What's the biggest environmental issue in your opinion?

[misisgreen]

Population Explosion!
Whether we like to admit it or not, our very own rapidly multiplying presence on this planet is the biggest environmental problem there is, and it’s getting bigger by the minute. We voraciously consume resources, pollute the air and water, tear down natural habitats, introduce species into areas where they don’t belong and destroy ecosystems to the point of causing millions of species to become endangered and, all too often, go extinct.

[DanaL]

It seems if we can reduce use of fossil fuel we will make headway with global warming and climate control. If we are living a more sustainable life and using more renewable energy that plays right into it!

[Time2Revolt]

Water pollution and technology suppression are tied for this dubious distinction in my opinion. If you think other wise just google "Green Energy Technology Suppression" and be prepared to be shocked.

[torolove]

A quote I read once comes to mind when I think about this question, this isn't verbatim but it goes like this "The planet has more than enough resources to meet all of mankind's needs but will never have enough for any man's greed". With that being said, I see the threat to the world's climate system and the fact that we don't really know what the true effect of draining so much Oil from the Earth is actually doing to her, not to mention the pollution that fossil fuels emit, are the threats that are of most concern to me. What truly P.O.'s me is how our governments allow the Oil companies to stall the dissemination of alternative fuel technology to the public at large.

[jonathan2340]

Nowadays the biggest environmental issue is about global warming. I just want to say that we should save trees for stopping global warming. keep it up.

[Greenhomebuilder]

That's a fair question and one that deserves a measured answer...

There are a number of issues that mankind face in this century, each of which presents us with a unique set of challenges.

It would be fair to say that our dependence on fossil fuels probably is one of our major environmental issues we face at present, and does seem to present us with a serious challenge.

We all know that there are many other ways we can produce clean energy, but with so much money invested in fossil fuels and the associated infrastructure, it does appear that if we wish to change this situation, there must be a coordinated effort form all of us to force our leaders into action.

This is however only part of the issue, we also have an economic model based on greed, inefficiency and excessive consumption, and the harsh truth is, our fragile planet is unable able to sustain continual demand, especially as the population continues to grow at an exponential rate!!

Both of these factors combined are in our opinion, two of the most serious environmental issues we face today...

The Green Home Builder

[Reclaim Texas]

The biggest issue is wasteful people... Residential construction and demolition (C&D) waste comes to nearly 60 million tons annually in the U.S., more than 10 percent of the total domestic waste stream. Upstream, about 40 percent of the raw materials consumed in the U.S. are used in construction. Let’s change that…
There are many environmental benefits to deconstruction. Building debris accounts for one-third of the solid waste in the United States.
Consider that one year’s debris is enough to build a wall about 30 feet high and 30 feet thick around the entire coast of the continental United States. So, keeping reusable building materials out of the landfill means a lighter footprint for all.
Reclaim Texas is working to simultaneously expand deconstruction opportunities as well as establish a secondary use marketplace where prospective buyers can connect with sellers of reclaimed building materials.

[Care to Click]

I am wondering if the answers have shifted a bit since the time this question was posted in 2008. I didn't read all of the answers but in the world of environmental concerns, I know that a new area of interest has emerged regarding climate change - blue forests and their tremendous capacity to sequester carbon. While known in the scientific communities, blue forests have only become a popular topic among the rest of us since the Bonn Climate Conferences.

I know that didn't exactly answer the question so here's my answer: climate change is of the greatest and most immediate concern. However, it will take global effort and cooperation to reverse trends. That seems like the greatest challenge.

[WholeBuild]

I feel we should be focusing on renewable and sustainable energy sources, as if these were more widely used we would also start addressing the issue of climate change. Everything goes hand in hand.

[Steve]

To me pollution and the associated health aspects are the major issue for me. A close 2nd is climate change although it has to be accepted that the jury is out as to how much we as a race are really affecting it. We obviously are but climate change is also a natural phenomenon. On the other hand, pollution is purely man made and is a major contributor of climate change.