environmental degradation is one of the ten threats officially cautioned by the high-level panel on threats, challenges and change of the united nations. the united nations international strategy for disaster reduction defines environmental degradation as "the reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives, and needs". environmental degradation comes in many types. when natural habitats are destroyed or natural resources are depleted, the environment is degraded. efforts to counteract this problem include environmental protection and environmental resources management.