Evaluative Research Essay on Pollution by Motor Vehicles
Environmental pollution is one of the greatest challenges that many societies face across all continents. The issue disturbs us socially, economically, physically and in our daily living. Quite a large number of diseases troubling us around currently are closely linked to the contamination of the environment. Yet, most individuals have unusually vague knowledge of this problem. Therefore, this shows that environmental pollution is increasingly becoming a worse challenge that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, not only for the benefit of the environment but also for the society that lives in it. Many factors have been attributed as to why environmental pollution has been an issue to contend with (Darcin, 2010). However, if the societies of this world were to make a resolution to address this issue it would certainly go along the way to help the environment and the human population.
Many forms of pollution are taking place. This includes soil, water, and air pollution. It is worth noting that the biosphere and the ecosystem are natural systems that are self sustaining. This implies that the balance between land, water, air and all living organisms is maintained by nature. However, the technological advancement has had grave consequence on this natural balance as it disrupts it and living organisms, man being in particular, is struggling to survive under these new conditions of the environment (Shepardson et al 2009, p.561).
Undoubtedly, since the industrial revolution in the 20th century, air has borne the gravest effects of all form of pollution. Despite the positive impacts the advent of motor vehicles has brought, they contribute so much to the adverse effects on the natural air that now directly affects the global environment and the health of the social life living within it. Motor vehicles emit large quantities of toxic gases and particles such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons and lead (OECD, 2002). Certainly then, motor vehicles form one of the major causes of environmental challenges such as global warming and acidic rain. These effects have a direct implication on the human health. Respiratory problems, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma attacks, visual impairment, leukemia, and bronchitis are all some of the health problems that are closely linked with pollution (Darcin, 2010). Furthermore, motor vehicles have contributed much to the social problems such as noise, accidents and congestion that affect social life especially in the urbanized centers.
Global warming has been an agenda that has dominated on the global summit for environmental conservation conferences. The growing concerns on the depletion of the ozone layer by the chlorofluorocarbons is what has kept many heads rolling on what can be done to limit this. Every person with environmental concerns acknowledges that despite the positive impacts the industrialization process has had on the human development, its negative impacts threatens the existence of the same individuals who are reaping its benefits. This is quite a paradox of events. There have been serious concerns voiced by many a scholar-practitioner on what actions can be taken t o save our environment. Addressing this menace in the globe will not only benefit the environment but also the people who live in it. Some of the solutions are as discussed below (Shepardson et al 2009, p.564).
The usage of motor vehicles should be redefined and considered as a privilege and not as a right as most people perceive it. The cost the vehicle usage impacts on the environment should be considered and that cost passed over to vehicle owners. This would help in the reclamation process also work as a lesson to those individuals who are unmindful of the environmental preservation. In addition, the governments should come up with legislations that would help reduce the number of vehicles especially in the urban centers (Shepardson et al 2009, p.549). This may be done by setting up vehicular quotas, which limits the permits to the number of vehicles getting into the urban centers. Moreover, the efficiency of the vehicles plying the routes of a given nation should be improved. This includes reversing the current trend for larger vehicles that tend to emit many hydrocarbons. In addition, engineering solutions should be adopted that would see the emissions from vehicles exhausts scrapped before being released into the atmosphere. The usage of flex fuel and hybrid cars should be encouraged more (Shepardson et al 2009, p.557).
The power of language that can inspire social change
As it was once stated, “force may be all conquering but its victories are short-lived.” The solution to the pollution challenges may be temporarily solved by strict measures being imposed on the probable offenders. However, this may not offer the permanent solution that scholarly-practitioners are seeking. There is unquestionably much power in the words we speak. This includes sensitizing the public on the challenge that is facing the world and the implications of the failure to address the issue on the general humanity. All the factors of industrialization pointing on the car usage as the major contributor to the air pollution, it is imperative that the society be sensitized on the measures it needs to adopt to prevent future pollution (Darcin, 2010). The teachers in all institutions of learning have the obligation of taking the lead role in this worth process.
The citizens should be encouraged through the mass media to reduce on the recreational driving. Car owners need to take responsibility for the pollution caused by the use of their vehicles on the environment. Each person owning a vehicle needs to be given a free allotment per year for driving the car. Beyond this limit, they will have to pay increasing taxes for the extra fuel consumption. Governments through teachers and other environmental practitioners can take a role in encouraging the reduction of the vehicular use by promoting some social behavioral change. These include voluntary abstention and increasing the public transit system by diversifying the options (Shepardson et al 2009, p.554).
In conclusion, environmental pollution is a challenge that possesses real danger to the existence of the human population. A social menace needs to be addressed as fast as possible so that the future of the generations to come can be preserved. It will be an absolute honor for the generation in existence to endeavor to live a better world for their children and children’s children. In this regard, it becomes the responsibility of every individual to understand the critical role to conserve the environment. Vehicle users should understand that the gallons of fuel their vehicles are consuming is contributing much to the detriment of the environment. Therefore, they should cease from irresponsible usage of the same (Darcin, 2010).
References
Darcin, E. S. (2010). Trainee Science Teachers’ Ideas About Environmental Problems Caused by
Vehicle Emissions. Asia-Pacific on Science Learning and Teaching, vol. 11(2), art.12
Sherpardson, D. P., Niyogi, D., Choi, S. & Charusombat, U. (2009). Seventh Grade Students’
Conceptions of Global Warming and Climate. Environmental Education Research, vol.
15(5), p.549-570
