environmental problem - the deterioration of the environment associated with the negative impact of natural character, and today plays an important role and the human factor.Depletion of the ozone layer, pollution or destruction - all this anyway entails adverse consequences now or in the near future.
North America, where environmental issues are quite significant, and the issue of environmental protection is extremely acute, is one of the most progressive regions of the world.For the prosperity of the US and Canada have to sacrifice his nature.So what are the difficulties in ensuring the environmental safety of the residents are facing the North American continent, and how they threaten the future?
Technological progress
First of all it should be noted that over time, deteriorate the living conditions of the urban population, especially in the industrial centers.The reason for this is the active exploitation of natural resources - soil, surface water, air pollution and the environment, the destruction of vegetation.However, the most important links in the environment - soil, hydrosphere and atmosphere - are interconnected, and the human impact on each of them affects the others, so destructive processes become global.
While developing North America, the continent's environmental problems are becoming more acute.Evenly with progress is the destruction and displacement of the natural landscape with its subsequent replacement with an artificial environment that can be harmful and even unsuitable for human life.For the second half of the XX century, the mass of waste in North America amounted to 5-6 billion. Tons per year, of which at least 20% were reactive.
exhaust gases
problem of exhaust gases is relevant today in the world, but on the west coast of the US state of California in the specially heavy.In these places, along the mainland passes over cold, so that over the coastal waters condensed steam, which concentrated large amounts of vehicle exhaust.In addition, during the summer half of the year is worth anticyclone weather is conducive to enhance the inflow of solar radiation, resulting in an atmosphere of sophisticated chemical transformations occur.The consequence of this is a dense fog, in which the concentrated mass of poisonous substances.
Experts studying the environmental problems of the North American continent, called excessive exhaust emissions a serious challenge to society, because they not only adversely affect the nature, but also the cause of many human diseases.
water depletion
Yet some environmental problems exist in North America?On the mainland, today is a very bad situation with the water resources - they are simply exhausted.On the continent non-stop growing water consumption, and today it exceeds the allowable.In the last century American specialist A. Uolmenom published the results of studies that more than half of the US population consumes water, used at least once and passed through the sewage system.
In such circumstances, it is difficult to perform two very important conditions: along with the restoration of water quality is necessary to continually ensure that its natural volume in the rivers and other water bodies.In 2015 much of the country's largest reservoir water level dropped, and scientists warn that this could be the beginning of a prolonged drought.
Water pollution is not confined only to the depletion of environmental issues rivers of North America.The list of negative factors in this area is long enough, but mostly water pollution.They dispose of the wastes in which anything can be found, causing considerable damage and shipping.
Also today, a lot of damage causes thermal pollution.About a third of the water withdrawn from rivers annually, account for nuclear and thermal power plants, where it is heated and returns to the reservoir.The temperature of such water is higher by 10-12% and the content of oxygen significantly below that plays a significant role and is often the cause of death of many living organisms.
Already in the second half of the XX century in the United States each year from water pollution 10-17 million perished. Species of fish, and Mississippi is the largest river in North America, today one of the ten most polluted in the world.
rest of nature
unique landscape and a very rich flora and fauna is located in almost all latitudes of the hemisphere North America.Environmental problems have reached and the pristine nature of the continent.On its territory, there are several dozen national parks have become in today almost the only area with which many millions of city dwellers can relax from the noise and dirt of megacities.The influx of visitors and tourists, growing with incredible speed, affecting their ecological balance, which is why today some unique plant and animal species are endangered.
Sad fact that man is not only a source of pollution - are washed away by rainwater and are blown by the wind, and then moved to the river various toxic substances contained in tailings.These blades can often stretch along the river for long distances, constantly contaminating the pond.
Even in northern Canada, where natural resources are being developed not so intense, today you will notice significant changes in the nature.Environmental problems taiga in North America studying employees Wood Buffalo, one of the largest national parks in the world.
exploitation of natural resources
As already mentioned, the environmental problems of the continent largely related to the high technological level of the United States and Canada.Natural resources in North America are varied and numerous: the depths of the continent rich in oil, natural gas, important minerals.The vast timber reserves in the north and conducive to agricultural land south for many years been used very intensively, which was the result of many environmental problems.
Shale gas
Recently there was much hype around shale gas - it produces more intensive North America.Environmental problems that may occur when using certain technologies, appear little concerned companies involved in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons from shale formations.Unfortunately, politics play a role in promoting this type of production of energy resources, and the possible consequences for the environment sometimes is not taken into account.Thus, the US government adopted a policy of independence from energy supplies to foreign markets, and if yesterday the country buys gas from neighboring Canada, today it has positioned itself as the State of export of hydrocarbons.And all this is done at the expense of the environment.
conclusions for the future
In this small article has briefly discussed environmental issues in North America.All the information we have, of course, are not considered, but on the basis of the available material, it can be concluded that the pursuit of profit and the pursuit of material goods people systematically applied and continue to cause serious damage to the environment, while rarely thinking about the consequences of their actions.
Trying to achieve maximum effect in the exploitation of natural resources, we pay little attention to preventive measures, and now we have what we have.A good example of this - the North American continent, probably the most highly developed region of the world, environmental problems which are also very significant.
