Psychology
1- Introduction
The environment is perhaps the most precious resource available to human beings. This is because it is responsible for the sustenance of human life on earth as well as ensuring survival of the species. The importance of the environment is however a factor that has been ignored by people for a very long time. Currently the environment is in jeopardy due to human activities which tend to have a very negative effect on the environment.
2. Peer discussion
One such human activity that is detrimental to the environment is disposal of waste and pollution. With the human population growing and industrialization increasing, the amount of waste produced by human beings has increased tremendously. On average the United States of America is estimated to produce approximately 236 million tons of waste annually and surprisingly enough over 70% of this waste is not recycled (hazardous waste consultant). The issue of waste and pollution is an important environmental concern because it directly affects the health of all living creatures on the planet. A good example is industrial waste that seeps into rivers and into soil (Mackinnon, 2013). This waste has a very negative effect on the ecosystem and can contaminate water supply or ever render arable land completely barren.
3.
The issue of waste and pollution can be effectively dealt with if approached from an ecocentric point of view. This point of view primarily involves showing people the monetary value of recycling and keeping the environment clean (environmental pollution). Money is a very strong motivator especially in modern times and proving to people that they can make money by preventing environmental pollution could effectively solve the problem of waste and pollution. This could reduce waste and pollution that is very harmful to human life (Mackinnon, 2013)
4.
The instrumental value considered n this analysis is the lifeline of the entire planet. Environmental pollution does not just affect human life but it also affects all forms of life on the planet such as vegetation and animal life. Neglectful treatment of waste materials can lead to contamination of key aspects of the environment which can be harmful to the human body (Mackinnon, 2013) as well as to other forms of life on the planet (environmental pollution). The cost benefit analysis also shows that the benefits of cleaning up the environment outweigh the costs (Mackinnon, 2013).
5.
This environmental concern is important to society because it directly affects society. Pollution and waste are hazardous to the health of the entire society. This concern puts the entire society at risk from pollution and contaminations related concerns. Waste and pollution is hazardous and affects the entire planet as a whole (Mackinnon, 2013. This necessitates the need for the entire society to tackle this issue with the aim of creating a cleaner and more pure environment that is free of waste materials and harmful chemicals. The societal aspect is especially emphasized when taken into account that there are approximately three thousand landfills that are active in the United States. These landfills form a hub for toxic chemicals and wasted that have been manufactured over a very long period of time and has their level of toxicity is accumulated (landfills: hazardous to the environment)
6. Conclusion
The issue of waste and pollution is by all means a contentious environmental concern that can no longer be ignored. This is because it is an environmental concern that jeopardizes the very existence of the human race as well as the sustenance of life on the planet. This is a concern that affects the capacity of the planet to sustain life as we know it. It is therefore very necessary for every human being to exercise initiative as far as elimination of waste and pollution is concerned.
References
Landfills: hazardous to the environment. (n.d.). sciencedirect.com. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02697491
environmental polution. (n.d.). Elsevier. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-pollution/
Hazardous waste consultant 2011. (n.d.). zerowasteamerica. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=6&sid=06fc36d7-bee1-402c-b85f-a64b9460b04c%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4208
MacKinnon, B. (2013). Ethics: theory and contemporary issues. Boston MA: Clark Baxter.
