147 Facts About the Environment: Climate Change, Conservation & More

As we navigate through a rapidly changing world, it's more important than ever to understand the state of our environment. From the impact of climate change to the role of conservation organizations, there's much to be learned about the world we inhabit. In this article, we've compiled 147 facts about the environment, covering a broad range of topics from pollution and sustainability to wildlife and ecosystems.

147 Facts About the Environment: Climate Change, Conservation, and More

The environment includes all the living and non-living things that surround us.
The Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old.
The atmosphere is composed of several gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide.
The oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface.
The average temperature of the Earth has risen by 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era.
The Arctic sea ice has decreased by about 40% since 1979.
The Amazon Rainforest produces over 20% of the world's oxygen.
Coral reefs cover only about 0.1% of the ocean floor but support approximately 25% of all marine species.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world's largest coral reef system.
The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
The ozone layer has been depleted by human activities such as the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are non-renewable energy sources.
The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Deforestation is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body that assesses the science related to climate change.
The Paris Agreement is an international agreement aimed at limiting global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
The 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include 17 goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an international organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a global organization focused on promoting sustainable development and protecting the environment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on promoting health worldwide.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on meteorology, climatology, and related environmental issues.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity.
The world's population is currently over 7.9 billion people.
The world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
The carrying capacity of the Earth is the maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported by a given environment.
The ecological footprint is a measure of human impact on the environment, including the amount of land and resources needed to sustain a particular lifestyle.
The carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities.
The United States is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China.
Agriculture accounts for about 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Livestock farming is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is emitted by livestock and other sources.
The world's oceans have absorbed about 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities.
Ocean acidification is the process by which the pH of the ocean decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide.
Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, with over 8 million tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year.
Plastic pollution can harm wildlife, damage ecosystems, and impact human health.
The 3 R's of waste reduction are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
E-waste, or electronic waste, is a growing problem, with discarded electronics containing harmful chemicals and materials.
The World Economic Forum estimates that the circular economy could generate $4.5 trillion in economic benefits by 2030.
The circular economy aims to eliminate waste and pollution by keeping materials in use for as long as possible.
Greenwashing refers to the practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service.
Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities of color.
Environmental justice is the principle that all people have the right to a healthy and safe environment.
Climate change is already having significant impacts on the environment and human societies, including rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and food and water scarcity.
The effects of climate change will be felt disproportionately by the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations.
Climate change can also exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities.
Climate change adaptation refers to the actions taken to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
Climate change mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty aimed at preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system.
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that established binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for developed countries.
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Carbon pricing is a market-based mechanism that puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions, either through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system.
The Green Climate Fund is a financial mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP), is an annual meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The IPCC has identified four main pathways to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels: rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban, and infrastructure systems; deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere; and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
Geoengineering refers to the deliberate manipulation of the Earth's climate to counteract the effects of climate change.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and stores them underground.
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are becoming increasingly competitive with fossil fuels in terms of cost.
Energy efficiency measures can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency in the United States that is responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act are two major pieces of environmental legislation in the United States.
The Endangered Species Act is a federal law in the United States that protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law that requires environmental impact assessments for certain federal projects.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty aimed at phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that governs the use and conservation of the world's oceans.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes international cooperation in education, science, and culture, including the protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality, while promoting sustainable development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to improve global health by providing leadership on health issues and shaping the health research agenda.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a program of the United Nations that coordinates environmental activities and assists countries in implementing environmentally sound policies.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to promote sustainable development and eradicate poverty.
The 2015 Paris Agreement was a historic agreement by the international community to combat climate change and transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body established by the United Nations to provide policymakers with scientific information on climate change and its impacts.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Australia. It is threatened by climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution.
Deforestation, or the clearing of forests for agricultural or commercial purposes, is a major environmental issue that contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Forests are important carbon sinks that absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making them an important tool in mitigating climate change.
Sustainable agriculture practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water resources, and protect soil health.
Organic farming is a type of sustainable agriculture that uses natural methods to cultivate crops and raise livestock without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
GMOs have been controversial due to concerns over their safety and potential impact on the environment and human health.
The precautionary principle is a guiding principle in environmental policy that holds that in situations where there is uncertainty about the potential environmental or health impacts of an activity, precautionary measures should be taken to prevent harm.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty that aims to conserve biodiversity and promote its sustainable use.
Biodiversity, or the variety of life on Earth, is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation.
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, home to millions of species of plants and animals. It is threatened by deforestation and climate change.
The Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change, with temperatures rising at more than twice the rate of the global average.
The melting of the Arctic sea ice is having significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and is contributing to sea level rise.
The ozone layer is a layer of gas in the Earth's stratosphere that protects the Earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances have been found to damage the ozone layer, leading to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty aimed at phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, has been successful in reducing the amount of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere.
The use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a transition to a low-carbon economy.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial processes and stores them underground or in other long-term storage facilities.
The circular economy is an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and promote the continual use of resources.
The European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan aims to promote a more sustainable and circular economy in Europe.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an international conservation organization that works to protect wildlife and their habitats.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty that aims to regulate international trade in endangered species and their products.
Ecosystem services are the benefits that people derive from ecosystems, such as clean water, air, and soil, as well as the provision of food, fiber, and medicine.
Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, with plastic waste polluting oceans, rivers, and other ecosystems.
Single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic bags, and disposable cutlery, are particularly problematic due to their short lifespan and the difficulty in recycling them.
Microplastics, which are small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, have been found in oceans, freshwater systems, and even in the air we breathe.
The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch that reflects the impact of human activity on the Earth's ecosystems and geology.
The concept of ecological footprint measures the amount of land and resources required to sustain human populations and their activities.
Environmental justice is a movement that seeks to address the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Carbon pricing is a policy tool that puts a price on carbon emissions, providing an economic incentive for individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
Green bonds are a type of bond that finance projects with environmental benefits, such as renewable energy and sustainable transportation infrastructure.
The World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a program that supports developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international treaty that aims to combat desertification and land degradation.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty that aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol that allows developed countries to invest in emissions reduction projects in developing countries as a way to offset their own emissions.
The Paris Agreement established a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an intergovernmental body established to assess the state of the world's biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report identifies environmental risks such as extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and natural disasters as among the top global risks facing society.
Carbon offsetting is a practice in which individuals or businesses pay for emissions reduction projects or conservation efforts in order to offset their own carbon emissions.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a global organization that promotes sustainable development and environmental protection.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
The Stockholm Convention is an international treaty that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are toxic chemicals that can persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) is a global initiative that aims to accelerate restoration of degraded ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) works to improve food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce hunger and malnutrition around the world.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body established by the United Nations to assess the science, impacts, and potential responses to climate change.
Renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind power have seen significant growth in recent years, with solar becoming the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world.
Electric vehicles and other forms of clean transportation have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
Sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming, can help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture while promoting food security and rural development.
Agroforestry is a land use system that integrates trees and shrubs with crops and livestock, providing multiple benefits such as soil conservation, biodiversity conservation, and increased food production.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated areas in the ocean where human activities such as fishing and oil and gas exploration are restricted in order to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Blue Economy is a concept that promotes the sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources in order to support economic growth and social development.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that aims to conserve biodiversity, ensure its sustainable use, and promote the equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the CBD that provides a framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is a global network of observation systems that provide data on ocean conditions and help inform decision-making related to ocean conservation and management.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to promote education, science, and culture around the world, including efforts to protect and preserve natural and cultural heritage sites.
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the highest-level global decision-making body on environmental issues, bringing together governments, civil society, and the private sector to develop and implement environmental policies and initiatives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) works to promote health and well-being around the world, including efforts to address environmental factors that impact human health.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) is a global framework for disaster risk reduction that aims to reduce the risk of disasters and build resilience to their impacts.
The United Nations Watercourses Convention is an international treaty that aims to promote cooperation and sustainable management of shared water resources between countries.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that establishes legal principles for the use and protection of the world's oceans and their resources.
The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative for businesses that commit to align their operations and strategies with ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global organization that works with businesses to promote sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that promotes responsible forest management and certification of forest products.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international organization that certifies sustainable fisheries and seafood products.
The Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a non-profit organization that works to protect wildlife and their habitats around the world.
The Jane Goodall Institute is a non-profit organization that works to protect chimpanzees and their habitats, promote sustainable development, and inspire global conservation action.
The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to protect and conserve lands and waters around the world, promoting sustainable development and climate action.
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization that campaigns for solutions to environmental problems such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
The Sierra Club is a non-profit organization that promotes environmental activism and advocacy, focusing on issues such as climate change, clean energy, and protecting public lands.
Earthjustice is a non-profit legal organization that advocates for environmental protection and social justice through litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships.

From the pressing issue of climate change to the efforts of conservation organizations, it's clear that the environment is a critical concern for all of us. By educating ourselves on the challenges we face and the solutions available, we can work towards a more sustainable future. With 147 environmental facts to consider, we hope this article has given you a deeper understanding of the state of our planet and the work that needs to be done to protect it.