Problem
Destruction of environmental oxygen
Other Names:
Oxygen depletion of the environment Nature:
All activity requires energy, which normally involves the combustion of oxygen, the indispensable element of life and nature. The present amount of human activity is such that it involves a greater combustion of oxygen than the production of oxygen by plant chlorophyll is capable of producing; at the same time water pollution and destruction of green spaces is causing the destruction of oxygen-creating agents, phytoplankton in water (which at present produces 70% of the oxygen in air) and vegetation on land (which produces 30% of air oxygen). The risk now exists of more oxygen being used than is actually produced.
Incidence:
The accelerating process of the destruction of oxygen is such that some scientists predict the combustion of all oxygen in the atmosphere in less than 2,000 years.
Broader Problems:
AnoxiaDeficiencyEnvironmental degradationDegradation of the atmosphere Narrower Problems:
Marine oxygen deficiencyOxygen depletion in inland water bodies Related Problems:
Shortage of fresh-water Long-term changes in atmospheric chemistry Aggravates:
Recurring mass extinctions of species Subject(s):
Environment → Environment Fundamental Sciences → Non-metallic chemical elements
Societal Problems → Destruction
Societal Problems → Inadequacy
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST