Air Pollution and Urbanisation - Essay Example

Air Pollution and Urbanisation The world has been recording a significant growth both in economics and politics. Similarly, other aspects are improving over time, which includes technology, industrialisation and real estates. Apparently, this has led to an increase in the world population, reaching heights of over 7 billion people in the world. With an increase in population, there has been an immense need for employment and job opportunities. As a result, many people are finding it appropriate to reside in developed cities and towns. This has led to an increase in the number of people staying in towns, cities and significantly developing places. This had led to sprouting of skyscrapers and tall building to house the many people residing in the towns and cities. Similarly, many people are building business empires to provide space for businesses and other economic activities. Therefore, urbanisation in the current world has been significantly improving. However, urbanisation has led to a number of adverse conditions and effects. One of the most dreaded effects of urbanisation is air pollution (Vallero, 2008:13). With an increase in the number of people, businesses, industries and other economic activities, the air becomes polluted. This creates an environment that is not conducive for human existence. There are different types of pollutants that enhance air pollution in the world. First, primary pollutants are directly linked to air pollution. These pollutants are directly involved in making the air impure after the missions. For example, sulphur dioxide is emitted into the air by factories in many urban places. This is considered as primary pollutant, since it is directly linked to polluting the air. Other primary pollutants include emissions from cars, automobiles, trains and offices (Sajimon, 2010:11). Secondly there are the secondary pollutants, which are instrumental in making the air impure. When the primary pollutants react together, they cause a tertiary form of pollution. For example, smog created after reaction of two or more primary pollutants results into secondary pollution. Both secondary and primary pollutants are a threat to life, as they affect the air in the atmosphere. A number of activities have been cited to be the major causes of pollution in the world. The first cause of pollution that is prevalent in the world is burning fossil fuels. In many parts of the world, different people use different sources of energy. In many instances, people burn coal, petroleum and other combustible fuels to produce energy. While burning the fossil fuels, there is emission of sulphur dioxide, which is major cause of pollution. In the current times, many people are migrating to urban areas for a better life. However, this has been the cause of an increase in pollution. The problem can be cited in a number of areas. First, many people use various combustible fuels to cook and perform household chores, which includes cooking. While cooking using such combustible fuels, each household emits pollutants to the air (Selendy, 2011:16). Since the population has been bulging over time, the emissions continue to surge. The increase in emissions is rarely solved, since the household chores are unstoppable. In many cases, the increasing population continues to use the fuels that are thought to be affordable and sustainable. Secondly, with the increase in population, the number of vehicles and automobiles increases. The rising number of middle class citizens has led to an increase in the number of people residing in urban centres. These people are increasingly finding the need to procure their personal means of transport (Allen, 2008:12). As a result, there is an increase in pollution as the increasing number of cars increase emissions of gases in the air. Similarly the large population in urban centres feels the need to move from one place to another. This increases the need for public transport. In the end the pollution in the urban places increases. A number of solutions can be initiated in ensuring air pollution is reduced. As a fact, many organizations, individuals and environmentalists have been citing various solutions to the menace of air pollution. Although they have unequivocally stated the solutions, neglect and failure to exercise the solutions has not changed the prevalent issue of air pollution. The first solution when it comes to solving air pollution is use of renewable sources of energy (Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, 2010:14). Factories often burn fossils as a way of providing energy for their daily activities. This leads to emission of gases that adversely pollute the air (Balan and Tipa, 2011:8). However, when the factories find an effective source of energy, they will have reduced the air pollution to greater heights. For example, many governments are coercing and encouraging factories to start investing in tapping solar energy. Many factories and companies have appreciated the idea, as they are fixing colossal solar panels as a way of providing energy. This energy can be stored for future use, rather than depending on burning fossil oils. Similarly, the factories need to look for better ways of disposing their waste materials (Kukadia and Hall, 2011:11). One way of reducing air pollution is to reuse and recycle some of the materials. For example, recycling polythene bags will reduce air pollution, as they often carry waste materials that pollute the air. In addition to this, the factories should treat their waste materials before disposing the waste. This will help in reducing air pollution as the waste materials will not be a menace to the residents of urban areas. Another solution to limit air pollution is use of energy efficient machineries. Some machines consume lesser energy, which will reduce the dependence on burning fossil fuels for provision of energy. Using alternative sources of energy is a prudent approach in solving the menace of air pollution. First, the factories and companies using the alternative sources of energy will cut on their costs. For example, use of solar energy is appropriate since it is an affordable source of energy. The companies and factories using such source of energy will tap the energy endlessly, while incurring limited costs in terms of maintaining the energy production. Secondly, using alternative sources of energy will not limit the production of factories and companies. Solar energy is provided freely by nature, which does not limit the amount of energy that can be used or tapped by the factories and users (Kukadia and Hall, 2011:11). As a result, the companies will not be constrained on the usage of such sources of energy. As a fact, the sources of energy are not controlled by any governing body. Therefore, the factories are at freewill of using the energy source endlessly. Thirdly, the alternative sources of energy are renewable. This means that the sources of energy are inexhaustible. As a result, the users of the renewable energy will use the alternative sources of energy for long without any threat of depletion. This will not limit continuity in production as the factories and companies will have unlimited sources of energy. On the other hand, use of alternative sources of energy will require colossal investments. To begin with, the companies and factories in question will have to invest in procurement of solar panels, when using solar as a source of energy. At times, these factories do not have the financial muscle of procuring the solar panels. This will put the factories and users in a queer position, as they will have to incur additional costs. In many instances, this will limit investments in other businesses. Secondly, storing colossal amounts of energy is expensive (Agarwal, 2005:7). For example, solar energy is only available during the day. Therefore, the interested parties will have to incur additional costs in procuring equipment to store power. This will limit full implementation to use alternative sources of energy. Similarly, some people are adamant to change. As a result, they are not willing to explore new limits in conserving the environment. The second solution to reduction of air pollution is sensitizing the population on various ways of reducing air pollution (Agarwal, 2005:5). First, the population needs to rely on sustainable and renewable sources of energy for use in their homesteads. For example, here is need to use solar energy for lighting, cooking and other household chores. This will be milestone in reducing air pollution especially in urban areas where the population is large. As fact, this will reduce the dependence on some sources of energy, which include burning kerosene for household chores. Secondly, there is a need to improve the transport sector. Many people use personal vehicles for transport, since they feel the public transport system is not up to standards (Curley, 2011:24). As a result, many people are using their cars on the roads, which increase the gas emissions in the air. To limit this, people should start using public transport system, since the gas emissions will be reduced. For example, there is a need to start using trains as a means of transport, since trains can carry a larger population at once. This will in return reduce the number of vehicles burning petrol on the roads. Another alternative is the production of electric vehicles, which annihilate the use of petrol. The rechargeable vehicles do not burn fuel for propulsion. This will be appreciated in ensuring pollution is reduced. A change in the transport sector is a plausible approach in reducing air pollution (Desonie, 2008:12). This will provide efficient and effective means of transport to the people in need. For example, many people will save colossal amounts, as they use public transport, which is cheaper. However, there is a point of concern in such a solution. There will be congestion, as many people will feel the need to use public transport. Similarly, it will take time for the people to adapt to this routine of using public transport. This is especially noted in countries where people have a common schedule when reporting at work. They will have to persevere with the implementation of such directives, as they may be faced with challenges. Some of these challenges may affect the people that are used to driving private vehicles. In conclusion, pollution in the 21st century is a menace that needs to be annihilated. Some of the solutions include use of renewable sources of energy for both factory and household use. This will significantly reduce the air pollution in the world, as the emissions will be reduced. Similarly, enhancing the transport system will reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, which will help in reducing air pollution. With such advances, the world will be a better and hospitable place. References Agarwal, S.K. (2005) Air pollution, New Delhi, ABD Publishers. Allen, J.L. (2008) Environment 07/08. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill Contemporary Learning Series. Balan, L.L., & Tipa, S. (December 01, 2011) Transports as source of atmospherical pollution, Quality - Access to Success, vol. 12, pp. 956-961. Curley, R. (2011). New thinking about pollution. New York, NY: Britannica Educational Pub. in association with Rosen Educational Services. Desonie, D. (2008). Polar Regions: Human Impacts. New York: Infobase Pub. Kukadia, V., & Hall, D. (2011) Ventilation healthy buildings: reducing the impact of urban air pollution, Brecknell, BRE Press. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW. (2010) How to reduce diesel emissions: driving towards cleaner air, North Sydney, Roads & Traffic Authority. Sajimon, P.P. (2010) Differentiated responsibilities on population explosion and its impact on environment – a corridor for the crossing? New York, Research Centre for Social Sciences. Selendy, J.M. (2011) Water and sanitation-related diseases and the environment: challenges, interventions, and preventive measures, Hoboken, N.J, Wiley-Blackwell. Vallero, D.A. (2008) Fundamentals of air pollution, Amsterdam, Academic Press.  Read More