RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Pollution Results:
The Effects Of Pollution
By:
Published: August 17, 2006
The threat of global warming has brought the environment to the forefront of international debate. One of the main causes of global warming is pollution. Changes in the earth's environment caused by pollution do not just affect one nation but the world as a whole. Many organizations are working towards addressing the problems created by pollution and argue for the creation of an effective international agency that will promote a movement for sustainable development.
The three main areas of the planet largely affected by pollution are the air, water, and biodiversity. Air pollution is mainly caused by the release of harmful gases, vapors, and chemicals into the atmosphere. The sources of air pollution include motor vehicles, heat and power facilities, industrial processes, fertilizer plants, fossil fuel combustion, and agriculture. Motor vehicles are the main source of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere. The effects of air pollution are smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming. Industrial nations such as the United States, China, Russia, and Japan are the world's leaders in air pollution.
Water pollution is caused by the release of heavy metals, petrochemicals, bacteria, sewage, agricultural runoffs, oil spills, chemical emissions, and non biodegradable litter. Many of these pollutants have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans and most coastal waters are now polluted. As a result much of the marine wildlife such as coral reefs, fish, and mammals are suffering. Although many of the planet's freshwater sources are polluted the main area of concern is the oceans. Oceans cover over 70 % of the planet's surface and are a communally shared resource. No one nation exclusively owns the oceans. As a result, no individual nation is willing to assume responsibility for the pollution of the oceans.
The earth's biodiversity also suffers from pollution caused by humans. One of the main components of the earth's ecosystem, Biodiversity consists of the interactions of plants and animals on each other and the environment. Pollution has already destroyed entire ecosystems in coastal and marine areas, forests, dry lands, etc. Many animal and plant species have become extinct and more are facing the danger of extinction. The loss of biodiversity is important because biodiversity supports human health. The World Health Organization estimates plants provide primary health care for over 60% of the world's population. Many plants are used to make the majority of medicines used by humans. Plants and animals are also important components of ecosystems. They provide many essential services that help keep ecosystems intact.
Although recent international policies have been put into effect such as the Kyoto Protocol, UN Environmental Programmer, and UN Commission on Sustainable Development much still needs to be done. Pollution prevention must be enforced on an international scale. The pollution caused by one nation affects the health of another. Many developed nations are slow to act mainly due to global economic policies. International trade has had a negative impact on the environment. The economic growth fueled by free trade policies harms the environment by causing pollution. Many governments and corporations are unwilling to compromise trade policies in order to protect the environment. However, the international effort has grown to better enforce pollution prevention in order to decrease the threat of global warming and pollution of natural resources. Still, not many changes can be put into effect until the industrial nations of the world acknowledge the effects of economic policies on the environment.
The three main areas of the planet largely affected by pollution are the air, water, and biodiversity. Air pollution is mainly caused by the release of harmful gases, vapors, and chemicals into the atmosphere. The sources of air pollution include motor vehicles, heat and power facilities, industrial processes, fertilizer plants, fossil fuel combustion, and agriculture. Motor vehicles are the main source of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere. The effects of air pollution are smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming. Industrial nations such as the United States, China, Russia, and Japan are the world's leaders in air pollution.
Water pollution is caused by the release of heavy metals, petrochemicals, bacteria, sewage, agricultural runoffs, oil spills, chemical emissions, and non biodegradable litter. Many of these pollutants have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans and most coastal waters are now polluted. As a result much of the marine wildlife such as coral reefs, fish, and mammals are suffering. Although many of the planet's freshwater sources are polluted the main area of concern is the oceans. Oceans cover over 70 % of the planet's surface and are a communally shared resource. No one nation exclusively owns the oceans. As a result, no individual nation is willing to assume responsibility for the pollution of the oceans.
The earth's biodiversity also suffers from pollution caused by humans. One of the main components of the earth's ecosystem, Biodiversity consists of the interactions of plants and animals on each other and the environment. Pollution has already destroyed entire ecosystems in coastal and marine areas, forests, dry lands, etc. Many animal and plant species have become extinct and more are facing the danger of extinction. The loss of biodiversity is important because biodiversity supports human health. The World Health Organization estimates plants provide primary health care for over 60% of the world's population. Many plants are used to make the majority of medicines used by humans. Plants and animals are also important components of ecosystems. They provide many essential services that help keep ecosystems intact.
Although recent international policies have been put into effect such as the Kyoto Protocol, UN Environmental Programmer, and UN Commission on Sustainable Development much still needs to be done. Pollution prevention must be enforced on an international scale. The pollution caused by one nation affects the health of another. Many developed nations are slow to act mainly due to global economic policies. International trade has had a negative impact on the environment. The economic growth fueled by free trade policies harms the environment by causing pollution. Many governments and corporations are unwilling to compromise trade policies in order to protect the environment. However, the international effort has grown to better enforce pollution prevention in order to decrease the threat of global warming and pollution of natural resources. Still, not many changes can be put into effect until the industrial nations of the world acknowledge the effects of economic policies on the environment.
Featured Pollution Products:
