Quest for Energy and Environmental Destruction - Literature review Example

MANKINDS QUEST FOR ENERGY LEADS TO ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION Institute Mankind’s quest for energy leads to environmental destruction As the world has developed many concerns regarding the well being of society have risen. These concerns are either related to man-made havocs or some natural shifts in the ecological structure of the world. Mankind’s quest for energy is a major cause of this environmental destruction. This quest began early in the 19th century when the concept of industrialization arose in the 19th century and it was the era when the world was beginning to see a change. It was introduced to improve the economic realms of the world so that the people could benefit (World Bank 1992 p62). With industrialization came new machinery and it all required the usage of energy resources which included oil and coal. Trees were cut down for setting up industries and also for the energy that could be obtained from wood. With these discoveries, mankind did indeed move ahead and progress, but what was not considered was the impact all this had on the environment. Thus it was this quest for energy, goods and the attainment of luxuries that the environment was put on stake and this resulted in altering the normal mechanisms and functioning of the ecological system (Goudie 2000). Environmental problems have had a negative effect on both a global and local scale due to the exhaust fumes from vehicles, factory emissions, cigarette smoking and the burning of waste and these problems would be discussed in detail in this essay (Goudie 2000 & Cooper 2001). The energy production leads to the formation of waste matter in the form of solid waste which needs to be disposed and this can lead to environmental issues. The dumping of solid waste onto land can have many consequences. When the solid waste is dumped in the landfills, it leads to increased dust and unpleasant smell in the environment. It also harbours microorganisms as well as other gases that are produced from here. These include the land fill gases which are methane and carbon dioxide as well as other gases as well as exhaust gases which are emitted due to the combustion of the landfill gases. These gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide. Increased quantities of carbon dioxide and methane can be harmful for the environment as they promote global warming. On the other hand carbon monoxide can affect the normal respiration in the human beings the other gases are also harmful. These gases can also result in contaminating the soil as they are acidic in nature and hence they can serve to decrease the pH of the soil making it more acidic in nature and hence hindering the growth of normal vegetation. The soil might also be infiltrated with heavy metals and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide can be very harmful for the crops that are already present. These substances can also have an impact of the health of the human beings and can serve as a reason for many health conditions which include congenital deformities, asthma, cancer as well as other pathologies of the respiratory tract might also result. The flora and the fauna which are associated with the land may get infiltrated and there may be deposition of these harmful metals within them (Chinese University of Hong Kong1984 and Sergi1990). The solid waste that is dumped onto land may contain plastics and other non biodegradable material which may persist for years without getting decomposed. These plastics and other substances might be drained into rivers and seas during rains if the landfill site is not properly isolated. This can have dire consequences for the marine life and then also have secondary effects for human beings as well. The entering of contaminated water from landfill sites which might contain heavy metals can lead to infiltration of lakes, rivers or seas. This water can result in death of marine life. Those which actually survive might have very high amounts of metals like mercury present. This seafood might then be consumed by human beings and consumption of heavy metals can result in very serious health conditions. The plastics that float on the water might also be consumed by birds. If they are not consumed and left, they serve as spoiling the beauty of these water reservoirs (Clark & Macmohan1981 and Sergi 1990) Similarly the smoke given off by industries is also known to be very hazardous for human health. Carbon dioxide at temperature (20-25C) is a colorless, odorless gas and it is the most important greenhouse gas. There are a number of sources which emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere whereas some of the sources also help removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such sources are known as ‘sinks’. Therefore sources and sinks collectively regulate the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and maintain carbon cycle. As CO2 is discharging in excessive amount, ratio of carbon dioxide is also rising in our environment. This increased ratio can be responsible for many hazardous effects on our environment. One of the chief sources of carbon dioxide in the society is the industrial sector. There are certain industrial production processes which play vital role in rising levels of carbon dioxide. These processes include: mineral production, metal production etc. In addition the use of petroleum-based products can also lead to CO2 emissions. The process of carbon sequestration also plays a vital role in altering the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Since industrial revolutionary changes have arisen, it has increased the concentration of CO2 in atmosphere up to 30% (Helm & Robinson, 2002 p 197). Charles D. Keeling was a founder in investigating carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. The high levels of CO2 are superior to the records in the last 800,000 years. It is now standing at 380 parts per million (ppm) while the pre-industrial was high of280 ppm. The current rate of increases is around 2ppm per year. (PhysicalGeography.net) Carbon dioxide is also released in the manufacture of lime and cement (United States 1998). CO2 has also an ability to change the pH of water.CO2 is slightly soluble in water and forms carbonic acid. When carbonic acid reacts reversibly with water it forms a hydronium cation, H3O+, and the bicarbonate ion, HCO3-. This is the mechanism due to which H2O behaves as acidic i.e. pH 5.5 instead of neutral i.e. 7. Acid rain also produces by this mechanism which is hazardous for plants especially. Exposure to acid rain also causes skin diseases in humans (Alters 2000). With time climate changes are taking place on the globe. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an agency of the United Nations the major cause of these changes is greenhouse gases. Among them CO2 is the most important one. Other gases include methane, nitrous oxide etc., which are also found in the atmosphere of earth. These gases trap infrared and ultraviolet radiations of the sun which increases the temperature and results in global warming. Therefore they regulate the atmosphere of the earth. Nowadays global warming is becoming a serious environmental issue. Deforestation is one important cause which increases the green house gases in this world. And one set of scientists believe that these green house gases have been causing an impounding effect on the temperature of this world. Deforestation can be counted as one of the important cause of global warming but it cannot be counted as the only one. The United Methodist Church has declared its support of “social policies that...de-emphasize or eliminate energy-producing technologies that endanger the health, the safety, and even the existence of the present and future human and nonhuman creation”. In addition, the Church has called for the “control of global warming” (Resolution 1001.8), the support of “strenuous efforts to conserve energy and increase energy efficiency” (Resolution 1001.1), the United States to “move beyond its dependence on high carbon fossil fuels that produce emissions leading to climate change” (Resolution 1002.1) and “measures calling for a reduction of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which contribute to acid rain and global climate change” (Resolution 1023). Nature makes everything in balance but these human activities that disturb natural phenomena leads to extensive rise in the amount of CO2 in atmosphere. Due to its increasing rate there are certain adverse effects on environmental and health. The lower part of atmosphere is about 10-15 kilometers thick. It is known as troposphere and the gases it contains are known as greenhouse gases. When sunlight reaches to earth it converts into heat. Greenhouse gases absorb this heat and trap it near the earth’s surface which creates a warm effect on earth. This effect is known as the greenhouse effect (Rachal & Clarke, 1992). This greenhouse effect regulates the temperature of whole earth. If the greenhouse effect would not exist, the whole earth may be covered in ice. The rate of heat absorption in the troposphere determines the temperature on earth. This heat absorption depends on the concentrations of greenhouse gases. It also depends on the time these gases exist in the atmosphere. The important gases that constitute greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, CFCs (Chlor-Fluoro-Carbons), nitrogen oxides and methane. After the industrial revolution in 1850 human activities rose to levels at which they resulted in discharge of the greenhouse gasses. This results in rise in temperature and leads to environmental problems. This abnormal increase in gasses is known as global warming. This warming effect also causes melting of ice caps from the poles which further produces the chances of storms. The rate of heat absorption in the troposphere determines the temperature on earth. This heat absorption depends on the concentrations of greenhouse gases. It also depends on the time these gases exist in the atmosphere. The important gases that constitute greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, CFCs (Chlor-Fluoro-Carbons), nitrogen oxides and methane. Although CO2 plays vital roles in body but its excess amount can be hazardous for human health. Some of the health dangers of CO2 are: • Asphyxiation: It is a disease caused by excess release of CO2 in a confined airless or unventilated area. Due to the accumulation of CO2 oxygen tension becomes low which is hazardous for human health. • Frostbite: it is a disease caused by treating solid CO2 in hands for more than a second or two without proper safety measures. It causes serious blisters, and other unwanted effects. CO2 gas is released from steel cylinders i.e. fire extinguisher. • Kidney damage or coma: it is caused due to abnormal concentrations of CO2 in body which may cause a difference in the chemical equilibrium of the body and hence cause a situation which can prove to be fatal for the individual. Thus it can be said that industrialization is indirectly playing a great role in the production of Carbon Dioxide and harming the lives of many human beings on this planet (Alters 2000). Thus it has been proven that the drive of mankind for energy has actually resulted in harming the Earth and its atmosphere. The quest for more energy and greater industrialization and utilization of other forms of energy has served to affects all the living matter on earth and has led to altering the normal ecological chain. References CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. (1984). Ecological aspects of solid waste disposal: proceedings of. Conservation & Recycling. 7, 2-4. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form CLARK, D. W., & MACMAHON, B. (1981). Preventive and community medicine. Boston, Little, Brown. COOPER, M. H. (2001). Global warming treaty. CQ researcher, v. 11, no. 3. Washington, D.C., CQ Press. http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2001012600. GOUDIE, ANDREW. (2000) The Human Impact on the Natural Environment. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. HELM, J., & ROBINSON, A. (2002). GCSE geography for AQA specification B. Oxford, Heinemann. RACHAL, J. M., & CLARKE, D. P. (1992). Controlling greenhouse gases: what the global warming treaty will mean to you. Inside EPA weekly report. [S.l.], Inside Washington Publishers. Top of Form SERGI, T. L. (1990). Environmental & social impact of solid waste disposal. Thesis (M.B.A.)--Waynesburg College, 1990. SO ALTERS, S. (2000). Biology: understanding life. Boston, Jones and Barlette Publishers. THE WORLD BANK, WASHINGTON D.C. (1992).The World Bank, World Development Report 1992: Development and the Environment. UNITED STATES. (1998). Emissions of greenhouse gases in the United States 1997. Washington, DC, The Administration. Read More