The phenomenon of pollution is not a new one as there are different forms of pollution prevailing in our environment. There are various types of pollution and most of them are interrelated. This paper will delineate some of the major types of pollution and the remedial measures to minimize the pollution. Some of the major types of pollution that would be expounded are as follows: air pollution, specifically, caused by the burning of fossil fuels and coal, and water pollution. As such, measures to minimize and control these types of pollution, including the concepts of “Green Transportation” and “Renewable Energy” methods, as well as intensified legislations to address water pollution are appropriately discussed.
Air pollution has been one of the alarming environmental concerns that need to be urgently addressed . In fact, one of the major causes of air pollution had been identified to be the burning of fossil fuels, as well as coal and petroleum products. The scientists have declared that the burning of the fossil fuels, coal and petroleum results in the production of the carbon dioxide as one of the most major products of greenhouse gasses. Another reason for an increase in air pollution is the high amount of saturation of CFC’s and HCFC’s (chloro fluro carbon and hydro chloro fluro carbon).
Just like air pollution the water pollution is another dilemma of the modern era as it is also a serious form of environmental pollution. The water pollution not only damages our ecosystem but also has a negative impact on our lives. The contamination of water with chemicals and other pesticides may have a serious impact on animals and human lives.
There are different forms of water pollution that are causing a potential threat to our environment. The most leading water pollution type is the surface water pollution. This water pollution is mainly caused by the contact of hazardous material or chemical with the water, like aquifers, rivers, lakes, lagoons, ocean, etc. it is studied that in many parts of the world as the large industries tends to dump their waste material into the water bodies. These industries are doing this because of lack of proper dumping arrangements. When they dump their waste material within the water bodies, the water gets contaminated by the presence of metals and other chemical substances. The water pollution also increases the percentage of air pollution, because when the contaminated water evaporates the solved chemicals reach to the atmosphere and result in air pollution. This polluted water is one of the leading causes of acid rain, which is another biggest environmental issue. (Secure Waters)
The issue of water pollution is not just confined to the disposal of waste material within the water bodies, but oil spills are the second biggest reason. It is reported that the oil spills within the sea because of hydrocarbon production, is the second leading cause of water pollution. These oil spills have an adverse effect on the sea life. Similarly, the use of pesticides to grow crops is another leading cause of water pollution. It is studied that the sediment soil washed off field is considered to be the biggest source of water pollution. The farmers use pesticides to protect their farms, and these chemicals react with the water and reach the water bodies causing big environmental threat. The effects have been devastating the marine life, as well as other ecosystems currently existing in several bodies of water.
There are several steps that can be taken to minimize air pollution and to make our environment friendlier as well as safer. Recently, the Obama government has made a promise to make America more energy independent and to cut-down the carbon emanation by considering as well as focusing on alternative sources like solar and wind energy. Obama and Congress are also declaring to start work more considerately with other nations on climate change programs. On the other hand, Obama and Congress are willing to introduce “Green Transportation” and “Renewable Energy” methods to cut-down the carbon production and to have control on the issue of air pollution that is causing the big issue of global warming (Legro).
The concept of “Green Transportation” considered being a leading step to control the air pollution. The majority of environmental scientists consider that “Green Transportation” can reduce the percentage of air pollution and can control the issue of “Global Warming.” In most advanced countries like America, the fuel consumption of automobiles are much great and therefore, the carbon dioxide produced by these automobiles indirectly increasing the pollution and ultimately the global temperature because of the high amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Through proper legislation, the air pollution can be reduced by implementing the law on industry or market to produce automobiles that are environment-friendly and with less carbon emission (Lisa).
Recycling minimizes or reduces the pollution and protects the environmental conditions. The energy preservation in manufacturing new products from recycled resources goes a long way to serving as well as helping the global temperature and climate change. By reducing and minimizing the utilization of energy in the manufacturing of new products means fewer numbers of greenhouse gasses. Any reduction in fossil fuel consumption results in the lessening of greenhouse gasses emission.3- Recycling preserves the natural resources as well as recycling saves the space that is used to for the waste disposal. Conclusively, recycling saves the economics as well as the environment and natural resources (Amy).
Concurrently, proper and appropriate legislations from environmental agencies under government supervision should be enacted. There is a need for proper legislations in order to control the water pollution and environment. The water pollution can be minimized by posing heavy fines to the industries that are directly dumping their toxic material within the water channels. Secondly, the governments should force the farmers to grow the omega or natural crops, instead of using fertilizers and pesticides to have more production. Appropriate monitoring of local and national government environmental agencies should be enforced to ensure that stringent legislations are adhered and complied with, as expected.
Lastly, in terms of addressing water pollution inflicted by off-shore oil companies, there is a need for more stringent legislations for the off-shore oil companies that are operating within the seas for hydrocarbon production. It should be ensured that their equipment are of good quality and their BOPs (Blowout Preventers) of the rigs are working fine when they are operating within the sea waters to avoid the oil spills as results of blowouts. As such, current oil companies with off-shore oil operations should learn from the experiences of other competitive companies who had polluted the waters through irresponsible practices.
In a nutshell, there are several ways to protect the environment and to minimize the air and water pollution. It takes collaborative efforts from all citizens in respective local and domestic spheres to undertake efforts to minimize and control various human activities that contribute to air and water pollution. Each and every citizen has a role and responsibility in ensuring that the environment is duly protected and pollution is averted. As such, it is high time to emphasize the need for appropriate control measures, proper legislations and the rule of law to protect and conserve natural resources and our global ecosystem which should be the legacy for future generations.
Works Cited
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Legro, Tom. "Obama Addresses Climate Change in U.N. Speech." PBS Newshour. NewsHour Productions LLC, 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/international-july-dec09-obamaun_09-22/>.
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