World Environmental Pollution: History, Nature and Solutions

Abstract

A literature search was conducted for the purpose of finding the explanations for and the solutions to the environmental pollution problems which exist throughout the world today and which are components of the Earth's present-day environmental crisis. An account has been given of the evolution of the Earth's ecosystems, including the atmosphere, water and life; the emergence of man with his relationship to his environment; and the development of his activities. It has been shown that man's activities - which include agricultural progress, industrialization, urbanization, modes of transportation and energy use - have contributed to world pollution. The sources of selected air, water and soil pollutants and their effects on the receiving media have been set forth. Air pollutants were found to be in the form of gases and particulates, while water pollutants were found to be biological agents, chemicals and waste heat. Biological disease agents, solid wastes, toxic chemicals and atmospheric fallout were found to pollute land. Methods for controlling pollution were found to be social and political programs and technological alternatives. Social methods which have been recommended are education, training and public information programs, and group action by private citizens. Political programs were found to be concerned with the formation of environmental policy by governments at the national, regional and international levels. Such programs were found to include the setting of standards and the enforcement of their compliance by such methods as imposing penalties and liability, requiring registration and licensing, extending technical assistance and planning, and making available subsidies and compensation. The concept of development as perceived by both the industrial nations and the developing countries of the world was addressed. The two opposing points of view which were found to exist are reflected in the national programs for controlling pollution, the scientific basis of which is the interdependence of all living things and their complex relation to the physical environment. Technological alternatives for combatting pollution have been set forth. Such alternatives were found for agricultural practices, industrial processes, waste management, transportation systems, energy sources and population controls. The population explosion was found to be the origin of most of the environmental problems, including pollution, in the world today. In the final analysis, it has been found that man in the pursuit of his activities has been polluting the environment, thereby destroying the Earth. A recommendation has been made whereby this trend may be reversed so that there will be future generations to inherit the Earth.