ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

Simple solution to lessen environmental degradation

Prepared by:
Mark Lloyd C. Capio
BS-ChE
ChE-4102
 In recent years mankind's consciousness has been
aroused very strongly about the need for
environmental protection and ecological
preservation.

It is of utmost importance that the people should be

aware not only of the problems involved but also of
the role to be played in protecting the environment.
 Along with the peoples participation at the grass
root level, the formal education programmed
should be provided and implementing various
environmental protection projects. In addition it is
also very essential to develop environment friendly
technologies and renewable energy sources
following the principle of conservation.
 Air, water and land are the basic amenities of life.
But over population and rapid industrialization have
created a state of decadence in the environment.
 Earth is, perhaps, the only planet endowed with an
environment and we all share it. One day we would
pass it on to our future generation as their legacy.
 But if they will inherit such a polluted
environment, life will be misery for them. Men
has improved the technologies and other means
necessary for higher production of wealth and
exploited nature for his benefits, but without any
foresight as to what to implications of his actions
would be. Indiscriminate industrialization has
resulted in urban migration and slum
development, which in turn resulted in
degradation of environment.
 According to Glossary of Environment Statistics
the term "environmental protection"
can be defined as the prevention to conserve and
preserve the standard healthy level of
environmental media by reducing the production
of pollutants or polluting substances in
environmental media.
 Various human activities have induce many
undesirable effects to the environment which
can be threatening human health, economic,
natural resources and gene pool of
ecosystems such as pollutions, greenhouse
effect, global warming and soil erosion.
 burning of fossil fuels will results in severe
environmental problems such as the occurrence
of acid rain due to the production of sulphur
dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen monoxide (NO).
 Casiday and Frey mentioned that combustion
process not only increases the concentration of
carbon dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere but it is
also the main source in producing high level of
nitrogen monoxide(NO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
 Christopher Monckton emphasises that every
doubling the concentration of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere is sufficient to rise the
global surface temperature by 3.26 C
 Rise in global temperature will significantly caused
ice melting, for instance, according to the My Eco
Project Organization, the reports of ice melting at
Arctic Retreat prepares in the late summer 2007
surprised the experts that every week, the Arctic sea
ice is continuously melting and the amount of melted
ice can fill up to as large as two Britain country
 POLLUTION

Air pollution is due to the direct implication

of industrialization. The chimneys of industries
emit smoke and vehicles have fumes, which
directly contribute to air pollution. Any gaseous
material not considered a normal constituent of
air or excess of sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, dust etc. in air cause
air pollution in fact.
 Most of the air pollutants directly affect the
respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Nitrogen dioxide and ozone also effect the
respiratory system, irritate the eyes, nose and
throat and in addition ozone can cause headaches.
Carbon monoxide is able to displace oxygen in the
blood which in turn can result in cardiovascular
and neurological effects. Lead affects bone
narrow, impairs liver and kidney function,
causes neurological damage and limits
metal development in children.
 All main source of potable water like rivers, lakes,
ponds, even wells have been polluted by various
dangerous chemical and wastes. The coagulated
mixture of dirt, sewage and industrial waste
pollutes the river water on whose bank the
factories are established.

Increased use of fertilizers and insecticides

also pollutes the drinking water of ponds and wells.
The harmful fertilizers and insecticides even seep
through the earth and pollute the ground water.
The polluted water supply results in epidemic like
cholera, jaundice and gastroenteritis etc.
 Soil is also being polluted in various ways. Soil
pollution usually results from the disposal of
solid and semisolid wastes from agricultural
practices and unsanitary habits. Excessive use of
pesticides, fertilizers and manures resulting in
both biological and chemical contamination.

As a result, there are numerous health problems

like dysentery, cholera and paratyphoid fever.
 Besides air, water and soil pollution, today we face
noise pollution. The constant din and bustle of
city life, frequent playing of loud speakers even in
odd hours, constant playing of radios and
televisions, ceaseless loud sound of vehicles deafen
us in day time. Research has shown that noise
pollution is capable of causing ulcers, abortions,
cardiovascular diseases and hypertension
besides several mental disorders.
SOLUTION for ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
Reduce your overall carbon footprint

We all know that climate change is a stark reality

for the human civilization and stands robust to stop
the human progress as many of the vital indicators
and inputs like food, water and climate are to be
affected adversely through it. The main culprit is
the greenhouse gases or GHGs, which is
responsible to trap the outgoing long wave
terrestrial radiation and thus cause global warming.
Therefore do the following-
 Reduce electricity usage Be a part of Earth
Hour!
Reducing ones C footprint means that every
individual should be vigilant to reduce his/her
usage of the Carbon intensive activities the most
significant being the electricity. Thermal power
generation accounts for a maximum of the carbon
dioxide release into the atmosphere and thus
climate change.
When the electricity usage is reduced it not only
reduce your power bills, but you are also making
the coal power generation turbines to rotate less
and hence lesser coal burning there.
 Earth Hour is one such initiative which
asks the contributors to shut off the
lights for one hour once a year to save
enough of electricity around the world.
Just be a part of it and feel
proud!
 Car pooling and Public transport systems
Other C intensive activities include burning of
the hydrocarbon fuels which release GHGs and
pollutants into the atmosphere. The best idea
suited is that of car pooling and the use of the
MRTS (mass rapid transit system) instead of
using a private vehicle for self. Car pooling could
be done by the family members as also by the
colleagues.
 Carpooling is when two or more people
-- typically from different households --
share an automobile journey
together. Usually people arrange
carpools in order to save money,
protect the environment by burning
less gasoline or to enjoy each other's
company.
 Use cleaner fuels
Burning off more smoke producing fuels like
wood, coal, and the like things should be
controlled so as to curb the release of the smoke,
carbon, GHGs and SPM into the atmosphere. The
use of LPG is considered as the best and while
most countries are assisting the subsidy based
transitions, the outreach is still hindered due to
constrained supplies and cost.
More innovative uses include the use of solar
power and wind power.
 Ensure sustainable use of fresh water
Water is life! This equation is the basis of human
and all life on this planet. However, we have acquired
a tendency of flush n forget and seldom do we care
about the rational use of this precious resource. This
has to change if the environmental balance is to be
restored!
 Recycle and reuse
Every individual should develop a habit recycle
and reuse of the products. The individual
recycling is not always possible therefore the
people should support the initiative of recycling
by choosing to buy such products.
 Waste disposal
Most of us dispose the hazardous waste products
without following the guidelines attached and this
way we contaminate the environment! The major
example is that of lead batteries that need to be
recycled properly and not to be disposed of in the
open. Same care should be taken to discard the
unused farm and industrial chemicals too.
 Afforestation
This is the underlying concept that works
intrinsically to restore the environmental balance
in all forms; so never miss on this one. Celebrate
World Environment Day by planting a tree.
 CONCLUSION:
Checking of environmental pollution has been
absolutely necessary, if it is not checked, the earth
will become a graveyard. So we must give due
attention to protect it from our own abuses. We
must have balanced and planned industrial growth
in order to check thin pollution. Towns and cities
should be planned very carefully and stress should
be given on planting of more trees.
 The solutions are, however, very simple, but require the
attention and initiative of every individual on this planet.
The gist of all these solutions is the sustainable lifestyles
Mother Earth
to be adopted by us. Remember that
has enough for our needs, but not for our
greed! Time to change now!!!!!!!