Environmental degradation and human welfare: A critical study Balanarayanan S.*, Dr. Vetrivel K.** *Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli – 620023, India. **Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli – 620023, India. Abstract Science and technological development is appreciable as it contributes to livelihood and human development at the same time environmental degradation corroborate with these developments. With human activities expanding resulted in global warming and climate change. The recent climate change is now disrupting global environmental stability causing heavy damage leading to global warming. We realize the situation and endorse into very many treaties, conventions, and protocols for the cause of global environmental protection. It also has affected all mankind on a globally at large scale regardless of any particular country, region, or race. The whole world is a stakeholder and this raises issues on combating environmental degradation. Human being always exploits the resources available in their natural surroundings for their benefits and livelihood. Air, water, land, the atmosphere, the living organism each of these elements is of importance is some form or other to human beings. However in the last two hundred years or so, technological advancement have made human beings rapacious in their exploitation of natural resources. While it may be argued that the industrialized nations, having enjoyed the fruits of unthinking exploitation of nature, have now suddenly become environmentally conscious, and are obstructing the developing nations in their march towards material progress. In the long-term interests of the earth and the human beings, environment management must be taken seriously by one and all. India faces environmental challenges on two fronts: poverty as well as economic development. Poverty and population pressures clearly result in overuse of land, water, forests without thought of future. India being developing country, uncontrolled economic growth, urbanization and industrialization are equally responsible for deforestation, over use of ground water systems and pollution of natural resources. Worldwide the impact on the health of individuals and populations as a result of environmental degradation is obvious. This paper focuses on the national and global causes and the issues of the environmental degradation which is catastrophic to the human welfare of present and future generation. Top Keywords Environment, Environmental Degradation, Effects of Global Warming, Climate Change and Environment management. Top |