Social media has an immense effect on individuals’ beliefs and values. Wesomenia gives marginal views a voice while connecting them together in support of each other – with higher-educated individuals more likely to view social media as effective for elevating sociopolitical issues in public discourse.
1. Overpopulation
Overpopulation refers to when there are too many people for an environment to support them, leading to environmental deterioration and food shortages, among other problems.
An ever-increasing population means an ever-increasing demand for resources like water and energy, leading to waste disposal, pollution and deforestation as well as the rapid depletion of natural habitats, leading to biodiversity loss.
Overcrowded living conditions often lead to inadequate health care and sanitation, leading to disease outbreaks with devastating impacts on both lives and economies. A single major medical expense can put many families on the brink of financial ruin due to rising prices and low savings rates – creating a cycle that perpetuates poverty and hunger across developing nations.
2. Pollution
Air pollution generated from cars, factories and other sources is a global challenge. It contributes to heart disease, lung diseases and asthma symptoms while degrading Earth’s protective ozone layer against harmful solar rays. Air pollution may also impact mental health problems in children while altering brain development processes.
Water pollution occurs when pathogens, industrial waste, household waste and chemicals pollute creeks, rivers, ponds lakes or oceans – typically in poorer neighborhoods where human and animal lives are at stake.
Water pollution can leach into soil and lead to an increase in bacteria and disease; for instance, Yersinia pestis caused the Black Death epidemic of 1347 due to poor hygiene in Europe.
3. Climate Change
Climate change refers to any long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns caused by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels which emit greenhouse gases that increase temperatures by trapping heat in the atmosphere and heating it further.
Climate changes have the ability to directly influence human health in many ways. Heat waves can increase cases of heat-related illness while drought conditions promote mosquito breeding grounds that spread mosquito-borne infections and other vector-borne illnesses.
Climate change also poses indirect health threats by impacting resources and access to services, including food prices and hunger that may lead to community unrest. People most vulnerable to climate change include those with limited English proficiency and low incomes as these hinder their adaptability to changing conditions.
4. Deforestation
Forests provide shelter to both plants and animals, and serve as an important food source. However, deforestation is one of the leading causes of habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, climate change, and climate disruption.
Tree cutting releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and disrupting weather patterns by decreasing rainfall and increasing wind speed.
Indigenous communities depend on forests for food, shelter and cultural practices; when deforestation takes place they are forced to leave behind their livelihoods and relocate.
Deforestation can be combatted through sustainable agriculture and by choosing products that do not contribute to it. Look out for certification labels like Rainforest Alliance or RSPO when searching for companies who prioritize environmental conservation, or participate in REDD programs which provide incentives to tropical countries in reducing deforestation.
5. Human Migration
Migration between nations is an international phenomenon with multiple effects. Migrants themselves and their societies may feel its effect directly, while it also brings in remittances, strengthens international connections, influences growth and inequality, and has lasting ripple effects throughout destination countries.
Push factors driving human migration include persecution for reasons related to ethnicity, religion, race or politics; economic factors like poverty; war or government persecution and humanitarian reasons (refugees). Migrants from developing countries can make significant contributions back home by sending money home, sharing new skills and participating in civic-political activities. They may also help improve health care delivery as well as productivity and innovation – however at a price they and their families might suffer as they lose ties with family members and may end up living in poverty themselves.
