THE ANTHROPOGENIC NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE SA CONTEXT:

Anthropogenetic nature refers to the environmental changes influenced directly or indirectly by people.

The depletion of the ozone layer is caused by the chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s). They are released from solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, and air- conditioners. The molecule of CFCs in the stratosphere are broken by the ultraviolet radiations and release chlorine atoms. Destruction of natural habitats, forests, wetlands, and ocean bottoms are being destroyed as a result of population growth and converting these natural habitats into human habitats (Diamond, 2006: 487). Destroying the natural habitat for the human gain have a negative impact on the world. The carbon dioxide from burning of trees drift into the atmosphere contributing to the global warming. Forests are essential for the water cycle; they protect the soil against soil erosion and provide habitats for many plants and animals.  Global Warming: Humans produce greenhouse gasses which damage the atmosphere leading to dramatic rise in the temperature of the earth. The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil) results in the emission of the carbon dioxide. This emission increases the chances of death. Adverse effects on the marine life: Marine pollution, the disruption to the natural ecology of water systems, particularly oceans, as a direct or indirect result of human activity" (Burns 2012: 1324). The dumping of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers used in modern industrial agriculture into the ocean, or any water source causes the marine pollution. This pollution causes a decline in the sea life which is also greatly demolished by overfishing. The fish industry uses the industrialised and intensive techniques of fishing such as using a huge net which catches large number of fishes, some of which are not mature or wanted and they end up being discarded.  The decline in water supply because of degradation and deterioration of soil and vegetation (Giantz 1977). This results in people from the affected and disadvantaged areas to be unable to access clean drinkable water.