Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution
Samantha Arrieta
SCI/256
November 5, 2013
Analila Lucero

Environmental Pollution As an associate-level environmental scientist, many concerns have risen in regards to the environmental, climate, economical and social consequences. Because of overpopulated cities, there have been some negative factors. The focus to address these issues could be in addressing the weaknesses in already existing laws with stronger enforcement. In the following, I will present a summary report in which I will recommend measures to address the pollution issues and reduce carbon emissions by encouraging alternative means of transportation, promoting fuel-efficient vehicles, how improving roads can help out the environment and lastly, how green spaces and urban forestry are harmless to the atmosphere.
Encouraging Alternative Means of Transportation As we know, transportation involves the combustion of fossil fuels to produce energy translated into motion. Pollution is created from incomplete carbon reactions, unburned hydrocarbons or other elements present in the fuel or air during combustion. These processes produce pollutants of various species and the primary pollutants, in turn, react in the atmosphere to form ozone, secondary particulates, and other damaging secondary pollutant. Research studies show that in regards to the environmental concerns about transportation, emissions from cars and trucks account for almost a third of the air pollution in the entire United States. I strongly believe the city should implement more stringent policies to reduce pollution by relaying some easy changes to transportation habits such as: * Avoiding unnecessary driving trips, carpooling, using public buses, biking or walking, telecommuting. * Maintaining proper vehicles that can be used on the roads. * Avoiding air conditioner and rolling windows down instead, spilling fuel or overfilling at gas pumps, idling, high engine roads.
Promoting Fuel Efficient Vehicles Diesel engines and hybrid vehicles are currently the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. Now, the question is how will a fuel-efficient car give this city cleaner air? Evidence shows that the lesser the consumption of fuel, lesser is the smoke that the vehicle will produce out of the exhaust. This is because the tailpipe emissions coming from fuel-efficient cars are lesser than the cars that are not fuel-efficient and therefore the damage done to the atmosphere is very less. By promoting to the city that the people should choose to drive a fuel-efficient car, everyone is made aware of the benefits that these cares have on the environment. Factors like environmental protection, fuel economy, and energy conservation should all be expressed in increasing the environmental awareness.
Improving Roads Energy goes into the construction of every highway and byway, whether it’s made of asphalt, concrete, or even gravel. The way that roads are built and maintained has a significant impact on how much energy is burned by the vehicles that occupy the roads. Roads can have both negative and positive effects on air quality. While most roads are constructed in layer, with each layer playing its part in delivering the best infrastructure possible, asphalt roads are preferred for many reasons and are built to last. According to the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, “Noise, including road noise, is a pervasive form of environmental pollution. There is no better way to reduce road noise than to treat the problem at its source.” Paving roads and highways with asphalt could help better the environment.
Establishing Green Spaces or Urban Forestry Green Spaces and forestry is another choice I have chosen due to the fact that green spaces and trees are relatively cheap to plant and their benefits are enormous. Not only do these two breathe out oxygen and encourage life, but they also refresh people and have said to de-stress the human population. Green spaces are terrific for reducing all sorts of pollution and they can suppress noise pollution by densely growing shrubs and green. Trees have been shown to absorb pollutants; as few as twenty trees can offset the pollution from a car driven sixty miles per day. Green spaces can also clean partially treated wastewater; they reduce both liquid waste and solid waste.
Conclusion
The greater the population is, the greater amount of pollution occurs. With the growing rate of the population, measures need to be implemented to deter pollution to ensure that the atmosphere and environment.

References University of Michigan. (2001). The Economics of Pollution Control at the Local and Global Levels. Retrieved from http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/pollution_control/pollution_control.html
Department of Environmental Conservation. (2013). Urban and Community Forestry. Retrieved from http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4957.html Buzzle. (2000-2012). Environmental Benefits of Fuel-efficient Cars. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/environmental-benefits-of-fuel-efficient-cars.html
ProQuest. (2005). Highways and Environmental Impact Issues. Retrieved from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/ern/05apr/overview.php