Preventing Environmental Degradation

Texts of General Interest (link)

Dr. James Manos (MD)

January 1, 2018

How can we tackle the degradation of our environment?

Since the Industrial Revolution, our planet has suffered pollution. The menace of air pollution, water shortage, desertification, and accumulation of non-recyclable materials, including plastic, and climate change are all worrying issues. There are concerns that the environmental catastrophe may be irreversible unless specific measures are taken to tackle its causes. The pre-existing accords are hampered by the reluctance to be ratified and implemented by all countries, especially the ones that contribute the most to industrial pollution, including China, India, and the US. 

To tackle the destruction of our environment, we should consider the causes. Industrial growth is based on carbon. Consequently, the emission of toxic fumes is responsible for the greenhouse effect that has deteriorated sharply because of the ozone reduction in the atmosphere.

Apparently, developing countries where global production has moved, such as China and India, as well as developed industrialized countries, such as the US, significantly contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. So, it is of crucial importance to replace coal energy with environmentally friendly alternatives, including renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass, wave, and tidal power.

Thus, there should be a global agreement to replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, and this accord needs to be implemented. Undoubtedly, the existing way of compensating for carbon dioxide emissions is not enough, as it seems that neither the great polluters pay for their contribution to pollution nor will this measure solve the problem as the emission of toxic fumes continues to exist.    

Another factor that we need to deal with is the use of recyclable items, as the overuse of plastic as a material has deleterious effects on the environment. We should keep in mind that not only can it not be recycled, but also it is a byproduct of oil that we need to get rid of, as it is a fossil fuel. We obviously need to focus on recyclable materials and make recycling the existing items mandatory.

This should also be a matter of global agreement. Many countries, especially in central and Northern Europe, use energy from composted trash. However, it can be argued that this is not a green energy source to use, as it is based on combustion, creating carbon dioxide again. On the other hand, it is a way of gaining energy and using waste material, so if air pollution by using special filters is avoided, then it may be used for exploiting human waste.

Everything taken into consideration, it is necessary for all countries to agree on specific measures to tackle global warming and environmental pollution. An accord should be rectified and implemented by all to guarantee that we should put an end to the destruction of the environment. Otherwise, things will become irreversible, and regardless of whether we care about the effects, the destruction of our planet will include humans as we are an inseparable part of the environment we inhabit.   

Thanks for reading!