Environmental Changes

The poisoning of the world’s land, air, and water is the fastest–spreading disease of civilization. It probably produces fewer headlines than wars, earthquakes and floods, but it is potentially one of history’s greatest dangers to human life on earth. If present trends continue for the next several decades, our planet will become uninhabitable.
Overpopulation, pollution and energy consumption have created such planet-wide problems as massive deforestation, ozone depletion, acid rains and the global warming that is believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect. Environmental challenges—such as land degradation, deforestation, climate change, and water scarcity and pollution—can threaten global, national, and human security. These factors can contribute to conflict or exacerbate other causes such as poverty, migration, and infectious diseases. However, managing environmental issues and natural resources can also build confidence and contribute to peace by facilitating cooperation across lines of tension.…