10 things you did not know about the environment – A World Environment Day Special

The human race is advancing at a rapid pace. But this progress, like every other advertisement on television, has a ‘conditions apply’ sign. And the signs are not looking too good. The Earth is suffering due to our endless desire to consume & grow. Rampant global growth has led to wide-scale deforestation, consumption of natural resources, environmental pollution and climate change.Here are ten facts about the environment that will leave you shocked![caption id="attachment_3509193" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture Courtesy - brookings.edu

[/caption]Earth Overshoot Day is the date on which humanity’s resource consumption for the year exceeds the Earth’s capacity to regenerate those resources that year. In 2016 it was on August 8th, and it’s getting earlier each year. [caption id="attachment_3509299" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - independent.co.uk[/caption]The most hazardous pollutants are released from the air and less from the water and land together. [caption id="attachment_3509203" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - businessinsider.in[/caption]People who live in high-density air pollution area, have 20% higher risk of dying from lung cancer, than people living in less polluted areas. [caption id="attachment_3509209" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - modernfarmer.com[/caption]51% of the greenhouse gases generated globally are created by livestock which is a major cause of global warming. [caption id="attachment_3509213" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - inhabitat.com[/caption]Even with a 2°C rise, the planet will be punctuated with increased drought, wider-ranging wildfires and increasingly intense storms. [caption id="attachment_3509215" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - riotimesonline.com[/caption]At least 50 million acres of rainforest are lost every year, totalling an area the size of England, Wales and Scotland combined. [caption id="attachment_3509225" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - earthtouchnews.com[/caption]Sea levels could rise 50cm to 150cm by 2100. This would lead to the extinction of Polar Bears due to starvation and loss of habitat, while low-lying land is at risk of being completely submerged by increasing sea levels. [caption id="attachment_3509247" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - youtube.com[/caption]Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by pollution every year. [caption id="attachment_3509253" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Picture courtesy - lifegate.com[/caption]Around 14 billion pounds of waste mostly consisting of plastic materials is dumped into the oceans annually. [caption id="attachment_3509261" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Picture courtesy - mlive.com[/caption]A single quart of motor oil dumped on the ground or in the trash can contaminate up to two million gallons of fresh water.It’s time that we make the necessary changes and pledge to take steps to protect our precious world, this World Environment Day. Every initiative towards the cause no matter how small can make a positive difference. With necessary changes, our natural environment can improve with time. But for the ones who are looking for an immediate solution, well you can improve your indoor environment right now with Honeywell air purifiers.This is a partnered post.