Pollution in Arizona - Case Study Example

Pollution in Arizona Problem Section With the development of technology, the problem of environmental pollution became very relevant. In the North America the environment problem is one of the most serious. Every year living conditions of the population in the cities, especially industrial centers worsen and natural resources are limited. This process is followed by the destruction of natural landscape and its replacement by "the artificial environment" that is not always suitable for life of humans. Human activity affects the most important components of environment —atmosphere, hydrosphere, soil, the organic world, and as all of them are interconnected, destruction or pollution of natural components gains universal character. It is wrong to consider air pollution and environment of the USA to be only the United States’ problem. It was revealed that ozone pollution in North America can lead to annual loss of 1,2 million tons of wheat by the European farmers. Six of ten Americans — about 175 million people — live in areas where the level of air pollution is reaching maximum permissible concentration. The highest level of the particles polluting the atmosphere s recorded in two states; California and Arizona (Arizona’s New Frontier). The principal problem is in that the growing numbers of vehicles are polluting the environment. Carbon emissions and energy-inefficient technologies do not leave human and non-human species a single chance to survive. Public and private transport exemplifies the principal source of air pollution in cities. Pollution from cars causes about two-thirds of carbon monoxide, quarter of hydrocarbons and actually third of nitrogen oxide emissions into the atmosphere. Carbon and related emissions from vehicles are causing a whole range of environmental problems, from pollution to the development of ozone holes. These issues affect people and species around the globe. Humans are being influenced by species, whereas the species constantly experience the environmental pressure of humans. These interconnections and interdependencies are too significant to ignore. They are also extremely vulnerable to invisible threats. The extinction of one specie caused by humans inevitably leads to the subsequent extinction of other species. Therefore, it is essential that governments and citizens develop effective environmental protection mechanisms, to protect human lives. Solution Section It is essential not to issue the laws, but to act. The action should be based on previous experience of struggle with air pollution. There are many measures we can choose but not all of them are helpful. Thus, when deciding which ones to choose, it is essential to use the method of elimination. In other words, it is important to define the measures, which are not very efficient and will not bring appreciable results. First of all, it is encouraging going to work by special organizations’ buses. This measure is not efficient in the modern world, as all the people have cars. In any case, they would prefer to use their own cars instead of waiting for a bus. People buy cars to make their way to work comfortable, because public transportation is not comfortable enough. This method could have been effective twenty years ago, but not now. Moreover, people want to be free and not to adjust to buses’ schedule. Thus, buses will not be used by people, and the introduction of them will just add to the environmental pollution. The same can be stated about the encouraging of alternative transportation. People know pretty well that walking is useful for their health, but when they risk being late for work in the morning, they usually do not think about this usefulness. Several extra minutes spent drinking coffee in the morning are valuable for many people with an active way of life. Thus, they buy cars to have these extra minutes. Pollution control legislation for point sources also will not bring good results as people usually do not approve such laws and they do not work. The trouble is that such legislation demands much from the business owners and they prefer to actively reject such laws. The cruel laws of business make business owners think first of all about getting more income and reducing expenses, thus, there is very little chance that they would prefer to sacrifice their positions at the market in order to help save the environment. They prefer to consider such laws to be the measures taken to prevent them from conducting successful activity. Justification Section If to exclude the useless measures, it is possible to reveal the effective ones. Remaining methods will really help reduce pollution, thus, the funds should be spent to implement them. The first important step is to establish green spaces or urban forestry. The development of the city demands building new houses and this usually requires eliminating some green spaces. However, if such a situation occurs, it is necessary to reimburse the losses by establishing new green spaces near the new building. The second essential step is to improve the roads as good roads help the cars make fewer emissions. This is one of the most expensive measures, but it is very essential to implement it. Promoting fuel-efficient cars is a very important measure that is taken in almost every developed country today. Such measure really can help save our environment and reduce pollution. Certainly, it demands much expense, but the game is worth the candle. Fuel-efficient cars should be manufactured and widely used by the people to save our environment, thus, it is essential to encourage people to use them (Phoenix Pays the Price In Air Quality.). The last essential step is random emission testing, and it will serve to evaluate the changes the first three measures will bring after they are taken. Necessary evaluations must be done in order to determine the effectiveness of the taken measures. It is essential these evaluations are done at random as the situation is changing every day and it is important not to miss any information (Arizona Ranks 14th global warming pollution power plants). Opposing Section Some would argue that now many people prefer to conduct healthy way of life, thus the alternative transportation that allows to walk instead of going by car is a very effective way. Unfortunately, not many people decide so and the temptation to go by car is very strong as it saves time and time is money. Speaking about special laws for business, many consider them to be necessary, and they are really important and should be taken, but as it was stated above the effect is very doubtful and can’t resolve the problem. Conclusion To resolve the issue connected with pollution in Arizona the government and state must pay particular attention to the issues of environmental pollution. The use of alternative fuels could become the first step toward improving the state of environmental protection. The whole world is gradually switching to energy-efficient vehicles. In Japan and the United States, energy-efficient “green” cars are becoming more and more popular. Certainly, governments could obligate businesses and corporations to invest a share of their resources to environmental protection. As it was stated above, this measure is not very effective, but it still should be included. Businesses could develop “clean” business strategies and, simultaneously, donate some of their profits to support the development of collective environmental mechanisms. Governments, individuals, and businesses could work cooperatively to enhance the efficiency of the existing environmental protection policies and tools. Here, fuel cell technologies, hydrogen power, alternative energy resources and electric vehicles could become a viable solution to the existing and emerging environmental problems. Works Cited Arizona Ranks 14th global warming pollution power plants. Environmentarizona.org Web. April 9, 2015 Phoenix Pays the Price In Air Quality. Thinkingarizona.com. Web. April 9, 2015 Arizona’s New Frontier. Moving Our Transportation System into the 21st Century. uspirg.org. Web. April 9, 2015 Read More