The term global warming is common when talking about the environmental effects of hazardous wastes. Global warming results from the greenhouse effect which is the by-product of fossil fuels being burned and releasing carbon dioxide. These gases trap the radiant energy of the sun before it can escape to space, thus heating the atmosphere.
The effects of global warming are far-reaching. A major issue is the melting of Arctic ice which leads to higher sea levels. This affects ocean temperatures which has serious implications such as an increasing number of hurricanes and tropical storms as well detrimental effects to ocean life. An example is the decline in Adelie Penguins of Antarctica which once numbered 32,000. As of 2007, their number had dropped to 11,000 over a 30-year span. Another serious concern is the recession of glaciers, reducing the sources of fresh water on which many of the world's populations rely.
Besides the greenhouse effect, air pollution can have other serious environmental effects such as smog and acid rain. Smog can cause breathing problems in both humans, plants and animals. Acid rain has led to forest erosion by leaving toxins in the soil and killing trees. Problems such as these are caused by the release of particulate matter and the burning of noxious gases.
A growing problem in big cities is the persistence of haze. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters particles in the air. These particles absorb the light. The most obvious effect of haze is obstructed visibility. In some of our national parks, visibility range has reduced from 140 miles to 35-90 miles. The same toxins that produce haze also pollute lakes and rivers, affecting plant and fish populations.
Water pollution is a concern because of water's importance to the ecosystem and functioning of the environment. Water pollution comes in two forms: point and non-point sources. Point sources are when a toxin is released directly into the water such as an oil spill. Non-point sources are when toxins reach the water indirectly. An example of this is fertilizer being absorbed through the soil and filtering down into ground water sources.
The most dire effect of water pollution is the contamination of drinking water. This affects both animals and humans who rely on water to survive. Even when tiny organisms are infected, the effects work their way through the food chain causing disease and even death.