Thursday, April 22, 2010

What is the most serious environmental issue facing Earth?













There are so many, but so many environmental problems facing Earth today but the one that I feel most serious of all is pollution. There is both air and water pollution but the first one seems more dangerous to me. I feel the majority of our current funding must be put towards solving this issue, although part of it should also go to other problems such as the conservation of species, preventing the overflowing landfills, stopping rain forest destruction, energy depletion, among some others. Air pollution is probably the most serious problem of all due to its effects towards all living beings and the environment.


Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere. They cause harm and discomfort to humans and other living organisms, and damage the natural environment. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems. (Wikipedia) In other words, air pollution harms not only humans but all living beings and the natural environment. It affects the whole atmosphere we live in. If the air is polluted, everything is affected. Most living organisms, including us, breathe air, therefore the more contaminated it is, the more harm it causes us. If our oxygen is continued to be polluted this way, our main living source will die meaning we will all die.


"Air pollution is not yesterday's problem. Thousands of deaths each year result from the UK's failure to keep air pollutants – especially from traffic – at safe levels" (Tim Yeo)

As this reporter said, this issue is not a problem that has risen today; it is something we have been exposed to for a time and it is certainly affecting our world. All these air pollutants are substances that cause harm to humans and the environment, and it is actually killing many people. Authorities should have more awareness and put more of their funding money to solve this humongous problem and keep air pollutants at safe levels. Traffic, factories’ wastes, trash, among other factors cause this terrible problem that has become such a threat to humanity and to Earth. Not only humans are dying because of it, there are millions of animals both in the earth and in the ocean that fall as victims of this monster. Also our plants and everything Mother Nature has given us has been affected and destroyed due to pollution. It has certainly caused damage to everyone.


The worst part is that pollutants can be found in any form; solid, liquid or gas. They are so abundant and they can be found everywhere, whether it is diesel from cars, smog from all sorts of sources such as automobiles and industrial emission, acid rain among other contaminants. Another reason they are so dangerous is because they are man-made and natural. There are occasions in which it is not our fault air pollution strikes, sometimes nature provokes it. For example volcano eruptions are dangerous due to the ash that pollutes the air. Moreover, there may be pollution inside our homes and working places, not only outside. Normal activities such as cooking and smoking can cause harmful pollutants and by breathing it, health is affected. One should definitely be careful with air pollution everywhere.


In conclusion, air is vital especially for us humans. It supplies us with oxygen which is needed every second of our lives to continue existing. We should try preventing this environmental issue that is contributing enormously to the Greenhouse Effect. If we really care about Earth, and think about our future generations, we should act now. People should receive more education regarding this horrible problem and create awareness in order to diminish this terrible threat to all of us. Go Green! J



IMAGES:

youngprotectors.com/air%20pollution_focus_0.jpg

specialnewsonline.files.wordpress.com

http://flatplanet.wikispaces.com/file/view/exhust_pollution.jpg/30556307/exhust_pollution.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/columnists/2009/11/26/1259235642571/COP15--Black-clouds-hover-001.jpg

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