StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Critical Thinking and Environmental Pollution - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Critical Thinking and Environmental Pollution" discusses that environmental pollution can be defined as the introduction of substances that reduce the quality of well-being in the surrounding area as well as that of those living in that community…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.2% of users find it useful
Critical Thinking and Environmental Pollution
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Critical Thinking and Environmental Pollution"

Environmental Pollution List in order of decreasing harmfulness Outdoor air pollution 2. Persistent organic pollutants (toxic chemicals) in air, water and soil 3. Tropical deforestation 4. Indoor air pollution 5. Surface water (lakes, rivers, streams) 6. Drinking water pollution 7. Nuclear waste build up 8. Abandoned toxic waste sites 9. Coal building power plants 10. Depletion of the ozone layer 11. Acid rain 12. Loss of species and ecosystems 13. Global overpopulation 14. The presence of hormones and antibiotics in out meat 15. Over consumption in the developed world Environmental pollution can be defined as the introduction of substances that reduce the quality of well-being in the surrounding area as well as that of those living in that community. In the past, environmental pollution was not considered a serious problem but since the beginning of the industrial revolution pollutants in the environment significantly increased and it is now a cause of global concern. Therefore, of all the sources of pollution, the ones that are of greatest threat to our well-being are outdoor air pollution, introduction of toxic chemicals in water and soil and tropical deforestation. As shown below these three sources are of greatest threat to our well-being. Motor vehicles have been pointed out as a major source of environmental pollution for a long time. They produce CO2 among other poisonous gases, which are responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer as well as CO, which is a non-detectable poisonous gas. Environmentalists have flagged coal, which is also burned in several industries as a source of energy, as another major contributor to carbon dioxide. Other sources of air pollution are fossil fuels, which act as a source of Sulfur Dioxide when burnt and Nitrogen Oxide, which is produced when the fuel in vehicles is combusted. Air pollutants have been shown to have several detrimental effects to the environment. The gases interact with the water in the atmosphere to produce acidic rain, which is corrosive and therefore erodes the paint of buildings and kills plant-life as well as marine life in rivers due to its poisonous nature. These fumes have also been identified as carcinogenic and over time, residents living in places with high pollution rates will have a higher prevalence rate of eyes nose and throat infections as well as the development of cancer. The reduction of air pollution is very important and several steps have been taken to do this. Vehicles have been given several standards of performance, which all companies must maintain failure to which their vehicles will not be allowed in certain countries. Catalytic converters have also been installed in vehicles and in factories where sulfur is a by-product in order to reduce the sulfur compounds released into the environment. The introduction of harmful substances to soil and water is another problem that is being faced in many places. Most water pollutants are fabricated and are a result of industrial activity too close to agricultural land and water sources. However, natural sources of water pollution include water runoff from rain and soil erosion, which ends up in rivers. Volcanic activity can also result in soil and water pollution as ash covers the soil and sulfur is redirected to rivers and lakes. Mining activities will also lead to soil pollution as a lot of the debris is washed into rivers. Whenever there are floods, the water must be pumped out and it will often be channeled into rivers; mines often contain sulfur and dumping this effluent into rivers causes them to be acidic (Goel 56). Sewage from domestic and industrial activity can also be directed into rivers and as it is often untreated, it will poison rivers and lakes internally as well as giving it a bad smell. Agricultural products such as fertilizers if not properly absorbed by the soil in farms will also lead to soil and water pollution as it will flow into water sources and other farms when it rains. Water and soil pollution causes the death of fauna in water due to the increase in poisonous substances as well as the fact that these chemicals change the PH of water making it either too acidic or too basic to sustain its indigenous life. In cases where the chemicals are slow acting, the life in these polluted water areas consumes the toxic chemicals and is later fished and consumed by people leading to the consumption of poisons by humans. Solutions that would lead to a reduction in pollution include the establishment of sewage treatment plants as well as regulating the dumping of toxic chemicals into water sources (Goel 298). Governments could also set up regulations on the composition of fertilizers in order to make them easily biodegradable and thus not harmful if not absorbed after a period. Human activity had led to the deforestation of many water catchment sources as people of different communities in the world looked for more land to settle in. People who were living near forests therefore encroached on these areas and cleared the areas to make space for human settlement. The increasing price of timber is another cause of the increased deforestation activities especially in developing nations. As people develop, the need for agricultural land also increases this means that as a country develops so does the need for agricultural land resulting in land that was initially forested being used for farming. Deforestation has grave consequences for those who live in the deforested areas; soil erosion will occur and in places, which are steep, enough this can lead to landslides as the soil no longer has any protective cover. The soil erosion carries with it the top fertile soil leaving bare rocks and barren land that is unsuitable for farming. Deforestation can therefore lead to desertification, which will spread on its own and eventually dry the remaining forested area. Solutions for deforestation include the development of policies that can lead to sustainable timber trade as well as the regulation of converting of land to agricultural use from forestry. Governments can also initiate reforestation programs in countries where the forest cover has been depleted and is below the recommended 10 percent. Environmental pollution is a serious concern for everybody as it affects our lives both directly and indirectly. Air pollution has been shown to cause respiratory diseases while water pollution leads to consumption of poisons as the marine life consumes the poisons and it is later consumed by man. Deforestation leads to climate change which leads to drought and thus a food shortage, although solutions have been found and new policies being implemented to reduce pollution, more needs to be done at an individual level if we are to see significant change in the world. Work Cited Goel, Pradeep Kumar., Water Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control. Delhi: New Age, 2006. Print. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2”, n.d.)
Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/biology/1483599-critical-thinking
(Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2)
Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2. https://studentshare.org/biology/1483599-critical-thinking.
“Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/biology/1483599-critical-thinking.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Critical Thinking and Environmental Pollution

Managing Environmental Issues

environmental ethics or moral principles refer to the ethical relationship between human beings and the environment in which they live (Fryxell & Vryza, 2007).... Such discrepancies arise due to the fact that the management issues on the environment usually tend to collide with the set standards of Fryxell and vryza (2007) assert that the simulation focuses on three major environmental philosophies on human responsibility towards the environment.... Examples of simulation put in place in order to manage environmental issues include the anthropocentric view, biocentric view and ethical extensionism....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Industrial Pollution

Startlingly, pollution has been found to be directly or indirectly responsible for over 40% of the.... Inevitably, every form of pollution has an impact on the environment and the animals in it, the effects may range from minor discomfort to serious conditions such as cancer and physical deformities.... Industrial pollution contributes to the greenhouse effect that results in climate change disrupting weather patterns resulting to widespread famine, and it is the leading cause of health and enviromental challenges affecting animals and plants resulting in ill health and even death....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Water Pollution of the Yellow River

The paper "The Water pollution of the Yellow River" discusses that addressing this terrific appetite for efficient water data is the main objective of WRI's Aqueduct project on mapping and measuring water risk.... For instance, the Moutai group has established a Green Fund that has invested several billions to construct water waste treatment systems to fight the pollution in the Chishui River Basin.... Stained with pollution, crowded with ill-conceived dams, and tainted with sewage, it diminishes at its mouth to a lifeless trickle....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Critical Thinking Proficiency Exam

This paper, critical thinking Proficiency Exam, declares that McClendon, the supporter of the hydraulic fracturing, states that the first piece of evidence is the revenue generated by the industry.... The writer states that the industry generated $11 billion in GDP the previous year....
7 Pages (1750 words) Assignment

Systems Thinking and Wicked Problems

The paper "Systems thinking and Wicked Problems" highlights that systems thinking is critical in developing solutions to sustainability challenges.... In this regard, the paper has looked at ocean pollution as wicked pollution and outlined how the wicked problem can be resolved using systems thinking.... Each of the stakeholders would then be required to come up with an environmental sustainability strategy that is all-around addressing all areas of ocean pollution....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Systems Thinking Is Critical in Developing a Solution to Sustainability Challenges

pollution is a complex issue that is intertwined in different processes and impacts in diverse ways.... Thus, the topic is significant in pursuing ways to help solve the pollution.... cean pollution also referred to as marine pollution is a wicked problem that has been increasing in complexity day in day out.... he aim of this essay is to use the knowledge and skills acquired in the role of systems thinking to address Ocean pollution as a sustainability challenge....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Environmental Pollution in China

This paper ''environmental pollution in China'' tells that China's economic growth since 1978 has often been described as miraculous, but also led to serious problems including corruption, environmental pollution.... environmental pollution has been one of the most pressing challenges that have emerged from China's economic growth.... This essay looks at the issue of environmental pollution in China in detail indicating the depth and scope of the problem and the actions taken by the Chinese government and Chinese citizens to improve the situation....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Levels of Systems Thinking and Association with Sustainability

The paper 'Levels of Systems thinking and Association with Sustainability " is a perfect example of an environmental studies essay.... The paper 'Levels of Systems thinking and Association with Sustainability " is a perfect example of an environmental studies essay.... The paper 'Levels of Systems thinking and Association with Sustainability " is a perfect example of an environmental studies essay.... The second part shows levels of systems thinking and lastly, the report discusses how systems thinking has been used to ensure sustainability in oceans by addressing pollution....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us