What is a Global Environmental Pollution Problem?

Abstract

Global environmental pollution problems are not just problems that affect many people. Instead, they are those immense problems that affect the entire planet Earth. These problems may or may not affect all people at the same time, nor to the same level. Global environmental pollution problems may have commenced many decades or centuries ago and are the result of additive, interconnected events that are manifested in a more complex present-day problem. It may also be true that the problem was generated at a relatively simple level of complexity but evolved into a more complex problem, requiring a complex solution. An excellent example of this type of global pollution problem is global climate change which is complex, requires the cooperation of all countries, and makes our human society and all living organisms vulnerable. Global climate change is really the sum of all pollution combined with natural changes in climate. Global problems are also problems where solutions may not be immediate and involve complex political, social, and economic components. Some humans will be resistant to change, cannot imagine the consequences, insist their values are correct, and may have constrained ideological, cultural, and political values and ideas. This is all occurring in a time of globalization—in increased interconnectedness among countries in the areas of economics, trade, culture, and politics. It was not raining when Noah built the ark. Humans have the capacity to think ahead, plan, anticipate, predict, and be prepared. The future of humanity lies in anticipating and preventing global problems while fixing our existing problems at the local, national, and global levels. Of course, this is an immense challenge to humans because we disagree on forms of government, economics, basic human rights, war and conflict versus peace, and the distribution of resources on the planet. Humanity’s future is not guaranteed unless all people and all nations strive for a quality of life that is sustainable while managing our current climate change crisis and at the same time reducing human population growth and implementing conservation policies worldwide. This may seem like a utopian wish as we enter another decade with too many humans subjected to poverty, hunger, conflicts, wars, uneven distribution of resources, lack of universal basic human rights and needs, lack of education, potable water, public health, pandemics, transportation and communication infrastructure, discrimination, racism, religious intolerance, greed, power, dictatorships, unstable governments, a multitude of national and international security issues, and no legally binding agreement on climate change for countries. The list is not complete, but the point has been made. Water Air Soil Pollut (2010) 210:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11270-010-0337-9