According to the UN, India's current population is 141.72 crores. With the rising population, environmental concerns are also proliferating. To accommodate the increasing population, natural resources are being heavily over-exploited. This excessive exploitation of the Earth's resources is resulting in severe environmental challenges that are adversely affecting human health and well-being.

With this year's World Environment Day around the corner, it is crucial to acknowledge the rising environmental concerns and take appropriate action to address them before it is too late.

Here's a look at the top environmental problems that will pose a significant challenge to humans in 2024:

Global warming and climate change: As each year sets new records for high temperatures, a chain of devastating events appears to be affecting the entire planet. The incessant spike in carbon dioxide levels, as a result of human activity, has caused an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which is eventually leading to global warming. This is exacerbating climate change, leading to devastating events like droughts, wildfires and floods, affecting all living beings.

In fact, the intense heatwave currently gripping various parts of India is a direct consequence of the prevailing environmental conditions. According to the IMD, a mix of weather patterns is driving up temperatures in the nation. In the absence of strategic measures targeted at combating global warming and climate change, the temperature will continue to rise, resulting in sweltering heat waves.

Air pollution: In 2023, India ranked as the third most polluted nation, as per the World Air Quality Report. This data is a testament to the fact that air pollution is becoming a significant concern in the country. While one might assume that air pollution is a distant issue, the World Health Organization suggests otherwise, estimating that 99% of the global population is exposed to polluted air. Beyond posing a threat to human health, pollution is also a key contributor to climate change, underscoring its significant environmental impact.

Fast fashion: The rising demand for trendy and cheap clothing has led to the emergence of the term 'fast fashion'. This has caused retailers to exploit more natural resources, resulting in profound environmental repercussions. As per the UNEP, the fashion industry ranks as the second-largest consumer of water and contributes to approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. While fast fashion meets current consumer demands, it does so at the expense of vital natural resources imperative for the future.

Plastic pollution: Plastic, today, is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities. While a plastic bag seems to be a very convenient way of carrying things around, the same bag, when it ends up in water bodies, can impact marine life in unimaginable ways. Not only that, it jeopardises human health, compromises food and water safety, hampers economic activities, and exacerbates climate change. According to the UNEP, global plastic production exceeds 460 million metric tonnes annually. These alarming numbers underscore the disruptive impact of plastic, rendering it a major environmental concern.

Waste management: India's increasing population has led to a surge in waste production, heightening the importance of effective waste management. A report from The Energy and Resources Institute reveals that India produces more than 62 million tonnes of waste annually. However, only 43 MT of this total waste is collected, with 12 MT undergoing treatment before disposal, while the remaining 31 MT is simply dumped in landfills. Much of the generated waste remains unacknowledged and untreated, posing significant environmental and public health risks throughout the country.

Battling environmental issues: A promise to a safe future

Our environment is our most valuable asset. Thus, it stands crucial for us humans to take significant timely actions to protect the environment from potential larger threats.