Can
businesses prevent environmental pollution?
Introduction
Pollution prevention (P2) is any practice that reduces, eliminates,
or prevents pollution at its source. P2, also known as "source
reduction," is the ounce-of-prevention approach to waste management.
Reducing the amount of pollution produced means less waste to control, treat,
or dispose of. Less pollution means less hazards posed to public health and the
environment.
Pollution prevention is very
important because; Pollution prevention reduces both financial costs (waste
management and clean-up) and environmental costs (health problems and
environmental damage). Pollution prevention protects the environment by
conserving and protecting natural resources while strengthening economic growth
through more efficient production in industry and less need for households,
businesses and communities to handle waste.
Today aim going to discuss How Businesses Can Prevent Environmental
Pollution. While manufacturing and building businesses are no strangers to
pollution and waste, Environment is the surroundings in which we live. But the
contamination of our environment by pollutants is environmental pollution. The
current stage of the earth that we are seeing is the cause of centuries of
exploitation of earth and its resources. Moreover, the earth cannot restore its
balance because of environmental pollution. The human force has created and
destroyed life on earth. Human plays a vital role in the degradation of the
environment. Besides, it also affects the body system and body organs.
Effects on Land, Soil, and Food
Human’s organic and chemical both waste harm the land and soil with
its decomposition. Also, it introduces some chemical in the soil and water.
Land and soil pollution mainly caused by the use of pesticides, fertilizers,
soil erosion, and crop residues.
Effect on Water
Water gets contaminated easily with any pollutant whether it is
human waste or chemical discharge from factories. Also, we use this water for
irrigation of crops and drinking. But, because of infection they become
contaminated too. Besides, an animal dies because they drink this same
contaminated water. Moreover, around 80% of pollutants of land such as
chemical, industrial and agricultural waste end up in the water bodies.
Besides, these water bodies ultimately connect to the sea which means
it indirectly pollutes the biodiversity of the sea.
Effect on Food
Because of contaminated soil and water, the crop or agricultural
produce also get toxic. Furthermore, this contaminated food effect our health
and organs. From the beginning of their life, these crops are laced with
chemical components that reach a mass level until the time of harvest.
Effect on Climate
Climate change is also a cause of environmental pollution. Also, it
affects the physical and biological components of the ecosystem. Moreover,
ozone depletion, greenhouse gases, global warming all these climate changes are
a cause of environmental pollution. Besides, their effect can be fatal for our
upcoming generations. The irregular extreme cold and hot climate affect the
ecological system of the earth. Furthermore, some unstable climate changes are
earthquakes, famine, smog, carbon particles, shallow rain or snow,
thunderstorms, volcanic eruption, and avalanches are all because of climate
change that happens all because of environmental pollution.
Did you know out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, 13 of
them are in India? Environmental pollution is one of the most dangerous
problems the entire world is currently facing. It is time to come up with a
solution to our environmental issues or it will face some serious consequences.
Let me take a look at the various types of pollution.
· Water
Pollution: With the natural water resources
depleting day by day, water is a scarce commodity. But, even in these times,
the water sources are polluted by pollutants from various sources, making them
unfit for human consumption.
· Garbage
Pollution: When we do not adhere to proper
waste disposal mechanisms, waste accumulates, causing garbage pollution. So the
only way to address this issue is to ensure a proper waste disposal system that
does not contaminate the environment.
· Air
Pollution: When the atmosphere is filled with
toxic gases released as result of industrial or other economic activities, it
results in polluting the atmosphere and the air in the environment. This is
nothing but air pollution.
Let’s see what the researchers say above the regarding topics; we
all know air pollution is a major killer, research from the World Health Organization (WHO) is
shocking. In 2012 alone, 7 million people died as a result of exposure to
indoor and outdoor air pollution, one in eight of total global deaths. This
finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is
now the world’s largest single environmental health risk. The WHO data reveals
a stronger link between indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and
cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease, as well
as between air pollution and cancer. This is in addition, the WHO research
explains, to the already proven link between air pollution and respiratory
diseases, including acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive
pulmonary diseases. In cities across the world, pollution is becoming an
alarming problem. This is very true. In homes, offices, schools, hospitals,
public buildings and other buildings, where we spend so much of our time, the
air that we breathe may be harming us. In offices, it can cause increases in
sickness absenteeism and dent productivity as well. In
the case of outdoor air pollution, WHO estimates there were 3.7 million deaths
in 2012 from urban and rural sources worldwide.
A study by William Fisk from the
Californian Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory concluded that better indoor
air quality boosted worker productivity by 0.5% to 5%, leading to estimated
savings of between $20 billion to $200 billion per year. In schools, teachers
on sick leave can mean missed lessons and so on. The problem is far reaching.
Apart from government policy, there is a need for businesses to
design products and services to meet the world’s ever growing social and
environmental needs. We need to think of new ideas to deliver the most basic of
human rights, clean air.
Reducing pollution
There
are many things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment. If we all
use energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully, we can
reduce harmful emissions to our air, land and water. Everyday choices have the
power to make a difference, and help protect our environment for a clean and
sustainable future. The choices that we make every day can help to make a
difference.
- Commute smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. Motor vehicle emissions remain the most significant source of most common air pollutants.
- Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle next time you are replacing your car.
- Save energy, by turning off the television and make sure you flick the light switch when you leave the room. Not only will you save money on your electricity bill, you will be reducing emissions from coal-fired electricity plants.
- Buy energy -efficient appliances. Check the energy rating label when buying new or second hand electrical appliances. More stars mean less emissions. The Energy Rating web site will help you select energy efficient appliances
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Phosphorus in detergents increases nutrient loads in rivers and can cause excessive algal growth. Never pour chemicals or fertilizes down the drain as they get washed into storm water drains and into rivers or the ocean.
These are just a few small changes you can make to reduce your
household's impact on the environment.
Industry can use NPI
data to improve manufacturing processes, and can benchmark their emissions
against similar facilities. Annual reporting also assists industry in
documenting progress in reducing emissions and provides a measure of current
environmental performance. One of the main goals of the NPI is to encourage
facilities to use cleaner production techniques to reduce substance emissions
and decrease waste. Reporting facilities have the option of reporting on
cleaner production activities and pollution control developments that they have
undertaken during the reporting year.The Carter Harvey Holt particle board mill
in Tumut, New South Wales has implemented several emission reduction activities
resulting in decreased emissions and better management of waste.
In the NPI summary report of sixth year data 2003-04, the Toyota
vehicle manufacturing facility in Altona Victoria is provided as a success
story for innovative solutions introduced to help reduce substance emissions.
Governments can use NPI
data to assist with environmental planning and management. NPI data is often
used in the preparation of State of the Environment reports, and to support
initiatives which help protect the environment.
Conclusion
Environmental pollution is a major problem in different parts of
the world, which requires the policy makers to employ some mitigation
strategies. The developed economies such as the United States contribute
significantly towards environmental pollution because of the high number of
factories and industries that release harmful gases into the atmosphere. These
economies consume energy heavily, thus leading to environmental pollution. This
shows that depletion of natural resources in these countries is very high. The
emerging economies also contribute significantly to environmental pollution,
but lesser than the developed ones. The developing economies such as Ethiopia
pollute the environment at a slower rate than the developed economies. These
countries have fewer factories and industries, which make them to release
lesser harmful gases into the atmosphere as compared to other countries.
However, poverty rates in these countries are higher than developed countries
because of the few employment opportunities. It is important to regulate the
rates at which countries pollute the environment in order to prevent its
harmful effects such as global warming.
Above all, if we wish to survive and continue our life on earth
then we have to take measures. These measures will help is securing our as well
as our next generation future.
