we are confronted with a number of interconnected environmental and resource problems (Figure 1.1). Some of these problems- urban air pollution, acid rain, depletion of stratospheric ozone, and possible climate change due to global warming- result from chemicals we have put into the atmosphere (mostly from burning fossil fuels).
Major Environmental and Resource Problems:
Today, we are confronted with a
number of interconnected environmental and resource problems (Figure 1.1). Some
of these problems- urban air pollution, acid rain, depletion of stratospheric
ozone, and possible climate change due to global warming- result from chemicals
we have put into the atmosphere (mostly from burning fossil fuels). Another problem-
the continued poisoning of the soil, water and air by pesticides and numerous
other toxic wastes, is primarily the result of not relying on pollution
prevention. Some other problems- depletion of hydro-carbon (mainly oil),
contamination of groundwater, deforestation (mainly in the tropics), soil
erosion, conversion of productive cropland and grazing lands into desert
(desertification), and loss of bio-diversity (depletion of species)- result
from exponentially growing depletion and degradation of Earth capital.
Population growth and environmentally harmful forms of economic growth can
intensify these problems. These and some other serious problems depict the
importance of environmental science education for everyone. What will be our
environmental future? What can we do to shape it? How we are going to treat our
world? What does it mean for our children and may mean for our future
generations is of paramount concern in the 21st Century. These are,
perhaps, the most important questions in environmental science and we trust
that is why you are reading this book. Causes of environmental and resource
degradation are discussed elaborately in Chapter 4
Figure 1.1:
Major Environmental and Resource Problems
Environmental
Challenges in Bangladesh
- Resources and the Environment: With the increase in population, the pressure on
the economy has also increased. This brought in changes in the utilization
of resources and in level of emission into air, water and soil. The
cumulative impact is the cause of concern for us.
- Economy and Environment: Increased economic activities have gradually
shifted our population from rural to urban settings. More land has been
converted from agriculture to non-agricultural uses. Many open spaces,
previously used as pastures, grazing land, parks, water bodies etc., have
now been converted into economic commercial uses. Increased growth in the
industrial sector will surely increase the pollution load on air, water
and soil.
- Biodiversity: As a consequence of the pressure on resources, the ecosystems of Bangladesh
are degrading, populations of various species are declining and many
species are threatened with extinction. A total of 201 species of birds,
fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are now listed in threatened
category by IUCN- the World Conservation Union.
- Water Supply and Sanitation: The state of water supply in the country has
sharply deteriorated due to discovery of arsenic in the shallow aquifers
throughout Bangladesh.
The quality of surface water has also deteriorated owing to the presence
of suspended materials in the monsoon season., On top of this, over
exploitation will lower the ground water table.
- Natural Disasters: Bangladesh
is a disaster prone country. Damage caused by flood has been increasing
tremendously. Damage inflicted by erosion in the flood prone areas is also
high. Impact of cyclones on the environment is also quite high. Finally,
global warming is also a major threat to the environment of Bangladesh.
It is reported that 5800 ha of land along the shoreline would be lost by
2030 while 11,200 ha would be lost by 2075 owing to sea level rise.
Penetration of saline water into the Sundarban forest caused by sea level
rise would destroy the largest mangrove forest in the world in the
south-western part of Bangladesh.
It would be an environmental catastrophe for this century.
