Confronting pollution

FAQIHA ABBAS

The country, which we live in,

is facing numerous crises that have crippled the country. In such a situation a lot of issues get
neglected and comes very late in the list of our priorities. Environment is one such issue. We
have not paid any attention to our environment since independence. One of the major
environmental issues is air pollution.
Smoke of vehicles is one of the major sources of air pollution. The air is polluted by smoke
coming out from factories and traffic. Every small factor like cigarettes cause air pollution. A
fresh and clean environment is a right of every human being.
In many developing countries coal is used as a fuel at household level. It damages the freshness
of air. During burning it emits air pollutants, like carbon dioxide (CO2) and formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a toxic matter which causes irritation to eyes and nose. It can also cause
different types of allergies.
Sulphur dioxide also causes pollution in the air. It is harmful for lungs. Cause of this toxic
compound is combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrogen oxides cause respiratory diseases especially in
children. Exposure of lead damages nervous system. Some other pollutants are carbon monoxide,
ozone, radon and SPM (suspended particulate matter). SPM may be dust, fumes and smoke.
Global warming is yet another potent threat for the environment. Research reveals that global
warming is causing the northern parts of the northern Hemisphere to heat up glaciers situated in
northern areas. They will shrink and there will be less ice present on northern oceans. Maybe
there will not be any snow falling in those areas which have less snow.
In future there will be more humidity in the world. It is doubted that it will increase or decrease
the warming process. Due to humidity the rainfall will be increased. Oceans will also become
warm as well as the planes. Due to ocean warming there will be many complications in marine
life. It is expected that due to global warming aqua ecosystem will also be changed. Survival of
animals and plants will be hard because most of the natural resources will be occupied by man.
Human beings will confront many harmful diseases. For instance, diseases caused by mosquitoes
bite (dengue fever, yellow fever and malaria etc.).
Today most of the diseases are a gift of modern lifestyle some of them are life threatening.
Diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, cancer, reproductive and birth defects, neurological
disorders etc. are spreading day by day.
Water is essential for life. More than seventy percent of earth?s area is covered by water. These
natural resources too, could not prevent it from cruel waste materials of factories. Water
pollution causes problems in marine life.
The ozone layer is damaged by the effect of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). The cause of this
damage is human activities through which such chemicals are produced.
Pollution is considered as one of the biggest problems of modern world. All living things
(humans, trees and animals) are equally affected by it.
We are facing this crisis due to shortage of trees. Trees are natural source to absorb carbon
dioxide and other toxic matter. Instead of increasing its number, we (human beings (have cut it
down in the name of development. Due to this loss, there is a disturbance of natural weathers.
In our country, only 4.7 percent of its total area is consisted on forests. Minimum percentage
should be 18 percent. One can imagine that we badly need to cultivate artificial forests. We are
facing an alarming condition, natural resources are depleting very fast.
Our present and future depends on the survival of Mother Nature. No doubt technology supports
human beings in many aspects. Sometimes, the other side of the picture is not observed.
Technology damages natural environment, industrial waste, noise pollution etc are causing
serious problems. We can prevent our environment from pollution. Precautionary measures
should be taken on individual as well as social levels.
If we clean our homes, it would contribute a lot in making the environment clean and healthy.
Environmental issues should be taught at school and college level. New generation should know
the methods to prevent environment from pollution.