Environmental pollution - Book Report/Review Example

Environmental Pollution The growing population in Phoenix is a reality with certain associated sorrows. It puts a lot of pressure on the infrastructure tremendously affecting the environment. Moreover, expansion of the city further leads to environmental problems including the diminishing biological habitat, loss of wetlands and potentially causing air and water pollution. This arises due to the city expansion cutting deep into the rural areas. As such, decisions on optimal measures ought to be made to address the issue of pollution management.

The measures discussed here take into account the limits of the budget, the popular acceptance and their effectiveness to pollution reduction. The reduction is limited to a budget of $18 million. In discussing these measures forming a significant basis of decision making, the selection criteria and total costs are reviewed critically. The rationale for pollution reduction is also analyzed. Besides, information on pollution reduction is also intelligibly presented.Encouragement of alternative transportationLaziness has bred a society where members are not used to alternative ways of transport.

They use fuel which leads to pollution even where alternative means of transport such as walking or the use of bicycles can effectively be used. The criterion for selecting this measure is due to its ease of adoption. It is also advantageous in the sense that it is a form of exercise injecting the bodily physical fitness. As a result, it not only works to prevent the pollution of the environment but also that of the body through such conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressures and certain kinds of cancers.

This measure is likely to cost approximately $4.4M.Promotion of Fuel Efficient carsThe fuel combustion has been known to be a major contributor to environmental pollution. This is, however, a situation that can be addressed conveniently by the use of fuel efficient cars. This strategy is likely to cost about $3.3M. Again, the criterion of selecting this measure is based on its practicability and ability to reduce pollution by a great magnitude. The urban areas are crowded, and the main means of transport are cars which make use of fuel releasing pollutants that are potentially a threat to the existence of plants and animal species[Ist05].

The use of fuel efficient cars can, therefore, fundamentally address this issue. This should be supported by tradeoffs including legislations which should be implemented to see the reduction of pollution transformed into reality.Establishment of Green spacesThe establishment of green spaces or urban forestry involves the planting of trees and ensuring that the existing ones are well preserved. The criterion of selecting this measure is driven by the fact that trees consume carbon (IV) oxide, which can be harmful if it accumulates in the environment especially to the lives of the animals.

The green spaces not only reduce the pollution, but also beautify the environment bringing a sense of aesthetics. The establishment of green spaces or urban forestry should also be reinforced by regulations such as planting at least two more trees in case one is destroyed[Com121]. The estimate cost of this measure would be $4.2M. It can be a very effective method of reducing pollution since it neutralizes certain effects of pollution. The conservation of the already existing green spaces should be a major concern and should drive this process.

Improvement of roadsThe condition of roads is sometimes a fundamental cause of environmental pollution. When the roads are in a pathetic state, they do not become only agents of environmental pollution but also sources of death posing a real threat to the existence of the population. Accident rates are then expected to go high. There is equally a lot of dust from these roads as vehicles move on them. This causes diseases which are also life threatening. As a result, roads’ improvement can work very effectively towards pollution reduction by cutting down the number of deaths through road accidents and diseases that are derived from the poor conditions of the roads.

The measure is likely to consume an estimated cost of $4.7M.Decision making about environmental issuesThe decisions about the issues regarding the environment are very vital. They are decisions that closely touch on people’s and other living organism’s lives. They are the decisions that determine the future of plants and animal species. As such, when wrong decisions are made some species can go into extinction. Sometimes the public reactions to the decisions leading to these measures are not so positive.

Sometimes people protest when informed to protect the land from encroachment. However, this ought not to be the case because a decision to conserve the environment is a decision for the better.ReferencesIst05: , (Faragó, Georgiev, & Havasi, 2005), Com121: , (Committee on Urban Meteorology, 2012),