The earth is considered to be a home for a billion people along with animals and another organism. A single person would take twenty thousand breaths a day. But is the air that we are breathing clean? Water is considered to be a source of life. But is the water that we drink clean? As children, we grew in a much safer and cleaner environment. But is the environment as clean and safe today? The growing population is considered to have direct impacts on the environment. Environmental pollution has increased 10-fold over the past decade. The grieving situation of planet earth is to be blamed to humans directly.
Rapid industrialization and growing population are two major factors that have contributed to the global pollution. The extent of pollution has almost killed mother earth. The rise in automobiles and deforestation have increased air pollution to a significant extent. The effluents left from industries and factories have made the water unclean and unsafe. There is no proper management of environmental pollution in under-developed and developing countries. We are all to be blamed to kill the earth. We may have an environment filled with contaminants if control measures are not implemented. The earth considered to be a haven for humans will no longer carry the tag. The paper would highlight the impacts and causes of pollution. It would also discuss on how pollution can be controlled and the future of cleaner and greener earth.
Humans: Killing the earth slowly
Humans sit on the apex of the food and ecological pyramid. The impact of human urbanization is directly observed on the environment. The rapid urbanization of cities and metropolitans is said to have negative impacts on the environment. The rich and the wealthy use automobiles for all purposes. Moreover, the rise in automobiles is a major reason for air pollution. The filthy air released from factories and industries have caused air pollution. Humans have direct impacts on the environment. On the other hand, most metropolitans and cities have unclean and unsafe water. The effluents left from industries and factories are left untreated and pollute the water. The forest cover in the past 10 years has decreased to a significant extent. Rapid urbanization has reduced the forest cover to less than 50%.
Forests are considered to be the lungs that inhale intoxicants and carbon dioxide from the environment. The reduction of forest cover would increase global warming. Humans are responsible for environmental pollution. Environmental pollution is considered to originate from an individual. For example, an individual who is a chronic smoker would pollute the air 10 times more compared to a non-smoker. A single person who uses an automobile is considered to increase air pollution on a personal level. Many people have a habit of disposing of garbage in an unethical manner. According to environmentalist, household garbage should be segregated as waste and dry before disposal. Underdeveloped nations lack proper sewage systems. The lack of proper sewage system could pollute the water to a significant extent. Soil pollution is most likely neglected by many nations.
However, it is important that the soil is well maintained and free of chemical contaminants. Polluted soil can hamper the growth of crops. Improper soil conditions are the major cause of barren land. Pollutants in soil are said to pass through the food chain. Humans are the sole cause of environmental pollution and have to be solved immediately.
The need for change: A cleaner and Greener Environment
The impact of environmental pollution is observed on the natural biodiversity. In the past 5 years, many non-governmental organizations and agencies have come together to control environmental pollution. It is essential that we safeguard the environment for our future generation. Environmental pollution can be reduced or controlled on a national or global level. However, the practice of environment safety should begin at home. Turning off the power (electrical appliances) when not in use would reduce carbon consumption to a significant extent.
We should minimize water wastage. It is important that the water is conserved and utilized efficiently. Water sources should be kept clean and away from pollutants. The use of pesticides in agriculture should be minimized or banned to prevent soil and groundwater pollution. Many industries do not follow the laws laid down by the environmental agencies. Stringent rules should be employed so that air and water pollution could be minimized to a significant extent. The effluents left from factories should be treated to avoid contamination of the river and other water bodies. Water pollution is also observed in small communities where people are uneducated or underprivileged. Implementation environmental education among the masses would help reduce environmental pollution to a significant extent.
On the other hand, air pollution also be reduced to a significant extent. Policies like ‘walk to work’ or ‘bicycle to work’ should be implemented wherever possible. We should minimize deforestation for a cleaner and greener environment. Tress are known to take in carbon dioxide that in turn would reduce global warming. The earth’s atmospheric temperature is 5⁰c more compared to the temperature 50 years back. The use of public transport could reduce air pollution. It would be economical and environmentally-friendly to use public transport on a daily basis. There are numerous ways to save the environment. It is our responsibility to safeguard the environment for the next generation.
The future of Environment safety
Over the past 10 years, many non-governmental agencies (NGO’s) have highlighted the negative impacts of human urbanization on the environment. The lack of knowledge among the masses may be the sole reason for environmental pollution. Many nations have come together to combat environmental pollution. Governments have implemented environmental education in the syllabus of school children. It is important to educate the next generation about the environment and the impacts of environmental pollution. Many NGO’s have taken the initiative to educate people about the environment and the rising environment pollution. Governments have begun advertising the importance of clean and green environment through mass media.
Many organizations like the environmental protection agency (EPA) in the United States, the European environment agency (EEA) for the European Union were formed to protect the environment. On a global scale, the earth system governance program (ESGP), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), World Nature Organization (WNO), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) were formed for the protection of the environment. These organizations have team members to monitor the pollution rates of nations around the world. Some of the organizations rate each nation as per their pollution rates. For example, the GEF considers Sweden to be one of the cleanest and environment-friendly country in the world. On the other hand, India and China are considered to be highly polluted countries.
The future of environment safety is dependent on how we protect and safeguard the natural resource. It is important that we reduce environmental pollution to avoid natural disasters. The earth belongs to all and the protection of the environment is our moral duty.
Conclusion
The growing population is considered to have direct impacts on the environment. Environmental pollution has increased 10-fold over the past decade. The grieving situation of planet earth is to be blamed to humans directly. Rapid industrialization and growing population are two major factors that have contributed to the global pollution. The extent of pollution has almost killed mother earth. The rise in automobiles and deforestation have increased air pollution to a significant extent. The effluents left from industries and factories have made the water unclean and unsafe. There is no proper management of environmental pollution in under-developed and developing countries. We are all to be blamed to kill the earth. If control measures are not implemented soon, we may have an environment filled with contaminants. The earth considered to be a haven for humans will no longer carry the tag.
Many organizations like the environmental protection agency (EPA) in the United States, the European environment agency (EEA) for the European Union were formed to protect the environment. On a global scale, the earth system governance program (ESGP), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), World Nature Organization (WNO), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) were formed for the protection of the environment.
The future of environment safety is dependent on how we protect and safeguard the natural resource. It is important that we reduce environmental pollution to avoid natural disasters. The earth belongs to all and the protection of the environment is our moral duty.
