10 Ways the World Could End Through Enviornmental Change

The debate over whether global warming is human caused or natural has many of us failing to pay attention to the impact we are having on other environmental systems. The depletion of natural resources, the extinction of certain animal and flora species, and other human induced changes to our world can have a devastating affect on our global systems.

Inspired by Discover Magazine's article "30 Ways the World Could End," by Corey S. Powell, which covers everything from information overload to alien plagues, here are 10 ways the world could end through human induced global environmental change.

10 Depletion of Water: According to the World Water Council, the increasing population of the world, coupled with the increased industrialization and urbanization will significantly strain an already exhausted clean water source world-wide. States in the United States are already beginning to see an impact from water depletion in the western states, and they could experience serious water depletion within the next 50 years. Aside from the most obvious impact of depleted water resources, agricultural demise, wildlife reduction, and international wars can coalesce into global despair.

9 Extinction of Certain Species: In 1992, The New York Times published and article entitled, "Silence of the Frogs," by Emily Yoffe, which posed the question, "What would happen if all the frogs died off?" The answer to that question is that the extinction of one type of animal can trigger chains of events that affect the ecosystem in catastrophic ways. If frogs die, for example, mosquitoes increase, malaria increases, and competing species flourish until all the resources they eat die. In short, if all the frogs die, theoretically, we all could die.

8 Loss of Wetlands: According to Ducks Unlimited, Canada has lost 70% of its wetlands. Wetlands are vital ecosystems that absorb and filter rainwater so that there is reduced flooding and clean water. Wetlands also store massive amounts of carbon, and when they are impacted by industry, they can release that carbon into the atmosphere. Wetlands also serve as nurseries for fish and other wildlife. In short, losing wetlands can impact our infrastructure, our food sources, and our water sources.

7 Lack of Produce Through Genetic Manipulation: Some seed companies have been genetically engineering seeds to resist certain herbicides. Other types of genetic modifications include creating seeds that have "terminator genes," or the inability to produce offspring. The benefit of creating such a seed would be that farmers who want crops with a certain trait can grow them, so long as they pay for those traits. Some implications can ensue should cross pollination interfere with neighboring farms and with other related plant species. While major seed companies are claiming not to commercialize terminator seeds now, the technology to do so does exist. With the right timing and the right motivation, a major seed companies can monopolize food as we know it.

6 Disruption of Oceanic Ecology: Major oil spills, lost nuclear vessels, and industrial waste pose a threat to the chemistry of the ocean. The salinity, pressure and temperature of the ocean all direct the ocean currents, which in tern, can affect climate. The constant dispersal of waste, intentionally or unintentionally, can interfere with those oceanic attributes. Furthermore, the flora and fauna of the ocean rely on the right water chemistry to function and reproduce. In short, not only can we be poisoning a major food supply, but we can be altering the oceanic radiation budget process.

5 Chemical Poisoning Through Waste: Throwing a battery or a Compact Florescent Light bulb in the trash may have little impact on our environment, but if millions of people do it, it could have a serious impact on our environment. Chemicals in landfills and other waste areas can enter the atmosphere through the rain cycle, and they can enter our aquifers through the normal water process. Over time, we can build up quite a healthy supply of hazardous waste in our land, and that can affect animals as well as humans through several interrelated chains.

4 Depletion of Natural Resources in Poverty Stricken Nations: Developed countries move toward resource acquisition of less developed countries. Should some of those resources become depleted, not only will it affect those who rely on those resources, but it can affect the propensity for global wars.

3 Global Cooling Through Excess Air Pollution: While a lot of talk has been surrounding the notion of global warming, another process called global dimming can happen due to excess air pollution. Air particles can reduce the amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth. If that process increases, it can impact plant life, then animal life, the ocean system, and the climate. PBS Nova has a slide show documenting the history of what is known about global dimming.

2 Global Viral or Bacterial Pandemic: The usurping of natural resources affects the ecological system in ways that can spread infections. Species known to reduce other species known to carry certain infectious disease could fail to thrive. If that happens, disease outbreaks can ensue. Furthermore, clear cutting of forests may lead to the spread of other airborne illnesses.

1 Genetic Alteration Through Pollution: We really don't know the ramification of some of the pollutants we are pouring into our landfills and oceans. The process of genetic alteration through biomagnifications, or the amplification of chemicals in animal and plant tissue through eco chain processes, could take years, decades, or centuries. As technology continues to evolve, we introduce new substances into new places on the planet through waste. Not only can we be individually disposing of chemicals and other toxins, but other energy technologies can create problems. Nuclear waste, for example, can continue to surmount, and despite our ability to contain the waste somewhat now, we don't know how long it will be before it enters the soil and our aquifers.

Global environmental change is more than the notion of global warming. Understanding carbon emissions are very important; however, focusing strictly on the political debate over whether global warming is human induced or not can steer our focus away from such important global impacts such as wetland loss, air pollution, species reduction, and water loss. Through a deeper connection to nature, we can preserve our natural home while maintaining a keen awareness of the environmental changes that can affect every one of us.