Environmental concerns; renewable energy resources; climate change As early as 1896, the Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius had

predicted that human activities would interfere with the way the sun interacts with the earth, resulting in global warming and climate change. His prediction has become true and climate change is now disrupting global environmental stability. Few examples of environmental issues of global significance are: Ozone layer depletion, Global warming, Loss of biodiversity. The ozone layer is the protective layer in the stratosphere which acts as an efficient filter for harmful solar Ultraviolet rays. It has been produced and destroyed naturally in the atmosphere in a wellbalanced equilibrium until recently. Now, a seasonal thinning of the ozone layer is observed, primarily near the South Pole.

Ozone is highly reactive so can easily be broken down by man-made chlorine and bromine compounds from CFCs and ODSs (ozone-depleting substances). These substances and compounds (used in air conditioner and refrigerators) when emitted into the atmosphere, do not dissolve rain; they in fact reach the layer and begin the destruction. It leads to innumerable problems on the earth life and ecosystem. Depletion of ozone layer means more UV rays could reach the earth which would likely have a high impact on human health with potential risks of eye diseases, skin cancer and infectious diseases. Vegetations composition would be adversely affected, thus altering the diverse eco systems. Aquatic life would suffer in almost the similar way. The other environment issue by far the largest and most affective is the global warming. Before the Industrial Revolution, human activities released very few gases into the atmosphere and all climate changes happened naturally. After the Industrial Revolution, through fossil fuel combustion, changing agricultural practices and deforestation, the natural composition of gases in the atmosphere is getting affected and climate and environment began to alter significantly. The main constituents of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and oxides of nitrogen thicken the earth atmosphere trapping the incoming sunlight. Thus, over the last 100 years, it was found out that the earth is getting warmer and warmer (by about 0.6 C), unlike previous 8000 years when temperatures have been relatively constant. The other major consequences of global warming includes rise in sea level resulting in food shortages around the world. Warmer atmosphere means faster melting of glaciers and higher sea levels. Not only that, greater heat could also cause droughts and precipitation and evaporation patterns changes around the world, affecting agricultural output. Biodiversity, one of the global environmental issues, is closely linked to global warming and climate changes. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth, and its biological diversity.

The number of different species and ecosystems like deserts, rainforest and coral reefs are all part of the biologically diverse earth. This diversity actually boosts ecosystem productivity and it posses the ability to prevent and help recover the earth from disasters. However, the worldwide climate change has taken its toll on habitats. Individual species may not be able to adapt in the future. Species most threatened by climate change have small ranges, low population densities, restricted habitat requirements and patchy distribution. Coral reef mortality may increase and erosion may be accelerated due to high level of CO2 in the atmosphere. Sea level may rise, engulfing low-lying areas causing disappearance of many islands, and extinctions of endemic island species. The nature of these problems reflects one of the most important characteristics of this environmental degradation that it affects all mankind on a global scale without regard to any particular country, region, or race. The whole world is a stakeholder and this raises issues on who should do what to combat environmental degradation. Developed countries, though, have the highest production of pollution and relatively low population, should minimize their wastes and help the underdeveloped country to do the same by providing the required technologies to built a sustained and suitable environment.