“The problem is not only the pollution itself, but its effects mainly on people’s health.”

Although many realize the terrible impacts that deforestation has on our environment, they still continue to do it. Some people truely believe that the benefits of deforestation outweigh the consequences. In general, deforestation is often argued as a rather negative process, where its short-term economic benefits seem to fail in weighing down the long-term positives that are keeping the trees to exist. Aside from this, critics say that many of the economic advantages presented by the method are unsustainable, with alternative sustainable economic incomes existing to conserve trees and wildlife. Based on the advantages and disadvantages listed above, what would be your stand regarding deforestation?

• Coal Burning - Smoke from Chimneys, factories, vehicles, or burning of wood come from a result of coal burning, releasing sulphur dioxide into the air making it toxic.
• Excessive Fuel Burning - Our lives require us to burn fuels to do everyday activities, such as cooking and driving.
• Industrial Waste - industrial wastes dumped into the rivers and other water bodies cause an imbalance in the water leading to its severe contamination and death of aquatic species.
• Pesticides - spraying insecticides, pesticides like DDT on plants pollutes the ground water system
• Oil Spills - oil spills in the oceans have caused irreparable damage to the water bodies.
• Eutrophication - daily activities like washing clothes, utensils near lakes, ponds or rivers forces detergents to go into water which blocks sunlight from penetrating, thus reducing oxygen and making it inhabitable.

• Environment Degradation - Environment is the first casualty for increase in pollution weather in air or water. The increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog which can restrict sunlight from reaching the earth. Thus, preventing plants in the process of photosynthesis. Gases like Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of Oil spill may lead to death of several wildlife species.
• Human Health - The decrease in quality of air leads to several respiratory problems including asthma or lung cancer. Chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease are some of diseases that can be causes by air pollution. Water pollution occurs due to contamination of water and may pose skin related problems including skin irritations and rashes. Similarly, Noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance.
• Global Warming - The emission of greenhouse gases particularly CO2 is leading to global warming. Every other day new industries are being set up, new vehicles come on roads and trees are cut to make way for new homes. All of them, in direct or indirect way lead to increase in CO2 in the environment. The increase in CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which increases the sea level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas.
• Ozone Layer Depletion - Ozone layer is the thin shield high up in the sky that stops ultra violet rays from reaching the earth. As a result of human activities, chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were released int to the atmosphere which contributed to the depletion of ozone layer.
• Infertile Land - Due to constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile. Plants may not be able to grow properly. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial waste is released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of soil

Created by: Tony Shufon, HVCC, 2017