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

POLLUTION

What is pollution?



It is the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.



 Environmental pollution is the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. 



Pollution of all kinds can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and often impacts human health and well-being.



We will be focusing more about the types and effects on pollution in our coming chapters.



Here is a little history about pollution:



Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris. Beginning about 1000 CE, the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the conversion of coal to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the problem. In Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the early modern era, unsanitary urban conditions favored the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of disease, from plague to cholera and typhoid fever. Through the 19th century, water and air pollution and the accumulation of solid wastes were largely problems of congested urban areas. But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to unprecedented levels, pollution became a universal problem.



By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to protect air, water, and land environments from pollution had developed among the general public. In particular, the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring focused attention on environmental damage caused by improper use of pesticides such as DDT and other persistent chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems on a wide scale. In response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972; United States), were passed in many countries to control and mitigate environmental pollution.



Here are some of your take on pollution from Facebook:

 Alice Liddell  Pollution -

is everything that is not biodegradable made by man. 

Source : https://www.britannica.com/science/pollution-environment

PROTECTING EXISTING TREES part 1

Before we start planting new trees we need to educate ourselves on how to protect the existing ones.Here is a list of the dangers to existing trees:

• Adverse environment

• Harmful insects and diseases such as Dutch elm disease and the chestnut blight have caused sudden death to entire forests in North America. 

• Catastrophic events 

• Timber harvest 

• Staking (using ropes to support) a tree too much

• Hanging bird feeders with screws or nails on the tree

• Pruning your tree in the wrong season 

• Filling tree cavities with concrete

• Planting too many plants or trees in a small area

Some contributions from our The Seed of Life family from Facebook:

Diane M Tuttle -

Invasive pest, poison ivy, English ivy

Gk KNature - 

Powerful cyclone due to imbalance in sea temperature

Muhammath Zizz - 

Personal gain, cutting trees for sale i.e. timber/charcoals etc..before cutting down one tree, plant at least 3-4

Elizabeth Larkin -

Rot, lightening, climate change, humans and beetle invasions. 

Gwen R. Christopher - 

I think humans upsetting the balance is the root cause of the killing of existing trees, whether it's disease, insect infestation, invasive species or deforestation. Humans are the enemy.

Annette Hein - 

Excessive use of salt in water, constant exposure to herbicides and pesticides for trees that grow in urban and suburban environment. Introduction of invasive vines and insects that kill off our trees. 

Tom Swift - 

Roundup on the ground within the drip line will destroy trees. 

REASONS FOR PLANTING TREES

There are infinite amount of reasons for planting trees however, we are going to list some of the major ones :

• Trees improve air quality by producing oxygen. They also store carbon, offsetting harmful by products of fossil-fuel burning. 

• They moderate the effects of sun and wind, they clean the air by trapping dust, pollen and other pollutants. 

• Planted in the right places around buildings, trees can significantly reduce air-conditioning costs. Meaning less Freon (an inflammable and odorless chemical emitted from air conditioners) which is considered to have damaging effects to ozone layer.

• Trees generate jobs hence increasing the standard of living 

• Trees provide shelter and food for wildlife

• Landscape that includes trees help relax us, lower heart rater and reduce stress and anxiety 

• Trees regulate the water cycle. The water cycle is the process by which water falls to the ground as rain which is then absorbed by trees and other plants, then released back into the air. 

• Trees improve the soil quality. 

• Trees prevent soil erosion 

• Trees act as a food source

• As well as combating air pollution, trees have a role in combating the negative impact of noise pollution and light pollution.

• Trees fight climate change 

• Trees create a sense of place. Trees can give a place unique character and beauty that only can be found in that specific place. 

• Trees are an investment for our communities and for future generations

• Planting trees is a great way to add a touch of beautiful nature to your property and improve the aesthetics of a place. 

• Trees also trap dust in their leaves which helps with the overall health of an environment. Less dust means less respiratory issues. 

Here are contributions from The Seed of Life family on Facebook:

Leslie Shepherd -

To clean the air, provide shelter for insects and birds, lowers temperature around my house, preserves native species...

Maureen E Donovan- Mclaughlin -

To save our planet i.e. clean air, fertile soil, homes for wildlife and insects and to make our planet beautiful again. I want my descendants to have the joy of trees around them. I think that every older person should plant trees for posterity. I think that this quote says the best " The one who plants trees knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life" Rabindranath Tagore.

Crysta Enders Brock - 

So more birds have places to nest 

Jimmy Gatt -

A tree is "a meadow in the sky". You will get so much more nectar from a nectar bearing tree, with less effort, than you ever will by planting shrubs and forbs

Elaine Hines - 

Increased biodiversity, planting native trees 

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