How To Tackle Environmental Problems

Many environmental problems are man-made, stemming from improper disposal of hazardous materials and fossil fuel emissions. In fact, the Green Student University website reports that 3.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide are released into the environment each year. These environmental problems are serious, but can be tackled by making simple, eco-friendly choices.

Industrial processes and the transportation industry burn large quantities of fossil fuel, releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. Alternative energy sources such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines provide clean power solutions that can reduce fossil fuel emissions.

Your carbon footprint is a measurement of how your activities impact the environment. This footprint is comprised of your eating habits, transportation and energy consumption patterns in relation to how much carbon dioxide you produce. Reducing your personal carbon dioxide emissions on a daily basis helps to tackle larger environmental problems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages individuals to be proactive and prepare for environmental emergencies. The EPA's Emergency Response Community Involvement Program is designed to inform citizens of potential dangers in their area and provide the necessary training to handle environmental problems.