Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.
The environment is a major part of human life. However, the daily human activities based on the consumption of goods produced using natural resources enhance to pollution. Manufacturing plants releasing toxic waste into the environment and human activities like farming and urbanization have contributed to environmental degradation. The traditional economic activities did not strain the natural resources. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.However, since the 18th century, the shift of economies from handcraft to industrialization has put a strain on natural resources while lack of regulating measure has encouraged poor waste control and management systems. Mass consumption of goods and services as a measure of the economy since the 18th century has encouraged advanced production methods, which have put a strain on the natural resources resulting in pollution.
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The human culture and daily activities rely on the consumption of goods and services as a measure of economic development. However, the processes of production, dispensation, and consumption of commodities require the use of natural resources like water, fossil fuel, and wood.[1] Manufacturing sites like factories release toxic wastes that pollute the soil, air, and water. Similarly, technological advances in the area of transport and communication have increased the number of pollutants. Therefore, while it is vital to change the existing consumption patterns, the move might drastically result in cultural overhaul and economic problems. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.A decline in the demand and production of products may bring about an economic recession and lack of employment opportunities. [2] Wealthy nations have developed consumption demands and economic policies on poor countries on the production of cash crops like sugar, tea, bananas, and coffee. As a result, the rate of hunger as escalated because instead of farmers growing food for consumption, companies manufacture it for people to buy. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.
Land is a major resource used in the production of food. Therefore, farming techniques have an impact on sustainability and the environment and may result in degradation. Industrial agriculture relies on monoculture instead of diversity, hence resulting in the loss of biodiversity. [3] Similarly demand for horticultural products like flowers, coffee, textiles, and coffee has contributed to the increased use of pesticides and herbicides, which have a detrimental impact on the environment. The reduced rate of land ownership has driven people into urban areas in search for employment, therefore resulting in increased crimes, health problems, hunger, and slum areas. A report by the World Bank indicates that the rate of poverty in the urban areas continues to escalate as demonstrated by 74% of Latin Americans, 67% of Europeans, 32% of Sub Saharans, 58% in North Africa and the Middle East, and 33% in the Asia Pacific.[4] Evidently, the poor understand the ideology of mutual dependency and cultivate the practice of encouraging environmental protection.
The environment is a major part of human life and increased consumption of resources contributes to pollution. Industrial and household waste deposited on land, water bodies and in the air have detrimental impacts on the environment. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.Evidently, the world’s wealthiest population of 20% consumes 86% of the global resources.[5] The Kyoto protocol as encouraged wealthy nations to move their production to poor nations exempted from emission reduction target. Instead of solving pollution challenges associated with production, such nations have shifted their production units to poor nations. As a result, while industrialized countries enjoy clean air, third world nations are burdened with the aftermath of pollution-related problems. Similarly, technologically advanced nations constantly export their hazardous electronic waste like old computers and mobile phones to places like Pakistan, India, and Africa hence exposing the populations to risks. The cycle disparity, waste, and poverty is ingrained into cultures that the people do not consider making adjustments on the economic systems and lifestyle. Overproduction and under consumption has resulted in a financial crisis and western corporations are quick to take up industries from poor nations hence taking all the profits to the west. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.
In the history of humanity, man needed water for drinking, relied on oxygen from the air, and land for the growth of food. However, in recent centuries, water was used for irrigation, powering machines and mills, and transporting waste.[6] During the 18th century, the rural handcraft economy of Great Britain evolved into industrialization, which required the use of machinery to facilitate economic prosperity. As a result, industrial manufacture increased the production routine, specialization, and reliance on tools. [7] During the second industrial revolution, the old artisan kills were devalued and the world was divided into the industrial and non-industrial segments. The discovery of natural minerals like diamond and gold in South Africa resulted in the expansion of the mining industry, which contributed to landmines and pollution.[8] As a result, people migrated to cities near the mines resulting in lack of sufficient employment, urban sprawl, and overpopulation. In the 19th century, there was an increase in industries yet the laxity of sanitation rules resulted in the dumping of waste in the streets.Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper. [9]Therefore, the consumption of basic resources like water and land has gradually shifted from domestic use to exploitation for commercial reasons.
The contemporary high-energy use, industrialization, and urbanization require the use and control of water. The wealth, health, and security of nations depend on the availability of clean water yet pollution complicates the process. Urbanization and industrialization processes have contributed to the biochemical change in water bodies. The mass production of organic chemicals and deposit of waste in water has damaged river, lakes, and coastal seas. Before 1800, water pollution was a local issue caused by glass making and tanning industries. However, during the 19th and 20th centuries, contamination of water by wastes from industries and cities has become an international concern due to the massive death of sea life. [10] The high use of natural resources for industrialization purposes has contributed to pollution and degradation.Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.
Natural resources like water, land, and air are integral aspects to the survival of humanity. Consumption of manufactured goods and services has contributed to the increased rate of pollution and massive loss of plant and animal life. In the past, man relied on water and soil for domestic use. However, the emergence of industrialization has put a strain on natural resources Mass consumption of products has contributed to the increase in production rate and urban sprawl, resulting in overpopulation, hunger, lack of basic natural resources like water, pollution, and strain on land. Lack of stringent measures on waste management has contributed to the increased rate of pollution
Bibliography
Faunce, Ken, Hist 105 Lecture, (2019).
McNeill, Robert, “The Hydrosphere: The History of Water Use and Water Pollution,” in Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World, 118-148. London: Penguin, 2001.Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.
Shah, Anup “Effects of Consumerism,” Global Issues Organization, August 10, 2005. http://www.globalissues.org/article/238/effects-of-consumerism
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[1] Anup, Shah, “ Effects of Consumerism,” Global Issues Organization, August 10, 2005
[2] Ibid
[3] Anup, Shah, “ Effects of Consumerism,” Global Issues Organization, August 10, 2005
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid
[6] Robert, McNeill, “The Hydrosphere: The History of Water Use and Water Pollution,” in Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World (London :Penguin, 2001) 118
[7] Dr. Ken Faunce, Hist 105 Lecture, (11 Jan. 2019).
[8] Dr. Ken Faunce, Hist 105 Lecture, (14Jan. 2019).
[9] Ibid.
[10] Robert, McNeill, “The Hydrosphere: The History of Water Use and Water Pollution,” in Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World (London :Penguin, 2001)147. Environment and Pollution- Discussion Paper.