Introduction
Global security is the most fundamental component that the UN is striving to achieve. It is important to adhere to the agreements with the goal of security to assure the global population of safety, quality of life, and assurance about the future. The globe is facing a serious challenge to global security due to the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy and the continued rise in ocean levels. Fossil fuel is a global renown course that contributes to global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer hence putting the global population at risk. The other important concern of global security is the continued rise in ocean water levels, which is a threat in that it is causing flooding in the lower regions and tampering with the population’s livelihood. The ocean water levels are rising today as mountains that were initially covered by ice and snow as currently melting, and the global temperatures are also rising, melting the ice which flows into the ocean hence rising the water volume, altering the water PH hence endangering the aquatic creatures and the human population by causing floods and other catastrophes which are claiming people’s lives and the lives of their animals. The purpose of the research paper is to identify the best way to deal with the threats posed by the two threats that threaten global security.
The two risk factors
As per what I have come across and the research I have done on the global scenario, the two most important global risks are the continued rise of ocean level and the usage of fossil fuel as a source of energy. The rising water levels in oceans have proven to cause havoc in mist livelihood, which is why we have hurricanes and floods sweeping across some states in the US and some parts of Asia (Sayol & Marcos, 2018). Hurricanes have claimed many lives worldwide, especially after natural occurrences like the lunar and solar eclipses. Most mountains are melting, causing a big imbalance in the ecosystem and ecology. The reason that the rising water levels are a threat to global food security is that it destroys arable lands and also destroy food crops that are supposed to cater to the livelihood of the people (Trang, 2022). Immediately after natural disasters like hurricanes, the affected people always face hunger and other stress related to food shortages. The rising water levels risk the global environment in many ways.it causes the deaths of sea animals by altering the water PH, destroying the natural habitat. It is now evident that the globe is facing a surge in the number of refugees courtesy of the lands submerging. This is a problem for the environment since the land where the settlement was is no more, and the people are forced to migrate to already inhabited areas that they deem safer (Trang, 2022). The areas covered with water that initially were not covered become useless, and no farming or settlement can take place. Rising ocean water levels of any magnitude are likely to bring a lot of bad effects on the environment in many ways.
Among them is soil erosion. Soil usually gets eroded and is directed into the sea. The land where the waters flow from is left bare courtesy of the erosion, degrading the land and leaving t infertile. The wetland usually gets flooded (Sayol & Marcos, 2018). Wetlands are usually lowlands that receive a lot of water they can comfortably hold, negatively affecting the wetlands. The rising waters alphabets the agricultural land and aquifers by altering the soil acidity and making it unable to sustain crops .soil and aquifers usually get contaminated by excess salt. Another important effect on the environment is the destruction of the natural habitat for fish where fresh water may get salty water, destroyingthe habitat for plants and fish.
The use of fossil fuel as a source of energy is another important threat to food security, and the environment, among others (Saddler, 2019). fossil fuels usually emit carbon, which is a leading factor in the destruction of the ozone layer. Emitted carbon from fossil fuels is responsible for global warming by causing greenhouse effects where the globe becomes warmer than normal. Global warming from the emitted carbon from fumes and other fossil fuels is responsible for the melting of ice from the mountains and other ice-inhabited areas leading to rising water levels. When burning fossil fuels as a energy source, the environment gets polluted, especially air pollution. The air gets polluted by the emissions, and products like Sulphur, and nitrogen oxides, among others, could be felt (“Can we use fossil fuels cleanly – and what might it cost?” 2019). This component can also cause acid rain, which is corrosive and may destroy vegetation. Polluted air is also responsible for respiratory, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The polluted air damages the environment, and expectant mothers, children, and the elderly are vulnerable. The other factor that makes sit a serious risk to the environment is water pollution. Water gets polluted when Sulphur dioxide gets dissolved in water. Freshwater gets acidified in oceans, lakes, and rivers. When the water bodies become acidic, they cannot support life, affecting and compromising survival. The environment iscompromised , ence affecting local crops (“Fossil fuels still meet more than half of energy needs,” 2017). The acid rain also affects the soil acidity, negatively affecting the environment and risking food security. Another effect on the environment from the emitted carbon from fossil fuels is the effect o climate change. It has been proven that climatic change seriously threatens the human population and the ecosystem globally. The higher global temperatures increase the water levels in seas and oceans, and the change in climatic conditions leads to scarcity of food.
Roles of humans in aggravating the two important threats in the global environment
Humans are responsible for most of the risks that threaten the environment and, at the same time, risk food security worldwide. People or humans have played and are still playing a major contribution to the aggravation of the risks. It is through their way of life, farming, and industrialization, among others (Ujita & Du, 2022). Most African lands weree initially forests, but people have encroachedon on the forest to clear land for agriculture, cultivation, andsettlements. This results from the big families requiring food to eat, and land is not expanding, forcing them to look for other alternatives. The cutting down of trees is generally damaging the environment by exposing the soil to direct sunlight, exposing the soil to erosion, and eliminating trees that trap carbon to curb the greenhouse effect (“Fossil fuels still meet more than half of energy needs,” 2017). Humans encroaching the forest exposes the mountains and forests to direct sunlight, melting the ice and increasing ocean water levels. Some countries are known to be exporting indigenous poles from the forest, which is also a big factor in food insecurity. The scarce resources and the ever-demanding population is not in the right balance. Hence, there is scrambling for space leading to encroaching into rivers sources, the interior of forests, and others. Developing and underdeveloped countries are known to use charcoal as a source of domestic fuel. Charcoals contribute to tree fells in those areas to 38%, which is alarming. In agriculture, people are now using inorganic farm chemicals, normally washed into rivers and finally into oceans and lakes, which becomes hazardous to marine life (“Fossil fuels still meet more than half of energy needs,” 2017). Most of the chemicals used in farming are dangerous to the lives of birds, animals, humans, and fish, and with time, the soils become toxic and will not sustain crops leading to hunger and limited food supply.
Industrialization is another factor that contributes to the risk to the environment. Humans are now changing their economic way of life, and most countries aspire to be industrialized. Industries use powering their production line, and the power is often from generators and electricity, which uses fossil fuels to turn the turbines. Whenever there is a power outage, a factory or an industry will shift to generators powered by fossil fuel. Most towns today are experiencing heavy traffic due to many motor vehicles roaming the towns. Those cars emitbon and other dangerous gases to the environment, causing pollution (“Fossil fuels still meet more than half of energy needs,” 2017). Human activities like fuel transportation in tankers and ships are also a reason for the environment to be at risk, especially when there are oil spills, accidents, and other activities that might not go well with the environment. It is extremely expensive to clean the oil spill in dams, rivers, lakes, and oceans, and the continued spill risks marine life and agricultural land. At times, oils and industrial effluent are directed into river channels, becoming toxic to the population, animals, birds, and fish. Deforestation is now on the rise. Governments and the people are now clearing forested lands since there is minimal disturbance from the public to get and set up factories and industries and expand roads, railway lines, and airports. These activities result in the pollution of the environment at all levels, from the soil, air, and water. It contributes to the greenhousegreenhouse effect, where hot air gat trapped to warm the earth, melting snow ace in glaciated areas (Ujita & Du, 2022). From the research, it is true that human effects are a major factor in food insecurity and the environment . A lot has to be done to curb the situation and ensure that there is a continued and stable supply of food. Disturbance of natural phenomena like how water cools, freezes, and falls as rain is a big risk since crops cannot grow without reliable rainfall. Humans must work hard and be educated on better ways to conserve the environment for the coming generation to enjoy.
Initiative to be taken by the global community to mitigate the risk
The global community is responsible for the mitigation of the risk related to the environment, especially from the many treaties, conventions, and agreements they have signed. Most countries in the world are under the united nations. The members soft the UN need to adhere to what is being campaigned to secure the environment for the future, secure food, and by ensuring that there is the security of food, encroachments into forested land will be minimal and civil wars due to resources would be a thing of the past (Massawe, 2022). There are many ways that the international communities can help curb the situation and secure the environment from the already-named risks. Among the initiatives include:
Discouraging the use of charcoals as a source of fuel. Charcoals are a major contributor to carbon and why forests are being cleared. There are many ways in which the UN and other actors are shifting the focus from charcoal, and now they are advocating for using another energy source, like biogas, among others. The stakeholders, like the UN, must chip in and introduce new farming methods to avoid intoxicating soils via farm chemicals (Massawe, 2022). There are,are new and modern organic farming methods like using compost heap, among others. Another important way or initiative is to discourage the use of private cars and encourage the use of public transport so that we can be able to limit the carbon released into the atmosphere. Some companies are now manufacturing solar and electric motor vehicles, which are substituting fossil fuel-powered motor vehicles. Some other important initiatives need to be introduced to curb the spread of industries and factories in order to safeguard the environment. There is a need to make sure that the forests are guarded, and legislation made in order to discourage tree fell and deforestation. There is a need to also gazette the forest lands to avoid illegal encroachment into the forested land. Guidelines must be set to avoid farming near river banks, and also regulation discouraging trees that are known to consume a lot of water like eucalyptus from near rivers and porters important water sources.
In some countries, that are regulations in place that once a tree is cut, the individual must plant two. The land tenure system must also be discussed to avoid putting up settlements in forests and on arable land that should be used to cultivate food crops to sustain the population (Massawe, 2022). It is important that we must advocate for other sources of fuel like reliance on solar energy and hydroelectric power to replace fossil fuel, which has adverse effects on the ozone layer and atmosphere and contributes to global warming. It is evident that the globe is becoming warmer and warmer as a result of the carbon being emitted into the atmosphere, and it is true that carbon takes a long to disintegrate.
The UN and other vital players must also restrict the amount of effluent coming from industries, it must be treated before being released into the atmosphere, and the other be treated before being directed into rivers. There is a need to have regulations in place to dictate the chemical concentration in the workplace. Companies responsible for oil spills must be responsible for the cleaning and draining of oil, and also hefty punishment is introduced to the violators of the set rules and regulations (Massawe, 2022). Finally, it is also important if the stakeholders can put in place regulations to govern the water bodies in order to avoid incidences of misuse and mismanagement, bearing in mind water is a very important resource. Chemicals in water are a danger to fish and other water animals, hence a need to have regulations governing the way water sources and catchment areas should be protected.
Chart representation
From the chart below, it is easy to conclude that the total amount of energy consumed in the U, which in this case represents the globe, is the highest the fossil fuel. There are many forms of fossil fuels where oil, coal, and natural gas make up 64.2 % of the total energy used. The rest, including hydropower, nuclear, renewable, and others, make up 33.8%. A lot has to be done to rectify the trend since the chart predicts a risk to the environment.
(“Graph on the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. – Google search,” 2019)
Conclusion
The environment always faces risks that, if not properly taken care of by the relevant stakeholder, the food security is at risk and also the environment itself. Based on the research done, it is true to say that the greatest risk is from human activities. Humans are responsible for the two major risks discussed, which are rising ocean water levels and the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy. The rising water levels are directly related to global warming and human activities. There is a lot of reason that the two are a risk to the environment since rising water levels lead to flooding, and erosion, among others, while the use of fossil fuels causes environmental pollution at the three important levels. A lot has to be done to curb the situation, and it is true to say that if all the players are well engaged and adhere to the treaties, guidelines, rules, and regulations, the environment will be secured, and food security will be assured for the coming generation.
References
Can we use fossil fuels cleanly – and what might it cost? (2019). Sustainable Fossil Fuels, 168-207. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511754104.007
Fossil fuels still meet more than half of energy needs. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1787/eco_surveys-lva-2017-graph67-en
The graph on the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. – Google search. (2019). Google. https://www.google.com/search?q=graph+on+The+use+of+fossil+fuels+as+an+energy+source.&sxsrf=ALiCzsYNSP9i0Yh-NZdEsyyJ7HY7tIvavw:1661935907081&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi94IXb2fD5AhVgiv0HHTluAIYQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1366&bih=657&dpr=1#imgrc=dMHoJCY3e5TARM
Massawe, A. T. (2022). Global warming control to mitigate climate change. Engineering, 04(05), 252-255. https://doi.org/10.4236/eng.2012.45033
Saddler, H. (2019). National energy security in a world where the use of fossil fuels is constrained. Energy Security in the Era of Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230355361.0012
Sayol, J. M., & Marcos, M. (2018). Assessing flood risk under sea level rise and extreme sea levels scenarios: Application to the Ebro delta (Spain). Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 123(2), 794-811. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017jc013355
Trang, P. H. (2022). Climate change causes the rise of sea levels in the oceans. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/q365b
Ujita, H., & Du, F. (2022). Energy perspective, security problems and nuclear role under global warming. Global Warming – Impacts and Future Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.5772/50586
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