The Ganges is one of the most important rivers in the history of humanity as well as in the life of Indian people. It is the cradle of civilization, and it remains one of the sacred destinations of worship (Das and Tamminga 1648). The river accounts for a quarter of the country’s water resources (Das and Tamminga 1650). It also sustains around 40% of the Indian population. This population density, industrial development and cultural peculiarities of India have led to the significant pollution of the river. It is necessary to note that the government has undertaken numerous steps to address the issue. Nonetheless, this effort has been quite unsuccessful due to such factors as the failure to involve all the stakeholders.
Steps Undertaken
As for the measures to improve the situation, in 1985, the Indian government launched the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) aimed at diminishing the river’s pollution (Das and Tamminga 1655). The major focus of the program was made on the industries and sewage. Certain attention was also paid to the problem of the pollution through the exposure of improperly cremated corpse.
A number of electric crematoriums were established. There were many court cases that resulted in significant penalties for many companies. The sewage system was also improved significantly. However, the problem was not resolved completely, and GPA II was developed. The new program is more holistic as it addresses such factors as religious and cultural.
The History of the City of Benares
It is necessary to note that the environment program failed as it did not take into account the major peculiarities of the people living along the river. The city of Benares plays an essential role in the impact of the population on the river pollution. Apart from being an important industrial location, the city is a sacred place for millions of people. The ancient name of the place is Varanasi (Davies and Mates 236). It is also known as an important cremation location and the place where “the genesis of the universe occurred” and where “the corpse of creation will burn at time’s end” (qtd. in Davies and Mates 236). Therefore, millions of pilgrims visit this site annually. Clearly, this contributes to the problem of pollution.
These people come to the city to cleanse in the waters of Ganges. People also bring flowers and sweets to give their gifts to the gods. Hindu people bathe in the river to purify themselves. They also take the water in their hands and pour it back to the river as an offering to the gods as well as their ancestors (Davies and Mates 236). People also take some water with them to use in various rituals at home.
The Hindu Cremation Ritual
Another significant problem that leads to further pollution of the river is the Hindu cremation ritual. As has been mentioned above, Hindus believe that waters of Ganges purify, and people cleanse corpses of their close ones before cremating them (Davies and Mates 236). The ashes of cremated people are thrown into the river as it is believed that this is the way to further life cycle.
Conclusion
On balance, it is possible to note that the Ganges has played a central role in the life of Indian people and those who practice Hinduism. The city of Benares hosts around 40% of the Indian population and this density inevitably leads to pollution. Industries also contribute to environmental issues, but there is considerable effort to diminish their adverse impact. At that, religious beliefs and practices still cause a lot of trouble for the environmental situation in the area. The government should develop a strategy that would address these issues when developing measures to diminish the pollution of the river.
Works Cited
Das, Priyam, and Kenneth R. Tamminga. “The Ganges and the GAP: An Assessment of Efforts to Clean a Sacred River.” Sustainability 4.1 (2012): 1647-1668. Print.
Davies, Douglas J., and Lewis H. Mates. Encyclopedia of Cremation. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2010. Print
Generally, pollution is the process of introducing new materials, contaminants, into the natural environment leading to adverse effects. There are different types of pollution. These include air pollution, sound pollution, light pollution, littering, and soil contamination.
From the above definition of pollution, it is clear that pollutants are foreign substances and particles that contaminate the environment. This paper discusses the various sources of air pollution, the effects of air pollution, and ways of minimizing air pollution. The paper also discusses two classes of pollutants: indoor pollutants and outdoor pollutants.
Air pollution
Air pollution is the process of introducing pollutants into the atmosphere willingly or unwillingly. Human beings perform certain activities that lead to air pollution. For instance, the burning of bushes leads to air pollution. When pollutants enter the atmosphere, they pollute it. Examples of these pollutants include commercial chemicals, foreign particles, and biological substances. After entering the atmosphere, they become part of the atmosphere and they mix with air components.
These pollutants are dangerous especially if living organisms inhale them. They can cause diseases, death of living organisms such as plants and animals, deterioration of the natural environment, and uneasiness. In other words, the introduction of unwanted materials into the atmosphere is a dangerous phenomenon. Air pollutants can also cause other problems. For example, they can damage the built environment and ecosystems of living organisms (Gay 3-14).
According to scientists, the atmosphere is an intricate innate gaseous system that is so much beneficial to all living organisms—plants and animals. In fact, a clean atmosphere supports life on earth. This is the reason why all human beings should stop activities that lead to the contamination of the atmosphere.
Most importantly, scientists across the globe continue to warn people that the stratospheric ozone depletion is dangerous, and can cause health hazards. Undoubtedly, when air pollutants enter the atmosphere, they destroy the ozone layer. The depletion of the ozone layer means that earth’s ecosystems will suffer.
According to research, air pollution is common in urban areas due to many vehicles that emit fumes to the atmosphere. Moreover, in urban areas, many factories release dangerous gases to the atmosphere leading to air pollution.
In rural areas, the burning bushes and lighting of unnecessary fire also causes air pollution. In rural areas where farming is a common activity, farmers pollute the atmosphere by spraying chemicals to food crops. Notably, since the earth is the only planet that supports life, it is necessary to avoid activities that cause air pollution.
Therefore, all human beings should take into consideration the effects of their activities, especially those that cause air pollution. Moreover, people should understand that although economic activities are good for their welfare, they can survive for few days without food, but they cannot survive even a second minus oxygen. This is the main reason why people should avoid all activities that contaminate the atmosphere.
Many people do not understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and free from any contamination. Perhaps this is the main reason why many of them engage in activities that contaminate the environment. For instance, the exploitation of natural resources and industrialization can emit dangerous gases into the atmosphere.
Additionally, green house gases also emit dangerous gases to the atmosphere. For example, green house gases such as sulfur trioxide and carbon dioxide are some of the dangerous gases that enter the atmosphere. Definitely, the destruction of the atmosphere is a serious issue of concern to many people, as the contamination of the atmosphere causes serious health hazards. Undeniably, air pollution is one of the problems facing the world today.
Sources of Air Pollution
The challenge of air pollution started during the industrial revolution age. During those times, many people did not understand the effects of contaminating the atmosphere. There is no doubt that industrial revolution brought significant developments such as improved means of transport, cheaper merchandise, and the improvement of life.
However, the development of technology came at a price. For example, the construction of many factories has increased the percentage of dangerous gases in the atmosphere. However, due to increase of knowledge, many people are now aware of the causes and dangers of air pollution.
For example, automobiles burn gasoline thus emitting dangerous gasses to the atmosphere. In addition, the incineration of products also emits dangerous gases to the atmosphere. Furthermore, smoke from factories also emits dangerous particles and gases into the atmosphere that is dangerous to the life of living organisms.
In fact, the main reason why air pollution is more dangerous than other forms of pollution is that it involves the depletion of the ozone layer, which supports life on earth. For instance, gaseous by-products from industries can cause death of organisms once they inhale contaminated air. Therefore, as the world becomes more industrialized, there will be continued air pollution and increased health hazards.
In some instances, air pollution can occur from natural sources, which are beyond the control of human beings. For example, the destruction of forest by fire causes leads to air pollution. The eruption of volcanoes and dust storms are also other examples of natural air pollutants. In some cases, the polluted air combines with raindrops to form acid rain, which is another form of air pollution.
The effects of acid rain are catastrophic and they include the annihilation of crops, erosion of buildings, and destruction of other assets. Moreover, acid rain can also cause global warming, which is one of the very many issues affecting the world today. According to scientists, air pollution leads to climate change, and that people will soon start noticing climate change patterns and alterations. If there is continued air pollution, the average global temperature will rise and this will increase health hazards and respiratory deaths.
Classification of air pollutants
Of course, the two major classes of causes of air pollutants are indoor and outdoor. In the former, we have a number of pollutants that emit dangerous gases to the atmosphere.
For example, furnishings and cleaners are examples of indoor pollutants. Mold is also another indoor air pollutant that is very dangerous. To start with, mold is a microscopic organism common on surfaces with high humidity percentages. For instance, on the body of human beings, mold can grow into the skin and cause health implications, asthma and allergic reactions.
Recently, scientists have also associated mold with chronic sinus infections that is not only dangerous, but can also cause death of organisms. Additionally, mold can cause breathing difficulties, breeding from the lungs. It can also cause memory loss and hearing impairments. Clearly, indoor pollutants are dangerous. However, as compared to outdoor pollutants, they are minimal (Farrah and Brook 1240-1241).
Ordinarily, outdoor pollutants are common in the atmosphere, which contains the air that living organisms inhale. Pollutants from industries, automobiles, airplanes, and other machines emit fissile fuels into the air. These are some of the examples of outdoor air pollutants. Different factories, depending on what they manufacture, emit different gases to the atmosphere. Moreover, some factories release sulfuric acid fumes to the atmosphere, which can cause respiratory difficulties.
When it is raining, the raindrops combine with these fumes to form acid rain that is dangerous to the life of living organisms, and destruction of property especially in the northern hemisphere region. In northern lakes, organisms living in water such as fish die due to acid rain. Ironically, the solution to this predicament is quite involving and expensive, as it is not easy to clear sulfur from coal due to burning. However, it is easier to clear carbon dioxide from the air as compared to other gases.
Statistics indicate that carbon dioxide is the most abundant air pollutant in the atmosphere compared to chlorofluorocarbons such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide from green houses. This is due to rampant deforestation and release of fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Nevertheless, green plants help in clearing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Tyson 57-77).
Conclusion
Many countries have come together to enact laws that will protect the environment for future generations. From the Kyoto Protocol to the Clean Air Act, countries across the globe continue to adopt laws that will govern the protection of the environment.
However, adopting laws is not enough, as countries must commit themselves to protecting the environment. For example, the development of electric vehicles will reduce emission of fossil gases to the atmosphere. Factories should also use resources that emit fewer gases to the atmosphere.
For example, in the place of coal they can use natural gas, which emits les gas. Motorists should also turn-off their engines in order to reduce more gas emissions into the atmosphere. Although the world has made progressive advances towards a clean atmosphere, industrial development remains the biggest hindrance. Nevertheless, many countries have pledged to reduce gas emissions in order to protect the atmosphere from contamination for future generations.
Works Cited
Farrah, Mateen, and Robert Brook. “Air Pollution as an emerging global risk factor for stroke.” Journal of American Medical Association, 305.12(2011): 1240-1241. Print.
Gay, Kathlyn. Air Pollution. New York: F. Watts, 1991. Print.
Tyson, Peter. Acid Rain. New York: Chelsea House, 1992. Print.
Externalities are market imperfections that are caused by the inability of the market to bring about justice to every action. In this case, the externality being talked about is that of pollution through various harmful elements such as mercury, dust from Africa, haze, and ozone from factories and power plants in Asia and Mexico. The externality is detrimental to the health of U.S citizens. Harmful elements are produced in other countries outside the U.S and find their way into the U.S. According to Lewin, the atmosphere has no boundaries, and there is no way the U.S can restrict their deposit in the country (207).
The U.S has restricted the emission of harmful gases and other substances in the country. However, the marginal social cost that U.S. citizens incur due to the pollution of their atmosphere and environment is high. For instance, the country incurs high healthcare costs resulting from the settlement of dust from the Gobi desert in Africa, and China, among other countries, settles in the U.S. Dust contains microscopic particles that when inhaled go directly into the lungs hence causing poor health conditions and death (Lewin 221).
Los Angeles is one of the potential danger spots in which inhabitants smoke dirty air. The Federal government is the U.S. has moved fast to limit the number of emissions from the factories and industries. In the U.S., this is because a substantial amount of pollution is from U.S. industries. The government has enacted legislation that aims at reducing power plant emissions in the U.S. by 61% by 2015. However, it has been argued that an increase in imported pollution in the country could derail efforts to restore natural visibility in places such as the Glen Canyon National Recreation area in Arizona.
Major steps undertaken include the treaty that was signed between the U.S. and Canada in the year 2000 to help the two countries reduce the emission of ozone-forming gases. However, the U.S has opposed the signing of a treaty that could help reduce the emission of mercury from coal power plants. In order to clean up pollution in national parks, the U.S. would like to incorporate other countries, although there have been no global treaties signed (Hirschey 215).
The Chilliwack River is located in the southeast region of Chilliwack city, around 1-hour eastside of Vancouver in British Columbia. The watershed is bounded by some of the best farming areas in Canada. The largest part of this land is ALR i.e. Agricultural Land Reserve which has guarded agriculture against municipal infringement or encroachment. The watershed faces a fast agricultural increase in horticulture and livestock causing agricultural sources of pollution. It also faces extension of urban growth on sharp mountain slopes thus raising concerns about the volatility of slopes, low-land agriculture flooding, and storm-water.
Chilliwack River Watershed maintenance is under great pressure because of differing use of resources and activity, high demands for growth and recreation, and impacts to quality of water and riparian habitation from different water-use and land-use activities. Differing interests and lack of concise jurisdictional accountability to address such issues have caused many bureaus and interest groups to team up. Their collaboration has created a multi-jurisdictional, practical, and proactive agency that is working jointly toward developing a plan for the Chilliwack River Watershed.
Pollution
Chilliwack River Watershed is affected by the quality of air and water. The water quality is influenced by the mineral deposits, human activities, soil drainage characteristics, physical features such as soil erosion, and also biological processes. Suitable levels of water quality are dictated by the everyday uses of water. Watershed water quality is determined in several ways, which involves measuring the chemical or physical characteristics of the water or establishing whether biological microorganisms that cause health problems are prevalent. Major sustainability matters facing Chilliwack River Watershed include; erosion, flood-hazard management, fast population growth, lack of agricultural land, city sprawl, blockage, water and air pollution, and illegal dumping sites. Human activities that take place everyday impact CRW and most significant is the pollution of this watershed.
Major cities around the world are within the watershed that’s why watersheds’ pollution is very common. This pollution happens in two different ways i.e. non-point source and point source. Point source pollution can be described as pollution that can be located in a particular point for instance a dumping site or a leaking channel or pipe (Riddle; 2009). Recently, technology expertise and law have helped in discovering point source pollution and numerous problems are being solved and controlled. On the other hand, non-point source pollution takes place when contaminants are found in water overflow in crops, parking areas, and other lands segments. Additionally, it can also be brought about when substances in the air fall on the ground with rainwater.
Human activities have greatly impacted the CWR watershed by lessening the quantity of water that flows within it (Macnab; 1957). When people fetch water from the river or lakes for agriculture and other farming activities, the flow of water in rivers and lakes decreases, and with this decline, natural sequences that occur for instance flooding may not take place. This could as result harm the ecosystem depending on the natural sequences of the river. Different types of constructions, buildings, and woodlands are all constituents of watersheds. Since all human beings are linked to a watershed, their activities affect the safety of their watersheds. Common activities like driving a vehicle left behind contaminants or pollutants.
When rainwater runs through the watershed, it collects bacteria, microorganisms, and chemicals and takes them to different lakes, rivers, and even streams. Inappropriate dumping of animal wastes, motor oil, and excessive use of fertilizers can cause air and water pollution. Due to the watershed’s unsystematic sources, all people share responsibility for this contamination and pollution known as non-point source pollution.
The most prevalent watersheds of non-point source contaminants or pollutants are nutrients and microorganisms. Animal wastes, leaks from polluted pipes waste are rampant sources of microbes. When rainwater carries microorganisms to nearby lakes and rivers, it makes the water hazardous for human activities such as fishing. Rainfall washes surplus nutrients present in the environment into different water catchments areas thus lowering the quantity of oxygen in rivers, lakes, and streams to levels that are detrimental, harmful, and sometimes deadly to marine animals and vegetations; polluting the environment can very harmful to animals, plants and also human beings.
Watershed Planning
Law can influence watershed planning; watershed planning can mean different things to different individuals. Watershed planning involves applying reason to solve various problems and coming up with steps that can be implemented to realize a specific objective goal. One of the most imperative uses of watershed planning is to back-up watershed decisions that maintain and re-establishes watershed roles and functions. Watershed planning is the keystone for effectual human actions and only if the proposed strategies and the findings are executed and the watershed response monitored.
Generally, a watershed plan is made up of an overall vision, goals, and objectives for the watershed, several steps required to accomplish those goals, and comprehensive consideration of how to put those steps into practice. The plan should as well include prioritization of the objectives and events, optimization of the series of actions for great competence and efficiency, and ways of monitoring the execution and results of actions.
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (1999, c.33) can influence CWR watershed planning in that it is an act that respects prevention of pollution, human health, and environmental protection to contribute to sustainable growth. It affirms that protection of the environment is imperative to the welfare of Canadians and its primary purpose is to partake in sustainable progress through the prevention of pollution.
The Government of Canada tries to accomplish sustainable growth that is based on economically resourceful use of natural and social resources and recognizes the need to incorporate ecological, economic, and social aspects in the making of all government and private agencies’ decisions. The government is also committed to preventing pollution and prioritizing the approach to protect the environment. CWR watershed planning is acknowledged by the government and so it plays part in steps for implementation and success measures. It acknowledges the need to practically eradicate bio-accumulative poisonous substances and the need to manage and control wastes and pollutants released into the environment.
The law influences the Canadian CWR watershed planning in that it recognizes the significance of an ecosystem approach (Heathcote; 2009). The law has good recommendations for action; it demonstrates national management in setting up national standards, ecosystem goals, and environmental quality strategies and codes of practice. The law influences watershed planning by acknowledging the authority that facilitates environment protection and recognizing the problems faced when creating a plan. Watershed planning entails establishing measures that protect watersheds from pollution; the law influences this plan by recognizing the significance of endeavoring, in collaboration with regions, provinces, and the indigenous people to achieve the improved environmental quality for all citizens of Canada and eventually contribute to sustainable growth.
The law acknowledges that the danger of poisonous substances in the environment is an issue of great concern and once poisonous substances are introduced in the surroundings, they cannot always be restricted within geographical boundaries. The integral role of CWR watershed planners is recognized by the law; it helps in the implementation of proposed strategies (Everett; 2003). The fundamental role of science and the function of traditional indigenous knowledge is recognized in the decision-making process relating to human health and environmental protection. The health and environmental dangers, the technical and socio-economic issues are also considered in the process.
The government of Canada ensures that its functions and activities on indigenous and federal lands are implemented in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines of pollution prevention and the safety of human health and the environment. It attempts to eradicate threats to natural diversity through prevention of pollution and risk management and control (Charlton; 2005). CWR watershed planning is made effectual through educational programs and public awareness.
Watershed plans are the rational follow-up to watershed evaluation. Plans take the strategies built during evaluation and design a series of solutions to address the basic issues and problems discovered in the evaluation. A watershed plan comprises a sequence of proposed strategies that seek to develop pollution prevention. Watershed planning demands combined thinking and a synchronized approach. Maybe the best technique is to give consequential public participation in the process because experience has revealed that top-down planning can build a variety of execution barriers based on the lack of public participation at major points of the watershed planning process.
References
Charlton, F. (2005). Watershed. New York, NY: NYIAD Press.
Everett, P. (2003). Watershed. New York, NY: Beacon Press.
Heathcote, I. (2009). Integrated watershed management: principles and practice. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons.
Macnab, G. (1957). Chilliwack River recreational recco. New York, NY: Forest Service, Park Division.
Riddle, E. (2009). Watershed: Service in the Wake of Disaster. New York, NY: AuthorHouse.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate strategies for promoting positive environmental behavior in Columbus, Ohio, using an environmental problem, air pollution. Air pollution could be a problem in Columbus, OH. Fortunately, most of the time, the City of Columbus has “a safe level of outdoor air quality for the general population” (City of Columbus, Ohio, 2014). Nevertheless, there are some air pollutants, including small particle matters, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, among others in the atmospheric air. These foreign elements pose serious health challenges to high risks groups, including “individuals with asthma, people with heart or lung disease or physically active people who exercise outdoors when air quality is poor” (City of Columbus, Ohio, 2014).
Strategies for promoting positive environmental behavior
It is imperative to recognize that air pollution due to human activities has increased cases of ill health and mortality, particularly in high-risk groups. It is, therefore, necessary to promote positive environmental behaviors by controlling the effects of air pollution or the number of foreign particles in the atmospheric air using a number of strategies (Barrett, 2012).
One method of combating air pollution in Columbus, OH, is to create social awareness about the effects of polluted air on human health. Creating social awareness among the public is an effective method of promoting positive environmental behavior. It allows the public to know the negative impacts of air pollution on the environment. Moreover, social awareness lets people understand how air pollution is a health risk and evaluate their own behaviors and effects on the environment.
Once people become aware of the harmful effects of air pollution on the environment and health, it is likely that they will adopt positive behaviors, reduce behaviors and activities that contribute to air pollution and lessen the release of foreign particles into the atmosphere.
Laws and regulations can also promote positive behaviors to reduce air pollution in Columbus, OH. The authority can take action against individuals and institutions that pollute the air. Laws and regulations of the city should support such actions. It would show that environmental pollution is a serious offense, and it, therefore, should be minimized. It is expected that action against air pollution would deter activities that lead to air pollution and promote positive behaviors.
On the other hand, incentives would reinforce positive behaviors in people. This strategy promotes positive behaviors among people who have realized the benefits of maintaining clean air. In addition, it would also ensure that other people adopt behaviors that protect the atmosphere from pollution. As a result, protecting air against pollution may become a habit among the public.
How positive and negative consequences can increase pro-environmental behavior
The positive and negative consequences of air pollution in Columbus, OH, can result in enhanced pro-environmental behavior among the public. While it is difficult to believe that the negative impacts of air pollution can result in pro-environmental behavior, this can happen when such consequences have noticeable detrimental impacts on public health and the environment. Generally, the negative impacts of air pollution have detrimental effects on the environment, increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the rate of climate change, and lead to poor health in humans and animals. For humans and other animals, air pollution has resulted in increased cases of morbidity and mortality, particularly among groups at high risks (Brunekreef & Holgate, 2002). Consequently, people have noted these negative impacts of air pollution and focused on promoting pro-environmental behavior. In this regard, the need to protect the air from pollution, protect human health, and mitigate the negative impacts of climate has facilitated such behaviors (Liao, Amar, Tagaris, & Russell, 2012). Today, there are environmental laws and regulations to ensure that individuals and organizations limit air pollution by complying with the set standards. In this regard, one can assert that people learn from the negative consequences of air pollution and change their behaviors to support environmental conservation.
Conversely, positive consequences on the environment can reinforce pro-environmental behavior. In this sense, people understand that controlling negative impacts of air pollution can result in positive outcomes such as clean air quality, reduced cases of morbidity and mortality, and low impacts on climate change. These outcomes encourage the public to behave in pro-environmental manners in order to reduce the hazardous effects of air pollution. In other words, positive messages and communications about the benefits of healthy environments promote pro-environmental behaviors among the public. Such positive behaviors are likely to persist into the future and ensure sustainable environments for future generations.
One positive and one negative example of how technological advances have impacted the environment
Technological advances have changed the way people interact with their environments. Most importantly, technology is critical in reducing the costs of extracting natural resources and enhancing efficiency. In fact, neoliberals believe that technological advances would provide alternatives or solutions to environmental challenges and therefore result in sustainability (Davidson, 2011). Technological advances have provided efficient means of reducing negative human activities, such as extraction of resources, on the environment. Consequently, people can extract resources with limited impacts on the environment. At the same time, they can also minimize air pollution. While there are positive impacts of technology advances, there are also its negative impacts on the environment.
For instance, the use of hydraulic fracking technology to extract shale gas in Columbus, Ohio, has reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. The previous technologies could not offer such advantages. However, some environmentalists have demanded a total ban on technology because of several complaints related to polluted drinking water from wells and its long-term impacts on the environment. Specifically, critics have linked the technology to contaminated water from fracture formations and other drilling activities. In addition, others have linked hydraulic fracking to the possibility of causing earthquakes following a series of earthquakes in Ohio (Stuart, 2014).
There are major reasons for supporting hydraulic fracking. First, hydraulic fracking involves the production of clean energy, which reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Second, the technique relies on sophisticated technologies, which reduce risks associated with conventional drilling. Finally, the technique can boost the economy and create millions of jobs for Ohio and the US.
The use of hydraulic fracking technology to extract shale gas shows how technological advances can bring about positive and negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, concerned parties must enhance their efforts to develop environmentally friendly technologies for extracting natural resources without harmful effects to humans and the environment.
The influence of environmental policies
Sound environmental policies can promote pro-environmental behaviors, while poorly formulated environmental policies could result in the environmental pollution in Columbus, OH. Environmental policies reflect the obligation to protect environments from destructive behaviors. People and institutions should comply with environmental policies. Environmental policies are meant to create change and reinforce pro-environment behaviors.
A number of policies could be detrimental to the environment because they may serve the interest of few while causing harm to majorities. Well-developed environmental policies have beneficial outcomes for society and sustainability. Lawmakers, policymakers, and individuals have critical roles in ensuring that policies are formulated and implemented to protect the environment and its inhabitants.
While there are state and federal laws, regulations, and policies on hydraulic fracking technologies, hydraulic fracking issues have continued to be controversial. For instance, environmental policies require oil and gas companies to disclose a list of toxic chemicals they use in the extraction of shale gas in Ohio, but this rarely happens (Smyth, 2012). The debate of hydraulic fracking in Ohio and other areas in the US shows how hydraulic fracking issues are controversial. As these debates rage on, the perceived detrimental effects of the technology continue on the environment.
Well-formulated environmental policies aim to create positive consequences on the environment through protection. Therefore, local, state, and federal authorities should implement environmental policies that specifically target hydraulic fracking technologies and their potential impacts on the environment. Such policies would influence shale gas drillers to change their behaviors and protect the environment and its inhabitants from their harmful activities.
Hydraulic fracking is a new technology for extracting shale gas. It shows that state and federal policies should change as new technologies, which could have positive or negative impacts on the environment, emerge.
Conclusion
This essay has evaluated strategies for promoting positive environmental behavior in Columbus, Ohio, using an environmental problem, air pollution. It shows that Columbus, OH, has relatively clean air. Nevertheless, there is a need to protect the environment from pollution through positive behavior change.
Social awareness, laws, regulations, and incentives may facilitate the adoption of pro-environment behaviors. While technological advances have positive impacts on the environment, they also present serious challenges to the environment and its inhabitants. Well-formulated and implemented environmental policies should protect the environment from detrimental activities and ensure positive outcomes. This would result in sustainable environments for the future generation.
References
Barrett, J. (2012). Air Pollution Intervention: Study Links Use of Face Masks to Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(3), A122. Web.
Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S. (2002). Air pollution and health. Lancet, 360(9341), 1233-42.
City of Columbus, Ohio. (2014). Columbus Public Health Air Quality. Web.
Davidson, K. (2011). A Typology to Categorize the Ideologies of Actors in the Sustainable Development Debate. Sustainable Development, 22(1),1-14. Web.
Liao, K., Amar, P., Tagaris, E., & Russell, A. (2012). Development of risk-based air quality management strategies under impacts of climate change. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 62(5), 557-565.
Smyth, J. C. (2012). Ohio Fracking Rules Signed By Governor Kasich, But Debate Isn’t Over. The Huffington Post. Web.
Nowadays, a rapidly growing human population is one of the most serious threats to the world’s environment. Knoxville, Tennessee is experiencing this problem right now. The City Council worries that population growth may create a number of negative environmental, social, and economic outcomes like infrastructure deterioration or air and water quality decline. Statistics shows that, in 2010, the population was about 179,000 people, and, in 2013, it reaches the mark of 183,270 people (United States Census Bureau, 2014). It is necessary to address some pollution management issues and think about the measures to reduce pollution rates and help people survive any kind of environmental problems.
In case the City Council offers financial support in about $20 million, it is possible to create an appropriate solution for Knoxville and improve the rapid population growth problems. The following measures are chosen: pollution control legislation of point sources ($3mln), encouragement of alternative transportation, walking and bicycle use ($5mln), promotion of fuel-efficient cars ($7mln), and establishment of green spaces or some urban forestry ($5mln).
Knoxville has one of the best employment forecasts in the USA. It has powerful transportation facilities and low cost of living. Unfortunately, it makes this city taking the leading positions in the “dirty” list (Flory, 2011). Pollution control legislation for point sources can help to maintain appropriate environmental conditions, reduce carbon emission, and avoid the degradation of ecosystems. A legislative framework proves that all pollution control should be dependent upon some engineering and technological facilities. Legislation should work on the two main principles – pollution prevention (to reduce the number of polluting products) and pollution control principles’ integration (to create a team that analyzes pollution impacts). A new pollution control law should provide the society with a kind of environmental duty, civil law enforcement, and penalties for environmental offenses. People should be aware of their responsibilities. Though many technological organizations may be not satisfied with the necessity to install expensive devices, they should take a risk to avoid possible expenses in the future because of penalties.
Encouragement of alternative transportation, walking, and bicycle can help to reduce air pollution rates considerably. Employees should have a good stimulus to go to work walking or bicycling. It may be achieved by the creation of beautiful roads, walking through which may influence workers’ mood and behavior, the access to additional vocation days, and cash rewards. Some organizations may refuse the idea to spend more money on their workers; still, legal penalties may be used to make the employers try.
The promotion of fuel-efficient cars is another measure that can be taken in Knoxville. The need of appropriate organizations specialized in creating such cars can make many stakeholders invest their money into new attractive ideas and help other organizations find alternative transportation means. It is possible to create special public fuel-efficient buses and offer employees some discounts.
Finally, the establishment of special green spaces and urban forestry is a good idea to reduce carbon emission and show the society the beauty of the environment they get a chance to live in. People should have an access to clean and specially-organized places for resting. The implementation of certain behavioral rules and norms is necessary. 24/7 security will gain control over such territories and take responsibilities for all possible violations. Such people should be properly prepared for their work. The City Council should encourage a good educational program where environmental issues, psychological approaches, and management details will be discussed. To achieve this, it is necessary to find out trade-offs with the already developed educational system and offer them a new effective idea for development and promotion of ecosystem health.
Considering the above-mentioned measures and their impacts on the environment, the idea of the statement about the balance between the effectiveness of environmental measures and the public reaction towards them becomes clear. It is wrong and useless to improve the environment without an appropriate public support. The way of how people react on the measures defines the quality of all innovations. People have to comprehend their roles in the city they live and understand that their awareness or, vice versa, a kind of apathy will influence their future and the future of their children. So, the balance between measure and reactions should be kept.
Reference List
Flory, J. (2011). Air pollution lands Knoxville on “dirty” list. Knoxville News Sentinel. Web.
United States Census Bureau. (2014). State & Country QuickFacts: Knoxville, Tennessee. Web.
Plastics have become major environmental concern largely due to the myriad of negative health effects posed on both human and animal health in the immediate surroundings. Exposure to harmful chemical that are transferred from plastics is a dangerous global threat due to some of the most severe, harmful, and long lasting negative health effects and implications to the environment. In addition, it is worth noting that exposure to the non-biodegradable plastic particles have a long term effect. Thrift (2012) acknowledges that many people are exposed to health dangers posed by plastics largely owing to the fact that the latter pollutes the environment through leakages of toxic chemicals from plastic packages that are used to pack foodstuff and water. Therefore, the rising levels of pollution due to plastics and subsequent health problems spell deep rooted health challenge that is burdensome to address. Much of the effort that has been put in place by business organizations, government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations to control the use of plastics so as to minimize environmental pollution has fallen short of the necessary emphatic application of principles that can provide the much needed safe and healthy environment for all. It is on this front that this paper intrinsically explores pollution caused by plastic materials.
Plastics and health problems
The use of plastics by people and organizations has in the last few decades grown massively to shocking levels. This has been attributed to the high levels of reliance on plastics to make clothing for people as well as for making pools, hot tubs, safety PVC ropes and stair treads at home (“At a glance”, 2012). Besides, businesses and manufacturing industries have employed the use plastics to package foodstuff and water. Thrift (2012) indicates that among businesses and individuals, the use of plastics has gained popularity because they are flexible, malleable for designing houses and electronics, inexpensive in subsidized markets, light weight and resistant to breakages especially when exposed to external pressure.
However, it is important to note that regardless of the many pleasant and appealing uses of plastics, the numerous health problems and dangers presented to the environment are gruesome. Morris (2012) indicates that the effects of plastic on health are due to its carcinogens, direct toxicity via mercury, cadmium and lead in addition to leakages from phthalates, adipates and plasticizers in poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The carcinogenetic agent in polyvinyl chloride has been a major area of study with specific attentions to the risks and epidemiological presentation it poses to the environment. It is worth noting that poly vinyl is one of the many brittle plastics that are commonly used to make toys and food packaging materials. Other plastics used for packaging especially food stuffs include PET, polyethylene and polystyrene. Foster and McChesney (2012) indicate that the chemicals used to make the aforementioned plastics may contain harmful substances which may easily contaminate foodstuffs. For instance, PET releases Acetaldehyde, PVC releases plasticizers while polyethylene releases antioxidants and polystyrene gives out styrene. Studies conducted by Food Additives and Contaminants revealed that polypropylene, HDPE and LDPE plastic bottles release considerable amounts of Irganox 1010, Irganix 1076, Irganox PS 800, Chimarsobb 81 and BHT. When these substances are released, they find their way into important liquids such as ethanol, water and vegetable oil.
Kippler et al (2012) indicate that significant health related issues from plastics especially those from polyvinyl chloride used for packaging, water pipes, cosmetics and plastic wraps are related to dioxins, additives, incineration products and its carcinogenic precursor known as vinyl chloride monomer. When the aforementioned chemicals are exposed through the process of chemical migration, they have the potential of causing massive health impacts on both plants and animals. Dioxins have been major sources of incapacitating reversible and serious health complications like endometriosis, different cancers, reproductive disorders and immune system suppression. Other related dangers include the release of bisphenol A from polycarbonate plastics in bottled waters. This causes hyperactivity, diabetes, obesity, onset of puberty, impaired immune function and cancers. Besides, Thrift (2012) in his publication mentions other plastics such as tetrafluoro-ethylene which are known to cause potential breathing difficulties as well as throat, eyes and nose irritations. In addition, acrylic for making clothing carpets and blankets is known to cause fatigue, headache, breathing difficulties and nausea, and polyurethane form in pillows, mattresses and cushions which cause bronchitis and severe lung problems.
Solutions
The health dangers associated with environmental exposure to plastics as Warren (2004) reflects in his study on pollution is very extensive. Besides affecting individuals who come into contact with them, plastics pollute the environment, the atmosphere, soil and water pathways. An increase in the manufacture and use of plastics as well as the potential health effects caused by exposure to plastics is indeed an issue of health concern that is yet to be resolved fully especially in developing economies. Indeed, one should not merely lay the blame on industries which are carrying out their normal routines of production and waste disposal. It is worth noting that government agencies should also be brought on spotlight for continuous neglect and poor policies on environmental health. Clearly, from the environmental justice perspective, pollution of environment by plastic wastes especially due to poor positioning of hazardous waste sites among poor communities indicates a level of discrimination by concerned bodies. Since the dangers presented by plastics are highly intertwined and demand central application of the correct policies to address them, governments should consider creating appropriate dumping sites and prior analysis of toxic wastes and their effects should be established to determine the expected negative effects and therefore address them to prevent disasters.
Mack (2012) points out that addressing the exposure to toxic substances leaking from plastic containers that are used to pack is a key facet in dictating how communities and states need to be prepared in ensuring that the environment is protected. Businesses should also limit excessive manufacturing of plastic commodities. This will lower the exposure to toxins by plastic users as well as significantly reducing environmental degradation from industrial plastic wasters. The major hindrance to reducing the manufacture of plastics as Meierotto (2012) posits is the practice of businesses and industries which embrace the Marxist model of maximizing their returns at the expense of an endangered environment. Planners too have failed to focus on this danger by putting up structures that promote continued emission of toxic substances. Efforts to reduce environmental exposure through professional ethics are indeed necessary to promote a safe and healthy environment.
The media can also be used to raise awareness especially among the affected communities and playing a key role in highlighting the extent of the environmental pollution through plastics and providing reports on how effective environmental policies should be enacted towards ensuring a healthy environment. According to Warren (2004), different press releases have shown the importance of conserving the environment by limiting use of plastics. The latter is of critical importance since it has enabled various affected communities to identify leaders who have failed to fast track environmental conservation caused by plastics. In fact, press releases clearly indicate that some leaders have ignored the important aspect of health and well being of the people they represent, and instead followed other special interests and given corporate polluters first priority. Indeed, this could be the reason why there is massive contamination of food, water and soil with pollution from raw plastics and industrial wastes from chemical substances derived from plastics.
To sum up, the discussion in the paper has highlighted some of the important uses of plastics in everyday social and economic life. Some of the major uses of plastics include packaging, making clothing and shipping. However, plastics have turned out to be major causes of pollution to the environment and human beings through leakages of toxic chemicals which contaminate food, soil and block waterways. The effect of plastic pollution has drastic health impacts some of which include respiratory problems, cancer and reproductive disorders. The discussion has concluded by reiterating the importance of relevant environmental agencies in developing policies which will limit production and use of plastic products. In addition, the research paper has deduced that while plastic products may be useful in everyday life, the harmful chemical exposure of this substance has led to myriad of environmental problems due to the negative impacts on human health.
References
At a glance (2012). Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(3), A96-A100.
Foster, J. B., & McChesney, R. W. (2012). The global stagnation and china. Monthly Review, 63(9), 1-28.
Kippler, M. et al. (2012). Maternal cadmium exposure during pregnancy and size at birth: A prospective cohort study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(2), 284-289.
Mack, T. C. (2012). Rethinking “return on investment”: What we really need to invest in. The Futurist, 46(2), 36-40.
Meierotto, L. M. (2012). The blame game on the border: Perceptions of environmental degradation on the united states-mexico border. Human Organization, 71(1),11- 21.
Morris, M. (2012). Sustainability: An exercise in futility. International Journal of Business and Management, 7(2), 36-44.
Thrift, N. (2012). The insubstantial pageant: Producing an untoward land. Cultural Geographies, 19(2), 141-168.
Warren, C. (2004). Deceit and denial: The deadly politics of industrial pollution. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 78(2), 507-509.
The Newark water crisis is among the most disturbing and prominent cases of corruption and negligence in the recent history of New Jersey. Newark is a city in New Jersey, where the drinking water is supplied from local reservoirs, which are under the jurisdiction of Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation (NWCDC). NWCDC is under the direct control and supervision of the Mayor of Newark, who is also responsible for the given issue. The main problem was rooted in the fact that lead levels in the drinking water were highly elevated, which is dangerous and detrimental to the population’s health. The water pollution was revealed due to multiple water studies conducted by non-profit organizations as well as certain federal agencies. The data was acquired from several Newark public schools, where all of them showed elevated levels of lead in the water.
The given case is a demonstration of water pollution, which primarily affected public school students alongside Newark citizens. Such a case led to public outrage due to poor management and corruption within these organizations. The main responsible entity is Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation, which was violating the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) by not being able to treat water properly to prevent lead leakage from the pipes (NRDC, 2020). In other words, the key officials and managers in NWCDC were intentionally dismissing the key legal requirements to gain profit at the cost of the public’s health.
The main danger of lead is its toxicity, and clinical lead poisoning has always been one of the most serious occupational diseases. Medical and technical recommendations for the prevention of poisoning were reflected in a significant decrease in the registered cases of the disease, as well as in less serious clinical manifestations. However, it is now clear that harmful effects occur at dose levels that are still considered acceptable in production. Industrial consumption of lead is increasing, and new industries, such as plastics, are being added to industries that have traditionally used the metal. Consequently, representatives of many professions are exposed to harmful effects. Rolled lead is used primarily for the production of equipment for the storage and handling of sulfuric acid. The use of lead pipes for water and urban gas pipelines is currently limited. Spray plating with molten lead is hazardous as it generates dust and leads vapor at high temperatures.
The dismantling of steel structures such as bridges and ships that have been painted with lead-based paints often causes lead poisoning. When metallic lead is heated to 550 ° C, lead vapors are released, after which they are oxidized. This can be the case when cleaning metals, smelting bronze and brass, spraying metallic lead, calcining lead, laying pipes in chemical plants, destroying ships, and burning, cutting, and welding steel structures coated with paint containing lead tetroxide.
The most impacted people are people residing in Newark city as well as northern regions. Although lead poisoning is harmful to any person, the most vulnerable populations are pregnant women and children. It is stated that leading to the lowest levels can still deal irreparable damage to the children’s well-being, which can be manifested in learning and behavioral disorders alongside lowered IQ (Rosner, 2019). In other words, these types of health disruptions are permanent since they affect the course of human development, where the effects last for a lifetime. In addition, children are generally more at risk of lead poisoning due to their smaller size and higher water consumption needs (Hauptman et al., 2017). Therefore, the case reveals that its ramifications are long-lasting with major implications for the residents’ future regarding the younger generation. Adults are also damaged by lead-prisoned water consumption, and the health risks are decreased fertility, abnormal menstrual cycles, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy (Miracle, 2017). In other words, the detrimental consequences of lead accumulation in one’s body can severely hinder a person’s ability to reproduce, be energetic, and preserve good mental health.
In the case of broken laws, the key violation is based on the fact that Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation did not adhere to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The given legal element outlines a list of standards, which need to be met to ensure the overall safety of the drinking water. SWDA was originally passed by Congress in the year of 1974, and its currently regulated and enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA (EPA, 2020). More specifically, the regulations in regards to appropriate lead levels were dismissed, which is prevented through pipeline changes and regular checks in regards to lead leakage from these pipes. For example, both state and city officials stated that they plan to borrow $120 million to speed up the process of pipeline change because the lack of drinking water in such a large city is a major problem (Bates, 2019). In other words, it is important to be able to regulate appropriate lead pollution levels in the drinking water, where the safest amounts are close to zero.
After the study results were released and the lead contamination was confirmed, the city officials undertook measures to correct the issue. The initial measure was based on distributing water filters to all affected residents, which were designed to filter out the lead in the water. However, it was later announced that the distributed filters were not working due to post-filtering lead levels still exceeding the limit of 15 parts per billion, which is both state and federal requirements (Ingber, 2019). Thus, it is evident that filters were practically useless at ensuring that the public was consuming minimal amounts of lead through their drinking water.
Subsequently, the state and city officials decided to change the major pipelines across the city, which were the sources of lead leakage into the water. However, the work is still partially in progress, and the locals are unable to wait until the repairing process is over. Therefore, the decision was made that each household is given two cases of 24 half-liter bottles (Aratani, 2019). In September of 2019, the officials declared that the distributed filters were effective at reducing the lead levels down to 10 parts per billion (Iati, 2019). However, such a safe level can only be achieved by properly installing and maintaining the filters, which might not always be the case because some households are forced to do these actions on their own (EPA, 2019). It is evident that among all distributed filters, some can be a malfunction, while others are installed incorrectly.
In other to eliminate such mass-scale pollution, it is important to rely less on intervention and more on prevention. The latter is manifested in the proper and honest functioning of regulatory bodies, which need to hold the mayors and organizations, such as Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation, accountable. It is important for a city to regularly check the in-water lead levels as well as support independent non-profit organizations, which are do not have a conflict of interest in identifying these issues. It is also critical to regularly change the pipeline system to ensure that the pipes are not becoming the source of lead leakage. The case shows that changing the entire pipeline system of a city at once takes years and massive investments, which is why the incremental modifications sound more plausible.
In conclusion, the Newark water crisis is a population-wide water pollution problem, where it was revealed that the drinking water contained a high level of lead. It is important to indicate that there are no safe lead levels, which means that lead poisoning can lead to serious health ramifications. Although all strata of the population can be damaged by lead exposure, children and pregnant women can be considered the most vulnerable populations. Lead can lead to major developmental issues in children and unborn fetuses, where the effects are long-lasting or even permanent. Lowered IQ, blood pressure, mental disorders, and behavioral issues are all among a wide range of health damages c caused by such poisoning. The city and state officials responded by distributing filters, which later turned out to be ineffective at reducing lead levels. Since then, all residents were given plastic water bottles per household to wait it out until the pipeline system was fully changed.
Air travel refers to a mode of transportation that relies on airplanes, helicopters, gliders, jets, blimps, hot air balloons, and other media that fly. Globalization has allowed the opening of international borders, making it possible for people and goods to move from one nation to another (Sajjad, Noreen & Zaman 2014). The increased trade among countries has led to the rise in the demand for air transport.
Guttikunda, Goel, and Pant (2014) warn that the high usage of airplanes and the building of airports will have severe impacts on the environment. Ecologists cite the growth of air travel as one of the factors that are contributing to environmental pollution.
Plane engines emit carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides that cause global warming. Besides, they produce a lot of noise which could have devastating effects on people who live near airports or flight paths. Construction of airfields impacts environmental conservation, leading to the loss of natural vegetation. There is a need to control air travel because it contributes to severe pollution. This paper will discuss the role of air travel in noise and air pollution and give reasons why this mode of transportation should be restricted.
Noise Pollution
Restricting air transport can minimize the amount of noise that airplanes make, therefore improving the quality of life of the people who reside near airports. Grampella et al. (2016) argue that folks whose houses are below flight paths or close to airports have challenges in sleeping and concentrating due to the sound that planes produce as they land or take off. Scientists argue that any noise that is above 57 decibels is likely to have severe impacts on people.
Lawton and Fujiwara (2016) maintain that families or companies that are in proximity to airfields have exposure to sound that exceeds this limit, subjecting them to risk of becoming deaf or developing hearing problems. As per Sari et al. (2014), the noise from airplanes hinders concentration, making it hard for people to focus on their activities. Furthermore, it becomes difficult for individuals to engage in meaningful dialogues or participate in leisure activities in the comfort of their homes.
The majority of people who live under the flight paths complain of getting inadequate sleep because they are interrupted every time that an aircraft is passing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that “if all negative effects of sleep are to be avoided, indoor sound levels should be 30 decibels, while no single noise event should exceed 45 decibels” (Guttikunda, Goel & Pant 2014, p. 504). The sound that airplanes make exceeds this limit by far, thus subjecting people to the risk of developing health complications.
Some people may contend that exposure to airplane noise is intermittent, as airports operate on a predetermined schedule. Therefore, individuals who reside near airfields are not subjected to constant sound. It is imperative to note that persons who live close to airports are vulnerable to noise from different sources. They include airside vehicular traffic, taxiing planes, generators, and airplane engine tests (Ozkurt et al. 2014). Moreover, as many people rely on air travel, the number of flights has grown significantly. Indeed, communities that live near airports cite aircraft noise as a major concern.
Air travel is helpful in shipping passengers and delicate products over long distances; hence there is a need to guarantee its continued utilization. Rather than restricting this mode of transport, it is imperative to look for measures to minimize its contribution to noise pollution. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have enacted laws that limit the level of sound that airplanes generate. Technological advancement has enabled engineers to manufacture aircraft engines that make less noise.
Companies like Rolls-Royce have managed to manufacture engines that produce a sound that is at least 18 decibels lower than the required standards. Wolfe et al. (2016, p. 151) claim, “Aircraft noise arises from both engines and the movement of turbulent air over the physical structure (airframe) of an airplane”. Consequently, many aircraft-manufacturing firms have concentrated on reducing the sound that comes from the engines.
Some companies are contemplating changing the design of airplanes as a strategy to decrease the noise associated with turbulence. The other approach to reducing this type of pollution involves constructing airports in areas that are less densely populated. Ozkurt, Hamamci, and Sari (2015) allege that government planning policies discourage the construction of residential houses in noisy areas (66 decibels and above). Hence, people should be prevented from building homes close to airports or beneath flight paths.
Despite technological improvements, it is difficult for aircraft-manufacturing companies to develop engines that cannot cause noise pollution. Even though these firms have managed to reduce the degree of sound that airplanes make, they are yet to achieve the recommended decibels. Today, many people use air travel as their preferred mode of transport. Hence, the number of aircraft that land or depart from a given airport has grown significantly, adding to noise pollution. Most countries have already established airports in areas that are densely populated. Therefore, it is difficult for governments to review their land utilization policies as a strategy to curtail public exposure to noise pollution. The ultimate solution to dealing with this problem is regulating air travel.
Air Pollution
Airplanes, airport buses, and cars used by passengers who wish to reach airfields release carbon monoxide, fine particles, and nitrogen oxides which contribute to air pollution. Therefore, there is a need to restrict air travel as a way to reduce the discharge of these harmful compounds into the atmosphere. As per De Nazelle, Bode, and Orjuela (2017), incomplete combustion of jet fuel leads to the emission of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
The kind and amount of pollutants released depends on the state of the aircraft. As an airplane takes off, lands, or ascends, it emits high levels of nitrogen oxide. Moreover, a plane releases hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides as it descends or during taxiing (Masiol & Harrison 2014). Apart from aircraft, airside cars like catering trucks, baggage trolleys, and tankers play a role in air contamination. One may argue that the contribution of these vehicles is negligible because they travel over short distances.
However, they fail to appreciate that these automobiles operate for many hours, and hence their pollution is cumulative. Indeed, research indicates that at least 10% of nitrogen oxides recorded in the airfields come from these vehicles (Schäfer & Waitz 2014). Other causes of air pollution include de-icing, engine testing, plane maintenance, and fire training drills.
Road transportation to and from the airports contributes to a significant fraction of contaminant discharge. People use taxis, light, and heavy cargo trucks, coaches, and vans to access the airfields (Khan et al. 2018). De Nazelle, Bode, and Orjuela (2017) insist that these modes of transport cater to over 10% of pollution attributed to air travel. In many instances, emission from road transport surpasses that linked to aircraft in areas that are close to airports.
Khan et al. (2018) posit that most employees, travelers, and cargo get to airports via road. It implies that motor vehicles “account for the largest single contribution to airport pollution levels” (Schlenker & Walker 2016, p. 771). The ease of use of public transport and the location of an airport determines the degree of this form of air pollution. For instance, at Heathrow, over 36% of travelers use both public and private vehicles to reach to the airport, therefore intensifying this environmental problem.
Restricting air travel is not the ultimate solution to environmental pollution, as it has been established that this problem arises from many sources. Aircraft-manufacturing companies have devised mechanisms for minimizing discharges from airplane engines. Stansfeld (2015) alleges that improved aerodynamics and inventive combustor designs help to curtail the release of harmful compounds like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
As per Guttikunda, Goel, and Pant (2014), improving combustion efficiency leads to increased discharge of nitrogen monoxide. Nevertheless, engineers have succeeded in containing this problem by leveraging staged engines. Many environmentalists have called for the airplane-making industry to look for alternative forms of energy for fuelling planes. Some argue that it is the high time that the world started to use hydrogen and electricity as the major sources of power for aircraft.
Using clean forms of energy may help to curb air pollution associated with aircraft. Nevertheless, despite the current technological growth in the plane manufacturing industry, engineers are yet to find a substitute fuel that is as efficient as kerosene. The introduction of hydrogen as a source of power for airplanes would require decommissioning the existing aircraft and manufacturing others with engines that can run on this energy. Such a move would be costly to airline companies and passengers who rely on air travel. Moreover, Stansfeld (2015) claims that the use of hydrogen would result in planes discharging compounds that contain water vapor. This would intensify the effects of greenhouse gas, therefore not helping to resolve the challenge of air pollution.
Conclusion
Managing air travel may help to mitigate environmental pollution. The increase in the number of flights has caused noise pollution, leading to people who reside close to airports and below flight, paths developing hearing problems and other health complications. The burning of jet fuel results in the release of harmful compounds into the atmosphere, thereby causing air contamination. It is imperative to accept that limiting air travel is not a definitive solution to curbing pollution.
The different human activities, including road transport, are to blame for the current rate of environmental degradation. Technological development has enabled engineers to build airplane engines that produce less noise and emit a limited amount of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. Nonetheless, they are yet to make an engine that satisfies the recommended decibels. Air and road transport complement each other, as people and cargo require using vehicles to get to the airport. These automobiles add to the problem of greenhouse gasses, hence there is a need to limit air travel. It is necessary to restrict air transport to long distances and shipment of delicate goods. People should be encouraged to use rail and road if traveling for short distances.
Reference List
De Nazelle, A, Bode, O & Orjuela, JP 2017, ‘Comparison of air pollution exposures in active vs. passive travel modes in European cities: a quantitative review’, Environment International, vol. 99, no. 1, pp. 151-160.
Grampella, M, Martini, G, Scotti, D & Zambon, G 2016, ‘The factors affecting pollution and noise environmental costs of the current aircraft fleet: an econometric analysis’, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, vol. 92, no. 1, pp. 310-325.
Guttikunda, SK, Goel, R & Pant, P 2014, ‘Nature of air pollution, emission sources, and management in the Indian cities’, Atmospheric Environment, vol. 95, no. 1, pp. 501-510.
Khan, J, Ketzel, M, Kakosimos, K, Sorensen, M & Jensen, SS 2018, ‘Road traffic air and noise pollution exposure assessment – a review of tools and techniques’, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 634, no. 1, pp. 661-676.
Lawton, RN & Fujiwara, D 2016, ‘Living with aircraft noise: airport proximity, aviation noise and subjective wellbeing in England’, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 104-118.
Masiol, M & Harrison, RM 2014, ‘Aircraft engine exhaust emissions and other airport-related contributions to ambient air pollution: a review’, Atmospheric Environment, vol. 95, no. 1, pp. 409-455.
Ozkurt, N, Hamamci, SF & Sari, D 2015, ‘Estimation of airport noise impacts on public health. A case study of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport’, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 152-159.
Ozkurt, N, Sari, D, Akdag, A, Kutukoglu, M & Gurarslan, A 2014, ‘Modelling of noise pollution and estimated human exposure around Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Turkey’, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 483, pp. 486-492.
Sajjad, F, Noreen, U & Zaman, K 2014, ‘Climate change and air pollution jointly creating nightmare for tourism industry’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 21, no. 21, pp. 12403-12418.
Sari, D, Ozkurt, N, Akdag, A, Kutukoglu, M & Gurarslan, A 2014, ‘Measuring the levels of noise at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport and comparisons with model simulations’, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 483, no. 1, pp. 472-479.
Schäfer, AW & Waitz, IA 2014, ‘Air transportation and the environment’, Transport Policy, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 1-4.
Schlenker, W & Walker, WR 2016, Airports, air pollution, and contemporaneous health’, The Review of Economic Studies, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 768-809.
Stansfeld, SA 2015, ‘Noise effects on health in the context of air pollution exposure’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 12735-12760.
Wolfe, PJ, Malina, R, Barrett, SRH & Waitz, IA 2016, ‘Costs and benefits of US aviation noise land-use policies’, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 147-156.
As population is increasing, pollution is becoming a massive global problem with far reaching consequences. The lifestyles of the modern people have changed as their actions contribute to wider magnitude in polluting the environment. Air, land, water, radioactive and terrestrial pollution has affected millions of people lives around the globe, even causing death and contributing to the effects of global warming.
It is therefore evident that indeed pollution is a threat to the survival of people and if stringent measures are not improvised, it remains a bomb in waiting to explode. Pollution is human made, pausing devastating health issues among the community at large, and its management cuts across all spectrums of societies including cultural, political, ethnic, and educational backgrounds
Forms of pollution
Various forms of pollution have contributed in the pollution of the environment. These include air, light, soil, water, soil/land, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, littering among many others. Air pollution is one of the leading forms of communication.
This type of pollution results from emission or release of toxic chemical particles into the atmosphere (Bingheng, Haidong, Renjie, Songhui, and Chuanjie 1292). Some forms of air pollution include sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide; nitrogen oxides produced by industries, chlorofluorocarbons, and combustion of motor vehicles fuels.
Noise pollution consists of industrial noises, aircraft vehicle hooting and playing of loud music. This kind of pollution has effects o n the hiring capabilities of people as it may affect their hearing coordination. Radioactive contamination emanates from activities such as atomic physics and the generation of nuclear power such as manufacturing and testing of nuclear weapons.
Water pollution on the other hand results from discharge of ewer water or industrial wastes into water surfaces that are used for domestic use. Such water posses a health risks to those people depending on such water.
Land or soil pollution is yet another form of pollution that continues to affect the livelihood of human beings. This form of pollution occurs when chemical leak or spill into the underground soil. These chemical include hydrocarbons, heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, and herbicides.
Such components have a health risk to the survival of human beings as they may hinder the growth of products hence denying people the opportunity to plant crops hence leading to starvation. All these forms of pollution are aided by human beings action in their quest to earn a living. Even though, these pollutions have bad effects on the health of the population and the society, many people do little to reduce these effects.
Effects of pollution
Pollution has adverse effects on the health of the people. Adverse air pollution posses’ threats to many lives of living organism. For instance, pollution of the ozone layer may cause problems of respiratory diseases, throat inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, chest pain, and even congestion. Apart from posing health risks to human beings, pollution from air posses a threat to the survival of living organisms such as birds and other animals that, depend on fresh oxygen.
Therefore, pollution of air, concerns the whole community and society and for the problem to be averted, their input and involvement is necessary. According to Krautz, water pollution causes an approximately 1,400 deaths in a day (144). Most of those people who succumb to deaths as a result of water pollution drink contaminated water; untreated sewerage water from companies.
Most of deaths are in the developing countries, as most of them have no working policies on industrial water pollution. Poverty has also contributed to pollutions of water, for instance, in India it is estimated that around 700 million people have no access to good/proper toilet leading to many children deaths in a year averaging to 1000. Statistics of deaths resulting from air and water pollution are alarming.
In China, many people are dying as a result air pollution. An approximate of 527,700 fatalities is recorded resulting from air pollution due to increased industrialization. Noise pollution causes hearing loss, sleep disturbances, stress, and even contributed to high blood pressure among the people. These are problems that people continue to experience and unknowing they affect their lives and even shorten their life expectancy.
Environmental effects
Pollutions have effects on the environment. All these forms of pollutions take place in the environment and therefore, this leaves it exposed to a number of effects. Pollution of the environment causes emission of green gases that leads to global warming that eventually affects the ecosystems in a multiplicity of ways.
Furthermore, smog in the air is able to reduce the amount of sunlight that is received by plants to carry out photosynthesis leading to crop failure resulting to an outbreak of hunger. Pollution can also make soil to become infertile and unsuitable to support plants. This may affect the living organs in soil and even the potential of the soil to support plants. Acid rain that is destructive is also caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that lower the PH of the soil leading to crop failure.
Regulation of pollution
The rate at which the environment is being polluted is alarming and as some of the measures to curb the ever-increasing rate, a number of policies and measures have been put in place. For instance, many nations in the world have enacted legislations and formulated policies geared at regulating various types of pollutions and mitigate the adverse effects of pollution.
In most countries, the initiative to regulate pollution is under the government while others have given the mandate to other branches or non-governmental institutions to regulate pollution from industries and households. As a result, there has been locking of heads and disagreements on how these programs should be implemented with parties with interests objecting some reforms because of fear of running into losses (Harrison 6). It is therefore, apparent that, for the environment to be free from pollution all members of the society should be brought into the framework and be responsible for their actions. The government, the education sector , the community members, all the ethnic groups should work in tandem at ensuring that they avoid polluting their environment.
Governments have come up with different policies in their quest to eradicate pollution. For instance, most of them have intensified their campaigns and they now look beyond their national borders in pursuant of clean environment (Harrison 4). According to Harrison, many governments are seeking priority pollutants that tend to persist in environments for longer periods and use them instead (4). Many initiatives have also been initiated geared at protecting the aquatic environment from priority pollutants in order to protect marine waters (Harrison 4). Furthermore, several governments have also accepted approaches of prioritizing pollutant control. Some of these include replacement of chemicals and using more environmentally friendly chemical, reduction of use of priority pollutants, careful use of these chemicals in order to reduce accidents and or adventitious loss and waste.
In UK for example, legislations have been enacted geared at regulating direct discharges to water and indirect discharges to sewer. These regulations are controlled via permitting systems (Harrison 4). The main legislations include the environmental protection act of 1990, the water resources act of 1991 and water industry act of 1991 for discharges to sewer (Harrison 6). These legislations serve to regulate, monitor, and control any illegal or not up to standard ways of discharge.
According to Sell, agricultural losses caused by air pollution runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually (9). For instance, much of the losses and damages that are witnessed in California are caused by pollutions in the air. Damage caused to crops ranges from visible to those that affect the growth and productivity of crops leading to destroying of life (Sell 10). Furthermore, air pollution affects the climate both regionally and global wise. For example, regionally, rainfall can be altered through the presence of air pollution (Sell 12).
US for example, has over the past put in place legislations that would ensure that water pollution is contained. For instance, the refuse act of 1899 presented dumping of wastes into national navigation rivers. U.S army corps of engineers enforced the laws. The law was revived in 1972 by the then president Nixon. The law required an approximate 40,000 industrial plants discharging wastes into navigable rivers to specify the quantity and the type and to apply for a permit to discharge the wastes. This was one of the government initiate and will to control water pollution (Nelly 26).
Environmental conservation can also be management by educating the public and key industries on the importance of ensuring that they keep the environment clean. Schools and learning institutions should be entrenched in the school curriculum in order to educate the students on how to keep the environment clean. Furthermore, before granting a license to investors interested in investing in an industrial plant, the investor should comply with the environmental regulations that requires proper disposal of their wastes.
Cutting of trees contributes to pollution of the environment. A good case was in China in 1998 when China witnessed flooding along the Yangtze River. As a measure to curb further flooding, the government banned tree cutting hence leading to prevention of flooding (Hill 4).
Main causes of pollution
According to Hill, the main cause of pollution is the growing human population, increased or growing rate of consumption and the large scale technological advancements when more industries are set up to engage in the production process (4).
These factors, to larger extend have contributed to almost all forms of pollution that the world currently is experiencing. For instance, higher percentage of atmospheric green gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, water pollution are caused by human actions. Therefore, the world will continue to experience effects of pollution if urgent measures are not put in place.
Refutation against pollution
According to Lioy and Georgopoulos, pollution cannot be eliminated 100% as there are a number of causes (1352). This observation is true and therefore it provides a loophole in the laxities of laws by some government in dealing with such cases. Some governments have blamed the continued pollution on cultural and ethnic and politics. Yes, these factors may prevent effective war against pollution. Politics is one of the factors that has been cited as able to bar proper implementation of legislations to eradicate pollutions.
Nevertheless, pollution can be solved by legislations. For example, establishment of more smoking zones, putting smoke filters, can manage air pollution and chimneys in industrial buildings, control on the kind of fuels that are used in cars, power stations and aeroplanes. Water pollution can be avoided by the communities themselves reasoning logically and being wise enough not to pollute the water. Industries that lead in water pollution should be held responsible and monitored through legislations.
Soil or land pollution on the other hand can be managed through, anti liter campaigns aimed at educating people on responsible littering, dumping of organic materials in areas far from residential places and inorganic material such as metal and plastics, glass should be recycled or reserved a specific place of dumping.
Conclusion
Pollution is a big problem that faces the world. The world population is increasing at a very high rate, technology is growing fast, and the rate of consumption of products is increasing. Every sound-minded person is supposed to be cautious about what they engage in and work hard to contribute in keeping their environment clean. Even with government enacting legislations, the buck still stops with the people.
We either destroy our ecosystem or try to make it a good place. Even though we cannot control pollution 100%, efforts geared at reducing the already polluted environment and that to ensure or curb further pollution should be exhibited. Therefore, the communities at large have the responsibility of ensuring that pollution is avoided.
Works Cited
Bingheng, Chen, Haidong, Kan, Renjie, Chen, Songhui, Jiang, and Chuanjie, Hong. “Air Pollution and Health Studies in China–Policy Implications.” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 61.11 (2011): 1292-1299. Print.
Hill, Marquita. Understanding Environmental pollution. Cambridge: Cambridge university press, 2010. Print.
Krautz, Joachim. “Poisoning the fount of life – fresh water pollution and its consequences.” Contemporary Review, 265.1544 (1994):144. Print.
Lioy, Paul, and Georgopoulos, Panos. “New Jersey: A Case Study of the Reduction in Urban and Suburban Air Pollution from the 1950s to 2010.” Environmental Health Perspectives, 119.10 (2011): 1351-1355. Print.
Sell, Nancy. Industrial Pollution Control: Issues and Techniques. John Wiley &Sons, Inc: New York, 1992. Print.