Have you ever seen a piece of rubbish in the bus stop, on the school grounds, or even on your way to school?
Do you want to know what is wrong with our world?
This paper will cover the different types of pollution, how pollution damages the planet, and what we can do to prevent further damage.
Pollution is the contamination of the natural environment which causes negative impacts on the planet. Pollution can be in the form of Water, Air, Noise and Land.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is when waste such as plastics, oil, chemicals or Mercury contaminates our waterways. 1.64% of the earth’s water seeps into the ground transforming into “Groundwater”. Groundwater can get polluted from landfills. The hazardous chemicals that landfills produce pollutes groundwater easily. The polluted substance can travel contaminating the oceans, rivers, and lakes. Water pollution can make marine life extinct. Aproximatly 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year. Thousands of birds, sea turtles, seals and other marine animals are killed each year after consuming plastic or getting tangled in waste.
Fact : One single use plastic bottle takes 450 years to decompose.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is when harmful gases are released into the earth’s atmosphere caused by fossil fuels. This process could result in acid rains and contaminated air.
Common chemicals such as Mercury, Lead, Dioxide and Benzene are harmful chemicals.
Benzene can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation in the short term and can also cause blood disorders in the long term.
Dioxins are mostly found in meat, seafood, eggs and milk. This chemical is also found in the air and can affect the liver and harm the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Lead can damage children’s brains, affecting learning and IQ.
Fact : 91% of the world population breathe polluted air everyday.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution can cause health issues in both humans and wildlife. Loud sounds from vehicles and machinery can cause stress, hearing loss, heart disease and sleep disturbances. Noises higher than 30 decibels make having a restful sleep impossible.
Noises higher than 60 decibels are classified as noise pollution. Most noise pollution comes from clubs, bars and concerts. Loud noises from ships are harmful to marine life, for example whales and dolphins navigation.
Land Pollution
Land pollution touches almost every living thing on the planet and is caused by things like mining, and litter. Every single day over 50 billion pieces of litter are dropped on the streets. Litter produces harmful chemicals when decomposed leading to soil contamination and habitable destruction.
Mining: Gold Mining is dangerous and depletes the earth’s natural resources meanwhile taking huge chunks of land to make non-renewable energy. This pollution destroys fertile land. Meaning crops have less space to grow. Land pollution can make our water contaminated leading to water pollution endangering animals.
How we can contribute to stopping pollution
There are some small changes that can make a huge difference.
Loud noise can be reduced by using electric equipment powered by renewable energy. Travel with a friend instead of driving alone and walking, scooting or biking short distances. We can use renewable energy to reduce radioactive waste. Change from using plastic wrapping, plastic bags and plastic cups to reusable bags and cups. Small changes can make a big impact on our earth.
Have some ideas?
Please share this knowledge with your family and friends and let’s get together and make a better world.
By Ethan Mendis ( Aged 11)
