Republic of the Philippines
Commission on Higher Education
Bicol University
Polangui, Albay
ENVIRONMENT
An environment is generally defined as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal
or plant survives or operates. From this, it must be relatively easy for one to comprehend its
importance in the famed cycle of life.
Our environment is constantly changing, and as our environment changes so does the need to
become increasingly aware of the environmental issues that are causing these changes. With a
massive increase in natural disasters, warming and cooling periods, and different types of
weather patterns, people need to be a lot more cautious with the way they lead their lives in
conjunction with the types of environmental issues our planet is facing.
Environmental Problems
Various issues arising from human activities that threaten ecosystems and natural
environments, including pollution, resource depletion, and the consequences of industrial
processes. These problems encompass a wide range of pollutants and hazards, such as
hazardous air pollutants, water pollution, and global warming.
There are many different causes of environmental issues, and they can be both natural and
human-induced. Some common causes of environmental issues include:
1. Human activities:
Many environmental issues are caused by human actions, such as the burning of fossil fuels,
deforestation, and industrial activities that release pollutants into the air and water.
2. Natural disasters:
Environmental issues can also be caused by natural events, such as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, and storms, which can release harmful substances into the environment and disrupt
ecosystems.
3. Climate change:
Climate change, which is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,is
also a major cause of environmental issues. The warming of the planet can lead to a variety of
impacts, including more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and the spread
of diseases.
4. Lack of regulation:
In some cases, environmental issues can be caused by a lack of regulations or enforcement of
existing regulations that are designed to protect the environment.
5. Population Growth:
As the human population increases, the demand for food, water, land, and energy also rises,
placing greater pressure on the environment.
6. Poverty:
Limited resources force people to overexploit the environment through deforestation,
unsustainable farming, and waste burning, leading to pollution, soil erosion, and a cycle of
environmental degradation.
7. Food Shortage and Famines:
Environmental degradation and climate change cause droughts, floods, and poor soil conditions
that lower food production. Combined with poverty and weak food systems, these lead to
widespread hunger and malnutrition.
8. Agricultural Growth:
Expansion of farming leads to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution from
chemicals, and soil degradation, which harm biodiversity and strain natural resources.
9. Need to Ground Water:
Overuse for farming and households lowers water levels and causes land subsidence, while
pollution from agriculture, industry, and waste contaminates drinking water and harms
ecosystems.
10. DEVELOPMENT AND FOREST- forests serve catchment for the rivers. Biodiversity loss,
disruption of water cycles.
11. MELTING ICE CAPS AND SEA LEVEL RISE- carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas
emissions have raised temperatures, even higher in the poles and as a result, glaciers are
rapidly melting.
12. DEGRADATION TO LAND - land degradation is a process where land becomes less
healthy and productive due to a combination of human activities or natural condition.
13. REDUCTION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY- the loss of species means the loss of unique
genes and genetic diversity.
14. Deforestation and threats to the biodiversity
Deforestation significantly contributes to biodiversity loss through habitat destruction and
fragmentation, resulting in species displacement, extinction, and diminished genetic diversity. It
also exacerbates climate change, disrupts hydrological cycles, and intensifies soil erosion,
negatively impacting ecosystem health and human welfare.
15. Improper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
Improper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes leads to environmental degradation by polluting
air, water, and soil, contributing to climate change and harming ecosystems and wildlife. This
results in human health hazards from toxic contaminants, habitat loss, and the accumulation of
persistent pollutants. Effective solutions require sound waste management, regulatory
frameworks, and an integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health.
16. Global warming from fossil fuels
Fossil fuel dependence is a significant environmental concern due to the release of greenhouse
gases, primarily CO2, from burning coal, oil, and gas. This contributes to global warming and
climate change. Additionally, fossil fuels cause air and water pollution, and habitat destruction
through extraction methods, posing threats to ecosystems, human health, and the planet, thereby
necessitating a shift to renewable energy.
17. Overconsumption of natural resources
Global warming, primarily driven by human burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), releases
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat,
raising global temperatures, leading to increased extreme weather, ecosystem disruption, rising
sea levels, and risks to human health and food security.
REFERENCES:
Admin. (2024, June 24). Environmental issues and solutions. BYJUS.
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Purpose, P. W. (2025, February 6). Causes, effects and solutions to environmental degradation.
Plant With Purpose. [Link]
environmental-degradation/
Stuff, K. S. T. (2023, January 1). Environmental Issues: Causes, Effects, Solutions. Medium.
[Link]
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Robinson, D. (2025, March 28). 15 biggest environmental problems of 2025 | [Link].
[Link]. [Link]
Riano, J. (n.d.). Module-in-Environmental-Science-2021-2022. Scribd.
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