Pollution in the Environment by Pádraig McCann

What is Pollution? Pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.

There are many types of pollution. Pollution can take form in a physical, chemical and energy form.

Physical Pollution:
Humans mainly contribute to this type of pollution. One of the basic forms is LITTER. Some people believe it is harmless but they don't know the facts. A plastic bag dropped on the ground will take up to 500 years to decompose. Bottles, Tayto packets, wrappers and much much more. Many companies claim to use recycled but how much of this is true? We have to change the way we use plastic. Try and reuse old cartons and bottles. Remember: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Chemical Pollution:
This takes the form of air and water pollution. Humans again are responsible for this pollution especially in industrial areas such as cities, factories. Many factories emit high levels of Carbon Dioxide and other chemicals into the Ozone Layer. These gases become trapped. The country side also contributes to chemical pollution. Methane gas which is produced by cattle is harmful. One cow can produce up to 12 fridges worth of gas and with an average farm to have 30+ cattle this is 360 fridges! All vehicles on our roads release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. There is on average 806 million cars used every single day, burning over 1 billion m³ of petrol and diesel. With a global population growing the need of more cars will increase pollution. There is a solution to this problem. Walk more. Use public transport.Carpool.

Artificial Pollution:
In big towns and cites Light Pollution is a big problem. Street lights and other outdoor lights contribute to engulfing the night sky and its wonderful sights. The skies over Sligo and other towns have been taken over by the sickening cover blocking out the stars.
There is also noise pollution. Again in the big towns and cities the hustle and bustle of traffic and people going about their business and this may seem harmless but it does have its negatives.
For some creatures such as foxes and badgers the extra light can play havoc to there systems causing mayhem and distraught animals. The extra noise can disturb birds and other creatures.

Change:
It is the simple things that we do that lead to bigger difference. Recycle your rubbish. Use cleaner energy. Turn off unwanted lights.

Light Pollution



Air Pollution