8 worst environmental disasters on Earth that are caused by humans
Our planet has been shaped by various human activities that have largely contributed to make Earth a better planet for survival. But some human activities are the reason for
environmental disasters
that can be clearly seen today. Over the years, various human activities have led to environmental disasters that continue to impact not only the ecosystem but also our planet as a whole. Ranging from oil spills and nuclear accidents, these disasters highlight the results of neglecting environmental responsibility. Therefore, it is important to understand these events that can be a learning from our mistakes to stop the damage in future.According to a report by Treehugger, here are the 10 worst environmental disasters caused by humans.
From the Dust bowl to Flint water crisis: 8 major environmental disasters caused by humans
The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone is one of the largest human-caused environmental disasters which was primarily caused by excess of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, sewage and industrial runoff flowing to the Mississippi River where the nutrients trigger massive algae blooms which consume oxygen in the water and created 'dead zones' where the marine life cannot survive and it also disrupted the fisheries, damaged the ecosystem and threatened the local economies that were dependent on fishing and tourism. Thus, the Gulf Dead Zone is an example of how agricultural and industrial pollution can devastate our environment.
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Source: Treehugger
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an accumulation of plastic waste which is floating in the North Pacific Ocean that was created entirely by the activities of humans. It was formed by ocean currents that we know as gyres and this patch contains an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. It is a vast stock of plastic that harms marine life, disrupts the ecosystem and enters the food chain as well. The patch is growing larger each year due to global plastic consumption and poor waste management .
Source: Treehugger
The Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl was a devastating environmental
disaster
that happened in the central United States which was caused by poor farming practices and severe drought. When the drought struck, high winds swept up the dry topsoil that created massive dust storms which choked the sky, ruined crops and forced thousands of families to abandon their land and migrate to a new place for survival. This human-caused disaster has damaged ecosystems and has also triggered an economic and humanitarian crisis.
Source: Treehugger
Three Mile Island Accident
The Three Mile Island accident which happened in 1979 was the worst nuclear power plant disaster in the history of the U.S. which was caused by a combination of mechanical failure and human error where a partial meltdown at the Pennsylvania plant released the radioactive gases into the atmosphere by sparking widespread public fear and raising serious concerns about nuclear safety. Though the radiation release was limited, the accident had lasting effects environmentally, politically and socially.
Source: Treehugger
Love Canal Disaster
The Love Canal disaster in Niagara Falls is one of the most infamous examples of toxic waste mismanagement where a chemical company had buried over 20,000 tons of hazardous waste in the ground which was later covered and sold for residential development. Over a period of time, the toxic chemicals began seeping into basements and yards by causing severe health problems like birth defects, cancer and chronic illnesses.
Source: Treehugger
Tennessee Valley Authority Coal Ash Spill
In December 2008, a containment wall at a TVA power plant in Kingston collapsed which released over 1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry that is a toxic mix of heavy metals and waste from coal-burning into nearby rivers, homes and land. It covered hundreds of acres, destroyed property and severely contaminated water sources. It was caused by poor waste storage practices and it became one of the worst industrial spills in U.S. history.
Source: Treehugger
2017 California Wildfires
California wildfires in the year 2017 were among the most destructive in the state's history which led to the burning over 1.3 million acres of land, destroying thousands of structures and claiming dozens of lives.The fires released massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and resulted in long-term damage to forests, air quality and communities. These disasters highlighted how climate change, poor land management and infrastructure issues can combine to affect the environment on a devastating scale.
Source: Treehugger
Flint Water Crisis
The Flint Water Crisis is a major human-caused environmental disaster in Flint, Michigan. In a cost-cutting move, the officials switched the city's water source to the Flint River without proper treatment. Over 100,000 residents were affected with serious health issues. Though less explosive than Chernobyl or Bhopal, Flint's slow-burning impact marks it as one of the world's worst modern environmental injustices.
Source: Wikipedia
Also read:
Global Warming vs. Climate Change: Know what is the real difference, causes and steps for controlling
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