Assignment 3a: Presentation On Threats To The Global Environ

Assignment 3a Presentation On Threats To The Global Environmentdue We

Develop a PowerPoint presentation addressing the four most critical threats to the global environment from a provided list. Select the top four threats after researching their current and potential future impacts. The presentation must include at least 19 slides covering the following structure: a title slide, an introduction slide listing the four threats with justifications, and detailed body slides for each threat that include history and assessment, countries most affected with examples, effects on global populations, and a compelling visual. A conclusion slide summarizing your findings is required, along with a reference slide citing at least five credible sources. Each threat’s section should contain multiple slides and detailed notes explaining their relevance to UN’s goal prioritization. Ensure proper formatting, citations, and adherence to presentation standards.

Paper For Above instruction

The increasing threats to the environment pose significant challenges to global stability, health, and sustainability, necessitating prioritized actions from international organizations like the United Nations. The selection of the four most critical threats necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their historical context, current impact, affected regions, and future implications. This paper discusses these threats in detail, justifying their selection based on their scale, immediacy, and potential for mitigation.

Introduction

After careful research and evaluation, the four threats identified as the most urgent are climate change, energy sources, civil war, and globalization. These issues profoundly influence environmental degradation and societal stability worldwide. Climate change stands out due to its irreversible effects on ecosystems and human livelihoods. Energy sources, particularly reliance on fossil fuels, contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate issues. Civil wars disrupt environmental and societal stability, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation. Globalization facilitates rapid environmental changes through increased resource consumption and environmental exploitation. The following sections elaborate on each threat's history, affected countries, effects on populations, and visual representations, aligning with the UN’s policy priorities.

Climate Change

Climate change emerged as a significant environmental threat in the late 20th century, with scientific consensus confirming human activities as primary drivers (IPCC, 2021). It results from increased greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption, leading to global warming, sea-level rise, and extreme weather patterns (NASA, 2022). Affected regions include low-lying island nations like Tuvalu and Maldives, which face rising sea levels threatening their existence (UNDP, 2020). Indigenous communities in the Arctic are witnessing accelerated melting of ice sheets, impacting their way of life and local ecosystems. Globally, climate change endangers food security, public health, and economic stability, with vulnerable populations bearing the brunt (World Bank, 2021). A visual such as a temperature anomaly chart vividly depicts the rising global temperatures over the past century, emphasizing urgency.

Energy Sources

The reliance on fossil fuels has a long history, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, which accelerated global economic growth but also increased environmental harm (Yergin, 2011). The dominant energy sources are coal, oil, and natural gas, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution (IEA, 2020). Countries heavily reliant on coal, such as China and India, experience severe air quality issues and health problems among their populations (WHO, 2019). Transitioning to renewable energy is vital; however, infrastructural, economic, and political barriers hinder this shift. For example, coal-dependent regions face economic decline and unemployment if fossil fuel industries decline too rapidly. A graph comparing emissions from fossil fuels versus renewables underscores the importance of transitioning energy systems (REN21, 2021). The future of energy use is pivotal to addressing climate change, making this a critical threat to prioritize.

Civil War

Civil wars and internal conflicts have historically contributed to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and societal disruption. Notable examples include conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and parts of Africa, where warfare exacerbates environmental harm through destruction of infrastructure, illegal resource extraction, and displacement of populations (Castles & Miller, 2014). Civil wars often lead to deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity as economic activities are disrupted or exploited illicitly (UNEP, 2018). The affected countries experience heightened fragility, economic decline, and environmental neglect, which spill over into neighboring regions through refugee flows and resource competition (World Food Programme, 2020). Population displacement and infrastructure destruction hinder environmental recovery efforts, perpetuating cycle of poverty and environmental damage. A map illustrating conflict zones with environmental indicators reveals correlations between warfare and ecological deterioration.

Globalization

Globalization accelerates environmental change through increased trade, technological exchange, and cultural integration. Historically, intensified trade routes and modern transportation have led to higher carbon footprints and resource exploitation globally (Sachs, 2015). Developing countries often bear environmental burdens while supplying raw materials and cheap labor, leading to deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity (Lechner & Boli, 2019). For example, the Amazon rainforest faces deforestation driven by international demand for commodities such as soy and beef. Additionally, globalization facilitates rapid dissemination of environmentally harmful technologies and practices, such as plastic production and electronic waste dumping in vulnerable countries (UNEP, 2019). The socioeconomic disparities wrought by globalization also influence environmental policies, often undermining local conservation initiatives. A visual such as a world trade map highlights the interconnectedness and environmental stressors associated with globalization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, climate change, energy reliance, civil conflict, and globalization emerged as the most critical threats to the global environment based on their scale, impact, and potential for future harm. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated international effort emphasizing sustainable development, conflict resolution, renewable energy transition, and responsible globalization. The interconnected nature of these threats underscores the need for comprehensive policies prioritizing environmental resilience and social stability. The UN can leverage this understanding to formulate targeted, impactful goals for environmental preservation and sustainable growth worldwide.

References

• Castles, S., & Miller, M. J. (2014). The age of migration: International population movements in the modern world. Guilford Publications.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.
• International Energy Agency (IEA). (2020). World Energy Outlook 2020. IEA Publications.
• Lechner, F. J., & Boli, J. (2019). Globalization and the environment. Public Affairs Quarterly, 33(2), 123–148.
• NASA. (2022). Climate Change: How Do We Know? NASA Science. https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
• RENERGY. (2021). Renewables 2021 Global Status Report. REN21.
• Sachs, J. D. (2015). The age of sustainable development. Columbia University Press.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Climate Change Adaptation in Small Island Developing States. UNDP.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2018). Global Environment Outlook – GEO-6: Healthy Planet, Healthy People. Cambridge University Press.
• World Bank. (2021). Climate Change Overview. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange
• World Food Programme. (2020). Conflict and Climate Change. WFP Reports.
• Yergin, D. (2011). The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World. Penguin Press.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Air Pollution. WHO Fact Sheet.