Our well-being on the earth is determined by our ability to understand the world and all its phenomena. Earth science helps us know what the other entails and how the different aspects of the earth come together to ensure sustainability. Everything that happens in our lives is connected to the planet ranging from the food we eat, and the air we breathe to the climate and weather that we enjoy. The growing population on earth calls for an understanding of the earth's resources and careful use of the resources to avoid depletion (Kumar et al. 2020). If resources are depleted, there is the likelihood that future generations will suffer. Therefore, understanding earth science and its branches of astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography are essential in taking care of the future and current generations. Besides, the growing concerns about pollution on earth and changing weather patterns are examined by earth science, giving clear insights into the world's current issues (Kumar et al. 2020). By all of us being citizens of the earth, we must study earth science and all the phenomena around it to ensure environmental conservation and current and future sustainability. I chose to take earth science because of my love for understanding weather and climate, astronomy, energy, and environmental degradation due to mining activities and other activities. There has been growing concern about global warming in the recent past due to rapid industrialization. As a citizen of the earth, I wanted to learn how to develop sustainable industrialization policies to ensure minimal effects on the planet's well-being. Global warming impacts weather and climatic patterns, oceanography, and ice melting in polar regions (Seok, 2017). By understanding alternative forms of energy that do not interrupt the ozone layer, I will initiate programs that will help in environmental conservation by reducing global warming which is currently a significant issue facing the earth. Besides, I also chose to learn about earth science due to my love for nature, wildlife, and oceanography. It is important to note that oceanography has a significant impact on the aquatic wildlife and wildlife living in the polar regions. Since most of the world is covered with oceans, knowing the role of such large masses of water is critical in mitigating the impact of climate change. Research shows that more than 70 percent of the world is covered with water (McPhaden, 2020). Having a significant part of the world covered with oceans implies that the masses of water impact our well-being, ranging from humans' lives to the lives of other animals. A keen interest in oceanography reveals the significance of oceans' effects on climate and weather (Seok, 2017). I wanted to learn about oceanography to know about endangered animal species such as polar bears, and marine life, and how the fragile ecosystem should be maintained and protected. Environmental degradation has become a significant concern in the recent past. A report by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction terms ecological degradation as the primary threat to worldwide sustainability. Thus, understanding how to protect forests and other fragile ecosystems will help create awareness of Soil degradation, which has led to a significant decrease in crop production, especially in parts of Africa that depend on crop production for sustainability. Soil degradation has been amplified by mining activities that lead to open areas that even threaten human lives by providing breeding areas for insects such as mosquitoes that can spread malaria and other diseases (Kumar et al. 2020). On the other hand, water degradation has significantly impacted aquatic life, leading to numerous species' loss. Besides, pollution of water has effects on lives through the spread of diseases. Similarly, weather and climatic patterns are affected by water degradation. Other forms of degradation such as atmospheric pollution and noise pollution impact the world significantly. There are numerous long-term effects of environmental degradation that include impacts on human health and loss of biodiversity. Atmospheric pollution leads to an increased amount of air pollutants being released from industries, leading to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and pneumonia. When such conditions persist in the body, they become chronic and are very hard to treat. There is a likelihood that if environmental pollution continues, future generations will be at significant risk of numerous respiratory illnesses. On the other hand, long-term ecological degradation will lead to an imbalance in the ecology. An imbalance in the ecology will mean that there will be no nutrient restoration, and there will be a destabilized climate that also has a risk on human health and well-being (McPhaden, 2006). Extreme weather conditions to the loss of biodiversity can lead to emerging illnesses that will affect many people. The loss for the tourism industry and economic impact are also long-term impacts of environmental degradation. The tourism industry mostly depends on existing natural phenomena such as waterfalls, wildlife, and natural climatic conditions that attract numerous tourists (Kumar et al. 2020). In the cases where nature is lost due to poor climatic conditions, the number of tourists reduces since the tourists have nothing to come and enjoy. Wildlife that lives in extreme weather conditions, such as polar bears and other aquatic animals, is a significant tourist attraction (Seok, 2017). Their depletion means a reduction in the number of tourists visiting the areas. The economic impact can be felt when the nations have to spend vast amounts of money restoring green cover and protecting endangered species. The immense amounts of money paid can be used in other sectors of economic development. As citizens of the earth, we can fix the issues of environmental degradation by stopping deforestation, enforcing government regulations regarding environmental conservation, reusing and reducing waste generation, avoiding the use of plastics and polythene, using renewable energy sources, and general educating the public (Kumar et al. 2020). The strategies mentioned are vital in the reduction of environmental degradation. By stopping deforestation, there will be vegetation cover that impacts biodiversity and weather, and climate. Government regulations, including enforcement of fines for those found dumping illegally, will help individuals take responsibility for the environment (McPhaden, 2006). The use of renewable sources of energy and industrialization minimization will reduce environmental pollution, thus reducing the numerous respiratory illnesses. Offering public education is crucial in ensuring that all individuals are informed about their environmental conservation role. In conclusion, earth science's role in ensuring sustainability all around the world cannot be ignored. I chose earth science due to my love for understanding weather and climate, astronomy, energy, nature, wildlife, and oceanography. Environmental degradation is a significant threat to sustainability on earth. Environmental degradation's long-term effects include effects on human health, loss of biodiversity, significant economic impacts, and loss for the tourism industry. As citizens of the earth, we can fix the issues related to environmental degradation by stopping deforestation and enforcing government regulations regarding environmental conservation. Also, reusing and reducing waste generation, avoiding the use of plastics and polythene, using renewable energy sources, and general education to the public.
References
Kumar, V., Kumar, P., & Singh, J. (2020). Environmental Degradation: Causes and Remediation Strategies , 1–227. https://doi.org/10.26832/aesa-2020-edcrs
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McPhaden, M., Zebiak, S., & Glantz, M. (2006, December 15). ENSO as an Integrating Concept in Earth Science. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://science.sciencemag.org/content/314/5806/1740.abstract
Seok, P. (2017). The Roles and Importance of Critical Evidence (CE) and Critical Resource Models (CRMs) in Abductive Reasoning for Earth Scientific Problem Solving. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201708642736068.page
