EFFECTS OF POLLUTION

Pollution effects are defined as “direct and/or indirect adverse impacts of contaminants on the marine environment, such as harm to living resources and marine ecosystems, including loss of biodiversity, hazards to human health, the hindering of marine activities, including fishing, tourism and recreation and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of the quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities or, in general, impairment of the sustainable use of marine goods and services” 

We will focus on some of the effects of pollution:

1. Environmental Degradation

Greenhouse gases, like fossil fuels released by vehicles and factories, and methane, released by livestock, contribute to air pollution and add to climate change by raising the earth's temperature. In a vicious circle, climate change then makes a certain type of air pollution worse. A reaction between combusting fossil fuel emissions and sunlight creates smog, a yellowish or blackish fog also known as "ground level ozone." Climate change also creates more allergenic air pollutants, such as mold caused by damp conditions and pollen caused by a longer pollen season and increased pollen production.

Across the world, climate change leads to more drought, heat waves, rising sea levels, storms, warming oceans and rising sea levels, which affect animal species by destroying their natural habitats.

Environmental pollutants have various adverse health effects from early life some of the most important harmful effects are perinatal disorders, infant mortality, respiratory disorders, allergy, malignancies, cardiovascular disorders, increase in stress oxidative, endothelial dysfunction, mental disorders, and various other harmful effects.

2. Human Health 

Air pollution can have a serious heath impact on humans. If you are exposed to very high levels of air pollutants, you may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing and breathing problems and have a greater risk of heart attacks. 

Air pollution can also exacerbate existing lung and heart conditions, like asthma. Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damage the lungs. Children, senior citizens and people who work or exercise outside are at a greater risk. Those most at risk are people with asthma or allergies because pollutants can make their symptoms worse and trigger asthma attacks.

If soil pollutants produce contaminated food, anyone who eats it may become ill. Toxic soil may also cause illness through skin contact or inhalation.

Drinking contaminated water caused by sewage overflow may cause sickness and digestive problems in humans. Pollutants such as mercury in fish and seafood can lead to serious health problems, especially in children and pregnant women.

Similarly, noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress, and sleep disturbance.

3.Infertile Land

Due to the constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile. Plants may not be able to grow properly. 

 Pollutants in water resulting from trash, oil spills, sewage spills and run-off from agricultural fields, construction sites and factories affect native plant and animal species. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial waste are released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of the soil.

4. Endangers animals 

Water pollution in terms of the oil spill may lead to the death of several wildlife species.Animals are also often injured or killed by solid waste discarded in water.

In conclusion: 

Pollution not only affects humans by destroying their respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems; it also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers, ponds, forests, animals, etc, on which they are highly dependent on survival. It is crucial to control pollution as nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to mankind.

Remember, unless we embrace sustainable living, go green, and practice zero-waster our world is likely to witness further dramatic transformations due to pollution. So lets join hands in following the right guidelines especially when it comes to disposal of wastes and take the right steps to make way for a better world.

Sources: (Law et al., 2010). 

Thank you for your contributions of Facebook: 

Nana Wakuvuruga

Short and long term exposure to pollution can trigger some respiratory issues. Living in urban areas where there's a high emission rate from vehicles you're more likely to suffer from respiratory problems

Part 5: NEGATIVE IMPACTS

In our last chapter we looked at the positive impacts of deforestation and its importance in increasing economy and jobs. In this chapter we will focus on the negative impacts and find out if we can risk those jobs and increment to economy for the better good.

Lets take a look at the destruction deforestation does to our ecology: 

1. Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

• It is estimated that deforestation is responsible for around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.5 billion tons of carbon is released every year. (vocal.media) 
• Plants and trees play a vital role in keeping the planet habitable. They filter carbon dioxide out of the air to release oxygen, which animals and humans need to survive. The cutting down of huge numbers of plants can have negative impact on the environment by allowing green house gases to build up hence contributing to global warming. 

      2. Extinction of species

• The World Wildlife Federation released  report in 2018 that concluded that since 1970, humans have eliminated 60% of the animal species because of growing consumption of resources and food. 
• When forests are cut down, it is not only the trees that are being lost but also countless amounts of wildlife, such as mammals, birds, insects, amphibians and many other that make them their home. 
• Orangutans, giant pandas, rhinos and elephants are just a few of hundreds of endangered species due to deforestation 

     3.  Loss of diversity

• When we lose diversity in our DNA, then there is a noticeable increase in risk of genetic mutations occurring. By limiting diversity, we are creating problems that may last for generations.

     4. Flooding and erosion 

• Without trees to secure fertile soil, erosion often occurs and sweeps sacred land into nearby rivers. When the protective forest canopy and roots have been destroyed, the soil will lose its proportions to retain water and is washed away into rivers and streams. 
• Due to erosion, the risk of flooding during the rainy seasons increases dramatically. Poor water absorption levels make it easier for higher accumulation levels since the trees are no longer present to take up extra moisture. 

     5. Others

• Selective logging increases the flammability of the forest because it converts a closed, wetter forests into a more open and drier one. 
• Life quality decreases
• Causing longer drought seasons
• Hinder production of medicine 
• Loss of indigenous culture 
• Boosts to economy are temporary
• Negatively impact local water supply

Above all we are losing our beautiful environment and what gives the wold its beautiful green color. 

Looking at all the above we conclude that deforestation has more negative impacts than the positive ones and hence should be working towards reforestation. 

In our next chapter we will be looking at how we can combat deforestation and encourage reforestation.