Introduction
The earth is our only home. This beautiful blue planet has been living on its chest for millions of years. But today the world is facing a deep crisis and the name of that crisis is environmental pollution. Since the Industrial Revolution, the more people have progressed, the more the environment has been damaged. Factory smoke, toxic vehicular gases, waste thrown into the river, chemicals mixed in the soil, all these have become seriously polluted today. Environment pollution is no longer just an environmental problem, it is a real threat to the existence of human civilization.
Environment Pollution: What it is?
Environment Pollution refers to the natural elements of nature, such as air, water, soil, and sound, a mixture of harmful substances or energy in the environment, which is harmful to the health of living beings and humans. This pollution can be caused by both natural and man-made causes. However, in today’s era, man-made factors are most responsible. Environmental pollution can be mainly divided into several categories: air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the most pronounced and dangerous form of environmental pollution. Smoke emitted from factory chimneys, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from burning vehicle fuels are poisoning the air. Apart from this, crop fields are also being set on fire, brick kilns, burning of waste and construction dust are also contributing to air pollution.
According to the World Health Organization, about 7 million people die every year from air pollution-related diseases. Air pollution is one of the leading causes of serious diseases such as respiratory problems, lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. The city of Dhaka in Bangladesh is repeatedly being included in the list of the most polluted cities in the world, which is very worrying for us.
Another serious consequence of air pollution is the increase in greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide accumulate in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth, which is the main cause of global warming. As a result of this warming, the polar ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and the effects of climate change are being felt all over the world.
Water Pollution
We all know the proverb that water is another name for life. But today, the life-giving water is becoming the cause of death. Chemical wastes from factories, pesticides and fertilizers used in agricultural fields, untreated waste from urban sewerage systems, and plastic waste are polluting rivers, canals, ponds and seas.
The picture of water pollution in Bangladesh is very dire. Rivers like Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakshya are almost biologically dead today. Thousands of litres of toxic waste are being dumped directly into the river every day from tanneries and factories around Dhaka. This contaminated water contains toxic metals such as chromium, lead, mercury and arsenic, which cause cancer, kidney disease, and neurological problems in the human body.
Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a major problem in rural areas. Millions of people in Bangladesh are slowly getting infected with arsenicosis by drinking arsenic-containing water. Thousands of people die every year from diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis by drinking contaminated water.
Ocean water pollution is also a global crisis today. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the seas. This plastic breaks down into small particles (microplastics) and enters the body of marine animals and reaches the human body through the food chain.
Soil pollution
Soil is our source of food. But due to excessive chemical fertilizers, pesticides and industrial wastes, the soil is losing its natural fertility. Plastic and polythene remain in the soil for hundreds of years and destroy the natural quality of the soil. Heavy metals and toxic chemicals accumulate in the soil and make the soil toxic.
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural fields is destroying soil microorganisms, which reduces the productivity of the soil in the long run. As a result, farmers use more fertilizers to get higher yields, it is a vicious cycle. Crops grown in this contaminated soil contain toxic substances, which are harmful to human health.
Sound pollution
Soundpollution is an invisible but extremely harmful pollution. The horns of vehicles, the sound of factory machinery, the noise of construction work, the loud sound of mics, all these things make the people of the city live in severe noise pollution. Excessive noise damages people’s hearing, causes sleep problems, raises blood pressure and causes stress. Noise pollution also has a negative impact on children’s mental development.
Major Causes of Environment Pollution
Environment pollution has a number of reasons behind it. The most important of these are:
Rapid industrialization: Since the Industrial Revolution, as the number of factories has increased, so has the pollution. Factories emit harmful gases in the air and toxic wastes in the water.
Urbanization and Population Growth: Rapid urbanization is leading to the creation of cities by cutting down forests. Extra resources are being used and waste generation is being done to meet the needs of the large population.
Deforestation: Deforestation reduces the absorption of carbon dioxide from the air, increases soil erosion, and destroys biodiversity.
Excessive use of fossil fuels: Burning coal, oil and natural gas emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Ignorance and irresponsibility: Many people are not aware of the harm of environmental pollution. Again, many people knowingly do things that pollute the environment, such as dumping garbage, using polythene and burning waste.
Weak law enforcement: Although many countries have laws to protect the environment, their enforcement is weak. The industries are causing pollution without following the rules and are not facing proper punishment.
How Environment Pollution Affects the Globe
The impact of environmental pollution is multi-dimensional and far-reaching.
Effects on human health: Various diseases are spreading in the human body through polluted air, water and food. Cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, dermatology, neurological diseases and reproductive problems are on the rise. The development of children is being hampered and pollution poses serious risks to pregnant mothers.
Loss of biodiversity: Many species of plants and animals are becoming extinct or on the verge of extinction due to pollution. Marine animals, birds, and forest animals are losing their habitat.
Climate Change: Earth’s temperature is rising due to greenhouse gases. As a result, the incidence of floods, droughts, cyclones and other natural disasters is increasing. Low-lying countries like Bangladesh are at risk of submergence due to rising sea levels.
Impact on agricultural production: Soil and water pollution is reducing the fertility of farmland, reducing crop yields, and threatening food security.
Economic losses: Due to environmental pollution, the cost of health care is increasing, agriculture and fisheries production is decreasing, the tourism industry is being affected, and efficiency is decreasing. According to the World Bank, environmental pollution damages a significant part of the world’s GDP every year.
Environment Pollution in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a particularly vulnerable country in terms of environmental pollution. On the one hand, the population density is very high and on the other hand, the infrastructure for protecting the environment is weak. Air and noise pollution has reached serious levels in major cities, including Dhaka. The rivers are full of industrial waste, household waste and agrochemicals.
The tannery industry in Hazaribagh turned the Buriganga River into a chemical waste canal over a long decade. Although the tannery has been shifted to Savar, the damage to the pollution has not yet been fully recovered. Besides, the establishment of industries near the Sundarbans and the accident of the oil tanker are also endangering this invaluable natural resource.
Due to climate change, the incidence of floods, cyclones and salinity is increasing in Bangladesh. Millions of people in coastal areas are at risk of being displaced due to climate change.
Prevention Steps of Environment Pollution
Though Environmental pollution is a global problem, Some steps can be taken to address it.
Use of renewable energy: Increasing the use of solar, wind power, and hydropower instead of fossil fuels can significantly reduce air pollution.
Planting trees and protecting forests: Planting more trees and protecting existing forests is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, prevent soil erosion, and protect biodiversity.
Waste Management: It is very important to properly recycle, compost, and dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly way. We have to reduce the use of plastic and polythene and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.
Industrial Control: Factories must compulsorily treat the waste and release it into the environment. The government should enact strict environmental laws and ensure their proper implementation.
Raising public awareness: People need to be made aware of the harm of environmental pollution. Environmental education should be made compulsory in educational institutions, awareness campaigns should be carried out in the media and social movements should be built.
International Cooperation: Environmental pollution is a global problem, so global cooperation is needed to solve it. International agreements such as the Paris climate agreement must be implemented effectively.
Personal responsibility: Every human being can contribute to the protection of the environment through small steps in his daily life. The combined impact of these small steps to consume less electricity, use public transport, eliminate polythene, prevent wastage of water and plant trees is huge.
Conclusion
Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. This problem is of our own making, so it is our responsibility to solve it. We didn’t inherit the world, we borrowed it from our children. Therefore, it is our moral responsibility to leave a healthy, beautiful and livable world for future generations.
The government, industry, civil society and common people all have to join hands in this struggle. He said that technological innovations, policy changes and behavioural changes are all three ways to curb environmental pollution. If we are not careful today, it may be too late tomorrow. We have to move forward with the fact that if the environment survives, people will survive, if human beings survive, civilization will survive.
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