Global environmental issues - An overview

Global environmental issues have reached a level of "crisis" (1998), posing a greater threat to the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems. These issues warrant a concentrated effort at national, regional, and global levels based on a systematic global action plan. These issues are real, and if not addressed properly on a priority basis. they will push the world toward the brink of unsustainability with unrecoverable environmental(1) damage. The environment in developing Asian nations has been seriously impacted by the advanced technologies of industrialized nations, notably Europe and the United States, as they continue to utilize the natural resources of these developing countries. The issues include: air, water, and soil pollution; deforestation and soil erosion; desertification; climate change and sea level rise; and hazardous wastes and toxic substances. This paper presents the environmental impacts associated with these issues, including a recommendation of a "Preliminary Action Plan" to remedy the impacts with a focus on infrastructure development and global sustainability in the Asian region.