Environmental Degradation: An Issue for Ethiopia

Abstract

Environmental degradation is the deteriorating of the environment caused by the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil, as well as ecosystem devastation, habitat loss, species extinction, and pollution. It comes in many forms and has numerous causes, consequences, and mitigation measures. Anthropogenic factors (economic growth, population growth, urbanization, agricultural intensification, rising energy use, transportation, deforestation, etc.) are primarily responsible for environmental degradation. Natural factors (floods, typhoons, droughts, rising temperatures, fires, etc.) are also to blame for environmental degradation. Pollution of the air, water, and soil caused by the emission of harmful gases, the release of industrial effluents, urban wastes, and radioactive wastes, and the irresponsible use of fertilizers and pesticides is going to threaten the very survival of modern civilization. A number of studies have been conducted to grasp the health benefits of improved environmental quality in order to address various environmental challenges. Minimizing exposure to environmental risk factors by improving soil and air quality, as well as access to improved sources of water and clean energy, has been linked to significant health benefits and can contribute significantly to a country's sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental). Environmental degradation is widespread in Ethiopia. Soil erosion and land degradation (including impacts on forests, agricultural and pastoral land), deforestation and forest degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, climate change, and various types of pollution (air, water, soil, and land pollutions) are among the major environmental issues affecting Ethiopia. Soil erosion and land degradation is a widespread problem in Ethiopia, and it is one of the major causes of low and declining agricultural productivity, ongoing food insecurity, rural poverty, a lack of potable water, and biodiversity loss. Environmental degradation must be recognized as a serious issue, and the ecosystem must be protected before it is too late. To avoid illegal activities, countries' governments must improve filling gaps in the legal system. This paper discusses the global and national (Ethiopia) causes, effects, and solutions to environmental degradation and it conducts a literature review on studies related to reduced environmental risk, with a focus on reduced air pollution, soil erosion and pollution, improved water quality, and climate change mitigation.

Keywords: Atmospheric degradation, Environmental degradation, Ethiopia, Land degradation, Pollution, Water degradation