Environmental Pollution: A Threat to Human Existence
Environmental pollution is the biggest menace to the human race on this planet today. It means adding impurities to the environment. The environment consists of Earth, water, air, plants, and animals. If we pollute them, then the existence of humans and nature will be hampered.
The Escalating Problem of Deforestation and Global Warming
It is true that trees are being cut down rapidly. Our Earth is becoming warmer. If pollution continues, the day is not far when our Earth will be a boiling pan and become a desert. Or it will be covered with seawater, causing the destruction of mankind.
Air Pollution: The Silent Killer
Pure air is always needed for inhaling. If we take pure air, our health improves. On the other hand, impure air causes diseases, impairs our health, and causes our death. Smoke pollutes the air. It is the root of air pollution. The smoke which is discharged from industries, automobiles, and kitchens is a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, etc. These are all poisonous gases. These cause lung cancer, tuberculosis, etc., which take a heavy toll on life. A glaring incident is the Bhopal gas leak in December 1984. Thousands of residents of Bhopal died due to lung problems which were caused by methylamine gas from the Union Carbide Plant.
The garbage emitting foul smells, decaying plants, and animals also cause air pollution. Hence, doctors advise patients having lung trouble to settle in some rural places because the air of villages is pure and free from pollution.
Sound Pollution: The Unseen Damage
Then comes sound pollution. The harsh sounds of buses, trucks, mopeds, etc., affect our power of hearing and cause heart trouble. It has been reported that there are two villages named Biraspalli and Devadas Palli near Dum Dum airport in Calcutta where a large number of people have lost their power of hearing. This is because of the frequent sounds of planes coming in and going out of Dum Dum Airport. The evils of sound pollution can be imagined from this example.
Water Pollution: Contaminating Our Lifeline
The water of rivers and seas is being constantly polluted all over the world by various dangerous chemical and biological wastes. Mills and factories discharge very harmful wastewater into many rivers and seas. The water of the Ganges flowing by the side of both Varanasi and Calcutta is extremely polluted and contains all sorts of dangerous bacteria. It is really very strange and laughable that a large number of Indians regard this water as holy. They even drink this water for salvation. There is no doubt that the fish that grow in such waters are poisonous too.
Soil Pollution: The Hidden Threat in Our Food
Reckless application of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides pollutes the soil. Vegetables and fruits are quite injurious today because they contain the poison of insecticides and pesticides.
Addressing the Menace: Steps Towards a Cleaner Future
If the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil which produces our crops, vegetables, and fruits all become more and more impure, then our chances of good health and longevity will be less and less. Environmental pollution is a serious menace to our existence. Realizing the danger, we must plant trees in large numbers to absorb impure air. Impure water from industries can be sent back for purification and then it can be used for irrigation. Our government is well aware of the fact and is taking steps to save the environment from pollution. We also have a minister to look after the environment.