Pollution as Environmental Issue - Literature review Example

Environmental Issue: Pollution Name of student: Name of professor: Module Date Introduction Environment is the external conditions and physical properties that surround given entities. Although, man appreciates his environment, he does a lot of harm to it either deliberately or advertently. That is to say, in the 21st century, the environment faces a lot of problems. Jaffe and Durr (2010) say that there are a lot of environmental issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, intensive farming, ozone depletion, overpopulation and resource depletion just to mention but a few. This paper thus focuses to analyze environmental pollution according to different forms of expertise. The analysis will be according to science, social science and the local community. This paper will also discuss the different perspectives that the different forms of expertise will bring. The implications for how environmental pollution can be solved will also be discussed. Environmental pollution according to science Science is the major cause of environmental pollution in the modern generation. As a result of science, technologies have been developed. In turn, technology has led to environmental pollution. Technology is applied in several human activities. To begin with, in industries, technology is the sole aspect. For example, Kronberg (2008) says that different industries cause pollution in different ways. Pollution in industries can be invisible, indirect or negligible. In other words, there is no industry that is free of pollution. There are industries that manufacture chemicals, pesticides and medicines. Such industries often release their waste products carelessly into the environment. Chemicals are released into the environment through drainage pipes thus polluting water and soil. Besides, pesticides when used in farms cause air pollution. The other industries that cause environmental pollution are those that manufacture gases (Brown et al., 2008). Artificially manufactured gases include hydrocarbons. These gases are often trapped and piped through low-pressure lines to individual buildings where the gas is burnt for heating, cooking and illumination. At times, the waste gases are released into the environment causing air pollution. Mine based industries also cause a lot of environmental pollution. These industries include cement manufacturing industries, steel manufacturing industries and salt manufacturing industries among others. A good number of such industries release solid waste into the environment causing soil pollution. They also release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and methane into the air thus causing air pollution. On the other hand, steel manufacturing industries often involve hitting and collision of metals and other materials causing noise pollution. Moreover, textile industries and their ancillaries are also environmental hazards. These are industries that deal with the manufacture of various kinds of clothing. During the manufacture of clothes, there are various chemicals that are involved. These waste chemicals are often carelessly released into the environment causing soil and water pollution. Price and Worrel (2006) indicate that these textile industries also emit toxic gases into the air such as carbon monoxide. Such gases are health hazards as they cause air pollution. In addition, the textile industries often involve collision of machinery and other hard substances hence causing noise pollution. The other types of industries that cause environmental pollution are the paper industries. These industries cause serious negative effects on the environment. Manufacture of paper involves mixing of toxic chemicals which are later released into the environment causing both soil and water pollution. Solid wastes such as in organic materials are also carelessly dumped in the environment causing soil pollution. Air pollution is also evident in areas where the paper industries are situated. This is because toxic gases such as chlorofluorocarbons are released into the air through chimneys. Price and Worrel (2006) argue that these gases are health hazards as they interfere with the human respiratory system. Scientific technologies have also led to the innovation of automobiles. Automobiles are commonly used as means of transportation in the modern generation. In the process, pollution has been part of automobile technology and thus causing human miseries. In several towns and cities across the world, public and private automobiles are the greatest polluters of all time. The pollution is caused by the emissions from the millions of automobiles across the world. To start with, automobiles emit hydrocarbons into the air thus causing air pollution. The emission occurs when fuel molecules burn incompletely after which they react with nitrogen oxides forming smog. As Smith and Tilman (2008) point out, the smog formed is a health hazard since it irritates the eyes, damages the lungs and also causes other problems in the respiratory system. Automobiles also emit nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere causing air pollution. The nitrogen oxides in the automobile engines are usually formed when nitrogen and oxygen atoms react. Nitrogen oxides also cause the depletion of the ozone causing climate change which is another example of an environmental issue. Nitrogen oxides also cause both soil and water pollution as they react with rain water to form acid rain. Moreover, automobiles emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which cause air pollution. Carbon monoxide is a renowned health hazard as it reduces the flow of oxygen in the blood stream hence interfering with the respiratory system. Severe consumption of carbon monoxide always leads to death (Smith and Tilman, 2008). Automobiles are also involved in the transportation of oil. In cases where accidents occur, oil spillage occurs. When oil spills, serious environmental pollution occurs. Oil spillage causes both water and soil pollution. Environmental pollution according to social science Social science is a discipline which is concerned with the society and the relationships between individuals and other physical features in the environment. Social science includes subjects such as Geography, History and Anthropology among others. Social science plays a major role in environmental pollution in a number of ways. To begin with, Geography as a social science studies volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are very harmful as they emit dust and other toxic gases into the air. Kronberg (2008) points out that the emitted gases and dusts thus cause air pollution. The emitted toxic gases could also react with rain water forming rain water. In any case ultra-filtration occurs; the acid rain thus pollutes the soil. Geography as a social science studies the causes of soil erosion. Soil erosion is the washing way of the top layer of the soil. It is caused by various agents such as water, wind, human activities and glacier. When it occurs, the top layer of soil is washed towards various drainage systems such as lakes, rivers, seas, oceans and streams depositing soil sediments into the drainage systems. As a result, water pollution occurs. The soil sediments change the color of the water. In addition, some mineral components and chemical components are deposited into the waters thus causing severe water pollution (Price & Worrel (2006). This causes the death of aquatic life. Mining is also a social science that causes environmental pollution. Mining involves the removal of mineral particles from underground to the surface of the earth. It is carried out through various ways such as use of machinery. During mining for example in limestone mines, dust particles are often released into the air thus causing air pollution (Smith and Tilman, 2008: p. 362-367). Mines are also associated with movement and collision of machinery causing noises that are not environment friendly; a concept known as noise pollution. Environmental pollution in cultural contexts Local communities contribute to environmental pollution through some of the cultural practices. For instance, some communities in Africa such as the Maasai practice bush burning to clear land to allow new pasture to grow (Brown, et al., 2008). This equates to wild fires in Australia and America which contribute towards increasing the carbon content in the atmosphere. In other communities, overpopulation of people in the local community results to environmental pollution. When people are populated, there is competition for the available resources. Kronberg (2008) says that when cities and urban centers develop in an unplanned manner, social amenities are stretched and pollution such as poor drainage is eminent. Patty (2013) reports that in Sydney, the drainage system is strained such that untreated sewage is released into the oceans and beaches risking the lives of thousands. Other than sewage, water resources can be polluted by indiscriminate use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. When used on land, these harmful chemicals find their way to water sources after being washed down by rain (Smith, Tilman, & Nekola, 2011). Some pastoral communities also practice overgrazing, a situation where the number of animals kept is more than the capacity that can be contained by a particular piece of land. Overgrazing results to air pollution as the animals loosen the soil surface causing soil to be carried by various agents such as wind into the air (Milton, 2013). Overgrazing also results to water pollution as the animals defecate in the drainage systems and deposit soil sediments into the drainage systems (Brown, et al., 2008). Cutting down of trees is another human activity common in some communities. This is occasioned by growing population and demand for agricultural land. However, for some communities such as in Peru and Chile cite modern practices such as mining on deforestation claiming that they have coexisted with forests for hundreds of years (Brown, et al., 2008). Trees are responsible for the circulation of oxygen in the air thus refreshing the air. When trees are cut down, there will be accumulation of other gases such as carbon dioxide and other harmful gases that are released into the atmosphere by industries. Some gases and solid particles such as carbon, which are dangerous to life are absorbed by and trapped by trees. A study in China revealed that that the life expectancy in the northern part of the country is lower by five years compared to the rest of the country, something attributed to increased use of polluting coal in the north (Wong 2013). Implications for how environmental pollution can be solved Environmental pollution has been a major concern in the world for the past few years. It is therefore the role of all stakeholders to try and prevent environmental pollution. If there are no pollutants, definitely there will be no pollution. To start with, recycling of paper, plastics, glass bottles, cardboards and aluminum cans should be done. The implication of this to the environment is that energy will be conserved and there will be a significant reduction of production emissions. The other way of helping solve environmental pollution is by people having self-education and by adopting good and healthy practices. People should also be made aware of the effects of environmental pollution. UNEP is of the opinion that “One person alone cannot save the planet’s diversity, but each individual’s effort to encourage nature’s wealth must not be underestimated” (Oman 2012) The implication of this is that there will be a significant reduction in environmental pollution. Air pollution in public places such as market places, streets or places of fun is often caused by people who smoke. In order to reduce air pollution, it is therefore the duty of individuals addicted to smoking to stop smoking or to follow the smoking regulations. The implication of this is that there will be a significant reduction of air pollution resulting from smoking. Besides, the environment will become friendlier to non-smokers (Smith and Tilman, 2008). As discussed earlier, automobiles are the major pollutants in the 21st century. In order to reduce emissions from automobiles, there are several aspects that should be taken care of. To begin with, there should be use of unleaded petrol in automobiles. The implication of this is that the combustion in automobiles will be reduced hence causing a significant reduction in emissions from automobiles. Secondly, people who own automobiles should ensure that they are kept in good running condition. The implication of this is that it will help avoid smoke emissions thus reducing air pollution. Thirdly, instead of using automobiles frequently, people should walk or ride bikes when possible or necessary. This will help in a significant reduction in air pollution making the environment friendlier and healthier (Milton, 2013). The other way of solving the problem of environmental pollution is by using eco-friendly or organic materials. Smith and Tilman (2008) are of the opinion that organic materials should be preferred to inorganic materials since the inorganic materials are usually made of toxic substances that are hazardous to human health. This will encourage decomposition of human wastes hence preventing their accumulation in the environment. Moreover, people should have proper waste disposal systems at home, in the factories or in the market places. This will prevent the careless dumping of toxic substances in the environment thus causing a significant decrease in pollution. People should also avoid throwing or disposing wastes that are in liquid, solid or gaseous form that may cause pollution into the drainage systems, air or soil. Urban areas such as cities and towns are often busy places where noise pollution is the order of the day. Therefore, to reduce noise pollution, people should avoid causing noises and unwanted sounds. This will be a great step taken towards making the environment friendly. Anti-litter campaigns should also be done in the urban areas to prevent the careless dumping of wastes (Milton, 2013). The campaigns will help educate the people on the importance of keeping the environments clean and as a result causing a significant reduction of urban pollution. Industries are also cause severe environmental pollution in urban areas (Oman, 2012). In order to reduce pollution from industries, the management of the various industries should ensure that use of fuel with low sulphur contents is put into practice. This will lead to a significant reduction in the production of emissions that cause air pollution. Besides, industries should make sure that regulations and legislations of the government are followed to the latter. Government regulations to industries often stress on the importance of release of non-toxic substances into the environment. Industries should also establish dumping sites that are far from residential places. If all these practices are put in place by industries, then the implication is that a significant reduction in pollution will be seen (Milton, 2013). The ecosystem will become friendlier and very few human miseries will witnessed. The other way of stopping environmental pollution is by eradicating the use of genetically modified organisms (Price & Worrel 2006). These organisms are hazardous to the environment especially the genetically modified crops that need a large amount of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. These substances are made of chemicals that cause severe pollution of the soil. They are also hazardous to human health. To recap it all, as discussed in this paper, environmental pollution can be based according to science, social science and the local community. It is evident that the major causes of pollution in the 21st century globally are automobiles and industries. When environmental pollution is solved, the environment will become friendlier and there will be a significant reduction in human miseries that result from environmental pollution. References Braunch, H., Grin, J. & Oswald, U. (2009). Facing global environmental change: environmental, human, energy, food, health and water security concepts. Sydney: Springer. Brown, K., Brown, D., Comim, F., Kouwenhoven, P. et al (2008). Environment for development. Retrieved online on 14th August 2013 from, http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/report/01_Environment_for_Development.pdf Jaffe, R. & Durr, E. (2010). Cultural and material forms of urban pollution. In Jaffe, R. & Durr, E. (eds.). Urban Pollution: Cultural Meanings, Social Practices (Studies in Environmental Anthropology and Ethnobiology). London: Berghan Books. p. 1-30 Kronberg, I. (2008). Environmental Management and Assessment. London: GRIN Verlag Milton, K. (2013). Environmentalism and cultural theory: exploring the role of anthropology in environmental discourse. London: Routledge. Oman, S. (2012). Air pollution. Retrieved online on 14th August 2013 from, http://www.projectearth.net/Project/Details/2805 Patty, A. (July 7 2013). Sewage overflows threaten Sydney beaches, claims Opposition. Sydney morning herald. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/sewage-overflows-threaten-sydney-beaches-claims-opposition-20130707-2pk2d.html Price, L and Worrel (2006). Global Energy use, CO2 Emissions and the Potential Reduction in the Cement Industry. Cement Energy Efficiency Workshop, organized by IEA in cooperation with WBCSD, Paris, France. Retrieved online on 14th August 2013 from, http://www.who.int/topics/environmental_pollution/en/. Smith V. H., Tilman, T. D. & Nekola, (2011). Eutrophication: impacts of excess nutrient inputs on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Environmental Pollution 100 (1999) 179-196 Tippins, D., Mueller, M. & van Eijck, M. (2010). Cultural studies and environmentalism: the confluence of ecojustice, place-based (science) education, and indigenous knowledge systems. London: Springer. Wong, E. (July 8 2013). Pollution Leads to Drop in Life Span in Northern China, Research Finds. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/asia/pollution-leads-to-drop-in-life-span-in-northern-china-study-finds.html?_r=0 Read More

Such gases are health hazards as they cause air pollution. In addition, the textile industries often involve collision of machinery and other hard substances hence causing noise pollution. The other types of industries that cause environmental pollution are the paper industries. These industries cause serious negative effects on the environment. Manufacture of paper involves mixing of toxic chemicals which are later released into the environment causing both soil and water pollution. Solid wastes such as in organic materials are also carelessly dumped in the environment causing soil pollution.

Air pollution is also evident in areas where the paper industries are situated. This is because toxic gases such as chlorofluorocarbons are released into the air through chimneys. Price and Worrel (2006) argue that these gases are health hazards as they interfere with the human respiratory system. Scientific technologies have also led to the innovation of automobiles. Automobiles are commonly used as means of transportation in the modern generation. In the process, pollution has been part of automobile technology and thus causing human miseries.

In several towns and cities across the world, public and private automobiles are the greatest polluters of all time. The pollution is caused by the emissions from the millions of automobiles across the world. To start with, automobiles emit hydrocarbons into the air thus causing air pollution. The emission occurs when fuel molecules burn incompletely after which they react with nitrogen oxides forming smog. As Smith and Tilman (2008) point out, the smog formed is a health hazard since it irritates the eyes, damages the lungs and also causes other problems in the respiratory system.

Automobiles also emit nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere causing air pollution. The nitrogen oxides in the automobile engines are usually formed when nitrogen and oxygen atoms react. Nitrogen oxides also cause the depletion of the ozone causing climate change which is another example of an environmental issue. Nitrogen oxides also cause both soil and water pollution as they react with rain water to form acid rain. Moreover, automobiles emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which cause air pollution.

Carbon monoxide is a renowned health hazard as it reduces the flow of oxygen in the blood stream hence interfering with the respiratory system. Severe consumption of carbon monoxide always leads to death (Smith and Tilman, 2008). Automobiles are also involved in the transportation of oil. In cases where accidents occur, oil spillage occurs. When oil spills, serious environmental pollution occurs. Oil spillage causes both water and soil pollution. Environmental pollution according to social science Social science is a discipline which is concerned with the society and the relationships between individuals and other physical features in the environment.

Social science includes subjects such as Geography, History and Anthropology among others. Social science plays a major role in environmental pollution in a number of ways. To begin with, Geography as a social science studies volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are very harmful as they emit dust and other toxic gases into the air. Kronberg (2008) points out that the emitted gases and dusts thus cause air pollution. The emitted toxic gases could also react with rain water forming rain water.

In any case ultra-filtration occurs; the acid rain thus pollutes the soil. Geography as a social science studies the causes of soil erosion. Soil erosion is the washing way of the top layer of the soil. It is caused by various agents such as water, wind, human activities and glacier. When it occurs, the top layer of soil is washed towards various drainage systems such as lakes, rivers, seas, oceans and streams depositing soil sediments into the drainage systems. As a result, water pollution occurs.

The soil sediments change the color of the water. In addition, some mineral components and chemical components are deposited into the waters thus causing severe water pollution (Price & Worrel (2006).

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