The pollution of air, water,
and land is a serious
concern that has been
ongoing for a long time.
While the effects of
radioactive fallout from
nuclear bombs and reactors
are now widely recognized,
pollution from
petroleum-powered engines
has been causing damage to
the environment for decades.
Carbon dioxide emissions
from the burning of fossil
fuels have a significant
impact on the atmosphere,
which can lead to rising
temperatures and melting ice
caps, resulting in rising
sea levels.
Additionally, dust and smoke
particles in the air act as
nuclei for water vapor,
creating smog, which can
have harmful effects on
visibility and air quality.
The pollution of water is
also a major issue that is
rapidly increasing. Chemical
waste from factories and
nuclear reactors is often
drained into rivers, lakes,
and oceans, which can make
the water unfit for
consumption and can have
devastating effects on
aquatic life.
Awareness of this issue is
growing, and many countries
have taken action to combat
pollution. In the United
States, the public has
observed Earth Day or
Environment Control Day, and
the government, labor force,
students, and artists are
working together to fight
pollution. President Nixon
acknowledged the issue in
his State of the Union
address, stating that "the
great question of the
seventies is, shall we
surrender to our
surroundings or shall we
make our peace with nature
and begin to make
reparations for the damage
we have done to our air,
land, and water."
The concept of "closing the
loop" has also gained
significance in the fight
against pollution. This
involves recycling waste
materials to conserve
resources and reduce waste.
If society fails to take
action, the ecological
systems will break down,
leading to diseases that
humans cannot resist, a loss
of food supplies from lakes
and oceans, and the need for
gas masks when outdoors.
In conclusion, environmental
pollution is a real and
pressing issue that requires
immediate action. The
effects of pollution on air,
water, and land are
devastating, and if we fail
to take action, the
consequences will be dire.
It is essential for society
to work together to combat
pollution, close the loop,
and protect our planet for
future generations. |