In favour of this aim, recent figures suggest that the UK's emissions of volatile organic compounds VOCs are being reduced21 and in addition, greenhouse gases are also being reduced. Removal Request, atmospheric pollution essay. Step 3 — Distinguish between emissions and ambient concentrations. The forest cover is losing ground on account of rapid industrialization and cutting trees for individual gains. Ozone is a secondary pollutant, produced by reactions between nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons. Feel free to contribute! In Sweden, a similar concept has been in operation since whereby environmental standards are specified for heavy vehicles atmospheric pollution essay the central area of the main cities.
Introduction
These are the times when the world, led by globalization forces, is undergoing many changes and advancements. Rapid industrialization is an integral component of these changes. But somewhere down the line, such rapid advancements are atmospheric pollution essay leading to adverse side effects. Cutting trees, air pollution, water pollution, etc. are some of the aftereffects that tend to destroy the delicate balance of nature. This is bound to result in serious consequences if the growing industrial activities keep ignoring the measures for caring the nature. An immediate casualty of industrialization is the depletion of forest cover. The forest cover is losing ground on account of rapid industrialization and cutting trees for individual gains. Deforestation in turn leads to more floods, scarce rains, etc.
Green forests help in soaking the suspended particles in the air and thus clean the air for all of us to breathe. Disappearing green cover also means the presence of more pollutants in the air. According to the studies conducted by many Science Academies, the surface temperature of Earth has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. New and stronger evidence is found which suggests that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.
Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases — primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Atmospheric greenhouse gases water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Many scientists and policy-makers such as the European Union recognize a 3. In fact, there are indications that the global warming effects are quite apparent even below the levels of 3. For example, some of the effects like damage to many ecosystems decrease in crop yields, sea-level rise, and the widespread loss of coral reefs Warren, Madsen and Sargent spell out the potential dangers of global warming if the temperature rises beyond 3.
Some such effects are. If we go around the industrial sites in the outskirts of cities, we can very well experience the change in the environmental equation. The situation is very grave in some of the developing countries, making giant strides towards industrialization. Some aftereffects of brutalities on the environment are reflected in the form of. Some of the issues that require the immediate attention of the business community in general are. The United Nations Framework Convention on climatic change, popularly known as Kyoto protocol 1in league with another significant agreement paper known as Montreal Protocol, envisages among other things too. Many of the Third World nations do not enjoy this liberty as yet as they do not have enough resources at their command to take tough measures for safeguarding the interests of the environment.
Such nations have to be guided towards better economic conditions and prosperity by their richer counterparts for the environment to become a unified issue. Economics, atmospheric pollution essay, the core component of atmospheric pollution essay business, is the study of how people use their limited resources to try to satisfy unlimited wants. In many cases firms observe competitors promoting their environmental behaviors and attempt to emulate this behavior. In some instances, this competitive pressure has caused an entire industry to modify and thus reduce its detrimental environmental behavior. Some such reasons are:. Need a custom Essay sample written from scratch by professional specifically for you? certified writers online.
Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming. We use atmospheric pollution essay to give you the best experience possible. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy, atmospheric pollution essay. Table of Contents. Introduction Global Warming Symptoms and Factors Some more impacts of the Eco-Imbalance Evaluation of current sustainability strategies and solutions References. Learn More. This essay on Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming was written and submitted by your fellow student. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, atmospheric pollution essay, you must cite it accordingly.
Removal Request. If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Global Warming: Causes and Consequences Global Warming Effects and Impact. GET WRITING HELP, atmospheric pollution essay. Cite This paper. Select atmospheric pollution essay referencing style:, atmospheric pollution essay. Copy to Clipboard Copied! APA-6 Atmospheric pollution essay Chicago N-B Chicago A-D Harvard. Reference IvyPanda. Work Cited "Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming. Bibliography IvyPanda. References IvyPanda. More related papers. Check the price of your paper. If you continue, atmospheric pollution essay, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy OK.
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In many cases firms observe competitors promoting their environmental behaviors and attempt to emulate this behavior. In some instances, this competitive pressure has caused an entire industry to modify and thus reduce its detrimental environmental behavior. Some such reasons are:. Need a custom Essay sample written from scratch by professional specifically for you? certified writers online. Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy. Table of Contents. Introduction Global Warming Symptoms and Factors Some more impacts of the Eco-Imbalance Evaluation of current sustainability strategies and solutions References. Learn More. This essay on Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming was written and submitted by your fellow student.
You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. Removal Request. If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Global Warming: Causes and Consequences Global Warming Effects and Impact. GET WRITING HELP. Cite This paper. Select a referencing style:. Copy to Clipboard Copied! APA-6 MLA-8 Chicago N-B Chicago A-D Harvard. Reference IvyPanda. Work Cited "Atmospheric Pollution and Global Warming. Bibliography IvyPanda. References IvyPanda. More related papers. Check the price of your paper.
If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy OK. A classic example highlighting the necessity of sustainable development is that of the Communist regimes, such in Poland, in which they favoured production and economic development over protection of the environment. In brief, economic growth will lead to changes in the environment. One could be as bold as to say that obviously, the overriding consideration of any commercial enterprise is the maintenance and expansion of profit. To achieve this, one tactic is to minimize costs and this can occur by reviewing methods of disposal of unwanted materials. If discharging these wastes into the atmosphere represents the cheapest way of accomplishing this, then the industry will have a strong inclination to adopt this strategy.
The costs of disposal do not disappear when pollution is emitted into the atmosphere, and as has been discovered, the society will eventually end up paying far greater costs. Therefore, it is the governments of each nation must choose limits to benefit both the environment and economic growth. This is often referred to as 'anthroprecantic'7 and most law is based on it. As it was eventually assessed with regards to the situation in Poland that their lack of concern for the environment in which they inhabited was, in effect, the reason for their poor economic advancement.
It was also noted that their Gross Domestic Product GDP was less than those countries who followed the anthroprecantic system. This perhaps is the most precise example of how the environment plays such a big factor on our lives, not just for our health , but also for the development of our respective countries. After all, it is the aspiration of each and every governing nation to become wealthy and prosperous - economic development is at the heart of each nation. In working towards sustainable development, whether in broad terms or looking at one particular aspect such as air quality, a number of basic concepts must guide action. These concepts have been clearly outlined in a number of governmental papers8.
Within the United Kingdom's largely secular and pragmatic society, it seems inevitable that pollution is view in an economic context. The industrial revolution was the main cause of such concern over the environment. Before this time, 'environmental law in England and Wales was characterised by a parochial focus on localised pollution problems'9. Such problems date back to the early uses of coal in domestic fires. The production of fumes and particulates from fires caused pulmonary infections and related lung diseases. Notwithstanding this effect, coal continued to be used. In , John Evelyn. published his famous work on air pollution in city areas, Fumi Fugiumi, which not only outlined the problems that atmospheric pollution from smoke caused, but also, more importantly, tried to suggest methods by which the problem could be resolved.
After this period, much legislation was passed addressing specific problems in this area of law, for example, atmospheric pollution from chemical industries and 'unclean' modes of transport, water pollution and the regulation of statutory nuisance. Very few areas of the United Kingdom are safe from air pollution. Pollution levels exceed Government health standards all over the country on many days every year, even in rural areas. It is difficult to assess exactly the impact of air pollution on public health. However the government itself stated that: "the Department of Health's latest assessment is that air pollution is at present responsible each year for several thousand advanced deaths; for ten to twenty thousand hospital admissions, and for many thousands of instances of illness, reduced activity, distress and discomfort" It was also assessed that short-term episodes cause between 12, and 19, premature deaths in the UK a year And three years prior to this, it was estimated12 that short-term pollution episodes were responsible for between 12, and 24, deaths per year.
These figures have put new pressure on the Government to fully support the Road Traffic Reduction Bill13, from Cynog Dafis MP. As can be imagined, road transport is a major source of air pollution in the UK. Five of the key pollutants are: particulates fine dust and soot particles - PM , carbon monoxide CO , nitrogen oxides NOx , benzene and hydrocarbons HCs. However, knowing that transport is the cornerstone of modern society, yet it is responsible for poor air quality in many urban centres around the world, what is there that can be done about its damaging effect on our environment?
There are increasing concerns about the impact of traffic exhaust emissions on the health of citizens who are exposed to the high concentrations of pollutants, plus the wider global implications. Legislation is helping clean up vehicles and fuel, but there is a significant time lag while the vehicle stock is being replaced. In the interim, mechanisms could to be introduced that accelerate the replacement of vehicles or improve the existing stock. In the UK such a concept has taken the form of Low Emission Zones, which aim to restrict the use of the most polluting vehicles from specific areas in an urban environment. In Sweden, a similar concept has been in operation since whereby environmental standards are specified for heavy vehicles entering the central area of the main cities.
The government has also recently set health standards for eight key pollutants. For these pollutants it has also set policy targets to be reached by the year Meeting these targets will need action locally, nationally and internationally. The Environment Act set up a system known as Local Air Quality Management through which local authorities will play a major part in reducing pollution levels. If we are to meet the Government's targets for air pollution, then pollution from traffic must be cut drastically. There are two main ways to do this: Traffic reduction: cutting the volume of traffic on the roads.
A number of environmental organisations are supporting the Road Traffic Reduction Act which is now law and the Road Traffic Reduction UK Targets Bill. Greener cars: making sure that cars pollute as little as is possible. This is achieved through tightening engine technology and fuel quality standards. These standards are set at a European level Although the above issues are seemingly simple, everyone does not welcome the manner in which they will be implemented. For example, There are a huge number in opposition to the government increasing taxes on fuel, and in one particular instance, it was stated by a former chairman of a lobbying institution, that 'if Gordon Brown increases his fuel taxes, he will see the same situation as he saw in Autumn ' [where there was a great number of protests and havoc was caused around Britain]16 This threat was reinforced by a totally independent party, namely the Petrol Retailers Association, who warned 'if taxes on motor fuels are increased, petrol forecourts will close' With statistics and threats such as those provided, it is difficult to advise what the government can do to aid the situation.
The Liberal Democrat party also showed its urgency when it released a statement highlighting its concern that the Chancellor of the Exchequer must freeze fuel taxes in real terms for the lifetime of this Parliament. The party also called for a 'sliding scale' of car tax emissions, so that consumers with polluting vehicles paying higher duties, and those with the most environmentally friendly, paying nothing And, in support of this plea, it was stated, by The Confederation of British Industry, that they would be 'surprised and disappointed if there was a real increase in fuel duties'.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who is behind many of the more noticeable environmental issues with regards to London stated in his manifesto that he aims to 'put the environment at the heart of London government and provide for comprehensive environmental assessment and monitoring of all strategies which the Mayor is required to produce' In favour of this aim, recent figures suggest that the UK's emissions of volatile organic compounds VOCs are being reduced21 and in addition, greenhouse gases are also being reduced.
However, as stated previously, with the correction of specific pollution problems, comes an uplift of other hazards, such as in this case, the increase in carbon dioxide emissions and recent developments in the electricity market suggest problematic situations. All aspects of environmental law have a domestic, European and international dimension to them. For example, if one lives in a country where there are dangerous waste materials being transported thorough, the government of transporting town will ensure that the standard of safety provided is of a standard expected on a international level.
These precautions must be taken in any environmental situation as will be discovered through this assignment. The influence of international law on the regulation of air pollution has been significant. This may be in recognition of the fact that many of the problems caused by air pollution can have impacts across a large geographical area and in many cases cause seriously global effects. There have been a number of areas where international law has helped to shape policies and rules on both a domestic and European level. Therefore, with regards to our particular topic, atmospheric pollution in England is regulated, not only by domestic bodies, but moreover, on a European and global level.
The problems related to air pollution are by no means a new phenomenon. The prohibitions on certain activities producing smoke are probably the first instances of environment pollution legislation in the United Kingdom, and legislation dates back to with the Alkali Act, Public Health Act and , Public Health Smoke Abatement Act and the Clean Air Act CAA The first modern piece of legislation combating air pollution, namely the Alkali Act, represented the culmination of a long period of dissatisfaction with environmental conditions, especially in London. For example, in , an M.
P had written,. Until the CAA was introduced, the government of Britain has had a large amount of difficulty in tackling the problems of atmospheric pollution. Nowadays, the 3 main pollution controls in Britain which will be clearly explained in detail in , are the Integrated Pollution Control IPC 23 and Integrated Pollution and Control IPPC , the Clean Air Act CAA 24 a consolidation of the CAA and CAA , and the controls relating to vehicle emissions. In addition to these, the Environmental Act 25 EA naturally plays a large role, as it does in all environmental issues. Having discussed the topic of environmental law, recapped on the history of atmospheric pollution, and established that there is a need for change, it is now necessary to discuss and evaluate the measures and changes which have been made, by domestic, European and international governments along with a vast number of very influential pressure groups.
The main three are mentioned in section :. a The Integrated Pollution Control IPC 26 and Integrated Pollution and Control IPPC license based controls relating to a range of highly polluting industries detailed in part1 of the Environmental Protection Act EPA and the Pollution Prevention Act PPA b The criminal sanction based controls over the emission of smoke and other particulate matter from chimneys and furnaces detailed in the Clean Air Act CAA c Controls relating to vehicle emissions. These controls encompass engine efficiency standards, the chemical composition of fuels, the mandatory use of catalytic converters, eco-taxes, price differentials between different types of fuel and the use of traffic management powers. The aforementioned controls are an enhancement made by the Environmental Act The CAA concentrates on the control of emissions on smoke, dust and grit by means of criminal offences.
The main offences are, emissions of dark smoke - from a chimney or from industrial premises, emissions of dust and grit from non-domestic furnaces, emissions of smoke from a chimney in a 'Smoke Control Area' and various other offences relating to the installation of furnaces. Having stated earlier, atmospheric pollution is not merely a domestic issue, the involvement of Europe is particularly highlighted with the great many directives established. Since , when the Maastricht Treaty on the European Union EU reformed the Treaty of Rome, Articles r - t of the EC Treaty have provided the legal basis for Community environmental law.
Specifically, under Article r 2 , environmental policy is guided by four principles: the precautionary, the polluter-pays principle, the integration principle, and the source principle. Moreover, the aforementioned Article further provides that a directive or regulation may include a 'safeguard clause', which allows Member States to take any appropriate measure to protect the environment in case of emergency European Community EC measures to curb air pollution can be divided into different categories. As can be seen, the EC has implemented a large number of directives, however, what is not apparent from the information given, is which have been implemented in British national law.
The EC also concentrates on vehicle emission standards, product quality standards and atmospheric pollution and waste reduction As an evaluation, it is necessary to view the opinions and publications of specialised bodies that thrive to ever improve the environment, such as Green Peace and Friends of the Earth. However, when consulting such sources, one is required to acknowledging the great possibilities of biasness, in order to assess the contribution these measures and policies have made on the atmospheric pollution levels in Britain. Regarding one particular publication issued by Friends of the Earth, it was stated, that by using government data and methods to calculate an Air Quality Indicator for established that air quality is still 'very poor'.
The calculation shows, for key monitoring sites around Britain, the average number of days on which air pollution levels were above the Government's air quality standard. John Prescott called it a "key quality of life indicator". Ozone is a secondary pollutant, produced by reactions between nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons. In this report, it was stated that the share of pollution produced by road traffic would be significantly higher in towns and cities.
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