Final answer:
The six commonly-cited causes of environmental problems are population growth, pollution, deforestation, climate change, overconsumption, and loss of biodiversity. Each of these factors contributes to environmental degradation in various ways, often intersecting with one another to exacerbate the overall impact on the planet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The six commonly-cited causes of environmental problems are:
- Population growth - Leads to increased demand for resources, results in habitat destruction, and exacerbates other environmental issues.
- Pollution - Introduces harmful substances into the environment, which affects ecosystems and human health.
- Deforestation - Results in loss of tree cover, which is vital for carbon sequestration and maintaining biodiversity.
- Climate change - Primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels, leading to changes in weather patterns and threatening species.
- Overconsumption - Excessive use of resources beyond what is sustainable, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation.
- Loss of biodiversity - The decline in species variety due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, overharvesting, and introduction of invasive species.
These issues often intertwine, for example, human population growth can lead to deforestation for housing or agriculture, which in turn contributes to climate change and loss of biodiversity. Similarly, pollution from industrial activities can lead to health issues for both wildlife and humans, affecting the environment's sustainability.