Clean the Environment Before it is Too Late

By Cray Shellenbarger

Over time, the negative effects of various air pollutants are becoming more evident. There are an overwhelming number of respiratory issues that have been directly linked to air pollution. The causes of said pollutants are obvious and can be dealt with. Automobiles are the leading cause of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Laws have been set in place to counteract this problem and yet the problem continues. A series of Clean Air Acts has been in place since 1967. The human have the technology to control the pollution. There are control devices in place such as mechanical collectors and fabric filters. Is this enough to fight air pollution? Where do the Environmental Wisdom and Planetary Management worldviews fit into this?

Air Pollution has been attributed to an alarming number of health problems. One extremely harmful air pollutant is carbon dioxide. Most of the emission of carbon dioxide can be attributed to the overuse of the automobile. The theory of global warming is becoming more widely accepted. The rise in temperature has been linked to various environmental problems. Some of which being more intense storms and warning of devastating floods. Respiratory issues are another of air pollutions vast affects on the planet. According to Wikipedia.com, nearly 4.6 million people die each year as a result of air pollution. Indoor Air pollution is a major contributor to these deaths. Many of the common materials used in home construction give of extremely toxic chemicals. For example, both carpeting and plywood emit formaldehyde, a chemical labeled as a carcinogen. Indoor air pollution is an easy problem to fix. In new construction it is a top priority to ensure proper ventilation to reduce the probability of these harmful chemicals building up in the built environment.

The problem of air pollution is not an easy problem to fix. However, it is simple to identify the causes. As mentioned, the most prominent of source air pollution is carbon monoxide emissions (Wikipedia). The finger is always pointed at the automobile as the only cause. This is understandable considering that every gallon of gas burned in an internal combustion engine results in nearly twenty pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Who Killed the Electric Car?). There are, however, many other causes. Some of which include combustion fired power plants, controlled burn practice, and marine vessels. After researching, one will see that the causes are vast and cannot be singled out as being worse than another. This problem is not one whose cause can be placed on and individual.

Although the causes are many, steps have been taken to control this serious problem. In 1967, the United States Congress passed the first Clean Air Act. This act was aimed at reducing the smog problem in the more populated areas of the United States. This act was amended several times in the following years. These acts set a standard in clean air quality to ensure a better and longer life for the American citizen. As a result of this, every car in the United States was required to have a catalytic converter installed on the exhaust system. This device helped keep emissions down and in many cases actually improved gas mileage in American automobiles. Factories were also impacted by these laws. Industries were required to control the waste that was emitted from the production of their products. Many were required to install mechanical collectors such as dust cyclones. Wet scrubbers were also and are still widely in use.

Is all of this enough to counter the damage done to the environment? Many scientists say no. Much more should and can be done. Over time it would be great to see all consumer driven gas vehicles off the market. Battery technology is advancing well, offering longer ranges on rechargeable vehicles. Most of the major motor companies now offer a “hybrid” type vehicle. These “hybrid” cars combine the combustion engine with the use of chargeable batteries to greatly increase fuel efficiency.

There are two opposing worldviews to be discussed. One of which is the Planetary Management worldview. In this view, it is believed that humans are the most important species on the planet. Also, there is no need to worry about running out of resources because humans will develop more. The success of the human race depends on the proper manipulation of the earth to sever us as a race best (wadsworth.com). The other view is Environmental Wisdom worldview. Those with this view believe that nature exists for all species. Therefore, humans are not in charge of the earth. Also, resources are limited. But most of all, the success of the race depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and integrating our actions into that cycle (wadsworth.com). It is essential to find a balance between the two of these, for that is where the best solution lies. As a race, we must incorporate the idea that we can develop more resources with the fact that the ones we have are limited.

The most useful thing that humans have is the environment. If the environment were to collapse, the race would fall. Through laws, regulations, and whatever else it takes, we must fix what has been damaged before it is too late. The balance between the worldviews needs to be reach and used in a productive way. The future of the human race depends on it.