Air pollution is basically the presence of undesirable foreign substance in the air. It is the presence of contaminants such as dust, fumes, gas, adour, smoke , or vapour in quantity and durations which are injurious to humans, plants or animals. Exposure to these pollutants can harm the welfare and comfort of people . The irony is that it is man himself who is responsible for the situation.
To identify the cause of pollutants , taking action to minimize harmful emissions, bringing strict action against those responsible is one of the ways to save earth from pollution.
Construction of highways, airports, dams, power plants, industrial parks and even apartment complexes contribute to reduced air quality. High density traffic and use of carbon emitting household electrical and electronic goods have to be drastically curtailed. Emissions of particulate and gaseous pollutants above permissible limits is taking its toll in maintaining ambient air quality standards.
Addressing these issues by the air pollution control boards set up by the governments ,commitment and compliance by those who run such factories or establishments go hand in hand towards cleaner air.
Any change in the physical, chemical or biological components of water which is detrimental to health of organisms, animals or man is water pollution. Ground water, lakes, rivers, and oceans which are the actual source for water are getting increasingly polluted. Here also man is to be blamed for not understanding the importance of this precious commodity and misusing it to his advantage and in turn harming the population at large.
Human activities like mining, agriculture, stockbreeding, fisheries, forestry, urban human activities, construction works are the major contributors to water pollution. In developed countries toxic metals, acids, sediments, animal and human waste along with synthetic organic compounds find its way into water bodies. Along with all these pathogenic organisms also pollute water bodies in developing countries. In many nations unsanitary water ,sewage mixed water and malnutrition amount to illness and death.
Again awareness drives, campaigns by individuals ,governments at local ,national and global levels, stringent measures to avoid further pollution and last but not the least conservation of water by implementing rainwater harvesting ,maintaining effluent treatment standards and planting trees to replace trees which have been and are being cut to increase rainfall to fill up our water bodies are some of the ways to reduce water pollution and save our earth.
The third vital component polluting the earth is noise pollution. Finding ways to control this menace is a challenge and a way to save the earth from more damage.
Noise can be described as unwanted sound without agreeable musical quality. Noise is a mixture of many tones which is harsh to hear. Increase in permissible noise levels is detrimental to individuals and like air and water is termed as a cause of pollution. Hearing impairments in factory workers facing noise pollution constantly from machines and increased decibel levels in day to day surroundings from various sources for the common man are the issues about noise pollution which needs more thought and ear!
Man and his industrialization in the name of development has contributed to this pollution. Cotton mills, foundries and many big factories using large machines working at high speeds cause noise pollution. Other non industrial sources include the automobiles, trains, aircrafts , construction work, use of radio, loudspeakers ,micro phones, and mobiles to name a few.
Using insulator pipes in factories , restricting vehicular traffic ,quieter motor vehicles and ban on blowing horns unnecessarily and use of loudspeakers are being implemented. Again collective effort by public to follow these rules and appreciating one another’s privacy can help in preventing the physiological, psychological and behavioral effects that noise pollution has on man.
Contamination of land surface due to human activities leading to degradation of earth’s surface and misuse of soil leading to alteration in the composition of soil making it unfit for use can be termed as land and soil pollution.
All developmental activities of man in the recent past following erratic planning has lead to land misuse. Environmental factors effecting air, water, noise has also led to soil pollution. All the factors are interlinked and soil erosion due to deforestation ,floods, lack of insufficient rains is a major hazard.
Reclaiming lost land is proving to be a costly and time consuming affair.. With respect to land the adage prevention is better than cure holds good. Farmers are losing cultivable land to urbanization which in turn is leading to encroachments . Use of pesticides and insecticides to augment production and shelf life of agricultural produce is fuelling the change in soil character. oil dumps, landfills and industrial waste wreak havoc on soil. Releasing waste, not using proper disposable methods to contain contamination from sewage, household waste, hospital wastes are major concerns.
Soil pollution control boards implementing laws to govern all these aspects can see results only with public awareness and participation. So soil which is considered as the foundation of the ecosystem needs to be spared from pollution by proper regulatory methods to save the earth .
Pollution to mother earth is happening in various levels due to several elements in a rapid pace. Air, water,noise and soil and land pollution being the major factors which are contributing to global warming ,ozone layer depletion, acid rains, famines, droughts, scarcity of fuel, firewood, and fodder. In addition to these factors are the hazardous chemicals, radiation effects caused due to rapid and unplanned urbanization and industrialization. Land degradation and deforestation add to the already existing woes. Population and poverty have been impediments that need to be addressed in developing countries.
40 years ago April 22nd was declared as earth day to save earth from further perils. Its main aim was to inspire awareness and instill a feeling of appreciation towards ones resourses on earth. Conservation of all our natural resourses started gaining importance .Today the three R’s that is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is being highlighted everywhere from primary schools to higher educational institutions. Many ngo’s ,corporations, corporates are holding awareness programs, projects and offering their services wherever and whenever required.
Importance of public participation to bring about change in outlook and to implement small changes in ways of living at local, national and international levels are being stressed.
Finally all the various aspects of pollution like air, water, noise or soil have to be individually handled by state and central authorities in a strict and defined timely manner to save the earth.
