Many people confuse an environmental problem with an environmental issue.
Environmental problems are recognized as things that threaten human well-being or reduce the quality of the environment. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels and pesticide misuse and overuse are examples of environmental problems. An environmental issue occurs when people disagree about how to solve the problem or if there really is a problem at all. The sources of air pollution in a community or the health effects of pesticide overuse at a school are examples of environmental issues. How people view an environmental issue is influenced by their individual beliefs and situations.