after an MBA in Australia

Best Courses After 12th Arts in USA

Know the study options in USA for Indian students after completing 12th from Arts

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

Narotam Sekhsaria scholarships are available for Indian students to apply for

What is SDS and Non SDS Visa

Difference between SDS and Non-SDS visa applications, their requirements & more.

MBA in Healthcare Management in UK

MBA in healthcare management in the UK and the scope of work after graduating.

PR in Canada

How to get Canada PR from India along with the key factors, process and cost

CRS Score Calculator

Learn more about CRS of Canada’s Express Entry program.

MBA Fees in Canada

Learn about all the costs involved in pursuing an MBA in Canada.

What to Do After BCom

Popular courses after BCom abroad that you can opt for. Read to know!

Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan

Study abroad by applying for a student loan at the Vidya Lakshmi Portal.

• Study in Canada

Study in Canada & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

• Study in Australia

Study in Australia & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

• Study in USA

Study in the USA & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

• Study in Germany

Study in Germany & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

• Study in Ireland

Study in Ireland & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

• Study in UK

Study in UK & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

Sunita Kadian, co-founder and Academic Head at Yuno Learning is an expert in IELTS and English communication. With a background in competitive exam preparation (IELTS, GMAT, CAT, TOEFL), interview prep, and corporate soft skills training, she has adapted these programs for the Yuno platform. Her dedication and commitment earned high praise from students, especially for her public speaking and advanced speaking English courses. Sunita's mastery of language nuances and articulation makes her a favorite among IELTS students. She holds a Postgraduate degree in English Literature, a B.Ed., and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations.

Important Exams

Important resources for ielts, free study abroad counselling, verify your number for a free session with experts .

By submitting this form, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.

TRENDING SEARCHES

Editor's pick, other countries.

• Bachelors in Aviation
• MA in Communication
• Masters in Accounting
• BSc in Nursing
• Masters in Business Analytics in Australia
• MS in Australia
• Carnegie Mellon University
• La Trobe University
• Masters in Public Health in Australia
• Courses in Australia
• Nursing Courses in Australia
• University of Adelaide
• Masters in Australia
• University of Queensland
• Deakin University
• RMIT University
• Universities in Australia
• University of Sydney
• Macquarie University
• University of Melbourne Courses
• University of Melbourne
• Monash University
• University of Windsor
• Data Science Courses in Canada
• University of Saskatchewan
• Courses in Canada
• University Canada West
• Concordia University
• Project Management Courses in Canada
• University of Manitoba
• Masters in Canada
• Masters in Computer Science in Canada
• University of Alberta
• Thompson Rivers University
• Masters in Data Science in Canada
• Universities in Canada
• University of British Columbia
• University of Victoria
• Kings College London
• Imperial College London
• University of Cambridge Courses
• Masters in UK
• Coventry University
• University of Oxford Courses
• University of Strathclyde Ranking
• Bachelors in UK
• De Montfort University
• Queen Mary University of London Ranking
• Northumbria University Ranking
• Manchester Metropolitan University Ranking
• Birmingham City University
• University of Leicester Ranking
• University of Oxford
• Universities in UK
• Liverpool John Moores University Ranking
• University of Sussex Ranking
• University of West London Ranking
• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• Courses in UK
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of Texas at Arlington ranking
• University of Dayton ranking
• Universities in USA
• Saint Louis University Ranking
• Purdue University ranking
• University of Texas at Dallas ranking
• Purdue University
• masters in computer science in usa
• University at Buffalo
• George Mason University ranking
• New York University Ranking
• Arizona State University
• Columbia University Ranking
• DePaul University Ranking
• Saint Louis University
• Courses in USA
• University of South Florida ranking
• Northeastern University
• Northeastern University acceptance rate
• New York University
• Drexel University Ranking
• DePaul University
• Columbia University Acceptance Rate
• George Mason University
• Northeastern University ranking
• University of California Los Angeles
• Masters in USA
• Bachelors in USA
• IELTS Speaking Scores
• CEFR Level in IELTS
• Gmat Syllabus
• Top Phrases for IELTS Speaking Test
• Duolingo vs IELTS
• Usmle Test Centers In India
• MBA In UK Without Gmat
• Duolingo Accepted Universities In Canada
• GRE Waived University In Usa
• Documents Required For Gre Exam
• How to download IELTS Scorecard
• Gre Exam Fee in India
• Duolingo Certificate
• 22 July IELTS Exam
• IELTS Common Speaking Topics
• Duolingo Accepted Universities In Australia
• IELTS Introduction Sample
• Minimum IELTS Score For Canada
• SAT Exam Syllabus
• Duolingo Exam Fee
• Universities in Germany
• Universities in Netherlands
• Masters Courses in Finland
• Maynooth University Courses
• Technological University Dublin Courses
• University of Limerick Courses
• Masters in Germany
• Courses in Germany
• Business Courses in Ireland
• Courses in Finland
• Courses in Ireland
• Universities in Ireland
• Bachelors in Germany
• National University of Ireland Galway Courses
• Courses in Netherlands
• Dublin City University Courses
• Dundalk Institute of Technology Courses
• Masters in Ireland
• Bachelor Courses in Finland
• Bachelors in Ireland
• Universities in Finland

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.

Call us to clear your doubts at:

• Grievance Redressal
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Report a Vulnerability
• University Partner
• Accommodation
• IELTS Band Calculator
• Download Study Abroad App
• Education Loan Calculator
• upGrad Abroad Office
• Expense Calculator
• Knowledge Base
• Business Partner

Top Destinations

Masters programs.

• MBA in Germany, IU
• MIM in Germany, IU
• MS in CS in Germany, IU
• MS in Data Analytics in USA, Clark University
• MS in Project Management in USA, Clark University
• MS in IT in USA, Clark University
• MS in Data Analytics & Visualization in USA, Yeshiva University
• MS in Artificial Intelligence in USA, Yeshiva University
• MS in Cybersecurity, Yeshiva University

Study Abroad Important Blogs

• Cost of Study:
• Cost of Studying in Canada
• Cost of Studying in Germany
• Cost of Studying in Australia
• Cost of Studying in USA
• Cost of living:
• Cost of living in UK
• Cost of living in Australia
• Cost of living in Germany
• Cost of living in Ireland
• Cost of living in Canada
• Cost of Living in Singapore
• Cost of Living in Netherlands
• Career Opportunities:
• Career Opportunities in Germany
• Job Opportunities in After MS in Canada
• Job Opportunities After MBA in Australia
• Job Opportunities After MS in UK
• IELTS Exam Resources:
• Academic IELTS
• IELTS Slot Booking
• IELTS Speaking Topics
• How to Prepare for IELTS at Home Without Coaching
• IELTS Preparation Books
• Types of IELTS Exam
• IELTS Academic vs General
• IELTS Essay
• Top Streams:
• Fashion Designing Courses in Australia
• Accounting Courses in Canada
• Management Courses in Canada

• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Climate Change
• Policy & Economics
• Biodiversity
• Conservation

Get focused newsletters especially designed to be concise and easy to digest

• ESSENTIAL BRIEFING 3 times weekly
• TOP STORY ROUNDUP Once a week
• MONTHLY OVERVIEW Once a month
• Enter your email *

15 Biggest Environmental Problems of 2024

While the climate crisis has many factors that play a role in the exacerbation of the environment, some warrant more attention than others. Here are some of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime, from deforestation and biodiversity loss to food waste and fast fashion.

1. Global Warming From Fossil Fuels

2023 was the hottest year on record , with global average temperatures at 1.46C above pre-industrial levels and 0.13C higher than the eleven-month average for 2016, currently the warmest calendar year on record. The year was marked by six record-breaking months and two record-breaking seasons.

What’s more, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have never been so high . After being consistently around 280 parts per million (ppm) for almost 6,000 years of human civilisation, CO2 levels in the atmosphere are now well above 420 ppm, more than double what they were before the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Rick Spinrad, the steady annual increase is a “direct result of human activity,” mainly from the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation but also from cement manufacturing, deforestation , and  agriculture .

This is undoubtedly one of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime: as greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat, leading to global warming.

Increased emissions of greenhouse gases have led to a rapid and steady increase in global temperatures, which in turn is  causing catastrophic events all over the world – from Australia and the US experiencing some of the most devastating bushfire seasons ever recorded, locusts swarming across parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, decimating crops, and a heatwave in Antarctica that saw temperatures rise above 20C for the first time. S cientists are constantly warning that the planet has crossed a series of tipping points that could have catastrophic consequences, such as  advancing permafrost melt in Arctic regions, the Greenland ice sheet melting at an unprecedented rate, accelerating sixth mass extinction , and increasing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest , just to name a few.

The climate crisis is causing tropical storms and other weather events such as hurricanes, heatwaves and flooding to be more intense and frequent than seen before. However, even if all greenhouse gas emissions were halted immediately, global temperatures would continue to rise in the coming years. That is why it is absolutely imperative that we start now to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy sources, and phase our fossil fuels as fast as possible.

You might also like: The Tipping Points of Climate Change: How Will Our World Change?

2. Poor Governance

According to economists like Nicholas Stern, the climate crisis is a result of multiple market failures .

Economists and environmentalists have urged policymakers for years to increase the price of activities that emit greenhouse gases (one of our biggest environmental problems), the lack of which constitutes the largest market failure, for example through carbon taxes, which will stimulate innovations in low-carbon technologies.

To cut emissions quickly and effectively enough, governments must not only massively increase funding for green innovation to bring down the costs of low-carbon energy sources, but they also need to adopt a range of other policies that address each of the other market failures. 

A national carbon tax is currently implemented in 27 countries around the world , including various countries in the EU, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Ukraine and Argentina. However, according to the 2019 OECD Tax Energy Use report, current tax structures are not adequately aligned with the pollution profile of energy sources. For example, the OECD suggests that carbon taxes are not harsh enough on coal production, although it has proved to be effective for the electricity industry. A carbon tax has been effectively implemented in Sweden ; the carbon tax is U$127 per tonne and has reduced emissions by 25% since 1995, while its economy has expanded 75% in the same time period. 

Further, organisations such as the United Nations are not fit to deal with the climate crisis: it was assembled to prevent another world war and is not fit for purpose. Anyway, members of the UN are not mandated to comply with any suggestions or recommendations made by the organisation. For example, the Paris Agreement , a historic deal within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), says that countries need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly so that global temperature rise is below 2C by 2100, and ideally under 1.5C. But signing on to it is voluntary, and there are no real repercussions for non-compliance. Further, the issue of equity remains a contentious issue whereby developing countries are allowed to emit more in order to develop to the point where they can develop technologies to emit less, and it allows some countries, such as China, to exploit this. 

3. Food Waste

A third of the food intended for human consumption – around 1.3 billion tons – is wasted or lost. This is enough to feed 3 billion people. Food waste and loss account for approximately one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions annually ; if it was a country, food waste would be the third-largest emitter  of greenhouse gases, behind China and the US. 

Food waste and loss occurs at different stages in developing and developed countries; in developing countries, 40% of food waste occurs at the post-harvest and processing levels, while in developed countries, 40% of food waste occurs at the retail and consumer levels. 

At the retail level, a shocking amount of food is wasted because of aesthetic reasons; in fact, in the US, more than 50% of all produce thrown away in the US is done so because it is deemed to be “too ugly” to be sold to consumers- this amounts to about 60 million tons of fruits and vegetables. This leads to food insecurity , another one of the biggest environmental problems on the list. 

You might also like: How Does Food Waste Affect the Environment?

4. Biodiversity Loss

The past 50 years have seen a rapid growth of human consumption, population, global trade and urbanisation, resulting in humanity using more of the Earth’s resources than it can replenish naturally. 

A 2020 WWF report found that the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians have experienced a decline of an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. The report attributes this biodiversity loss to a variety of factors, but mainly land-use change, particularly the conversion of habitats, like forests, grasslands and mangroves, into agricultural systems. Animals such as pangolins, sharks and seahorses are significantly affected by the illegal wildlife trade, and pangolins are critically endangered because of it. 

More broadly, a recent analysis has found that the sixth mass extinction of wildlife on Earth is accelerating. More than 500 species of land animals are on the brink of extinction and are likely to be lost within 20 years; the same number were lost over the whole of the last century. The scientists say that without the human destruction of nature, this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years. 

In Antarctica, climate change-triggered melting of sea ice is taking a heavy toll on emperor penguins and could wipe out entire populations by as early as 2100 , according to 2023 research.

You might also like: The Remarkable Benefits of Biodiversity

5. Plastic Pollution

In 1950, the world produced more than 2 million tons of plastic per year . By 2015, this annual production swelled to 419 million tons and exacerbating plastic waste in the environment. 

A report by science journal, Nature, determined that currently, roughly 14 million tons of plastic make their way into the oceans every year, harming wildlife habitats and the animals that live in them. The research found that if no action is taken, the plastic crisis will grow to 29 million metric tons per year by 2040. If we include microplastics into this, the cumulative amount of plastic in the ocean could reach 600 million tons by 2040.

Shockingly, National Geographic found that 91% of all plastic that has ever been made is not recycled, representing not only one of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime, but another massive market failure. Considering that plastic takes 400 years to decompose, it will be many generations until it ceases to exist. There’s no telling what the irreversible effects of plastic pollution will have on the environment in the long run. 

You might also like: 8 Shocking Plastic Pollution Statistics to Know About

6. Deforestation

Every hour, forests the size of 300 football fields are cut down. By the year 2030, the planet might have only 10% of its forests; if deforestation isn’t stopped, they could all be gone in less than 100 years. 

The three countries experiencing the highest levels of deforestation are Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia. The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest – spanning 6.9 million square kilometres (2.72 million square miles) and covering around 40% of the South American continent – is also one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems and is home to about three million species of plants and animals . Despite efforts to protect forest land, legal deforestation is still rampant, and about one-third of global tropical deforestation occurs in Brazil’s Amazon forest, amounting to 1.5 million hectares each year . 

Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, another one of the biggest environmental problems appearing on this list. Land is cleared to raise livestock or to plant other crops that are sold, such as sugar cane and palm oil . Besides for carbon sequestration, forests help to prevent soil erosion, because the tree roots bind the soil and prevent it from washing away, which also prevents landslides. 

You might also like: 10 Deforestation Facts You Should Know About

7. Air Pollution 

One of the biggest environmental problems today is outdoor air pollution .

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that an estimated 4.2 to 7 million people die from air pollution worldwide every year and that nine out of 10 people breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants. In Africa, 258,000 people died as a result of outdoor air pollution in 2017, up from 164,000 in 1990, according to UNICEF . Causes of air pollution mostly comes from industrial sources and motor vehicles, as well as emissions from burning biomass and poor air quality due to dust storms. 

According to a 2023 study, air pollution in South Asia – one of the most polluted areas in the world – cuts life expectancy by about 5 years . The study blames a series of factors, including a lack of adequate infrastructure and funding for the high levels of pollution in some countries. Most countries in Asia and Africa, which together contribute about 92.7% of life years lost globally due to air pollution, lack key air quality standards needed to develop adequate policies. Moreover, just 6.8% and 3.7% of governments in the two continents, respectively, provide their citizens with fully open-air quality data.

In Europe, a recent report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) showed that more than half a million people living in the European Union died from health issues directly linked to toxic pollutants exposure in 2021.

More on the topic: Less Than 1% of Global Land Area Has Safe Air Pollution Levels: Study

8. Melting Ice Caps and Sea Level Rise

The climate crisis is warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as anywhere else on the planet. Today, sea levels are rising more than twice as quickly as they did for most of the 20th century as a result of increasing temperatures on Earth. Seas are now rising an average of 3.2 mm per year globally and they will continue to grow up to about 0.7 metres by the end of this century. In the Arctic, the Greenland Ice Sheet poses the greatest risk for sea levels because melting land ice is the main cause of rising sea levels.

Representing arguably the biggest of the environmental problems, this is made all the more concerning considering that last year’s summer triggered the loss of 60 billion tons of ice from Greenland, enough to raise global sea levels by 2.2mm in just two months . According to satellite data, the Greenland ice sheet lost a record amount of ice in 2019: an average of a million tons per minute throughout the year, one of the biggest environmental problems that has cascading effects. If the entire Greenland ice sheet melts, sea level would rise by six metres .

Meanwhile, the Antarctic continent contributes about 1 millimetre per year to sea level rise, which is one-third of the annual global increase. According to 2023 data, the continent has lost approximately 7.5 trillion tons of ice since 1997 . Additionally, the last fully intact ice shelf in Canada in the Arctic recently collapsed, having lost about 80 square kilometres – or 40% – of its area over a two-day period in late July, according to the Canadian Ice Service .  

Sea level rise will have a devastating impact on those living in coastal regions: according to research and advocacy group Climate Central, sea level rise this century could flood coastal areas that are now home to 340 million to 480 million people , forcing them to migrate to safer areas and contributing to overpopulation and strain of resources in the areas they migrate to. Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) are among the cities most at risk of sea level rise and flooding.

You might also like: Two-Thirds of World’s Glaciers Set to Disappear by 2100 Under Current Global Warming Scenario

9. Ocean Acidification

Global temperature rise has not only affected the surface, but it is the main cause of ocean acidification . Our oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide that is released into the Earth’s atmosphere. As higher concentrations of carbon emissions are released thanks to human activities such as burning fossil fuels as well as effects of global climate change such as increased rates of wildfires, so do the amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed back into the sea. 

The smallest change in the pH scale can have a significant impact on the acidity of the ocean. Ocean acidification has devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and species, its food webs, and provoke irreversible changes in habitat quality . Once pH levels reach too low, marine organisms such as oysters, their shells and skeleton could even start to dissolve. 

However, one of the biggest environmental problems from ocean acidification is coral bleaching and subsequent coral reef loss . This is a phenomenon that occurs when rising ocean temperatures disrupt the symbiotic relationship between the reefs and algae that lives within it, driving away the algae and causing coral reefs to lose their natural vibrant colours. Some scientists have estimated coral reefs are at risk of being completely wiped by 2050. Higher acidity in the ocean would obstruct coral reef systems’ ability to rebuild their exoskeletons and recover from these coral bleaching events. 

Some studies have also found that ocean acidification can be linked as one of the effects of plastic pollution in the ocean. The accumulating bacteria and microorganisms derived from plastic garbage dumped in the ocean to damage marine ecosystems and contribute towards coral bleaching.

10. Agriculture 

Studies have shown that the global food system is responsible for up to one-third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, of which 30% comes from livestock and fisheries. Crop production releases greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide through the use of fertilisers . 

60% of the world’s agricultural area is dedicated to cattle ranching , although it only makes up 24% of global meat consumption. 

Agriculture not only covers a vast amount of land, but it also consumes a vast amount of freshwater, another one of the biggest environmental problems on this list. While arable lands and grazing pastures cover one-third of Earth’s land surfaces , they consume three-quarters of the world’s limited freshwater resources.

Scientists and environmentalists have continuously warned that we need to rethink our current food system; switching to a more plant-based diet would dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the conventional agriculture industry. 

You might also like: The Future of Farming: Can We Feed the World Without Destroying It?

11. Food and Water Insecurity

Rising temperatures and unsustainable farming practices have resulted in increasing water and food insecurity.

Globally, more than 68 billion tonnes of top-soil is eroded every year at a rate 100 times faster than it can naturally be replenished. Laden with biocides and fertiliser, the soil ends up in waterways where it contaminates drinking water and protected areas downstream. 

Furthermore, exposed and lifeless soil is more vulnerable to wind and water erosion due to lack of root and mycelium systems that hold it together. A key contributor to soil erosion is over-tilling: although it increases productivity in the short-term by mixing in surface nutrients (e.g. fertiliser), tilling is physically destructive to the soil’s structure and in the long-term leads to soil compaction, loss of fertility and surface crust formation that worsens topsoil erosion.

With the global population expected to reach 9 billion people by mid-century, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) projects that global food demand may increase by 70% by 2050 . Around the world, more than 820 million people do not get enough to eat. 

The UN secretary-general António Guterres says, “Unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that there is an impending global food security emergency that could have long term impacts on hundreds of millions of adults and children.” He urged for countries to rethink their food systems and encouraged more sustainable farming practices. 

In terms of water security, only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater , and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use. As a result, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages. 

You might also like: Global Food Security: Why It Matters in 2023

12. Fast Fashion and Textile Waste

The global demand for fashion and clothing has risen at an unprecedented rate that the fashion industry now accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, becoming one of the biggest environmental problems of our time. Fashion alone produces more greenhouse gas emissions than both the aviation and shipping sectors combined , and nearly 20% of global wastewater, or around 93 billion cubic metres from textile dyeing, according to the UN Environment Programme.

What’s more, the world at least generated an estimated 92 million tonnes of textiles waste every year and that number is expected to soar up to 134 million tonnes a year by 2030. Discarded clothing and textile waste, most of which is non-biodegradable, ends up in landfills, while microplastics from clothing materials such as polyester, nylon, polyamide, acrylic and other synthetic materials, is leeched into soil and nearby water sources. Monumental amounts of clothing textile are also dumped in less developed countries as seen with Chile’s Atacama , the driest desert in the world, where at least 39,000 tonnes of textile waste from other nations are left there to rot.

This rapidly growing issue is only exacerbated by the ever-expanding fast fashion business model, in which companies relies on cheap and speedy production of low quality clothing to meet the latest and newest trends. While the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action sees signatory fashion and textile companies to commit to achieving net zero emission by 2050, a majority of businesses around the world have yet to address their roles in climate change.

While these are some of the biggest environmental problems plaguing our planet, there are many more that have not been mentioned, including overfishing, urban sprawl, toxic superfund sites and land use changes. While there are many facets that need to be considered in formulating a response to the crisis, they must be coordinated, practical and far-reaching enough to make enough of a difference. 

You might also like: Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact

13. Overfishing

Over three billion people around the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein. About 12% of the world relies upon fisheries in some form or another, with 90% of these being small-scale fishermen – think a small crew in a boat, not a ship, using small nets or even rods and reels and lures not too different from the kind you probably use . Of the 18.9 million fishermen in the world, 90% of them fall under the latter category.

Most people consume approximately twice as much food as they did 50 years ago and there are four times as many people on earth as there were at the close of the 1960s. This is one driver of the 30% of commercially fished waters being classified as being ‘overfished’. This means that the stock of available fishing waters is being depleted faster than it can be replaced.

Overfishing comes with detrimental effects on the environment, including increased algae in the water, destruction of fishing communities, ocean littering as well as extremely high rates of biodiversity loss.

As part of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) , the UN and FAO are working towards maintaining the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels. This, however, requires much stricter regulations of the world’s oceans than the ones already in place. In July 2022, the WTO banned fishing subsidies to reduce global overfishing in a historic deal. Indeed, subsidies for fuel, fishing gear, and building new vessels, only incentivise overfishing and represent thus a huge problem. 

You might also like: 7 Solutions to Overfishing We Need Right Now

14. Cobalt Mining

Cobalt is quickly becoming the defining example of the mineral conundrum at the heart of the renewable energy transition . As a key component of battery materials that power electric vehicles (EVs), cobalt is facing a sustained surge in demand as decarbonisation efforts progress. The  world’s largest cobalt supplier is the Democratic Republic of Congo  (DRC), where it is estimated that up to a fifth of the production is produced through artisanal miners.

Cobalt mining , however, is associated with  dangerous workers’ exploitation and other serious environmental and social issues. The environmental costs of cobalt mining activities are also substantial. Southern regions of the DRC are not only home to cobalt and copper, but also large amounts of uranium. In mining regions, scientists have made note of high radioactivity levels. In addition, mineral mining, similar to other industrial mining efforts, often produces pollution that leaches into neighbouring rivers and water sources. Dust from pulverised rock is known to cause breathing problems for local communities as well.

15. Soil Degradation

Organic matter is a crucial component of soil as it allows it to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Plants absorb CO2 from the air naturally and effectively through photosynthesis and part of this carbon is stored in the soil as  soil organic carbon (SOC). Healthy soil has a minimum of 3-6% organic matter. However, almost everywhere in the world, the content is much lower than that.

According to the United Nations, about 40% of the planet’s soil is degraded . Soil degradation refers to the loss of organic matter, changes in its structural condition and/or decline in soil fertility and it is often the result of human activities, such as traditional farming practices including the use of toxic chemicals and pollutants. If business as usual continued through 2050, experts project additional degradation of an area almost the size of South America. But there is more to it. If we do not change our reckless practices and step up to preserve soil health, food security for billions of people around the world will be irreversibly compromised, with an estimated 40% less food  expected to be produced in 20 years’ time despite the world’s population projected to reach 9.3 billion people.

Featured image by Earth.Org Photographer Roy Mangersnes

How can I contribute to a more sustainable planet?

• 🗳️ Vote for Climate Action: Exercise your democratic rights by supporting candidates and policies that prioritize climate change mitigation and environmental protection. Stay informed with Earth.Org’s election coverage .
• 👣 Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Make conscious choices to reduce your carbon footprint . Opt for renewable energy sources, conserve energy at home, use public transportation or carpool, and embrace sustainable practices like recycling and composting.
• 💰 Support Environmental Organizations: Join forces with organizations like Earth.Org and its NGO partners , dedicated to educating the public on environmental issues and solutions, supporting conservation efforts, holding those responsible accountable, and advocating for effective environmental solutions. Your support can amplify their efforts and drive positive change.
• 🌱 Embrace Sustainable Habits: Make sustainable choices in your everyday life. Reduce single-use plastics, choose eco-friendly products, prioritize a plant-based diet and reduce meat consumption, and opt for sustainable fashion and transportation. Small changes can have a big impact.
• 💬 Be Vocal, Engage and Educate Others: Spread awareness about the climate crisis and the importance of environmental stewardship. Engage in conversations, share information, and inspire others to take action. Together, we can create a global movement for a sustainable future.
• 🪧 Stand with Climate Activists: Show your support for activists on the frontlines of climate action . Attend peaceful protests, rallies, and marches, or join online campaigns to raise awareness and demand policy changes. By amplifying their voices, you contribute to building a stronger movement for climate justice and a sustainable future .

For more actionable steps, visit our ‘ What Can I do? ‘ page.

This story is funded by readers like you

Our non-profit newsroom provides climate coverage free of charge and advertising. Your one-off or monthly donations play a crucial role in supporting our operations, expanding our reach, and maintaining our editorial independence.

About EO | Mission Statement | Impact & Reach | Write for us

4 Biggest Environmental Issues in the Philippines in 2024

Water Shortage: Causes and Effects

What Are the Countries Most Prepared for Climate Change?

Hand-picked stories weekly or monthly. We promise, no spam!

• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Boost this article By donating us $100, $50 or subscribe to Boosting $10/month – we can get this article and others in front of tens of thousands of specially targeted readers. This targeted Boosting – helps us to reach wider audiences – aiming to convince the unconvinced, to inform the uninformed, to enlighten the dogmatic.