Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation refers to the decline in the environment’s ability to fulfill social and ecological functions and demands. This process can exacerbate the occurrence and severity of natural hazards, heightening community vulnerability. Causes include improper land use, soil erosion, desertification, wildfires, biodiversity loss, deforestation, mangrove destruction, pollution of land, water, and air, climate change, sea level rise, and ozone layer depletion.