ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION :: essays research papers

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONEfforts to improve the standard of living for humans--through the control of nature and the development of new products--have also resulted in the pollution, or contamination, of the environment. Much of the worlds air, water, and land is now partially poisoned by chemical wastes. Some places have become uninhabit equal. This pollution exposes people all around the macrocosm to new risks from disease. Many species of plants and animals have become endangered or argon now extinct. As a result of these developments, governments have passed laws to limit or retrogression the threat of environmental pollution. Ecology and Environmental Deterioration The branch of science that deals with how living things, including humans, atomic number 18 related to their surroundings is called ecology . The Earth supports some 5 million species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. These interact and influence their surroundings, forming a vast network of interrelated envir onmental systems called ecosystems. The arctic tundra is an ecosystem and so is a Brazilian rain forest. The islands of Hawaii are a relatively isolated ecosystem. If left undisturbed, natural environmental systems tend to achieve balance or stability among the various species of plants and animals. Complex ecosystems are able to compensate for changes caused by weather or intrusions from migrating animals and are therefore usually said to be more stable than simple ecosystems. A field of corn whiskey has only one dominant species, the corn plant, and is a very simple ecosystem. It is easily destroyed by drought, insects, disease, or overuse. A forest may reside relatively unchanged by weather that would destroy a nearby field of corn, because the forest is characterized by greater diversity of plants and animals. Its complexity gives it stability. existence growth and Environmental Abuse The reduction of the Earths resources has been closely linked to the rise in human populati on. For many thousands of years people lived in relative harmony with their surroundings. Population sizes were small, and life-supporting tools were simple. Most of the energy needed for work was provided by the worker and animals. Since about 1650, however, the human population has increased dramatically. The problems of overcrowding multiply as an ever-increasing number of people are added to the worlds population each year. Air PollutionFactories and transportation depend on huge amounts of fuel--billions of tons of coal and oil are consumed around the world all(prenominal) year. When these fuels burn they introduce smoke and other, less visible, by-products into the atmosphere.