Deforestation and environmental pollution are just a few of the environmental problems that our planet is facing today; however, as the population of the world continues to grow exponentially, the problems will only continue to get worse and more irreversible. As the amount of people who populate earth increases, “the demand for food, energy, minerals and other products” rises as well (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 76). As we look at environmental issues, we must remember some “environmental problems are beyond human control (volcanoes, earthquakes, solar flares), [but] most are social in origin” (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 76). In an attempt to solve these complications, we must change human behavior to reduce or eradicate many of the environmental extortions.
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At this rate, NASA predicts that the “world’s rainforests may be completely gone in as little as 100 years” (Bradford, “Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects”). Now you may be thinking to yourself, why do we need to cut down so many trees? The answer is profit and resources. In order to reach hidden resources such as lumber, petroleum, and mining sites, companies must build roads in order to reach and transport the assets. In addition to transporting resources, “cattle ranchers require vast expanses for their herds (five acres of pasture for each head” (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 78). Also, “land speculators clear huge areas for expected profits,” such as housing and urbanization (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 78). …show more content…
Do you see cars and buses driving by? Do you see a garbage truck collecting trash? Or do you possibly see a river flowing that is full of litter? If you said yes to any of these questions you have just witnessed environmental pollution. In a world of industrial societies it is inevitable to encounter some form of pollution; whether it is in chemical form, solid waste form, radiation form, water form, or air form. From our food to our laundry detergents to our clothing we are releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals into the nation’s environment each year (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 79). In order to make chemicals, it must also be disposed of; corporations tend to choose the cheapest way of disposal, which is releasing the “waste products into the air or water and to bury the materials in dump sites” (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 80). These chemicals are not only “released into the air, water, land, underground, and public sewage,” but they are also responsible for forming many developmental disabilities in children (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 80). Alongside chemical pollution, our solid waste is piling up in our landfills. According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, when food is buried under more garbage it creates a different type of bacteria that breaks down the material into more harmful components. In fact, one-fourth of all methane is released from landfills. This occurs when organic waste does not receive oxygen and undergoes
At this rate, NASA predicts that the “world’s rainforests may be completely gone in as little as 100 years” (Bradford, “Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects”). Now you may be thinking to yourself, why do we need to cut down so many trees? The answer is profit and resources. In order to reach hidden resources such as lumber, petroleum, and mining sites, companies must build roads in order to reach and transport the assets. In addition to transporting resources, “cattle ranchers require vast expanses for their herds (five acres of pasture for each head” (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 78). Also, “land speculators clear huge areas for expected profits,” such as housing and urbanization (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 78). …show more content…
Do you see cars and buses driving by? Do you see a garbage truck collecting trash? Or do you possibly see a river flowing that is full of litter? If you said yes to any of these questions you have just witnessed environmental pollution. In a world of industrial societies it is inevitable to encounter some form of pollution; whether it is in chemical form, solid waste form, radiation form, water form, or air form. From our food to our laundry detergents to our clothing we are releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals into the nation’s environment each year (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 79). In order to make chemicals, it must also be disposed of; corporations tend to choose the cheapest way of disposal, which is releasing the “waste products into the air or water and to bury the materials in dump sites” (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 80). These chemicals are not only “released into the air, water, land, underground, and public sewage,” but they are also responsible for forming many developmental disabilities in children (Eitzen, Smith, Zinn 80). Alongside chemical pollution, our solid waste is piling up in our landfills. According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, when food is buried under more garbage it creates a different type of bacteria that breaks down the material into more harmful components. In fact, one-fourth of all methane is released from landfills. This occurs when organic waste does not receive oxygen and undergoes