Mountains of plastic in the world’s oceans, polluted air and polluted water. Most people associate these images with environmental pollution. Few – companies or individuals – address this topic in more detail. Because they have the point of view: Environmental pollution has gone too far, I am powerless, it affects others. Oh my god. This point of view represents a regrettable opinion of this sad majority. But the opposite of white is black. Likewise, day and night, short and long, good and evil, more and less act as pairs of opposites. The same applies to the inadequate view of environmental pessimists; Eco-optimists (What is Ecology?) are the opposite of this group. On the one hand, they radically solve the problem of environmental pollution, on the other hand, they know very well the procedures available to combat environmental destruction. They also know the far-reaching consequences of environmental pollution: in 2017, a study showed how devastating environmental problems are, claiming the lives of 9 million people that year. Accordingly, this number shows: The time to act is always and immediately . Therefore, increasing environmental pollution is undesirable and unacceptable. ( Source : thelancet.com)
How long has the pollution been there?
Since when have humans been polluting the environment? Perhaps since the industrial age? No. Environmental pollution dates back to the Stone Age. Stone Age people hunted animals and roasted them over campfires. Ashes. Soot particles. These are the names of the first culprits, associated with activities necessary for human survival but causing environmental pollution. However, this is related to minor environmental pollution. It is only when humans become sedentary that environmental pollution arises. These include water and soil pollution caused by livestock and agriculture. However, this environmental damage is not serious. As long as humans leave the land and move elsewhere, the ecosystem will recover. In a sense, industrialization represents the beginning of serious environmental damage. People have to flee from nature, from villages to cities. The rural exodus that began in the 19th century also marked the beginning of environmental pollution. Even then, people thought in the short term instead of the long term. The goal was to gain wealth. And this is what most people in the city expected. They did not think about the price they had to pay for this prosperity: for example, living in a polluted area, the air was not as clean as in the countryside. Therefore, industrialization played a role in the beginning of environmental pollution. But researchers never talked only about environmental pollution. They divided it into many different types.
Types of environmental pollution
What exactly does the term “environmental pollution” mean? Any type of pollution on the blue planet: exhaust gas, sewage, nuclear radiation, exhaust gases, noise, light pollution. Garbage and pollutants. As a result, environmental pollution affects almost all areas of everyday life. Experts divide them into six types. The cause and the place where the incident occurs play a decisive role in the classification. ( Source : luft thức.de)
- air pollution
- Ocean Pollution in the World
- Freshwater pollution
- Soil pollution
- Pollution caused by the use of toxic chemicals
- Waste production
The six types of environmental pollution make it clear that everyone is responsible for them. No one – not even a company or a household – can claim that they have not polluted the environment. Environmental pollution has now progressed to the point where there is hardly any pristine or unpolluted landscape on the planet. ( Source : bio-seite.de)
What causes environmental pollution?
Environmental pollution exists. But the important question is: what is it the result of? Because only by knowing the cause can we solve this environmental problem. Air pollution is the result of energy production. Thermal power plants, residential buildings, industry and transportation need energy to function properly. It makes life easier for households, companies and states. But one person’s joy is another’s pain. Air pollution is said to have killed 500,000 people in 2015. Worldwide, 6.5 million people die each year from this type of environmental pollution. Emissions and fine dust are the result of vehicle and industrial use, causing significant damage. The climate and the planet are also warming: rapidly and uncontrollably. Not only are humans and animals affected by climate change, but also ecosystems: growing food competes with producing energy – often unsuccessfully. Worse still, the food industry is even more affected by this damage. Experts have looked into the future and predicted that the cost of this unnecessary extra effort will reach 2% of Europe’s gross domestic product by 2060. No big deal. Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! This small number has enormous power because it will slow down economic growth. The consequences of air pollution are catastrophic. ( Source : eea.europa.eu)
Ocean pollution in the world is caused by households and private companies. In addition, garbage mountains do not form naturally in the world’s oceans, but originate on land. Garbage and wastewater are then dumped indiscriminately into the sea. The terrible oil spill from an oil rig accident occurred directly at the source. Another problem is food waste from fishing and aquaculture. The consequences of ocean pollution are threatening the basic needs of half of humanity. Eating, drinking, sleeping. These are the physiological needs of every human being. 3.5 billion people are at risk from this problem. They fear for their food supply because fish and seabirds have become extinct and toxic algae blooms do not provide a reliable source of food. In addition, tourism is also declining (see soft tourism). However, many coastal landscapes serve as an indispensable source of income for local people. ( Source : wwf.de)
According to media reports, it seems that air pollution is always the biggest problem. Understandably. After all, the news is mostly about climate summits. Reducing emissions also plays an important role. But when does anyone mention the lack of drinking water? Many people talk about hunger – as well as about air pollution, but certainly not about the urgent problem of drinking water pollution. This costs the lives of many children. Contaminated drinking water spreads diseases; especially diarrhea. This type of environmental pollution has a tragic outcome for infants and young children. Compared to adults, they do not survive diarrhea. You become dehydrated. In addition, dirty drinking water causes other problems. They are called cancer and kidney disease. Both make the daily life of the patient more difficult. They also end the lives of the sufferers. Early. What else? – Yes. In the long run, drinking water pollution leads to infertility in fish as well as humans. Humans are almost entirely responsible for this type of environmental pollution. Globally, more than 80% of wastewater flows into ecosystems untreated. Either in water or on land. Fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides are part of conventional agriculture. No wonder. They are harmful to the environment and human health. Meanwhile, industry and mining contribute greatly to drinking water pollution due to heavy metals. (Source: aerzteblatt.de)
What causes soil pollution? – This question is easy to answer: from conventional agriculture. Improper waste disposal, nuclear waste, toxic substances such as pesticides, inefficient irrigation methods and the exploitation of mineral resources are destroying the ground. Accordingly, not only the quality of food decreases, but also its quantity. Deadly consequences are the result of this type of environmental pollution. In addition, the term “polluted soil” is becoming increasingly important as a negative example of improper agriculture. It transfers toxins to food. That is why diseases spread. In addition, toxic soil kills bees. Soil pollution should receive at least as much attention as climate.
Two culprits drive chemical pollution: chemical accidents and toxic substances that all living things are exposed to. Asbestos. Lead. Heavy metals. This trio represents an underrated threat to human health. Asbestos kills 100,000 people a year – worldwide. And lead makes children “stupid”. It has negative effects on children’s IQ. Indeed, the poison feels extremely pleasant in water pipes. This means it enters the child’s body without any problems. Other toxic chemicals include paint. With the help of water, they also enter the human body unnoticed and cause trouble there.
Garbage is a type of environmental pollution that is visible and understandable to everyone. Garbage pollutes the air. Garbage pollutes and destroys the soil. Garbage pollutes rivers, lakes, and oceans. Garbage is a consequence of modern lifestyles. The tragedy of the increasing amount of waste lies in the way it is disposed of. This type of environmental pollution cannot be handled in an “environmentally friendly” way. And due to modern lifestyles, both businesses and households are forced to create waste by consuming food and other goods. In addition to the causes of environmental pollution mentioned above, there is another culprit that should not be overlooked. Oil. This causes catastrophic environmental pollution worldwide.
Gasoline – the inevitable culprit
Oil. Indispensable and deadly at the same time. Why is it necessary? – Because it is found in so many products. Why is it deadly? – Because it is pollution, polluting the climate and the environment. And what exactly is petroleum? – This raw material is a mixture of substances. It consists of various hydrocarbons. It is also a natural component of the earth’s crust. The age of oil is several million years. Similar to coal and gas, it belongs to the category of “fossil energy sources”. It floats on the surface: black and tough. If the supplier only mines and does not process it, then the correct name is crude oil. This raw material has been very popular for millennia because it has many advantages. Even Stone Age people knew the effects of crude oil. They used the viscous mass to make weapons. 12,000 years ago, the inhabitants of the Orient used petroleum to improve the construction of their ships. On the other hand, in China, people have been exploiting important raw materials for more than 2,000 years. Interest in this type of raw material has existed since the appearance of humans on earth.
Here’s how companies get oil
There are a few places where oil flows out. However, the demand for liquid, black gold is growing rapidly. Therefore, the amount of freely flowing crude oil is not enough to meet the needs of people around the world; especially the needs of developed industrial countries. Since the 19th century, people have focused on exploiting the precious raw material. They not only drill to get it but also engage in intensive mining. To achieve this goal, researchers and experts have cooperated before looking for places where raw materials can be found near the surface of the earth. They dig up to 8,500 meters deep with giant drills. They continue to do so until they encounter a solid mass. A real pump will do the rest by transporting the black gold out. Arab countries, Canada, Russia, the United States and Venezuela all have one thing in common: oil. Suppliers are even drilling for the much-sought raw material in the sea. To do this, they build oil rigs. Concrete pillars protect them from destruction.
Why do people need oil?
The people responsible for distilling crude oil in refineries. They use the distillation process to separate the oil into its individual components. They then extract methane, ethane, gasoline, various gases, and petroleum from it. They further process some of the materials so that they can produce a variety of plastics. Because crude oil is made up of so many substances, it is difficult to find an everyday product that does not contain petroleum. The following list shows why petroleum is such an indispensable part of everyday life:
- Crude oil keeps apartments and homes warm in the form of heating oil
- Gasoline and jet fuel – petroleum is also used for this.
- Paraffin is made from petroleum and is an important ingredient in decorative cosmetics, shampoos, creams, cleaning products and candles.
- What do chewing gum, ointment, and cheese have in common? – Petroleum in the form of paraffin.
- Plastic bottles, clothing, films, window frames, hoses, mattresses and foam contain petroleum. It forms the basis for the manufacture of the items mentioned.
- Bitumen is the basis for asphalt production. It is an important component of petroleum.
The above list shows that most companies and private households use petroleum and therefore certainly contribute significantly to environmental pollution. However, all economic entities (sustainable economies) have the opportunity to reduce their oil consumption. However, to do this, they must first find a source of raw materials that can be found in everyday life. ( Source : bp.com)
Oil and gas promote environmental pollution
Cruel. Heartless. Immoral. This is how people deal with oil. On the one hand, this is due to the low cost of raw materials, on the other hand, oil is a truly universal product: it can be used almost everywhere. Low cost of raw materials? – Not really. Environmental pollution arises from the use of oil. They cause social and ecological costs. These are transferred to the accounts of oil companies, which only consider maximizing profits. The combination of the three pillars of sustainability, society and economy is completely alien to these companies. Severe environmental pollution is the result of profit-oriented oil companies. Finally, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil produced from crude oil cause high levels of carbon dioxide. This is because manufacturers burn large amounts of oil during processing. As a result, it accumulates in the atmosphere.
The drilling process causes irreparable environmental pollution due to accidents and pipeline failures that pollute the surrounding ecosystem. This slime pollutes nature and is a real health hazard – to biodiversity and to humans. It all starts with “innocent” environmental pollution. In addition, producers use flaring gas to take advantage of the cheap petroleum gas involved. They burn it and thereby cause serious environmental pollution. Rapid global warming is the name of this process. Another less discussed problem associated with the use of oil is the serious environmental pollution of the world’s rivers and oceans. Because oil acts as a giant “dirty slingshot” with an average of 100,000 tons of oil flowing into the ocean every year. Polluted rivers transport crude oil to the ocean in a reliable and safe manner. However, oil tanker accidents are also a major source of environmental pollution. This type of pollution caused by oil can be fatal to marine mammals, fish, and birds that come into contact with this slime. Your chances of surviving this exposure are virtually zero.
Oil companies always overlook one important aspect: liquid, black gold is finite. It is not meant to last forever. It takes millions of years for this natural raw material to regenerate. For this reason alone, it is worth switching to other alternatives. Environmental pollution will also be reduced.
Measures against environmental pollution
Can private companies and households have a significant impact on this industry? – NO. Less directly – more indirectly. How? – By heating properly. This means: If the windows are open, the heating is off. It sounds logical, but it is not always obvious. It is possible to save fuel while heating by reducing the room temperature by one degree Celsius. This significantly reduces fuel consumption and therefore also reduces the environmental pollution associated with the use of a lot of fuel.
Another way to influence energy use for the benefit of the environment is to save the storm. These two tips apply equally to companies and private households. For your own health, drivers should abandon their beloved cars and make shorter journeys. This gesture is not only beneficial for the air but also for your body, as it actively moves around instead of being passively driven around by machines. ( Source : Umweltbundesamt.de)
While private households and companies have no influence on oil tanker accidents, they do have an influence on their consumption of fish and plastic. Anyone can avoid products derived from aquaculture. Good for the environment – even better for your own health. Of course, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are important. But many vegetable oils also contain this important nutrient. Most are unaware of this fact. Many people associate omega-3s with a balanced fish diet. Walnut oil. Flaxseed oil. Canola oil. These three variants are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. And when it comes to plastic, the power is firmly in the hands of the consumer. With your choice, you decide to what extent plastic has a future. The demand for alternatives and the shift from liquid to solid care products have many benefits: less environmental pollution.
When it comes to drinking water pollution, private households are tied up. The human body is mostly made of water. Therefore, drinking water plays an important role in satisfying needs. To combat this pollution, consumers can reduce their purchases of plastic products or products wrapped in plastic. But what about soil pollution? – In this regard, private households have a great deal of power. Because those who persistently choose organic food will certainly promote sustainable agriculture. Therefore, environmentally-minded consumers are pushing the traditional scenario to the sidelines. With disciplined waste separation, households as well as private companies can combat soil pollution.
When it comes to chemical pollution, individual households are powerless. Therefore, the responsibility lies with the authorities and businesses. However, consumers have influence when it comes to increasing waste. You can try to reduce waste; especially when buying food. Avoid packaged foods as they are harmful to the environment and human health.
For most people, cosmetics are a part of their daily lives. But the vast majority of products contain paraffin and white oil. Therefore, consumers have a great deal of power in this regard when choosing cosmetic products labeled “paraffin-free”.
Another way to combat environmental pollution caused by petroleum use is to prioritize seasonal food consumption. In addition, these should be organic in quality because the manufacturer does not use fertilizers or pesticides. These are based on petroleum. When it comes to candles, you should choose paraffin-free versions.
Fashion is a passion for many people. People who regularly shop for new clothes should pay attention to natural fibers when buying. Hemp, cotton, and wool. Synthetic fibers are a tragedy for the environment because they pollute. They also damage the skin.
Carpooling, public transport and short-distance cycling are effective measures to combat high oil consumption. If travelling by car is unavoidable, it is necessary to maintain a constant speed and the correct tire pressure. This saves fuel successfully, which is why environmental pollution due to the use of gasoline is also reduced. Electric vehicles are a suitable alternative, but many companies and private households are still not able to afford them. ( Source : uniroyal.de)
Conclusion: Impact of environmental pollution
The consequences of environmental pollution are devastating and there is no living creature that does not feel it. Many people and animals pay for this with their lives. Meanwhile, neither countries, nor companies, nor private households ignore the dire consequences of environmental pollution. That is why both companies and politicians try to raise people’s awareness of the consequences of environmental pollution. They often advocate saving the green planet. But perhaps, they forget one important little thing: people do not save the earth by protecting it, but by themselves. Because the green planet existed before humans. Accordingly, the effects of environmental pollution are the result of human actions: people act and the environment reacts; she attacks back in an unpredictable way. No one is spared. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to combat the countless environmental pollution in order to save humanity from certain destruction.