Atmospheric Pollution - Research Proposal Example

Introduction In recent years, the global climate conditions have become a popular concern not only for scientists and environmentalists but also the general public. As attested by the commercial and critical success of documentaries such as An Inconvenient Truth, the concern for the issue has reached an extensive audience and attention (Lawrence Bender Productions and Guggenheim, 2006). This in turn has raised the demand for the development and implementation of effective mitigation plans to address the cause of global warming, primarily attributed to atmospheric pollution. However, though there has been a wider appreciation of the urgency and importance of the issue, there is also a realization that there is a need to understand the geological implications and indications of atmospheric pollution and the contemporary challenges of developing transnational solutions (Shotbolt et al, 2005; Akimoto. 2003). Understanding Atmospheric Pollution Atmospheric pollution, or more popularly termed air pollution, is described to be as the introduction of particulates, chemicals and organisms that can diminish its quality to sustain biology or impair the environment (Maitre et al, 2006; Zhang et al, 2007; Bearchell et al, 2005). It should be noted however, the hazard attributed to the “pollution” is exclusive to human perspective (Smith, 2003). Gauci and associates (2004) point out that such perceived negative conditions may have been essential in the development of mineral deposits such as methane or as pointed out by Zhang and associates (2007), merely a fator in the geological geneiss of the earht’s atmosphere. Researches have indicated a global deterioration of vegetation, weather conditions and manageability, increased toxicity of water and soil as well as increase of prevalence and persistence of various pathogens to air quality deterioration (Maitre et al, 2006; Smith, 2003; Gauci et al, 2004; Bearchell et al; 2005; Loupa et al; 2007). They point out that regardless of how seemingly confined air conditions maybe, the very nature of it implies that it will impact the world as whole eventually. Indirectly it has also impacted agriculture, which in turn has affected the quality of food sustainability of farming operations (Smith, 2003). In the research conducted by Maitre and associates (2006), they concluded that air pollution can directly impact the development of coronary heart disease not only as a consequence of respiratory conditions developed. In a similar manner, there has been a greater incidence of allergies, particularly young children, that has been linked to the increase of concentration of particulates and pathogens (Cortizas et al, 2005). More alarmingly, geological records have indicated that the increase in particulates circulation as evidenced by elemental reside in catchments have precipitated social and trade declines (Shotbolt et al, 2005; Bearchell et al, 2005). Factors for Consideration Current concerns have shifted focus on global management of the issue through the institution of unilateral agreements such as the proposed Kyoto Protocol (Wigley, 2006). The economic impact of atmospheric pollution however has been one of the cornerstones of efforts to address the issue. In An Inconvenient Truth, economic motivations have often been cited as one of the main reasons for the disregard for the issue: industrial pollution, partisan lobbying and consumerism were common themes where often cited for the escalation of the issue (Lawrence Bender Productions and Guggenheim, 2006). In essence, the suggestion is that human activities, in particular industrial and commercial ones, are a major contributing factor to the issue. However, there is also a realization that there are great deficiencies in existing research particularly in developing countries where the issue is considered as non-critical in comparison with poverty, development and social conflict concerns. One of the first concerns that was directly linked to the air pollution was the deterioration of respiratory health at the beginning of the industrialization age at the start of the 20th century (Cortizas et al, 2005). Atmospheric pollution gained global concern with the development of research indicating the depletion of the ozone layer due to pollutants and its subsequent to world climate (Deschenes & Greenstone, 2004). This illustrates the transition of air pollution from a local to national and ultimately a global concern. Biologically, the deterioration of air quality has been associated primarily with respiratory diseases but succeeding research has established its significance in the coronary diseases, mental development as well as general well-being. However, this does not diminish the fact that air conditions fluctuate over time or that it is a normal consequence of biological existence. Living factors contributing to air pollution have been dominated by human activities. Geological evidence has indicated evidence of an increase in pollution and global temperatures that can be correlated with industrialization, intensification of human habitation and deforestation (Shotbolt et al, 2005). Non-living factors have generally composed of changes to the ecosystems in reaction to human intervention. A study of factors contributing to the intensity of Pacific storms have indicated that though they have also contributed to greater dispersion of particulates as well as impacting other weather conditions in other regions (Zhang et al, 2007). Thus, there is opinion that air pollution is being driven by the repercussion of previous effect of air pollutants. Mitigation Sustainability and Strategies According to Wigley (2006), unilateral agreements, as can be best illustrated by the Kyoto Protocol, have become the model of mitigation efforts to address air pollution. There is a need to recognize that such efforts are mitigations not actual efforts at cessation of the factors associated with air pollution. Such a perspective seems to acknowledge the lack of capacity of the latter, even its necessity because of industrial and human needs. Whereas absolutism will be met with absolute non-compliance, it is viewed that compromises will illicit better response and cooperation. However, Akimoto (2003) points out that the means of developing regulation, monitoring and policing the issue remains to be at most confined to national levels. Another source of conflict is the limitation of current research and lack of perceived sensitivity to local social and cultural issues applicable. This has also further exacerbated resistance to efforts on mitigating air pollution. At the same time, the strategy to enforce conscientiousness to the issue remains indirect: the Kyoto Protocol for example is founded on economic and trade incentives for those who will be able to comply with standards rather than directly for addressing air pollution as an issue. Many researches consider this an irony, if not a fatal, shortcoming of current policies. However, though incentive-based mitigation plans have met with wider acceptance or have been viewed with greater potential for success, prognoses for actual implementation have remained problematic. If ever the Kyoto Protocol will be implemented, standards there have been options from both developed and developing countries that standards are to the biased for either parties (Wigley, 2006). Thus, the issue of air pollution mitigation, challenging as it is, has become encumbered by political and economic arbitration. Proposed Mitigation Plan The action plan is to develop a community-based awareness, response and evaluation program that will evolve with communities’ developing air pollution mitigation needs. The plan will be initiated in a residential area whose area is not to exceed the median area size of the cities’ residential zones. There will be an en emphasis on local involvement which is not only to ensure the participation and cooperation of residents but to create a program that can be replicated easily in other communities regardless of variances in community demographics or resources. The action items of the plan are as follows: Action Items Action Steps Timeline Documentation of research, environmental status and community resources Documentation and compilation of research literature from web sites, local environmental reports Week 1-3 Assessment of air quality, sources of pollution and risk factors in the community Week 4-6 Community partnership development Presentation of preliminary research to community leaders, partners and special interest groups Week 7 Focus group discussions to develop plan infrastructure and course of action Week 8-9 Finalization of community resources and key personnel Week 10 Development of awareness program and community feedback system Identification of project requirements Week 11 Sourcing and allocation of resources Week 12-15 Finalization of campaign design Week 16 Dry-run implementation and evaluation Week 17-18 Implementation of programs and institution of community feedback centers Week 19-22 Impact assessment and program evaluation Focus group discussion with program participants or personnel Week 23 Focus group discussion with community members Week 24 Finalization of results from focus group discussion Week 25-26 Presentation of program results and future directions Week 27 Responsibility, Support and Development Though unilateral agreements may have the greatest potential to enforce political and economic compliance to support alleviating atmospheric pollution concerns, their effectiveness to create social support for interventions can be less (Wigley, 2006). In general, the issue of air pollution is considered to be a macro issue though its impacts can be easily evident among the public. This implies that though the public has had greater awareness and willingness to support mitigation of the issue, there is still limited acceptance for direct responsibility for neither the phenomenon nor its consequences. Therefore, one of the most important tasks is to “personalize” not only the impact of the issue but individual responsibility for it. Primary responsibility for the mitigation plan is reserved within the community. In consideration of issues and existing mitigation efforts regarding atmospheric pollution, the subsequent proposed mitigation plan’s objective is to develop a localized air pollution mitigation plan for a local community that can be replicated independently in other communities. Furthermore, my emphasizing the importance of the issue on a more intimately with the community, the issue will be more accessible to individuals and thus afford greater social commitment in the community. However, government and global support is till necessary for the success of the program since though the communities-based intervention may have greater access to individuals in the community, their resources are limited within this area. This precludes them from developing the research necessary to improve methodologies or knowledge base for action plans. Conclusion The issue of atmospheric is a social equalizer: everyone is vulnerable and responsible for it. It has been recognized as a major political and economic challenge but the social commitment to sustain mitigation of the issue. At the same time, there is a realization that many communities lack the capacity and the resources to develop effective mitigation plans for the issue. Therefore, there is need to emphasize that developing solutions to the problem can be developed and implemented successfully at grassroots level. Moreover, this would also allow a wider range of communities to become active in improving air quality research, social responsibility and response to the issue across social groups, cultures and other demographic characteristics. Therefore, mitigation plans should be founded in historic, scientific and socio-political issues in equal measure not only to effectively address the issue but to sustain its relevance for future implementation. References Akimoto, Hajime (2003). Global Air Quality and Pollution. Science, Dec; 302: 1716. Cortizas, A. Martinez, Mighall, T., Pontevedra X., Pombal, J., Novoa Munfoz, C., Varelal, Peiteado E. and Rebolol, R. Pifneiro (2005). Linking changes in atmospheric dust deposition, vegetation change and human activities in northwest Spain during the last 5300 years. The Holocene, Jul; 15: 698 - 706. Deschenes, Olivier and Greenstone, Michael (2004). The Economic Impacts of Climate Change: Evidence from Agricultural Profits and Random Fluctuations in Weather. MIT Department of Economics Research Paper No. 04-26. Gauci, Vincent, Matthews, Elaine, Dise, Nancy, Walter, Bernadette, Koch, Dorothy, Granberg, Gunnar and Vile, Melanie (2004). Sulfur pollution suppression of the wetland methane source in the 20th and 21st centuries. PNAS, Aug; 101: 12583 - 12587. Lawrence Bender Productions and Guggenheim, Davis (2006). An Inconvenient Truth. United States: Paramount Classics Maitre, Anne, Bonneterre, Vincent, Huillard, Laurent, Sabatier, Philippe and Gaudemaris, Régis de (2006). Impact of urban atmospheric pollution on coronary disease. Eur. Heart J., Oct; 27: 2275 - 2284. Shotbolt, L. A., Thomas, A. D. and Hutchinson, S. M. (2005). The use of reservoir sediments as environmental archives of catchment inputs and atmospheric pollution. Progress in Physical Geography, Sep; 29: 337 - 361. Smith, H. Jesse (2003). Atmospheric Science: Vegetation Effects on Atmospheric Pollution. Science, Oct; 302: 201. Wigley, T.M.L. (2006). The Kyoto Protocol: CO2, CH4, and climate. Geophysical Research Letters Volume 25 Number 13. p. 2285. Zhang, Renyi, Li, Guohui, Fan, Jiwen, Wu, Dong L. and Molina, Mario J. (2007). Intensification of Pacific storm track linked to Asian pollution. PNAS, Mar; 104: 5295 - 5299. Bearchell, Sarah J., Fraaije, Bart A., Shaw, Michael W. and Fitt, Bruce D. L. (2005). Wheat archive links long-term fungal pathogen population dynamics to air pollution. PNAS, Apr; 102: 5438 - 5442. Loupa, G., Kioutsioukis, I. and Rapsomanikis, S. (2007). Indoor-Outdoor Atmospheric Particulate Matter Relationships in Naturally Ventilated Offices. Indoor and Built Environment, Feb; 16: 63 - 69. Read More