Environmental Studies: Threats to the Environment

Contamination of the air by noxious gases and minute particles of solid and liquid matter (particulates) in concentrations that endanger health. MORE

Contamination of water resources by harmful wastes; see also sewerage, water supply, pollution, and environmentalism. MORE

Human-created noise harmful to health or welfare. MORE

The radioactive and toxic by-products of the nuclear energy and nuclear weapons industries. MORE

Oil discharged from an ocean-going tanker, pipeline, or oil installation, often as a result of damage. MORE

Increase in average global temperature, amounting to approximately 0.74°C/1.3°F from 1906 to 2005. MORE

Destruction of forest for timber, fuel, charcoal burning, and clearing for agriculture and extractive industries, such as mining. MORE

Contamination of the environment as a result of human activities. MORE

Act of seeking, following, and killing wild animals for consumption or display. MORE

Wearing away and redistribution of the Earth's soil layer. MORE

Acidic precipitation thought to be caused mainly by the release into the atmosphere of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen. MORE

Town in northern Ukraine, 100 km/62 mi north of Kiev; site of a former nuclear power station. MORE

Section of Niagara Falls, N.Y., that formerly contained a canal that was used as chemical disposal site. MORE