Pollution That Destroying the Earth

Our planet Earth was formed some 4.5 billion years ago. Scientists have found an oldest evidence (between 3.77 and 4.29 billion years old) of microorganisms in Canada. This might be the first life on the Earth. There were six major mass extinction events happened in the Earth that killed most of the species at those times. We, the humans, are destroying our planet itself by polluting the environment everywhere. We pollute the air with harmful greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and industries. We pollute the land and water with solid and liquid wastes. Currently, plastic waste pollution become a big problem not only for humans but also for wild and sea animals. 

Air Pollution

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is one of the greenhouse gases that affected our atmosphere. CFCs are created by a Belgian chemist, Frédéric Swarts in 1890s. CFCs are used as refrigerants and propellants. The usage of CFCs reduced 4% of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere during 1970s. The CFCs also reduced ozone in stratosphere in polar region and it was known as ozone hole. The CFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals are banned to produce from 1989. According to Nasa’s research, the Earth will recover the normal level of ozone in 2075. Important air pollution contributor is factories that does not follow the recommended pollution control measures. 

(Industrial Pollution. Picture Courtesy: SD-Pictures, Pixabay)

According to the World Health Organization, among 20 most polluted cities in the world, 14 are Indian cities. Approximately 7 million people die due to air pollution every year. Motor vehicle emissions are another contributor of air pollution. It affects health of both human and environment. The raising number of motor vehicle usage around the world will further affect our atmosphere. The air pollution is a major reason for global warming. 

Plastic Waste

Plastic is one of the best usable materials invented by humans. At that same time, it is one of the worst materials invented by us. Because, it may take up to 1000 years to decay in landfills. Some plastic bottles may take more than 450 years to decay. The heavy usage of plastics as packaging and storing materials create huge pollution everywhere. Several news articles indicate that more than 8 million tonnes of plastic wastes end up in the oceans every year. Birds, fishes and other sea animals mistake plastics for foods. They swallow plastic bags and other plastic items and die because of suffocation and inability to digest or excrete them. Thus, plastics affect not only the humans but also the land and sea animals. The plastics are huge threat to our ecosystem. 

(A bird is dangerously stuck with plastics - Wikimedia)

Plastic Waste in Mariana Trench 

The Mariana Trench is the deepest place (36,070 feet) in the world. The Japan Agency for Marine – Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTECT) have collected data from deep sea between 1983 and 2017. They have found plastic bags at 35,755 feet of the Mariana Trench. This is an indication of how big the plastic waste problem is. 

Tonnes of Waste in Mt Everest

More than 600 people climbing Mt Everest every year. The problem is, they leave 120 tonnes of trash in the mountain every year. According to The New York Times, it may cost from $30,000 to $100,000 to climb Mt Everest. People spent that much money and effort to pollute a beautiful mountain. This is how wearedestroying our planet.