Environmental pollution threats

Environmental pollution is a cause for concern, not only for us but also for mankind as a whole. The last century has seen the rise of this menace assume gigantic proportions so much so that it has cast its gloomy shadow on nature itself. The diminishing ozone ionosphere leading to global worming and the unpredictable seasonal variation, are some of the adverse effects of pollution that are threatening the environment in which we live.

Pollution is a by-product of the unprecedented Industrial revolution that we have seen in the last few decades. The establishment of large scale factories belching out smoke, fumes and chemically hazardous waste, has now started having a telling effect on the environment. This coupled with the unprecedented growth of automobiles and the ever-increasing human population, are some of the factors that are making environmental pollution a cause for concern.

The effects of pollution are all pervasive. An immediate fallout being the reduction in the oxygen content in the atmosphere, presence of potentially harmful gases causing asthma and even lung cancer, which at times proves fatal. The large-scale release of chemical wastes into the rivers and streams are the cause of dwindling aquatic lice in the rivers and oceans. This also adversely affects the soil where river water is used for irrigation purposes. Some gases lie chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) used in air conditioners and refrigerators have been known to cause reduction of the protective ozone in the ionosphere. It has also been conclusively proved that global warming and unpredictability of seasons are some of its immediate fallouts

The threat of environment contamination looms large on the earth today. It no longer remains an individual or national concern, but is now a global problem, to be addressed internationally. As an immediate measure ,environmentalists have suggested ban on use of potentially harmful chemicals/gases in industry and discharge of wastes only after proper treatment. The establishment of emission norms for vehicles and protecting the green cover in the forms of forest and trees are some of the measures suggested. While the government is setting up enforcement and monitoring agencies for keeping this menace under check, it is also our responsibility to lend a helping hand in this monumental task.

It is common for us to curse nature, when it causes major devastation due to its unpredictability, but this is something we owe to ourselves and to our future generations, for this evil if not kept under check, has the potential to obliterate life on the only planet know to nurture it.