essay on environmental pollution a global problem

Essay on Environmental Pollution A Global Problem [PDF]

Pollution is rapidly increasing these days, there are several steps are taken to prevent pollution but sadly it is still increasing, here in this topic we are going to present an essay paper to demonstrate the environmental pollution to a global problem. SO let’s begin with the essay!

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Generally, when we talk of environmental pollution, the very first impression that comes across our minds is a visible problem that conjures up images of rubbish dumps as well oil spills, but the truth is, most forms of environmental pollution are invisible to the human eye and come in quite a number of different forms.

It’s quite apparent that living organisms can’t live by themselves, and for that, all living organisms inclusive of plants, human beings, animals, among other physical surroundings with whom we interact with make up the general environment.

All these constitutes of the environment depend on each other, and for that, they maintain a balance in nature. Affirmatively, these dependent relationship calls for the creation of controls to manage environmental imbalances and which highly result to pollutions.

Ideally, environmental pollution can be viewed as the undesirable change in the biological, physical as well as chemical characteristics of water, air, and land on the overall.

Environmental pollution can also be viewed as the introduction of contaminants to our surroundings wholly as a byproduct of human actions. Today, environmental pollution is one of the most serious global challenges facing humanity, as well as other life forms.

According to a publication by the United Nations Environment Annual Report 2018, pollution is a global issue affecting over 100 million people worldwide and which is comparable to global killer diseases such as HIV and Malaria.

In the US, approximately 40% of rivers and 46% of lakes are too polluted for aquatic life, fishing, swimming, or even home usage. Again, roughly one-third of the world’s topsoil is already degraded and which is as a result of improper agricultural practices, deforestation as well industrial practices, practices which threaten the existence of the world’s topsoil 60 years from now. Again, the World Health Organization discloses that an estimation of 91% of the world’s total population lives in areas that do not meet the WHO air quality guidelines levels.

Its also estimated that air pollution causes roughly 4.2 million deaths of premature deaths worldwide. To this end, it’s quite apparent that environmental pollution is one of the most serious global issues that we are facing today and which needs to be given close attention.

Types of Environmental Pollution:

Air pollution:.

Ideally, there are two major types of air pollution inclusive of primary and secondary. Firstly, primary air pollution is usually emitted directly from their source while, on the other hand, secondary air pollution is formed once primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.

Air pollution is considered to the most dangerous as well prevalent form of pollution and more so when viewed from an urbanization perspective. The major cause of air pollution includes partially combusted exhaust gases, which are an industrial by-product emission inclusive of carbon monoxide and Sulphur dioxide.

In other instances, air pollution can occur when substances such as friable asbestos fiber are released into the air and which might cause serious health issues.

Water Pollution:

This type of pollution occurs when water bodies are contaminated. Typically, each and every living thing highly depends on water to live, and for that, pollution of any water, bodies tend to affect the ecosystem from all levels inclusive of human health.

Some of the common causes of water pollution comprise of oil spills, insecticides, fertilizers, industrial waste, detergents, pesticides, among other contaminants. Water pollutants might affect living organisms by either toxicity or by reducing oxygen levels in the water.

Thermal Pollution:

This type of pollution is mostly related to industrial practices where they release heat energy as a by-product, and once released into the air or water bodies, it results in global warming. Usually, the problem arises when the excess of carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere, and as a result, global warming occurs due to interference of the ozone layer.

Soil Pollution:

Soil pollution normally strips the soil its nutrients, and some of the major causes of soil pollution comprise of the use of agricultural chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, radioactive and industrial waste, among other contaminants. Soil pollution at times results in soil erosion as well as the barrenness of the soil, leaving it unproductive.

Noise Pollution:

This type of environmental pollution refers to the excess of unpleasant sounds emanating from transportation, heavy machinery, human occupation, infrastructure, industrial practices, among other sources.

Affirmatively, noise pollution usually has detrimental effects on both the human physical and mental health as its highly linked with cases of depression, hearing problems, hypertension, increased incidents of coronary artery diseases, among other ailments.

Noise pollution is also associated with instances of reducing the number of viable habitats for wildlife animals as it interferes with communication and sounds and, as a result interfering with the way animals navigate, communicate, detect prey and predators as well mate.

Effects of Environmental Pollution:

Ideally, each and every form of pollution has its own effects on the overall environment inclusive of; air pollution is highly associated with instances of increased respiratory issues; it also causes acid rain, as well as interference with the ozone layer.

Water pollution, on the other hand, causes serious threats to aquatic life, animals as well as humans. Soil pollution also has substantial effects on humans, animals, aquatic life, among other microorganisms.

Noise pollution is highly associated with mental issues as well as interfering with wildlife habitats. Thermal pollution mostly affects the ozone layer, while radioactive pollution affects both the ozone layer and the overall human health.

To this effect, it’s quite apparent that environmental pollution is not only a threat to the existence of living things, but it is also a global issue that’s affecting everyone all over the world.

Globalization is actually the major cause of environmental pollution as it has advanced human actions more extensively to the point of destroying their own habitats. Efforts need to be put in place so as to work towards conserving the environment as well as promoting practices that uphold total environmental conservation.

I hope you like this Essay on Environmental Pollution: A Global Problem. Feel free to share your thoughts regarding this essay in the comment section, I would love to hear from you.

Till then search more essays by using this search bar, and enjoy your learning. Cheers!

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Essay on Environmental Pollution: 100 Words, 200 Words

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Apr 1, 2024

One of the biggest risks to life as we know it is environmental degradation. The water we drink, the air we breathe, and the ecosystems on which we depend are all impacted by pollution. People, animals, and plants will decline if pollution levels continue to rise since they won’t be able to adapt to a significantly altered environment. Are you struggling to write an essay on environmental pollution? If the answer is yes, then this blog will help you get some ideas to write an effective essay. Keep reading further to know more!

This Blog Includes:

What is environmental pollution, essay on environmental pollution – 100 words , essay on environmental pollution – 250 words , essay on environmental pollution – 500 words .

The phenomenon of undesirable changes in the surroundings that are harmful to animals and plants, and leads to environmental degradation is known as environmental pollution. These changes can occur because of the solid, liquid or gaseous pollutants. For example, DDT, plastic, and heavy materials take more time to degrade and are known as notable pollutants. For the determination of risk assessment of public health, concentration of pollutants is measured.

The presence of contaminants in the environment is referred to as pollution. Gases like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO), among others; solid pollutants like plastic, sewage, etc.; and chemicals like fertilisers, as well as those produced as byproducts in manufacturing, transportation, etc., are a few examples of polluting substances.

The immediate result of pollution is that it makes the world’s natural resources useless or toxic to use, as well as leads to the extinction of species and ecological imbalance. To stop more harm from occurring to the earth and its inhabitants due to environmental pollution, it is imperative to take proactive precautions.

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants.

Biology, Ecology, Health, Earth Science, Geography

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment . These harmful materials are called pollutants . Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash . They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land. Many things that are useful to people produce pollution. Cars spew pollutants from their exhaust pipes. Burning coal to create electricity pollutes the air. Industries and homes generate garbage and sewage that can pollute the land and water. Pesticides —chemical poisons used to kill weeds and insects— seep into waterways and harm wildlife . All living things—from one-celled microbes to blue whales—depend on Earth ’s supply of air and water. When these resources are polluted, all forms of life are threatened. Pollution is a global problem. Although urban areas are usually more polluted than the countryside, pollution can spread to remote places where no people live. For example, pesticides and other chemicals have been found in the Antarctic ice sheet . In the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean, a huge collection of microscopic plastic particles forms what is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch . Air and water currents carry pollution. Ocean currents and migrating fish carry marine pollutants far and wide. Winds can pick up radioactive material accidentally released from a nuclear reactor and scatter it around the world. Smoke from a factory in one country drifts into another country. In the past, visitors to Big Bend National Park in the U.S. state of Texas could see 290 kilometers (180 miles) across the vast landscape . Now, coal-burning power plants in Texas and the neighboring state of Chihuahua, Mexico have spewed so much pollution into the air that visitors to Big Bend can sometimes see only 50 kilometers (30 miles). The three major types of pollution are air pollution , water pollution , and land pollution . Air Pollution Sometimes, air pollution is visible . A person can see dark smoke pour from the exhaust pipes of large trucks or factories, for example. More often, however, air pollution is invisible . Polluted air can be dangerous, even if the pollutants are invisible. It can make people’s eyes burn and make them have difficulty breathing. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer . Sometimes, air pollution kills quickly. In 1984, an accident at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, released a deadly gas into the air. At least 8,000 people died within days. Hundreds of thou sands more were permanently injured. Natural disasters can also cause air pollution to increase quickly. When volcanoes erupt , they eject volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere . Volcanic ash can discolor the sky for months. After the eruption of the Indonesian volcano of Krakatoa in 1883, ash darkened the sky around the world. The dimmer sky caused fewer crops to be harvested as far away as Europe and North America. For years, meteorologists tracked what was known as the “equatorial smoke stream .” In fact, this smoke stream was a jet stream , a wind high in Earth’s atmosphere that Krakatoa’s air pollution made visible. Volcanic gases , such as sulfur dioxide , can kill nearby residents and make the soil infertile for years. Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in Italy, famously erupted in 79, killing hundreds of residents of the nearby towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Most victims of Vesuvius were not killed by lava or landslides caused by the eruption. They were choked, or asphyxiated , by deadly volcanic gases. In 1986, a toxic cloud developed over Lake Nyos, Cameroon. Lake Nyos sits in the crater of a volcano. Though the volcano did not erupt, it did eject volcanic gases into the lake. The heated gases passed through the water of the lake and collected as a cloud that descended the slopes of the volcano and into nearby valleys . As the toxic cloud moved across the landscape, it killed birds and other organisms in their natural habitat . This air pollution also killed thousands of cattle and as many as 1,700 people. Most air pollution is not natural, however. It comes from burning fossil fuels —coal, oil , and natural gas . When gasoline is burned to power cars and trucks, it produces carbon monoxide , a colorless, odorless gas. The gas is harmful in high concentrations , or amounts. City traffic produces highly concentrated carbon monoxide. Cars and factories produce other common pollutants, including nitrogen oxide , sulfur dioxide, and hydrocarbons . These chemicals react with sunlight to produce smog , a thick fog or haze of air pollution. The smog is so thick in Linfen, China, that people can seldom see the sun. Smog can be brown or grayish blue, depending on which pollutants are in it. Smog makes breathing difficult, especially for children and older adults. Some cities that suffer from extreme smog issue air pollution warnings. The government of Hong Kong, for example, will warn people not to go outside or engage in strenuous physical activity (such as running or swimming) when smog is very thick.

When air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide mix with moisture, they change into acids . They then fall back to earth as acid rain . Wind often carries acid rain far from the pollution source. Pollutants produced by factories and power plants in Spain can fall as acid rain in Norway. Acid rain can kill all the trees in a forest . It can also devastate lakes, streams, and other waterways. When lakes become acidic, fish can’t survive . In Sweden, acid rain created thousands of “ dead lakes ,” where fish no longer live. Acid rain also wears away marble and other kinds of stone . It has erased the words on gravestones and damaged many historic buildings and monuments . The Taj Mahal , in Agra, India, was once gleaming white. Years of exposure to acid rain has left it pale. Governments have tried to prevent acid rain by limiting the amount of pollutants released into the air. In Europe and North America, they have had some success, but acid rain remains a major problem in the developing world , especially Asia. Greenhouse gases are another source of air pollution. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane occur naturally in the atmosphere. In fact, they are necessary for life on Earth. They absorb sunlight reflected from Earth, preventing it from escaping into space. By trapping heat in the atmosphere, they keep Earth warm enough for people to live. This is called the greenhouse effect . But human activities such as burning fossil fuels and destroying forests have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has increased the greenhouse effect, and average temperatures across the globe are rising. The decade that began in the year 2000 was the warmest on record. This increase in worldwide average temperatures, caused in part by human activity, is called global warming . Global warming is causing ice sheets and glaciers to melt. The melting ice is causing sea levels to rise at a rate of two millimeters (0.09 inches) per year. The rising seas will eventually flood low-lying coastal regions . Entire nations, such as the islands of Maldives, are threatened by this climate change . Global warming also contributes to the phenomenon of ocean acidification . Ocean acidification is the process of ocean waters absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Fewer organisms can survive in warmer, less salty waters. The ocean food web is threatened as plants and animals such as coral fail to adapt to more acidic oceans. Scientists have predicted that global warming will cause an increase in severe storms . It will also cause more droughts in some regions and more flooding in others. The change in average temperatures is already shrinking some habitats, the regions where plants and animals naturally live. Polar bears hunt seals from sea ice in the Arctic. The melting ice is forcing polar bears to travel farther to find food , and their numbers are shrinking. People and governments can respond quickly and effectively to reduce air pollution. Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a dangerous form of air pollution that governments worked to reduce in the 1980s and 1990s. CFCs are found in gases that cool refrigerators, in foam products, and in aerosol cans . CFCs damage the ozone layer , a region in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The ozone layer protects Earth by absorbing much of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation . When people are exposed to more ultraviolet radiation, they are more likely to develop skin cancer, eye diseases, and other illnesses. In the 1980s, scientists noticed that the ozone layer over Antarctica was thinning. This is often called the “ ozone hole .” No one lives permanently in Antarctica. But Australia, the home of more than 22 million people, lies at the edge of the hole. In the 1990s, the Australian government began an effort to warn people of the dangers of too much sun. Many countries, including the United States, now severely limit the production of CFCs. Water Pollution Some polluted water looks muddy, smells bad, and has garbage floating in it. Some polluted water looks clean, but is filled with harmful chemicals you can’t see or smell. Polluted water is unsafe for drinking and swimming. Some people who drink polluted water are exposed to hazardous chemicals that may make them sick years later. Others consume bacteria and other tiny aquatic organisms that cause disease. The United Nations estimates that 4,000 children die every day from drinking dirty water. Sometimes, polluted water harms people indirectly. They get sick because the fish that live in polluted water are unsafe to eat. They have too many pollutants in their flesh. There are some natural sources of water pollution. Oil and natural gas, for example, can leak into oceans and lakes from natural underground sources. These sites are called petroleum seeps . The world’s largest petroleum seep is the Coal Oil Point Seep, off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The Coal Oil Point Seep releases so much oil that tar balls wash up on nearby beaches . Tar balls are small, sticky pieces of pollution that eventually decompose in the ocean.

Human activity also contributes to water pollution. Chemicals and oils from factories are sometimes dumped or seep into waterways. These chemicals are called runoff. Chemicals in runoff can create a toxic environment for aquatic life. Runoff can also help create a fertile environment for cyanobacteria , also called blue-green algae . Cyanobacteria reproduce rapidly, creating a harmful algal bloom (HAB) . Harmful algal blooms prevent organisms such as plants and fish from living in the ocean. They are associated with “ dead zones ” in the world’s lakes and rivers, places where little life exists below surface water. Mining and drilling can also contribute to water pollution. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major contributor to pollution of rivers and streams near coal mines . Acid helps miners remove coal from the surrounding rocks . The acid is washed into streams and rivers, where it reacts with rocks and sand. It releases chemical sulfur from the rocks and sand, creating a river rich in sulfuric acid . Sulfuric acid is toxic to plants, fish, and other aquatic organisms. Sulfuric acid is also toxic to people, making rivers polluted by AMD dangerous sources of water for drinking and hygiene . Oil spills are another source of water pollution. In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, causing oil to gush from the ocean floor. In the following months, hundreds of millions of gallons of oil spewed into the gulf waters. The spill produced large plumes of oil under the sea and an oil slick on the surface as large as 24,000 square kilometers (9,100 square miles). The oil slick coated wetlands in the U.S. states of Louisiana and Mississippi, killing marsh plants and aquatic organisms such as crabs and fish. Birds, such as pelicans , became coated in oil and were unable to fly or access food. More than two million animals died as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Buried chemical waste can also pollute water supplies. For many years, people disposed of chemical wastes carelessly, not realizing its dangers. In the 1970s, people living in the Love Canal area in Niagara Falls, New York, suffered from extremely high rates of cancer and birth defects . It was discovered that a chemical waste dump had poisoned the area’s water. In 1978, 800 families living in Love Canal had to a bandon their homes. If not disposed of properly, radioactive waste from nuclear power plants can escape into the environment. Radioactive waste can harm living things and pollute the water. Sewage that has not been properly treated is a common source of water pollution. Many cities around the world have poor sewage systems and sewage treatment plants. Delhi, the capital of India, is home to more than 21 million people. More than half the sewage and other waste produced in the city are dumped into the Yamuna River. This pollution makes the river dangerous to use as a source of water for drinking or hygiene. It also reduces the river’s fishery , resulting in less food for the local community. A major source of water pollution is fertilizer used in agriculture . Fertilizer is material added to soil to make plants grow larger and faster. Fertilizers usually contain large amounts of the elements nitrogen and phosphorus , which help plants grow. Rainwater washes fertilizer into streams and lakes. There, the nitrogen and phosphorus cause cyanobacteria to form harmful algal blooms. Rain washes other pollutants into streams and lakes. It picks up animal waste from cattle ranches. Cars drip oil onto the street, and rain carries it into storm drains , which lead to waterways such as rivers and seas. Rain sometimes washes chemical pesticides off of plants and into streams. Pesticides can also seep into groundwater , the water beneath the surface of the Earth. Heat can pollute water. Power plants, for example, produce a huge amount of heat. Power plants are often located on rivers so they can use the water as a coolant . Cool water circulates through the plant, absorbing heat. The heated water is then returned to the river. Aquatic creatures are sensitive to changes in temperature. Some fish, for example, can only live in cold water. Warmer river temperatures prevent fish eggs from hatching. Warmer river water also contributes to harmful algal blooms. Another type of water pollution is simple garbage. The Citarum River in Indonesia, for example, has so much garbage floating in it that you cannot see the water. Floating trash makes the river difficult to fish in. Aquatic animals such as fish and turtles mistake trash, such as plastic bags, for food. Plastic bags and twine can kill many ocean creatures. Chemical pollutants in trash can also pollute the water, making it toxic for fish and people who use the river as a source of drinking water. The fish that are caught in a polluted river often have high levels of chemical toxins in their flesh. People absorb these toxins as they eat the fish. Garbage also fouls the ocean. Many plastic bottles and other pieces of trash are thrown overboard from boats. The wind blows trash out to sea. Ocean currents carry plastics and other floating trash to certain places on the globe, where it cannot escape. The largest of these areas, called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. According to some estimates, this garbage patch is the size of Texas. The trash is a threat to fish and seabirds, which mistake the plastic for food. Many of the plastics are covered with chemical pollutants. Land Pollution Many of the same pollutants that foul the water also harm the land. Mining sometimes leaves the soil contaminated with dangerous chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural fields are blown by the wind. They can harm plants, animals, and sometimes people. Some fruits and vegetables absorb the pesticides that help them grow. When people consume the fruits and vegetables, the pesticides enter their bodies. Some pesticides can cause cancer and other diseases. A pesticide called DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was once commonly used to kill insects, especially mosquitoes. In many parts of the world, mosquitoes carry a disease called malaria , which kills a million people every year. Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize for his understanding of how DDT can control insects and other pests. DDT is responsible for reducing malaria in places such as Taiwan and Sri Lanka. In 1962, American biologist Rachel Carson wrote a book called Silent Spring , which discussed the dangers of DDT. She argued that it could contribute to cancer in humans. She also explained how it was destroying bird eggs, which caused the number of bald eagles, brown pelicans, and ospreys to drop. In 1972, the United States banned the use of DDT. Many other countries also banned it. But DDT didn’t disappear entirely. Today, many governments support the use of DDT because it remains the most effective way to combat malaria. Trash is another form of land pollution. Around the world, paper, cans, glass jars, plastic products, and junked cars and appliances mar the landscape. Litter makes it difficult for plants and other producers in the food web to create nutrients . Animals can die if they mistakenly eat plastic. Garbage often contains dangerous pollutants such as oils, chemicals, and ink. These pollutants can leech into the soil and harm plants, animals, and people. Inefficient garbage collection systems contribute to land pollution. Often, the garbage is picked up and brought to a dump, or landfill . Garbage is buried in landfills. Sometimes, communities produce so much garbage that their landfills are filling up. They are running out of places to dump their trash. A massive landfill near Quezon City, Philippines, was the site of a land pollution tragedy in 2000. Hundreds of people lived on the slopes of the Quezon City landfill. These people made their living from recycling and selling items found in the landfill. However, the landfill was not secure. Heavy rains caused a trash landslide, killing 218 people. Sometimes, landfills are not completely sealed off from the land around them. Pollutants from the landfill leak into the earth in which they are buried. Plants that grow in the earth may be contaminated, and the herbivores that eat the plants also become contaminated. So do the predators that consume the herbivores. This process, where a chemical builds up in each level of the food web, is called bioaccumulation . Pollutants leaked from landfills also leak into local groundwater supplies. There, the aquatic food web (from microscopic algae to fish to predators such as sharks or eagles) can suffer from bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals. Some communities do not have adequate garbage collection systems, and trash lines the side of roads. In other places, garbage washes up on beaches. Kamilo Beach, in the U.S. state of Hawai'i, is littered with plastic bags and bottles carried in by the tide . The trash is dangerous to ocean life and reduces economic activity in the area. Tourism is Hawai'i’s largest industry . Polluted beaches discourage tourists from investing in the area’s hotels, restaurants, and recreational activities. Some cities incinerate , or burn, their garbage. Incinerating trash gets rid of it, but it can release dangerous heavy metals and chemicals into the air. So while trash incinerators can help with the problem of land pollution, they sometimes add to the problem of air pollution. Reducing Pollution Around the world, people and governments are making efforts to combat pollution. Recycling, for instance, is becoming more common. In recycling, trash is processed so its useful materials can be used again. Glass, aluminum cans, and many types of plastic can be melted and reused . Paper can be broken down and turned into new paper. Recycling reduces the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, incinerators, and waterways. Austria and Switzerland have the highest recycling rates. These nations recycle between 50 and 60 percent of their garbage. The United States recycles about 30 percent of its garbage. Governments can combat pollution by passing laws that limit the amount and types of chemicals factories and agribusinesses are allowed to use. The smoke from coal-burning power plants can be filtered. People and businesses that illegally dump pollutants into the land, water, and air can be fined for millions of dollars. Some government programs, such as the Superfund program in the United States, can force polluters to clean up the sites they polluted. International agreements can also reduce pollution. The Kyoto Protocol , a United Nations agreement to limit the emission of greenhouse gases, has been signed by 191 countries. The United States, the world’s second-largest producer of greenhouse gases, did not sign the agreement. Other countries, such as China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, have not met their goals. Still, many gains have been made. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River, in the U.S. state of Ohio, was so clogged with oil and trash that it caught on fire. The fire helped spur the Clean Water Act of 1972. This law limited what pollutants could be released into water and set standards for how clean water should be. Today, the Cuyahoga River is much cleaner. Fish have returned to regions of the river where they once could not survive. But even as some rivers are becoming cleaner, others are becoming more polluted. As countries around the world become wealthier, some forms of pollution increase. Countries with growing economies usually need more power plants, which produce more pollutants. Reducing pollution requires environmental, political, and economic leadership. Developed nations must work to reduce and recycle their materials, while developing nations must work to strengthen their economies without destroying the environment. Developed and developing countries must work together toward the common goal of protecting the environment for future use.

How Long Does It Last? Different materials decompose at different rates. How long does it take for these common types of trash to break down?

Paper: 2-4 weeks
Orange peel: 6 months
Milk carton: 5 years
Plastic bag: 15 years
Tin can: 100 years
Plastic bottle: 450 years
Glass bottle: 500 years
Styrofoam: Never

Indoor Air Pollution The air inside your house can be polluted. Air and carpet cleaners, insect sprays, and cigarettes are all sources of indoor air pollution.

Light Pollution Light pollution is the excess amount of light in the night sky. Light pollution, also called photopollution, is almost always found in urban areas. Light pollution can disrupt ecosystems by confusing the distinction between night and day. Nocturnal animals, those that are active at night, may venture out during the day, while diurnal animals, which are active during daylight hours, may remain active well into the night. Feeding and sleep patterns may be confused. Light pollution also indicates an excess use of energy. The dark-sky movement is a campaign by people to reduce light pollution. This would reduce energy use, allow ecosystems to function more normally, and allow scientists and stargazers to observe the atmosphere.

Noise Pollution Noise pollution is the constant presence of loud, disruptive noises in an area. Usually, noise pollution is caused by construction or nearby transportation facilities, such as airports. Noise pollution is unpleasant, and can be dangerous. Some songbirds, such as robins, are unable to communicate or find food in the presence of heavy noise pollution. The sound waves produced by some noise pollutants can disrupt the sonar used by marine animals to communicate or locate food.

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Environmental Pollution Essay

Pollution is the presence and inclusion of unwanted items in the environment. The state of the environment is altered when it has become contaminated with potentially dangerous compounds as a result of human activity. Water, air, and land are dangerously affected by the pollution. Here are a few sample essays on environmental pollution:

100 Words Essay on Environmental Pollution

200 words essay on environmental pollution, 500 words essay on environmental pollution.

When it comes to protecting the environment, awareness is the key. As more and more people become aware of the causes, types, and impacts of environmental pollution, they are more likely to take steps to prevent it. Air pollution is created as a result of burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Water pollution results from industrial activities, such as the dumping of chemicals into rivers and lakes, as well as from agricultural runoff. Land pollution is caused by the misuse of land and improper disposal of waste. The causes of environmental pollution are numerous and varied. Some of the main culprits are industrial activities, burning of fossil fuels, use of pesticides, and deforestation.

Awareness and taking necessary resolving steps is essential when it comes to protecting the environment from the impacts of environmental pollution. By teaching people the importance of taking steps to prevent environmental pollution, we can ensure a brighter future for our planet. We must understand the causes of environmental pollution, the types of pollution, the impact it has on the environment, and how we can prevent it.

Causes | Environmental pollution is the contamination of the environment through the emissions of pollutants including harmful gases, chemicals, and particulate matter. It is caused by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial pollution. These activities have caused global warming, acid rain, and water and air pollution, leading to global environmental degradation.

Types | There are different types of environmental pollution. The most common type is air pollution, which is caused by burning of fuels and other industrial activities. Water pollution is another common type of pollution which is caused by sewage and industrial waste. Soil pollution is caused by overuse of pesticides and other chemicals. Noise pollution is caused by traffic, construction activities, and industrial noise. Light pollution is caused by the emission of artificial light.

Impact | The impact of environmental pollution is far-reaching and devastating. Air pollution can lead to respiratory diseases, while water pollution can contaminate drinking water and cause health issues. Land pollution causes reduction in soil fertility and even destruction of natural habitats for animals. In addition, it can lead to the destruction of ecosystems, which in turn leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

Environmental pollution has serious impacts on both humans and the environment. It affects air quality, water quality, soil fertility, and public health. Poor air quality affects the respiratory system, leading to respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis. Water pollution can lead to the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Soil pollution can reduce crop yields, leading to food insecurity.

Types of Environmental Pollution

Air | Air pollution is the introduction of dangerous compounds into the atmosphere, which has a negative influence on the environment and humanity. Air pollution simply makes the air impure or contaminated. It happens when noxious gases, scents, dust, or fumes are discharged into the air in concentrations that endanger human and animal comfort or health or even kill plant life.

Water | The act of contaminating water bodies, such as rivers, oceans, lakes, streams, aquifers, and groundwater, is known as water pollution. It happens when foreign, dangerous substances—such as chemicals, garbage, or polluted materials are released into bodies of water, either directly or indirectly.

Land | When the quality of the earth's land surfaces in terms of use, landscape, and capacity to support life forms is compromised or destroyed, this is referred to as land pollution. It is frequently brought on by human activity and the misuse of land resources, both directly and indirectly.

Soil | Chemical pollutants can pollute soil or cause it to degrade through activities like mining, clearing vegetation, or topsoil erosion. Typically, it occurs when human activities bring harmful chemicals, substances, or items into the soil.

Noise | Noise pollution is an unpleasant sound or a sound that causes excruciating ear pain. Noise pollution is described as unpleasant and unwanted sound levels that cause significant distress to all living beings. It is measured in decibels (dB).

Factors Responsible For Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution has a variety of causes. One of the most prominent is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas by power plants, factories and automobiles. This produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global climate change. Other sources of environmental pollution include agricultural practices, such as over-fertilization and the use of pesticides, and industrial processes, such as mining, manufacturing and waste disposal.

What Can We Do

To prevent environmental pollution, we must reduce the emissions of various pollutants. We can do this by switching to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. We should reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and use more efficient transportation methods. We should also reduce the emissions of harmful industrial chemicals and practise sustainable agriculture. Additionally, we should increase public awareness of environmental pollution and its impacts, and promote eco-friendly lifestyles.

By understanding the causes and effects of environmental pollution, we can work towards preventing it and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all. Awarness and knowledge is essential in this regard, as it helps us to become more conscious and informed citizens. It helps us understand the importance of protecting and preserving the environment and make us more responsible citizens.

The world is facing an ever-growing threat from pollution, which if left unchecked will have catastrophic consequences. Education and taking conscious action plan can play a key role in helping to reduce environmental pollution.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

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Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi .

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive.

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description: A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials.

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs.

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story.

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion.

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product.

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans.

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party.

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems.

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process.

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Article Contents

Introduction, links between environmental pollution and health, the contribution of environmental pollution to the global burden of disease, conclusions, environmental pollution and the global burden of disease.

Article contents
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Supplementary Data

David Briggs, Environmental pollution and the global burden of disease, British Medical Bulletin , Volume 68, Issue 1, December 2003, Pages 1–24, https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldg019

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Exposures to environmental pollution remain a major source of health risk throughout the world, though risks are generally higher in developing countries, where poverty, lack of investment in modern technology and weak environmental legislation combine to cause high pollution levels. Associations between environmental pollution and health outcome are, however, complex and often poorly characterized. Levels of exposure, for example, are often uncertain or unknown as a result of the lack of detailed monitoring and inevitable variations within any population group. Exposures may occur via a range of pathways and exposure processes. Individual pollutants may be implicated in a wide range of health effects, whereas few diseases are directly attributable to single pollutants. Long latency times, the effects of cumulative exposures, and multiple exposures to different pollutants which might act synergistically all create difficulties in unravelling associations between environmental pollution and health. Nevertheless, in recent years, several attempts have been made to assess the global burden of disease as a result of environmental pollution, either in terms of mortality or disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). About 8–9% of the total disease burden may be attributed to pollution, but considerably more in developing countries. Unsafe water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene are seen to be the major sources of exposure, along with indoor air pollution.

Despite the major efforts that have been made over recent years to clean up the environment, pollution remains a major problem and poses continuing risks to health. The problems are undoubtedly greatest in the developing world, where traditional sources of pollution such as industrial emissions, poor sanitation, inadequate waste management, contaminated water supplies and exposures to indoor air pollution from biomass fuels affect large numbers of people. Even in developed countries, however, environmental pollution persists, most especially amongst poorer sectors of society 1, 2 . In recent decades, too, a wide range of modern pollutants have emerged—not least, those associated with road traffic and the use of modern chemicals in the home, in food, for water treatment and for pest control. Most of these pollutants are rarely present in excessively large concentrations, so effects on health are usually far from immediate or obvious. As Taubes 3 has noted, few of the problems of environmental exposure that concern us today imply large relative risks. Detecting small effects against a background of variability in exposure and human susceptibility, and measurement error, poses severe scientific challenges.

The progressively larger number of people exposed to environmental pollution (if only as a result of growing population numbers and increasing urbanization) nevertheless means that even small increases in relative risk can add up to major public health concerns. The emergence of new sources of exposure and new risk factors, some of them—such as endocrine disruptors—with the capacity to have lifelong implications for health, also means that there is a continuing need for both vigilance and action. As the impact of human activities and issues of environmental health become increasingly global in scale and extent, the need to recognize and to address the health risks associated with environmental pollution becomes even more urgent. Effective action, however, requires an understanding not only of the magnitude of the problem, but also its causes and underlying processes, for only then can intervention be targeted at where it is most needed and likely to have greatest effect. As background to the other chapters in this volume, therefore, this chapter discusses the nature of the link between environmental pollution and health and considers the contribution of environmental pollution to the global burden of disease.

Environmental pollution can be simply, if somewhat generally, defined as the presence in the environment of an agent which is potentially damaging to either the environment or human health. As such, pollutants take many forms. They include not only chemicals, but also organisms and biological materials, as well as energy in its various forms ( e.g. noise, radiation, heat). The number of potential pollutants is therefore essentially countless. There are, for example, some 30,000 chemicals in common use today, any one of which may be released into the environment during processing or use. Fewer than 1% of these have been subject to a detailed assessment in terms of their toxicity and health risks 4 . The number of biological pollutants is truly unquantifiable. They include not only living and viable organisms, such as bacteria, but also the vast array of endotoxins that can be released from the protoplasm of organisms after death. There is, therefore, no shortage of potential environmental risks to health. What is lacking, for the most part, is an understanding of the nature and mechanisms of these risks.

The source–effect chain

The link between pollution and health is both a complex and contingent process. For pollutants to have an effect on health, susceptible individuals must receive doses of the pollutant, or its decomposition products, sufficient to trigger detectable symptoms. For this to occur, these individuals must have been exposed to the pollutant, often over relatively long periods of time or on repeated occasions. Such exposures require that the susceptible individuals and pollutants shared the same environments at the same time. For this to happen, the pollutants must not only be released into the environment, but then be dispersed through it in media used by, or accessible to, humans. Health consequences of environmental pollution are thus far from inevitable, even for pollutants that are inherently toxic; they depend on the coincidence of both the emission and dispersion processes that determine where and when the pollutant occurs in the environment, and the human behaviours that determine where and when they occupy those same locations.

The whole process can simply be represented as a causal chain, from source to effect (Fig. 1 ). As this indicates, most pollutants are of human origin. They derive from human activities such as industry, energy production and use, transport, domestic activities, waste disposal, agriculture and recreation. In some cases, however, natural sources of pollution may also be significant. Radon, released through the decay of radioactive materials in the Earth’s crust, arsenic released into groundwaters from natural rock sources, heavy metals accumulating in soils and sediments derived from ore-bearing rocks, and particulates and sulphur dioxides released by wildfires or volcanic activity are all examples.

The source–effect chain.

Release from these various sources occurs in a wide range of ways, and to a range of different environmental media, including the atmosphere, surface waters, groundwaters and soil (Fig. 2 ). Estimates of emission by source and environmental medium are inevitably only approximate, for they can rarely be measured directly. Instead, most emissions inventories derive from some form of modelling, either based on emission factors for different processes or source activities 5 or on input–output models ( i.e. by calculating the difference between quantities of the material input into the process and quantities contained in the final product).

Sources and pathways of emission into environmental media.

Atmospheric emissions

Emissions to the atmosphere tend to be more closely modelled and measured, and more generally reported, than those to other media, partly because of their greater importance for environmental pollution and health (emissions to the atmosphere tend to be more readily discernible and to spread more widely through the environment), and partly because of the existence of better established policy and regulation. Figure 3 shows the main sources of emissions of selected pollutants in the European Union. As this shows, combustion represents one of the most important emission processes for many pollutants, not only from industrial sources, but also from low-level sources such as motorized vehicles and domestic chimneys, as well as indoor sources such as heating and cooking in the home or workplace. Emissions from industrial combustion or waste incineration tend to be released from relatively tall stacks, and often at high temperature, with the result that they are dispersed widely within the atmosphere. Emissions from low-level sources such as road vehicles and low-temperature combustion sources such as domestic heating, in contrast, tend to be much less widely dispersed. As a result, they contribute to local pollution hotspots and create steep pollution gradients in the environment. In urban environments, for example, traffic-related pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide typically show order-of-magnitude variations in concentration over length-scales of tens to a few hundred metres 6 . Evaporation and leakage are also important emission processes contributing to local variations in environmental pollution. In the UK, releases from filling stations account for ca. 1.8% of benzene emissions; leakages from gas pipelines contribute ca. 13.7% of methane emissions to the atmosphere; evaporation and leakage of solvents during processing and use produce ca. 40% of atmospheric emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) 7 . In addition, abrasion, corrasion and corrosion release significant quantities of emissions to the atmosphere. Wear and tear of catalytic converters during operation is a major source of platinum emissions 8 , for example, whereas tyre wear (corrasion) and road wear (abrasion) account for about 16% of particulate emissions from road transport and almost 97% of zinc emissions from road transport 7 —and perhaps more where studded tyres are used 9 .

Atmospheric emissions by source in the European Union (EU15). Note: Ozone precursors include methane, NMVOCs, NO x and CO; acidifying substances include NO 2 , SO 2 , NH 3 . Source: European Environment Agency.

These fugitive and local emissions are often overlooked in epidemiological and other studies that use modelling techniques to estimate exposures, but they can be extremely important, both because they are frequently responsible for the highest concentrations of environmental pollution, and because—unlike high-level emissions—they remain close to source and show marked dilution gradients with distance from source. In many cases, they may therefore be the real sources of variation being considered when distance is used as a proxy for exposure around point industrial sources in epidemiological studies.

Emissions to surface water, groundwater and soil

Releases to other media, such as surface waters, groundwaters and soil, also occur through a range of processes. Deliberate discharge, spillage ( e.g. from storage, during transport, or during processing and usage), leakage and runoff ( e.g. of agricultural chemicals) are all important in terms of aqueous pollutants. Legal limits for discharges to streams are set for many industries, aimed at keeping levels of contamination within accepted limits. Illegal discharges, or accidental spillage, however, sometimes occur and accounted for the majority of reported surface water pollution incidents in the UK in 2001, for which the cause is known 10 . Dumping (both legally in landfill sites and illegally) represents a major source of emission of solid wastes, though final release into the wider environment may only occur when these materials decompose or break up. Landfill sites may thus be responsible for emissions of a wide range of pollutants, via different pathways, especially when these sites are inadequately sealed or poorly maintained 11 . The contribution of informal and illegal dumping to environmental pollution is, inevitably, only poorly known.

Environmental fate

Once released into the environment, pollutants may be transported via many different processes and pathways, often moving from one medium to another, and undergoing a wide range of modifications in the process. Chemical reactions, physical abrasion, sorting by size or mass and deposition all change the composition of the pollutants and alter the pollution mix. Dilution occurs as pollutants spread outward into a wider volume of space; concentration may occur as pollutants accumulate in local ‘sinks’ or in the bodies of organisms, as they pass along the food chain.

In general, these processes tend to result in some degree of distance-decay in environmental concentrations, if only because the opportunity for dilution, decomposition and deposition increases with increasing distance of transport. It is largely on this basis that distance is often used as a surrogate for exposure in many epidemiological studies. The realities of environmental patterns of pollution are, however, often much more complex than these simple distance-based models imply. They also vary greatly between different pollutants and environmental media, because of the different transportational behaviours that are involved. In addition, dispersion processes and resulting pollution concentration fields may vary substantially depending on the prevailing ( e.g. meteorological) conditions at the time. Patterns of atmospheric dispersion, for example, differ not only in relation to windspeed and direction but also atmospheric stability ( e.g. between stable and unstable weather conditions, or when there is a temperature inversion) 6 . Movement of many pollutants through soils occurs mainly as mass flow in water passing through larger pore spaces and fissures: the irregular distribution of these within highly structured soils means that dispersion often follows highly discrete pathways 12, 13 . Gaseous pollutants may follow similar preferred pathways. Releases from landfill sites may thus travel relatively long distances in the soil or bedrock, before emerging at the surface, where they can cause local hazards including explosions 14 . Radon shows the same discrete and complex pattern, such that concentrations may vary by orders of magnitude from one home to another in the same district 15, 16 . Modelling these locally variable pathways poses severe challenges.

To a large extent, the increased opportunity for mixing means that dispersion of pollutants in surface and groundwaters is more regular, leading to more uniform patterns of contamination, at regional scales. In developed countries, also, considerable water mixing often occurs during treatment and distribution, so that water quality is relatively uniform across large areas and populations. Local variations may occur, however, because of contamination within the distribution system or differences in the length of the network, and thus in the time available for contamination and decomposition of the disinfectants incorporated at treatment 17 . In developing countries, especially, considerable variations may also occur between waters in shallow wells, particularly where these are affected by local pollution sources, such as badly sited latrines or agricultural activities. Again, this makes exposure assessment difficult, without the ability to collect data on water quality for individual wells.

Similar difficulties occur in tracking and modelling transport of pollutants in the food chain. Whilst the general pathways followed by pollutants are often clear in natural (and some farmed) food chains, in that persistent compounds tend to accumulate as they pass from one trophic level to another, the detailed patterns of contamination are often far more complex. Many animals have very restricted feeding behaviours: even in areas of open grazing land, for example, sheep tend to focus on distinct home ranges from which they rarely stray 18 . As a result, marked variations may occur in contaminant uptake by livestock, even over short distances, as illustrated by patterns of contamination from the Chernobyl incident in the UK 19 . Significant accumulation of these contaminants in humans likewise tends to occur only where small groups of individuals rely on local food sources. On the other hand, in many modern food supply systems, industrial-scale processing and distribution operations mean that foodstuffs often travel large distances before consumption and are drawn from far-flung sources. In the UK, as in most developed countries, therefore, the average distance travelled by foodstuffs before consumption has increased markedly, from an average of about 82 km in 1978 to 346 km in 1998 20 . In the light of these changes, several attempts have been made in recent years to calculate the distance travelled by ingredients in common food products or meals (so called ‘food-miles’). In Iowa, USA, for example, ingredients for a standard meal of stir-fry and salad were estimated to have been transported 20,000 km 21 ; in the UK, Sustain, a pressure group on food and agriculture, estimated that ingredients for a traditional turkey dinner had been transported some 38,620 km 22 ! Apart from implications for increased energy consumption and environmental pollution, such extended distribution networks clearly mean that it can be difficult to track and control potential contamination between source and consumption.

By whatever pathways and processes pollutants pass through the environment, four related factors are especially important in determining the potential for exposure and health effects: their persistence, their mobility, their decomposition products and their toxicity. The problems associated with the release of persistent pollutants into the environment were highlighted many years ago with recognition of the global extent of contamination, and wide-ranging environmental and health effects, caused by DDT and other organochlorine pesticides 23 . The story is in many ways now being repeated in relation to chlorofluorocarbons and other atmospheric pollutants that act as greenhouse gases or scavengers of stratospheric ozone 24 , and perhaps also in relation to endocrine disruptors 25 . Persistence, however, is not necessarily the most important issue, for where they persist in inert yet inaccessible forms, pollutants may pose relatively limited risks. Thus, whereas inorganic mercury is persistent, it is less toxic and less readily bioavailable than methyl mercury, to which it is naturally converted through chemical reactions and the action of soil and aquatic microorganisms 26, 27 . Equally, many solid wastes represent little risk to health so long as they remain in their original form. The problems in these cases often come when decomposition occurs, either because the decomposition products are inherently more toxic or because they are more mobile, and thus are more likely to result in human exposure.

Exposure and dose

Whilst the potential for health impairment initially depends upon the existence and concentrations of pollutants in the environment, for health effects to occur exposures must take place that lead to a dose sufficient to have adverse health consequences. Exposure in this context is defined as the contact between a hazardous agent (in this case a pollutant) and an organism. Dose refers to the quantity of the substance in the body. The absorbed dose refers to the amount of the substance entering the body as a whole; target organ dose refers to the amount reaching the specific organs that are affected.

Exposure can take place in many different ways. Three main forms of exposure are generally recognized: dermal contact, inhalation and ingestion. In some cases, however, it may also be useful to recognize a fourth—injection—for example, when pollutants are transmitted by animal bites or by deliberate injection. In each of these cases, exposure may occur in a range of different environments. Whilst some exposures occur in the outdoor (ambient) environment, most people spend the majority of their time indoors, either at home or at their place of work or learning. Indoor exposures therefore often make up a major proportion of total exposure 28 —although they tend to be rather neglected in many epidemiological studies. Food and drinking water are likewise important routes of exposure for many pollutants.

What determines levels of exposure is consequently not just the distribution of pollution within the environment, but also human behaviours and lifestyles, and thus the sorts of exposure environments in which people spend their time. By the same token, exposure is not only an environmental process, it is also a social, demographic and economic one. Indeed, because of the myriad ways in which socio-economic and demographic factors influence and interact with environmental conditions, exposures, human susceptibility and health outcome, they may often appear to outweigh the effects of the environment per se in associations between pollution and health. One expression of these complex interactions is the patterns of what is often called environmental injustice that are seen throughout the world: namely, the tendency for environmental pollution and poverty or other forms of disadvantage to be strongly correlated, such that poorer people tend to live in more polluted environments 29, 30 . Whilst the reasons for this association are not fully understood, and may be more subtle than often assumed, the double jeopardy that it represents seems to be generally reflected in terms of health inequalities as well. The problem, however, comes in trying to separate the contributions to these adverse health outcomes from socio-economic and environmental factors—and thus to quantify the attributable effects of pollution.

It also has to be recognized that pollutants rarely occur in isolation; more typically they exist in combination. Exposures are therefore not singular. Instead we are usually exposed to mixes of pollutants, often derived from different sources, some of which may have additive or synergistic effects. Unravelling the effects of individual pollutants from this mix is a challenging problem that has yet to be adequately resolved in many areas of epidemiology.

Health effects: dose–response relationships, latency and attributable risk

One of the underlying tenets of environmental epidemiology is that, for the health effects of interest, a relationship exists between the level of exposure (or dose) and the degree of effect. Effects can, in fact, be represented in two different ways: by the type of effect or by its severity or the probability of its occurrence (often termed the ‘response’). In either case, these associations are generally assumed to be broadly linear, such that the effect or response increases with each increment of exposure to a pollutant (Fig. 4A ). For many pollutants and many health effects, this assumption seems to hold true at least over a wide range of exposures and responses. Some, however, appear to be characterized by more complex associations. Thresholds may exist, for example, below which no detectable health effects occur (Fig. 4B ). At high levels of exposure, responses may weaken, so that the dose–response relationship is essentially curvilinear-convex (Fig. 4C ) or S-shaped (Fig. 4D ). In a few cases, there is some evidence that ∩- or, more rarely, U-shaped relationships may exist—for example, in relation to solar radiation or vitamin intake. One of the main purposes of epidemiology is to demonstrate and, if possible, quantify these relationships, where they exist.

Common forms of exposure–response relationships.

Just as exposures may be long- or short-term, so health effects can be short-lived (acute) or prolonged (chronic). Health effects may also be delayed to a greater or lesser extent after initial exposure, either because it takes time for exposures to reach a critical level, or because the disease itself takes time to develop and become apparent (latency). Many acute effects are almost immediate, and have latencies typically of no more than a few minutes to a few days. Many chronic effects, on the other hand, can have latencies of several years—up to 20 years or more, for example, in the case of some cancers and diseases such as asbestosis. Dealing with these latencies is problematic in epidemiological studies, both because they often imply the need for information on past (in some cases long-past) exposures, and because the degree of latency may vary from one individual to another, depending on factors such as the level of exposure, the age at which exposure occurred and pre-existing health status. In some cases, too, a so-called harvesting effect may occur, such that, following a brief increase in disease rates as more vulnerable people are affected, rates of illness fall because there are fewer vulnerable people left (Fig. 5 ). This, too, can complicate epidemiological studies, for the scale (and even the direction) of the dose–response relationship may vary depending on the length of latency allowed for in the analysis.

Harvesting effects.

Long-term legacies for health may also occur as a result of sensitization and predisposition of individuals to the effects of exposure in early life. Sensitization to house dust mite and other allergens both in the diet and the indoor environment during the first few months of life, for example, appears to increase risks of allergic airway disease later in childhood 31 . Similarly, inverse associations have been found between birth weight and the incidence of a range of diseases including hypertension, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults 32– 34 . Environmental exposures, such as air pollution, that contribute to these predisposing conditions may thus have long-term (and in some cases lifelong) implications for health.

Health outcomes may also be more or less specific to exposures to particular pollutants. Very few diseases are, in practice, pollutant-specific. Amongst these are asbestosis and mesothelioma (due to exposures to asbestos) and bagassosis, through exposure to organic dusts (the most common example, of which, is ‘Farmer’s lung’). Far more commonly, individual health effects may arise as a result of exposures to a number of different risk factors, either individually or in combination, whereas individual exposures can give rise to a range of different health effects. Environmental health is thus characterized by many-to-many relationships; understanding these is, again, a major challenge for epidemiology. Partly for this reason, it is often extremely difficult to assess the health burden attributable to an individual pollutant. Over-estimation may occur due to double-counting (or multiple attribution) of health effects; under-estimation may arise due to the failure to recognize some contributions to the disease burden as a result of masking by other risk factors.

In addition, of course, all epidemiological studies—and other studies that contribute to the establishment of dose–response relationships, such as laboratory experiments and clinical trials—are subject to error and uncertainty. These arise for many different reasons: because of errors in exposure assessment or classification, because of errors in diagnosis or reporting of health outcome, because of inadequate sample size, because of inadequate adjustment for confounding or effect modification by other factors, because of biases in sampling and statistical analysis, and because of the underlying indeterminacy of some of the associations of interest. As a result, dose–response reported by different studies often shows substantial differences, and many separate studies may be needed before a clear pattern of association emerges. Even then, problems may be encountered in deriving reliable dose–response relationships ( e.g. through some form of meta-analysis), because of inconsistencies in study design ( e.g. in methods of exposure classification, target populations or specification of health outcome). Most dose–response relationships are thus accompanied by a relatively large degree of uncertainty.

Models of pollutant pathways

As the discussion above has indicated, the relationships between pollution and health are both complex and often indirect. Considerable difficulties are thus encountered in quantifying the associations involved. It is largely for this reason that many of the health effects of environmental pollution are still uncertain, and that problems arise in attempting to attribute health outcome to environmental causes—for example, when trying to confirm or explain apparent spatial clusters in health.

These subtleties and complexities highlight the importance of examining critically any hypothesis about a relationship between a pollutant and an apparent health effect, and of setting such hypotheses within a wider environmental context. Assumptions about simple, singular cause–effect relationships often need to be eschewed; in their place we need to recognize the possibility for multifactorial effects in which single health outcomes are attributable to a wide variety of (possibly inter-related) environmental and other risk factors; and in which individual exposures may contribute to a range of different health effects. The contingent and historical nature of many of these associations also needs to be appreciated: health effects seen now in many cases owe their existence to exposures, sensitization or some process of predisposition far in the past. Because environmental conditions, and even the very nature of the risk factors involved, may change quite considerably over time, uniformitarianist principles may not hold true, i.e. the present cannot always be seen as the key to the past.

Against this background, the use of models to conceptualize the possible interplay of different risk factors and exposure pathways, and how they might have evolved over time, represents an important tool for attempts to understand associations between pollution and health. One example is illustrated in Figure 6 , which shows possible sources and pathways of exposure of environmental pollution associated with landfill sites. Several important lessons can be drawn from this example. First, it is evident that the pathways of exposure are highly varied and complex. Which is the most important may well differ from one situation to another. The possibility of contributions from each and all of them needs to be allowed. Second, it is evident that landfill sites leave a legacy which may persist long after they are no longer operational. Present-day land use and activity may therefore not account for current exposures. Third, related to this, sources and pathways of exposure change markedly over time—and, indeed, many of the risks associated with what are now landfill sites may well predate the sites themselves ( e.g. from prior land use). Perhaps it is for this reason that several studies of health risks around landfill sites have found that raised levels of risk existed before the landfill sites were opened 35, 36 .

A model of emission processes and exposure pathways from landfill sites.

Estimating the global burden of disease

For all the reasons outlined above, estimating the contribution of environmental pollution to the burden of disease is far from easy. In general, too little is known either about the causal links between environmental pollution and health, or about the levels of exposure across the population, to make reliable assessments of the proportion of disease or mortality attributable to pollution. These difficulties are severe in developed countries, where disease surveillance, reporting of mortality, environmental monitoring and population data are all relatively well established. In most developing countries they become all but insurmountable, because of the generally impoverished state of routine monitoring and reporting. Given that controls on emissions and exposures in the developing world are often limited, it is in these countries that risks from environmental pollution are likely to be greatest. Such uncertainties thus render any attempt to quantify the environmental burden of disease highly approximate at best.

Assessments of the disease burden attributable to different forms and sources of pollution are nevertheless worth the effort. They are needed, for example, to raise awareness about some of the risks associated with environmental pollution, and as a basis for advocacy—to ensure that those most in need have a voice. They are needed to help motivate and prioritize action to protect human health, and to evaluate and monitor the success of interventions. They provide the foundation, therefore, for extremely powerful indicators for policy support, and a means of pricking the global conscience about inequalities in health.

Over recent years, therefore, many attempts have been made to assess the health status of the population, both nationally and globally, and to deduce the contribution made by pollution and other environmental factors. In Europe, for example, more than 50 national environmental health action plans have been developed, following the Helsinki Conference in June 1994, setting out strategies to tackle problems of environmental health 37 . Although these differ substantially in terms of their content and scope, many have involved attempts to make formal assessments of the disease burden attributable to different environmental hazards, and to rank these in terms of their public health significance 38, 39 . Various methods were used for this purpose, though most relied on some form of expert judgement, informed where available by quantitative data on mortality or disease rates. Whatever the weaknesses of these assessments, their practical importance is evident, for they have contributed directly to policy prioritization and development in the countries concerned.

The same need has arisen to support the development of environmental health indicators. Since the early 1990s, largely motivated by WHO, increasing attention has been given to constructing indicators on environmental health at all levels from the local to the global scale 40– 43 , and a number of indicator sets have been created (and to a lesser extent used) 44– 46 . Environmental pollution is, inevitably, a major focus of concern in these indicator sets. By definition, also, environmental health indicators provide measures that link environmental hazards and health effect 41 . As such they depend upon an understanding of the association between pollution and health, either in the form of what have been called ‘exposure-side indicators’, which use information on exposures to imply degrees of health risk, or ‘health-side indicators’, which use information on health outcome to suggest attributable effects 41, 43 . In both contexts, the ability to make at least semi-quantitative interpretations of the link between pollution and health, and thus to assess the contribution to the burden of disease, is assumed.

The most explicit attempts to quantify these links, however, have come in recent years through work to estimate the global (and to some extent regional) burden of disease. Earlier efforts in this direction were targeted specifically at making broad-scale enumerations of the total disease burden across the world 47, 48 . The traditional measure used for such assessments was mortality, both because data on deaths tended to be more reliable and widely available, and because mortality is directly comparable in terms of health outcome, unlike morbidity which implies differences in severity of effect. Even so, results from the various efforts differed somewhat, largely because of the ways in which gaps and uncertainties in the available data were dealt with 49 . Overall, however, cardiovascular diseases were seen to be the major cause of mortality, accounting for between 19% (based on the World Health Survey estimate) and 28% (based on Murray and Lopez’s Global burden of disease study 44 ) of total deaths worldwide. Cancer (an estimated 12% in each case), acute respiratory diseases (8.1, 8.7%, respectively), unintentional injuries (5.7, 6.4%), diarrhoeal diseases ( ca. 5.8%), chronic respiratory diseases ( ca. 5.7%) and perinatal conditions (6.2, 4.8%) were other major killers.

Years of life lost and disability adjusted life years

Crude estimates of the number and proportion of deaths due to different diseases, of this nature, obviously give only a distorted picture of the true burden of disease, for they take no account of the age of death or the duration of any preceding illness and disability, nor the amount of suffering involved. In an attempt to redress this, Murray and Lopez 48 also computed estimates of the ‘years of life lost’ (YLL) and ‘disability adjusted life years’ (DALYs). Years of life lost are estimated as the difference between age at death and the life expectancy in the absence of the disease, based on an advanced developed country (82.5 years for women and 80 years for men at that time). DALYs also incorporate an allowance for the number of years lived with a disability due to disease or injury, weighted according to its severity (based on expert assessments of the relative impact of some 500 different conditions and disease sequelae). The years of disability or life lost are also discounted according to the age of onset (since it is assumed that future years of life lost contribute less to the burden of disease than current ones).

Results of these calculations are summarized and discussed by WHO 49 . Estimates of YYL and DALYs provide a somewhat different ranking of disease compared to crude mortality, since they give additional weight to early-onset diseases and chronic illness. Cardiovascular diseases are thus seen as somewhat less important (making up ca. 13% of YYL and 9.7% of DALYs). Acute respiratory diseases (12% and 8.5%, respectively), diarrhoeal diseases (10% and 7.2%) and unintentional injuries (9.3% and 11%) all become proportionally more significant. Mental health conditions also figure as a major source of ill health in terms of DALYs, contributing 11% of the total burden of disease worldwide.

Variations in the global burden of disease

By whichever method they are computed, marked variations are evident in the burden of disease between different sectors of the population. Children are seen to be especially at risk—and young children most of all. More than 30% of all deaths for all diseases in the Global burden of disease study occurred to children under 15 years of age; in the case of diarrhoeal diseases they accounted for 88% of deaths, and for acute respiratory illness 67% of deaths. Malaria also struck children disproportionately (82% of deaths), whilst mortality as a result of perinatal diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases was inevitably almost wholly of children. When measured in terms of DALYs, the overwhelming burden of all these diseases falls on children 49 .

Similar inequalities occur both socially and geographically. The World Bank, for example, compared mortality rates and DALYs between poor and rich nations in the world 50 . Clear differences were shown. Whereas ischaemic heart disease, for example, was responsible for 23.4% of deaths in the rich countries, it accounted for only 7.3% in the poor countries; malignant neoplasms were responsible for 22.6% of deaths among rich countries, but only 5.6% among the poor. Conversely, respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases accounted for 13.4% and 11.3% of deaths, respectively in poor nations, compared with 4.0% and 0.3% in rich countries; for childhood cluster diseases, the proportions were 7.8% and 0.1%, respectively. Similar disparities have been shown in a comparison of ‘less developed’ and ‘more developed’ countries by Smith et al 51 . As these examples show, generalizations about the burden of disease thus need to be interpreted with care. Beneath the often stark global figures lie even starker indications of health inequalities that cry out to be addressed.

The environmental burden of disease

Whilst the original estimates of the global burden of disease made by Murray and Lopez and WHO during the mid 1990s were a major step forward in terms of providing comparable data on health status across the world, they gave information only on health outcomes and did not for the most part attempt to attribute these outcomes to specific causes. Smith et al 51 did, however, make an attempt to assess the environmental contribution to the global burden of disease, using Murray and Lopez’s data. This suggested that environmental factors accounted for between 25% and 33% of the total burden of disease, but with a disproportionate share of this falling on children under 5 years of age. Diarrhoeal diseases (for which some 90% of DALYs were attributed to the environment), malaria ( ca. 88%) and acute respiratory illness (60%) were seen as outcomes for which the environment was especially influential. Murray and Lopez 52 also made preliminary assessments of the relative importance of different risk factors for the global burden of disease, based on their 1990 data. Malnutrition stood out as the most important factor considered, accounting for ca. 11.7% of deaths and 15.9% of DALYs worldwide. Poor water and sanitation was estimated to be responsible for ca. 5.3% of deaths and 6.8% of DALYs, whereas air pollution contributed 1.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Subsequently, a more specific attempt was made by Prüss et al 53 to assess the effects of water, sanitation and hygiene, using a combination of exposure-based risk assessment and outcome-based disease attribution 54 . Based on available information, they estimated that these environmental factors were responsible for ca. 4% of global mortality and 5.7% of total DALYs. These estimates are somewhat lower than those implied by the original Global burden of disease study 52 , partly perhaps because of differences in methodology and partly because of a decline in mortality in the intervening years.

All these attempts to partition the global burden of disease by causative risk factor have faced, and admitted, a number of major difficulties. These relate not only to uncertainties in the available data on health outcome, but also to problems of how to attribute any single death to a single cause or risk factor. Two main approaches have been proposed for disease attribution 55 . Categorical attribution assigns each death to a specific disease or risk factor, according to a defined set of rules ( e.g. the ICD system). The advantage of this approach is that it is relatively straightforward and consistent, and avoids double-counting; the disadvantage is that it ignores the multi-factorial nature of many diseases and still leaves unresolved the problem of how to define appropriate rules. Counterfactual attribution involves comparing the current level of disease or mortality with that which might be expected to occur in the absence of the risk factor (or at some other reference level). One of the main difficulties with this approach is how to define this reference level. Several possibilities exist: for example, the complete absence of the risk factor, the level of risk in some reference population or area, or the achievable level of risk with current technologies. Each will tend to give a rather different measure of the attributable burden of disease. In this context, another difficulty also arises, i.e. how to assess the likely change in disease burden under the selected scenario, in the absence of empirical data.

Results from this assessment for a number of environmental risk factors are summarized in Table 1 . More detail on the methods and results are available on the WHO website for a number of the disease groups, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, malnutrition and injuries 57 , and others will be published as available. The sources of environmental and occupational pollution listed in Table 1 account for 8–9% of the total global burden of disease, measured either in terms of mortality or DALYs. Amongst these risk factors, water, sanitation and hygiene and indoor air pollution are seen to be the most important; health effects of outdoor air pollution are comparatively small, although to some extent this may reflect differences in methodology between this and the other expert groups. It is also evident that a range of other sources of pollution, not included in this table, might be implicated in the global burden of disease, such as exposures to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, food contamination, pesticides, household hazardous chemicals, wastes and other forms of indoor air pollution. The overall burden of disease attributable to pollution, therefore, cannot yet be assessed.

Global burden of disease (thousand and percent) attributable to selected sources of environmental and occupational pollution

Source: based on Ezzati et al 56 .

As with previous estimates of the burden of disease, marked variations can also be recognized between different parts of the world. As is to be expected, the developing countries bear the major proportion of the burden. Problems of unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene, for example, account for an estimated 6.6% of DALYs in Africa, and 4.7% in south-east Asia, compared with 0.5% in Europe. Indoor air pollution accounts for 4.4% of DALYs in Africa and 3.6% in south-east Asia, compared to 0.4% in Europe. In absolute terms the differences are even more stark. The total number of DALYs per head of population attributable to these two risk factors in Africa are 29.1 per thousand for unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene and 19.3 per thousand for indoor air pollution; in south-east Asia they are 12.8 and 9.9 per thousand, respectively; in Europe they are 0.8 and 0.6 per thousand, respectively. Risks attributable to environmental pollution in the developing world are thus 15–35 or more times greater than in developed countries.

The complexities involved in the link between environmental pollution and health, and the uncertainties inherent in the available data on mortality and morbidity, in existing knowledge about the aetiology of diseases, and in environmental information and estimates of exposure, all mean that any attempt to assess the environmental contribution to the global burden of disease is fraught with difficulties. The estimates produced to date must therefore be regarded as no more than order-of-magnitude estimates. Despite these limitations, however, several conclusions seem beyond refute.

The first is that environmental pollution plays a significant role in a number of health outcomes, and in several cases this adds up to a serious public health concern. Water pollution, sanitation and hygiene, indoor air pollution, and to a lesser extent outdoor air pollution and exposures to chemicals in both the indoor and outdoor environment are all important risk factors in this respect. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and noise are also causes for concern in many cases.

Secondly, it is clear that the distribution of risks from these factors is not equal across the world. The global burden of disease may be difficult to quantify, but stark contrasts in that burden are evident between the developed and the developing world, between rich and poor, and often between children and adults. The developed world is not risk-free, and development is no panacea for all environmental health ills. On occasions, in fact, the opposite is true: developments, such as increased reliance on road transport, increased use of chemicals in agriculture, and increased proportions of time spent in modern, hermitically sealed buildings surrounded by chemically-based fabrics and furnishings may actually increase exposures and exacerbate health risks. But overall the developing world is far more severely affected by pollution, and in many instances becoming more so, as pressures from development add to traditional sources of exposure and risk.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, many of these risks and health effects are readily avoidable. Rarely does the solution lie in advanced technologies or even expensive drugs. Instead, the need is for preventive action to reduce the emission of pollutants into the environment in the first place—and that is largely achievable with existing know-how. Indeed, in many cases it has already been implemented in many of the richer countries. Science, therefore, certainly has a role to play in addressing these issues. More research is undoubtedly needed on a range of emerging environmental health issues. But the deficit of action that has allowed environmental pollution still to take its toll on health derives not so much from failures in science or technology as from the lack of political will and economic empowerment. It is from that direction that salvation needs ultimately to come for those at the mercy of environmental pollution.

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What is a Global Environmental Pollution Problem?

Published: 04 February 2010
Volume 210 , pages 1–2, ( 2010 )

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Global environmental pollution problems are not just problems that affect many people. Instead, they are those immense problems that affect the entire planet Earth. These problems may or may not affect all people at the same time, nor to the same level. Global environmental pollution problems may have commenced many decades or centuries ago and are the result of additive, interconnected events that are manifested in a more complex present-day problem. It may also be true that the problem was generated at a relatively simple level of complexity but evolved into a more complex problem, requiring a complex solution. An excellent example of this type of global pollution problem is global climate change which is complex, requires the cooperation of all countries, and makes our human society and all living organisms vulnerable. Global climate change is really the sum of all pollution combined with natural changes in climate. Global problems are also problems where solutions may not be immediate and involve complex political, social, and economic components. Some humans will be resistant to change, cannot imagine the consequences, insist their values are correct, and may have constrained ideological, cultural, and political values and ideas. This is all occurring in a time of globalization—in increased interconnectedness among countries in the areas of economics, trade, culture, and politics.

It was not raining when Noah built the ark. Humans have the capacity to think ahead, plan, anticipate, predict, and be prepared. The future of humanity lies in anticipating and preventing global problems while fixing our existing problems at the local, national, and global levels. Of course, this is an immense challenge to humans because we disagree on forms of government, economics, basic human rights, war and conflict versus peace, and the distribution of resources on the planet. Humanity’s future is not guaranteed unless all people and all nations strive for a quality of life that is sustainable while managing our current climate change crisis and at the same time reducing human population growth and implementing conservation policies worldwide. This may seem like a utopian wish as we enter another decade with too many humans subjected to poverty, hunger, conflicts, wars, uneven distribution of resources, lack of universal basic human rights and needs, lack of education, potable water, public health, pandemics, transportation and communication infrastructure, discrimination, racism, religious intolerance, greed, power, dictatorships, unstable governments, a multitude of national and international security issues, and no legally binding agreement on climate change for countries. The list is not complete, but the point has been made.

In the past, an immense amount of effort was devoted to solving or remediating existing problems. Today, we have the capacity to predict many problems or changes. Science, engineering, and technology have enabled us to have immense predictive powers. Therefore, our capacity for insight and visionary thinking increases as more information is translated into knowledge. Visionary thinking is essential if we are to determine how humans share our planet, share our humanity, and share a common rulebook to prevent further damage to our biosphere. Visionary thinking and problem solving are necessary because climate change is an interlinked and complex problem with unrecognized outcomes. It may be that some proposed and attempted solutions are incorrect. Interconnected problems make solutions more difficult. One could even suggest that the most important environmental problem is deciding what is the most important environmental problem.

However humanity decides to solve global climate change, it will involve information systems that will lead to entirely new disciplines and fields of knowledge. This will spawn new industries and hopefully a better sharing of resources in our common, shared, singular biosphere. Hopefully, there will be another renaissance in thinking, education, innovation, research, and cooperation for humanity. If you enjoy problem solving, thinking, education, humanities, laws, computing and information systems, policy formation and implementation, and innovation and research, then use your skills and expertise to solve the most critical global problems—some of which were mentioned in this article. We also look forward to articles being submitted to this journal that assist in solutions to any environmental problem of significance. The point is—be successful at meaningful activities in research, not trivial ones.

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Essay on Global Environmental Issues

Students are often asked to write an essay on Global Environmental Issues in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Global Environmental Issues

Introduction.

Global environmental issues are challenges affecting our planet. They include climate change, deforestation, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Climate Change

Climate change is a significant problem. It’s caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Deforestation

Deforestation involves cutting down trees, leading to habitat loss for many species. It also contributes to climate change, as trees absorb carbon dioxide.

Air and water pollution harm both humans and wildlife. They are caused by waste and harmful substances released into the environment.

Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss means the extinction of different species. This imbalance affects ecosystems and can lead to the loss of essential services nature provides.

250 Words Essay on Global Environmental Issues

Global environmental issues are a pressing concern in today’s world. These challenges, ranging from climate change to biodiversity loss, are interconnected, affecting every corner of the globe and every aspect of human life.

Climate change, largely driven by human activities, is causing a rise in global temperatures, sea-levels, and extreme weather events. The consequences include droughts, floods, and storms, which threaten human settlements, agriculture, and economies.

Biodiversity loss is another grave issue. Human actions, such as deforestation and pollution, are leading to the extinction of species at an unprecedented rate. This loss of biodiversity disrupts ecosystems and the services they provide, including food security and disease control.

Pollution, in its various forms, is another global environmental issue. Air pollution contributes to respiratory diseases and climate change, while water pollution affects aquatic life and human health. Plastic pollution, particularly in the oceans, is a growing concern, harming marine life and entering the human food chain.

In conclusion, to address these global environmental issues, we need international cooperation, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions. The collective action of governments, businesses, and individuals is crucial for the health of our planet and future generations.

500 Words Essay on Global Environmental Issues

Introduction to global environmental issues.

The 21st century is marked by an array of global environmental issues that pose significant threats to the planet and its inhabitants. These issues, primarily caused by human activities, range from climate change and deforestation to pollution and biodiversity loss. The urgency to address these challenges is amplified by their potential to disrupt ecosystems, economies, and societies.

Climate Change: An Escalating Crisis

Climate change, primarily driven by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is arguably the most pressing environmental issue. It leads to higher global temperatures, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent and severe weather events. These changes pose serious risks to human health, food security, and water supply. Moreover, climate change exacerbates social and economic inequalities, with the most significant impacts often felt by the most vulnerable populations.

Deforestation: The Silent Destroyer

Deforestation, largely driven by agriculture, logging, and urbanization, is another critical environmental issue. It not only contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide but also leads to biodiversity loss. Forests are home to over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, and their destruction pushes many species towards extinction. Additionally, deforestation disrupts water cycles and degrades land, impacting agricultural productivity and food security.

Pollution: The Invisible Killer

Pollution, in its various forms – air, water, soil, and noise – is a pervasive environmental issue. Industrial activities, waste disposal, vehicle emissions, and the use of harmful chemicals contribute to pollution. It poses severe health risks, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular problems. Furthermore, pollution harms wildlife, contaminates water sources, and degrades soil quality, affecting ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Biodiversity Loss: The Unseen Consequence

Biodiversity loss, driven by habitat destruction, overexploitation, climate change, and pollution, is a less visible but equally grave environmental issue. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem health and resilience, provides food and medicine, and supports cultural and recreational activities. Its loss disrupts ecosystem services, threatens food security, and increases vulnerability to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

Conclusion: The Need for Collective Action

In conclusion, the global environmental issues of climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss pose severe threats to the planet and its inhabitants. Addressing these challenges requires collective action at all levels – individual, community, national, and global. It calls for a shift towards sustainable practices, stricter environmental regulations, and increased investment in green technologies. Furthermore, it necessitates the integration of environmental considerations into all aspects of decision-making, from policy development to business strategies. Only through such comprehensive and concerted efforts can we hope to mitigate these issues and safeguard our planet for future generations.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on How to Reduce Global Warming
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Happy studying!

Environmental Issues Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on environmental issues.

The environment plays a significant role to support life on earth. But there are some issues that are causing damages to life and the ecosystem of the earth. It is related to the not only environment but with everyone that lives on the planet. Besides, its main source is pollution , global warming, greenhouse gas , and many others. The everyday activities of human are constantly degrading the quality of the environment which ultimately results in the loss of survival condition from the earth.

Source of Environment Issue

There are hundreds of issue that causing damage to the environment. But in this, we are going to discuss the main causes of environmental issues because they are very dangerous to life and the ecosystem.

Pollution – It is one of the main causes of an environmental issue because it poisons the air , water , soil , and noise. As we know that in the past few decades the numbers of industries have rapidly increased. Moreover, these industries discharge their untreated waste into the water bodies, on soil, and in air. Most of these wastes contain harmful and poisonous materials that spread very easily because of the movement of water bodies and wind.

Greenhouse Gases – These are the gases which are responsible for the increase in the temperature of the earth surface. This gases directly relates to air pollution because of the pollution produced by the vehicle and factories which contains a toxic chemical that harms the life and environment of earth.

Climate Changes – Due to environmental issue the climate is changing rapidly and things like smog, acid rains are getting common. Also, the number of natural calamities is also increasing and almost every year there is flood, famine, drought , landslides, earthquakes, and many more calamities are increasing.

Above all, human being and their greed for more is the ultimate cause of all the environmental issue.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Minimize Environment Issue?

Now we know the major issues which are causing damage to the environment. So, now we can discuss the ways by which we can save our environment. For doing so we have to take some measures that will help us in fighting environmental issues .

Moreover, these issues will not only save the environment but also save the life and ecosystem of the planet. Some of the ways of minimizing environmental threat are discussed below:

Reforestation – It will not only help in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem but also help in restoring the natural cycles that work with it. Also, it will help in recharge of groundwater, maintaining the monsoon cycle , decreasing the number of carbons from the air, and many more.

The 3 R’s principle – For contributing to the environment one should have to use the 3 R’s principle that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Moreover, it helps the environment in a lot of ways.

To conclude, we can say that humans are a major source of environmental issues. Likewise, our activities are the major reason that the level of harmful gases and pollutants have increased in the environment. But now the humans have taken this problem seriously and now working to eradicate it. Above all, if all humans contribute equally to the environment then this issue can be fight backed. The natural balance can once again be restored.

FAQs about Environmental Issue

Q.1 Name the major environmental issues. A.1 The major environmental issues are pollution, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change. Besides, there are several other environmental issues that also need attention.

Q.2 What is the cause of environmental change? A.2 Human activities are the main cause of environmental change. Moreover, due to our activities, the amount of greenhouse gases has rapidly increased over the past few decades.

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Global environmental issues

Checked : T. M. H. , Greg B.

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Table of content

Most prominent environmental problems

Climate change:, survival of the species:, energy crisis:, natural resources exploitation:, land degradation:, land usage:, nuclear issues:, overcrowding:, waste management:.

An overview of global environmental concerns provides an extensive and insightful investigation into the main environmental challenges which presently threaten our global environment. Explanations of the evolution of natural systems on the earth (water, biosphere, atmosphere, and ecosphere) provide fundamental knowledge of the environmental problems from the scientific concepts, processes, and historical background.

A variety of environmental problems are triggered by the fast increasing population and economic development, due to unchecked urbanization and business production, agriculture expansion and forest degradation. Significant environmental problems include the degradation of forests and the agriculture of land, depletion of resources (water, minerals, woodlands, sand, rocks, etc.), environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, loss of ecosystem resilience, and the safety of the poor.

If we had to question what are the world's environmental issues now, most citizens would be reluctant to think beyond climate change and oil shortages. Such individuals are not conscious that many other global problems are similarly harmful.

Climate change has become more evident during the last decade and has been one of the warmer years the planet has ever seen for nine years in the decade. The change in the temperature often meant that the planet's calculations go astray. The most noticeable symptoms include environmental anomalies, extreme floods, glacial ice, rising sea levels, etc.

Another global environmental challenge is that biodiversity protection approaches flora and fauna survival to prevent habitat extinguishment. Extinction of a single plant or animal species is the result of a dramatic imbalance in the ecosystem, as it is directly or indirectly affected by several other species. In the last century or so, several plants and animal species have been extinct, resulting in a significant loss for the planet's biodiversity.

Our reliance on fossil fuels has made us significantly vulnerable to major energy crises because we are primarily dependent on our energy requirements. Although several renewable sources have been found, none have been as convincing as the primary source of energy for mankind as regards the substitution of fossil fuels. Attempts are underway to harness all the capacity of these outlets, and our existence is largely dependent on them because fossil fuels are about to run out of resources.

Our hunger for more has left us empty-handed in different areas of the planet in terms of natural wealth. Many human actions have contributed to a drastic depletion of our natural capital, including logging, forestry, fisheries etc.

Land pollution, due to human activities or desertification, has made the planet's surface unsuitable for human use because of loss of vegetation. The reason that we have gone so far in terms of protecting the natural world may be related to land loss. Inappropriate use of soil, hazardous waste disposal, widespread deforestation and other human activities are damaging to nature, always affecting our natural environment.

International land-related environmental problems are not restricted to hazardous waste disposal or large-scale degradation but also improper land use. In the case of inappropriate land use, land degradation due to development is also a significant factor. Together, these factors lead to many problems such as soil erosion, land degradation and desertification.

There is a strong potential for atomic energy, but there is no less problem with it. One of the significant difficulties; especially if safety regulations are not adequately followed, is radioactive waste from nuclear power stations. The Tragedy of Chernobyl has set an example of how atomic waste could lead to catastrophe for humankind.

Overcrowding is another major global environmental problem. With the world's population still rising alarmingly, the pressure on the planet's resources is growing. Overpopulation issues range from food and water crises to the absence of natural burial space. Overpopulation also leads to different population risks. Continuous population growth will not only cause natural resource depletion but will also bring more significant pressure to the economy. After all, a large population needs a massive effort for a nation in terms of finance.

This is perhaps the most apparent but most ignored global environmental problem in this article. The term 'population' itself has several other aspects, including air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. On the one hand, air pollution may be due, as a result of waste disposal in factories, oil-carrying ships, etc.

The high amounts of carbon dioxide pumped into the air by industries and vehicles and the pollution of water, water and land. Humans should be blamed for this issue, as our research appears to disturb the world. If we continue with this trend, we will soon be left without fresh air and clean water for drinking.

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With an increasing population, the human activity increases and also the volume of waste materials. These waste contain not only harmful gasses released into the air or toxic waste into bodies of water but also nuclear waste, electronic waste, medical waste and even waste from our houses. The production rate of this waste is significantly higher than what the price of treatment is, and this only leads to waste being piled up, which ultimately pollutes the environment.

Numerous environmental changes are identified as problems of global concern like

Desertification;
fuel depletion;
rainforest destruction
Coastal ecosystems modification;
reduced drinking water availability and quality; depletion of soil resources;
extinction of the species.

The sheer amount, scale and scope of these problems may be daunting, and some analysts have suggested that they have a collective, environmental effect on the earth's climate. These were some of the world's major environmental concerns and issues that have threatened the planet for a long time.

However, today's environmental effects on the earth are not restricted to those as mentioned above. Several issues are surfacing every day, including dams building concerns, genetic waste, etc., rendering the list of global environmental problems lengthier. If we don't begin to deal with these issues one at a time, we won't have the option to give in to these environmental problems.

References:

https://www.dw.com/en/five-of-the-worlds-biggest-environmental-problems/a-35915705
https://www.omicsonline.org/scientific-reports/srep632.php

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Essay Environmental Pollution

Crafting an essay on the subject of environmental pollution can be both intellectually stimulating and challenging. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted issues related to pollution, ranging from air and water pollution to the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity. The complexity of the topic demands a deep dive into scientific data, environmental policies, and global perspectives.

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Introduction:-Now a days, environmental pollution is a major cause for concern, not only for us, but also for the whole mankind. In the last century, the rise of this menace assumed so gigantic that it has cast its melancholic shadow on nature itself. The diminishing ozone ionosphere leading to global warming and the unpredictable seasonal variations are some of the adverse effects of worldwide environmental pollution that are threatening to the existence of human beings on this planet.

tassnim khaled

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The Ahupuaʻa is a complex system and worldview that evolved over thousands of years. It is a sustainable land management way of living that relates all things as divine, sacred, and at times prohibited or kapu. This worldview is manifested by the life from mountain to ocean. It is what would be considered these days as sustainability. In the ahupuʻa worldview, social systems and ecosystem are integrated as one. When social systems are separated from ecosystem, great ecological damage can be done. One example is the deforestation of North Korea by Japanese colonial forces. This deforestation of North Korean lands lead to millions of deaths. When social systems lead by anthropocentric values leave out sustainable development practices, ecological destruction can and will continue to lead to a chain effect of events unforeseen and sometimes unnoticed till it is too late. One example of seeming unrelated environmental problem that occurs during deforestation is water pollution. Forest hold soil, nutrients, and water that sustain the ecological systems. Without forests, soil is washed away with all its richness into the oceans and streams. This influx of runoff water causes a type of pollution called nutrient pollution. Nutrient pollution causes algae blooms which suffocate marine life and blocks light that is needed for some marine plants. Deforestation also is a key contributor to soil runoff water that directly effects one of the most valuable resources in the ecosystem, the coral reefs. The ahupuaʻa worldview can teach us how to heal and restore the damage done to our ecosystems by giving us a model on bridging social systems and ecosystems as one lifestyle. In

Niysoriya KANG

Water pollution is one of the most ecological threats we face today. It is formed when chemical compounds or waste enters water bodies such as lakes, rivers and oceans, dissolving in them, lying suspended in the water and degrading the quality of the water. Water pollution can be caused by many ways such as city sewage and industrial waste, chemical waste, oil spill, and plastic. For this reason, in this essay I am going to explain the effects of water pollution on human health, animals and clean water.

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Pollution induces harmful effects on environment and health security. Main deep causes will be analyzed including natural disasters like volcanoes eruption, climate change as well as and men-caused disasters which are nuclear explosions and dioxin sprays.

Essay on Environmental Issue

Environment is the surrounding of an Organism. This Environment in which an Organism lives is made up of various components like Air, Water, Land, etc. These components are found in fixed proportions to create a Harmonious Balance in the Environment for the Organism to live in. Any kind of undesirable and wanted change in the proportions of these components can be termed as Pollution. This Issue is increasing with every passing year. It is an Issue that troubles Economically, Physically and Socially. The Environmental problem that is worsening with each day needs to be addressed so that its harmful effects on Humans as well as the planet can be redressed.

Environmental Issue

Our green world is now in Jeopardy. Humans depleted Natural Resources by polluting Water, Soil, and Air. We must tackle the challenges we have created by opening our eyes. The Environment has been profoundly impacted by Industrial Growth. People emit more Pollution for more convenience. Human actions have an impact on the Environment, both directly and indirectly. As a result, there is a symbiotic link between a creature and its surroundings. Let’s discuss some major Issues our Environment Issues which our Environment is facing nowadays:

Global Warming:

Foremost symptom of natural imbalance is Global Warming. When Greenhouse Gasses accumulate and cause the temperature to rise, we see the Greenhouse effect. It has an impact on the rising of the World Ocean level and the melting of Arctic ice. According to specialists, coastal countries and certain islands could be overwhelmed by water over several decades.

Increasing Population:

People require greater space and resources as their population grows, in order to meet all of their food and housing needs. To make room for pastures and agricultural fields, people began cutting down trees. Forests serve as the Earth's main lungs and the primary habitat for a wide range of animals, birds, and insects. Deforestation and Human activities have put a lot of forest species in Jeopardy.

Ozone Layer Depletion:

Depletion of the Ozone layer is a complex Issue that Humanity is grappling with. The Ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, which is damaging to Humans. Increased Ozone hole numbers result in more intense solar radiation and a rise in skin cancer.

Deforestation:

Plants and trees are essential components of Human life. Everyone benefits from trees because they give air, food, and medicines. Forests are being cut down to meet rising demand. During the summer, natural wildfires are common. To maximize profit, people take down trees in an unethical manner.

Climate change is occurring at a faster rate than it was a century ago. The weather change has an impact on industrial advancement. Climate change has resulted in disastrous hurricanes, floods, and droughts. In recent years, many countries have been hit by a slew of natural disasters.

Polluted Environments can cause a variety of illnesses. Many species of flora and wildlife that are important to flora are threatened with extinction. Nature preserves balance, and all Organisms' feeding habits are linked in a food chain, as we all know. In areas with petroleum refineries, chemicals, iron and steel, non-metal products, pulp and paper manufacturers, and textile industries, the problem of industrial Pollution is often severe.

Causes of Environmental Issue

With the rise of the industries and the migration of people from villages to cities in search of employment, there has been a regular increase in the problem of proper housing and unhygienic conditions of living. These reasons have given rise in factors for Pollution. Environmental Pollution is of five basic types namely; Air, Water, Soil and Noise Pollution.

Air Pollution:

Air Pollution is a major Issue in today’s world. The smoke pouring out of factory chimneys and automobiles pollute the air that we breathe in. Gasses like Carbon dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide are emitted which mix with air and cause great harm to the Human body, Flora and Fauna. The dry farm waste, dry grass, leaves and coal used as domestic fuels in our villages also produce harmful Gasses. Acid rain occurs due to excess Sulphur Dioxide in the Air.

Water Pollution:

Water Pollution is one of the most serious Environmental Issues. The waste products from the growing industries and sewage water are not treated properly before disposing into rivers and other water bodies, thus creating Pollution. Agricultural processes with excess fertilizers and pesticides also pollute the water bodies.

Soil or Land Pollution:

The next source of Environmental Pollution is soil. Waste materials such as plastics, polythene, bottles, etc. cause land Pollution and render soil infertile. Moreover, dumping of dead bodies of men and animals, washing of clothes and utensils add to this Issue. It is a very dangerous aspect of Environment since it affects the fertility and food production of the area and the country.

Noise Pollution:

This Issue is a very subtle form of Pollution. All Human activities contribute to noise Pollution to a large extent. Horns of the vehicles, loud speakers, music system, industrial activities contribute towards this Issue.

Problems like Ozone depletion, Global Warming, Greenhouse effect, change in climatic and weather conditions, melting of glaciers etc. are some more Issues in the Environment.

How to Minimize Environmental Issues?

To minimize this Issue, preventive measures need to be taken.

Principle of 3R’s:

To save the Environment, use the principle of 3 R’s; Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.

Reuse products again and again. Instead of throwing away things after one use, find a way to use them again. Reduce the amount of waste products generated.

Recycle:

Paper, plastics, glass and electronic items can be processed into new products while using fewer natural resources and lesser energy.

To prevent and control measures of air Pollution including better-designed equipment and smokeless fuels should be used in homes and industries.

More and more trees should be planted to balance the ecosystem and control Greenhouse effects.

Noise Pollution can be minimized by better designing and proper maintenance of vehicles. Industrial noise can be reduced by sound proofing equipment like generators, etc.

To control soil Pollution, usage of plastic bags must be stopped. Sewage should be treated properly before using it as fertilizers and as landfills.

Several measures can be adopted to control water Pollution. Some of them are that the water requirement can be minimized by altering the techniques involved. Water should be reused with treatment. The quantity of water waste discharged should be reduced.

People, unfortunately, forget that we are a part of nature. We must live in harmony with nature and take care of it. We need to rethink how we consume natural resources. People must be aware that the natural world is on the verge of collapse. People must recognise that they are not the primary users of the Environment and construct Environmentally suitable homes. We must consider future generations and what will be left behind after we are gone. People come up with remedies to Environmental Issues. We recycle trash, develop electric automobiles, reduce air, water, and soil Pollution, and restore land erosion by planting new trees. But it is not enough; people must drastically alter their lifestyles until nature takes the last drastic measures.

Saving our planet from these Environmental Issues is the responsibility of every individual. If preventive measures are not taken then our future generation will have to face major repercussions. Government is also taking steps to create public awareness. Every individual should be involved in helping to reduce and control Pollution.

FAQs on Environmental Issue Essay

1. What are the Major Environmental Issues?

The major environmental issues are environmental degradation, climate change, global warming, and greenhouse effects.

2. What is the Best Way to Control Greenhouse Effect?

Afforestation is the best way to control greenhouse effect.

3. What is the Principle of 3Rs?

The principle of 3Rs is Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.

4. How do you Minimize Soil Pollution?

Stopping the use of plastics can minimize soil Pollution.

Environmental Problems: Care of the Planet Essay

Due to rapid population increases, human-generated conditions have caused significant disruption in the earth’s biosphere. Increased population has caused an increase in deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. According to Brusseau et al. (2019), the world’s population is progressively increasing at a rapid rate. This increase has promoted encroachment of forested land for human settlement. Forest clearance causes climate change, soil erosion, and flooding. Moreover, the burning of fossil fuels due to the development of technology has led to increased emissions of carbon dioxide, which destroys the ozone layer, worsening the problem of climate change. According to research done on the effect of fossil fuel on the environment, fossil fuel is the leading cause of the environmental population (Li et al., 2019). Population pressure and technology have caused significant disruption of the biosphere through deforestation and fossil fuel use.

The earth faces three major environmental crises: overpopulation, climate change, and global warming. Overpopulation is the leading cause of the two other problems. Overpopulation has been caused by the rapid increase in population in developing countries. The rapid population leads to an increase in the clearance of forests and industrialization. The gases produced in these industries disrupt the ozone layer, increasing temperatures. This situation with high temperatures causes the melting of glacial ice and increased precipitation promoting global warming (Tebaldi et al., 2021). Continued global warming slowly leads to changes in climate over time. The continued increase in population, global warming, and climate change has caused an environmental crisis.

In conclusion, human beings should take good care of their planet. They should use birth control measures to control the rate of population growth. Moreover, governments should encourage the use of renewable energy sources to fossil fuels to reduce the effects of climate change and global warming. More effort should be given to planting trees to encounter the impact of deforestation (Al-Ghussain, 2018). Every person has to take care of the environment. Therefore, every person should make it their role to conserve the environment and save the world from environmental crises.

Brusseau, M. L., Pepper, I. L., & Gerba, C. P. (2019). The Extent of Global Pollution. Environmental and Pollution Science , 3–8. Web.

Li, K., Fang, L., & He, L. (2019). How population and energy price affect China’s environmental pollution? Energy Policy , 129 , 386–396. Web.

Tebaldi, C., Ranasinghe, R., Vousdoukas, M., Rasmussen, D. J., Vega-Westhoff, B., Kirezci, E., Kopp, R. E., Sriver, R., & Mentaschi, L. (2021). Extreme sea levels at different global warming levels. Nature Climate Change , 11 (9), 746–751. Web.

Al-Ghussain, L. (2018). Global warming: Review on driving forces and mitigation. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy , 38 (1), 13–21. Web.

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Biosphere Evolution and Threats
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Ozone Hole, Greenhouse Effect and Montreal Protocol
Chemistry and Physics of Stratospheric Ozone
Ozone Holes, Their Causes, Effects and Reduction
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Analysis of Tesco’s Deforestation Problem
Green Steel Production Technology Assessment
The Influence of Water Quality on the Population of Salmonid Fish
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Australia's State of the Environment

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Water Pollution as a Global Environmental Problem

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Environment Problems Essay Examples

Our immediate future promises to be one in which most humans on Earth will be heavily affected by environmental problems. An environmental problems essay normally focuses on one or more such problems in an attempt to review the current situation and the dangers of leaving the problem unsolved, to propose solutions, to raise awareness to both the problem and the required solutions, to call for action.

Three disastrous environmental problems that our generation faces are climate change, a massive loss of biological species, and pollution (air, water, soil pollution, including plastic pollution). In this context, a great number of important subtopics can be addressed: deficient waste management, the use of fossil fuels, unsustainable agriculture and resource exploitation.

Why Climate Change Awareness is Important

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Global Warming
Climate Change
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Deforestation
Dangers of Fracking
Hydraulic Fracturing
Water Scarcity
Garbage Problems
Endangered Species
Environmental Issues
Ocean Pollution
World Problems
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