Final answer:
The three presented environmental issues, overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, and microplastic pollution, all contribute to degradation of the environment. Loss of biodiversity is often seen as an overarching issue as it is affected by overpopulation and other human activities, undermining ecosystem stability and sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to identifying the biggest environmental issue, the answer isn't straightforward as it depends on various factors and perspectives. However, if we evaluate the threats such as overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, and microplastic pollution, each presents significant challenges to the environment and human welfare.
Overpopulation leads to increased demand for resources which results in habitat destruction, overharvesting, and excessive waste, including microplastics. These pressures can amplify environmental problems significantly, contributing to the loss of biodiversity and the introduction of exotic species, which often disrupt native ecosystems. Microplastic pollution is a growing concern as it affects the health of aquatic ecosystems and organisms. Yet, it might be considered less immediate compared to the broad impacts of biodiversity loss which pertains to the health of our planet's entire life-support systems.
Ultimately, loss of biodiversity can be observed as an overarching issue, as it is both a result of overpopulation and a contributor to the degradation of ecosystems that affect countless species. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and other human-driven factors all contribute to a reduction in biodiversity, which in turn, threatens the stability and sustainability of our natural environment.