Summary:
Pollution is becoming closer to put life on the verge of death. It has killed many lives already. Technology has been the responsible one for most of the Pollution that exists today.
gPollution, contamination of Earthfs environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystemsh (Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 March 2006). Even though some pollution across the whole world is caused by the forces of nature (animal waste, animal release of gases, volcanic eruptions, etc.), the majority comes from every-day human activities and technology. Human contamination of Earth can take many forms such as Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Soil Pollution, Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Noise Pollution. These harmful actions have changed Earth, and they continue to do so today. Although pollution has harmful effects, it has provided us the life we have today; without it, we wouldnft be here were we are. Pollution is a life killer, but also a life saver.
Pollution: Promise, Problem, or Progress?
There are numerous disputes whether Pollution is a Promise or a Destroyer. For example, quote gPollutionchas a dramatic effect on natural resources (Grolier Online, 15 March 2006)h is a pro for pollution. There are also cons for pollution, such as in quote, gcour economy is also as bit as fragile as Earth, perhaps you (we) should think before stating such sensational claims! (Emmerich, 2004)h. If it wasnft for Pollution, we wouldnft have a strong, wealthy economy in the United States of America. We wouldnft have the mass production of cars, computers, electronical devices, power, clean water, sewage lines, etc. The world wouldnft be modern as it is today without pollution; making the world as it was when tribes and minor civilizations roamed the Earth. Nevertheless, Pollution is simultaneously endangering life in Earth. gMoreover, because of the complex relationships among the many types of organisms and ecosystems, environmental contamination my have far-reaching consequences that are not immediately obvious or that are difficult to predict (Comptonfs by Britannica, 15 March 2006)h. With Pollution in existence, Earth is becoming unbalanced; sooner or later causing dramatic changes in its surface. For example, the Ozone Layer, the gsheeth that protects life from the harmful radiation from the Sun, is being destroyed by the harmful air pollution from cities. Without an Ozone Layer, the Sun will slowly kill life on this planet, causing cancer, mutations, and other diseases. Although pollution is gtwo-faceh, it is also becoming a progress. Thanks to technology, scientists and engineers have been coming out with ideas to reduce pollution from the industry, commerce, residential, and cars (Grolier Online, 15 March 2006).
Air Pollution
Air Pollution has co-existed with Earth since the first humans began to use fire to cook, heat, and agriculture. Even though humans long before polluted Earthfs atmosphere, it was a crisis. Air Pollution became a major problem in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Industrial Revolution, and is still continuing today. Air Pollution mainly comes from cars, trucks, airplane engines, industrial zones, indoors, etc. The utmost challenge caused by Air Pollution is Global Warming, gan increase in Earthfs temperature due to the buildup of certain atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxideh (Hart, 2006). The effect of Global Warming is the rising temperature of Earth. Also, the Greenhouse Effect, caused by Global Warming, has reduced the getaway of heat and has stalled the blocking of radiation coming from the Sun. gBecause of this Greenhouse Effect, average global temperatures are expected to rise 1.4 to 5.8 Celsius degrees by the year 2100 (Comptonfs Britannica, 15 March 2006)h. If humans would have never polluted Earthfs skies, we would have never had massive manufacturing, industry, and trade, and commerce, thus weakening all economies of the world.
Water Pollution
Water Pollution, like Air Pollution, mainly started when the Industrial Revolution sparked. Sewage, industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals, etc. are the foremost causes of Water Pollution. Another cause now known is the transition of Air to Water Pollution. This happens when smog, dirt, haze, and other Greenhouse gases are washed up and end in the ocean. Water Pollution has been a growing problem still due to excessive water consumers. The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) reported in 1995 that 37% of the United Statefs lakes and estuaries, 36% of its rivers are just too polluted for basic uses such as fishing or swimming all year long (Hart, 2006). This shows a dramatic up rise of water pollution, not counting the world. If humans would of never polluted water, we would have never had fresh drinking water and sewage lines. Also, we would have never had hydroelectricity power. Water Pollution is strongly influenced by Air Pollution, making it the gmotherh of all pollutions.
Soil Pollution
Soil is a very important compound in Earth. gSoil is a mixture of mineral, plant, and animal materials that for during a long process that my take thousands of years (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2006)h. It is very hard to imagine how to pollute soil, but not for farmers. Soil Pollution happens when salts, pathogens, radioactive materials, and toxic chemical compounds build up on soil (Hart, 2006). The result can be endangering due to the fact that this pollution mainly affects the Flora Kingdom. Degraded soil stops plant growth and stimulates erosion. Mainly, farmers and agricultural sites are the main pollutants. They treat soil with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides which interferes the soil process. Also, these chemicals kill useful organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms (Hart, 2006). If this continues, it will result in total crop failure. Soil Pollution problems occur today in the Imperial Valley, the Indus Valley, and the Nile Valley. If humans would have never polluted the soil, we would have never had massive flow of fruits and vegetables. Also, with the chemicals farmers use, it assures quality of vegetables and fruits.
Solid Waste
Solid Waste troubles everyday life. Garbage, paper, plastics, metals, wood and synthetic materials fall into the category of solid waste (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2006). The reason why Solid Waste is a common problem is because the average American dumps 4lbs. of garbage, paper, plastics, etc. away. Many towns and cities deals with Solid Waste by creating a landfill; some use Incinerators to burn the trash. Although burning seems more convenient, it actually produces gdangerous concentrations of hazardous materials such as heavy metals and toxic compoundsh (Hart, 2006). The best way to get rid of Solid Waste is use a method called Composting. In the process of Composting, Solid Waste collectors use natural biological progression to swiftly decompose garbage. Solid Waste is a necessary in life. All living organisms have to produce some kind of waste and it has to be collected to be taken elsewhere.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste can be on any form; solid, liquid, or gas (Hart, 2006). Hazardous Waste is the most deadly because it can harm or kill animals, humans, plants, and environments. The wastes that fall into this category are toxic chemicals, flammable substances, radioactive substances, industrial wastes from chemical plants and nuclear reactors, agricultural wastes (such as pesticides and fertilizers), medical wastes, and residential wastes (such as toxic paints, solvents, etc.) (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2006). If expose to humans, Hazardous Wastes can give nervous system disorders, birth defects, cancer, or death (Hart, 2006). If Hazardous Wastes are exposed to the environment, they can immediately taint air, water, and soil for a large-scale of time. One example of one of the worst disasters cause by Hazardous Wastes took place in 1986, when a nuclear reactor exploded near Chernobyl, Ukraine. Even though this calamity only killed 31 people and evacuated 200,000 people, this explosion showed its strength when it shot a plume of radioactive material to Earthfs atmosphere; Norway and the United Kingdom where contaminated (Hart, 2006). Even though Hazardous Waste is eradicator, it has helped with the technologies of today, further expanding the knowledge of Space Exploration.
Noise Pollution
Noise Pollution exists in most urban areas and densely populated places. Noise Pollution has risen since the early Industrial Revolution, making it uncomfortable to live. Noise Pollution can include industrial machinery, traffic, airplanes and unwanted noise/sounds (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2006). Although Noise Pollution is not a killer, it can greatly disturb life in environment and humans themselves. The effects of Noise Pollution are the loss of hearing, disruption, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lost efficiency. Living without Noise Pollution is living without cars, power and music, making life harder.
All these pollutions mentioned earlier have changed the face of Earth, and the way of life. Although humans are continuing to pollute, many nations, including United States of America, have taken actions to reduce disastrous results. In the United States, the government enacted the Clean Air Act in 1970. gThis law requires that the air contain no more than specified levels of particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, ozone, and various toxic substancesh (Hart, 2006). Also, the United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stricken standards that apply where the air is clean to avoid traveling of pollution from dirty areas. Technology has been helping make the skies clearer. Nowadays we have hybrid cars, and scientists are trying to create a new power plant called Fission Power Plant that will not generate waste; it will get its energy from the division of atoms. The United States of America also got serious when they enacted the Clean Water Act in 1972. The goal for this act was to, gend all pollution discharges into surface waters, such as lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal watersh (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2006). Technology is helping make the waters clearer. There is now Water Treatment Plants that filter all water using reverse osmosis process; and Desalinization Water Plants. Also, the United States has passed the SWDA and TSCA to regulate and manage Hazardous Wastes (Hart, 2006). Even though there is not that much technology to help clear Hazardous substances, technology is making alternatives, such as instead of a Nuclear Power Plant, itfs providing a Fission Power Plant. Last but not least, the United States of America established the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce and control the noise from airplanes. Technology is advancing everyday, providing new engines and new ways to evolve. Even though technology caused most of the pollution, now, itfs helping eliminate pollution (Comptonfs by Britannica, 2006).
Conclusion
Pollution is a life killer, but also a life saver. Itfs true that Pollution has made some disastrous effects. Pollution is becoming closer to put life on the verge of death. It has killed many lives already. Technology has been the responsible one for most of the Pollution that exists today. Albeit, technology has been evolving to make this world a better place. Nowadays, technology is being cleaner to conserve Earth. Also, it has been cleaning Earth (water treatment plants, air purifiers, etc.). Technology will progress over the years to make Earth a healthier living experience.
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