19.3 Fixing Issues in the Environment

Fixing Environmental Issues

Worldwide Efforts

  • Early 1990s: Global initiatives to curb environmental pollution.
  • International agreements: Banned the production of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
  • United States: Banned harmful chemicals like DDT.
  • Water pollution reduction: Installation of secondary sewage treatment facilities to remove bacteria.
  • Industrial smokestacks: Scrubbers installed to decrease harmful sulfur emissions.
    • Result: 50% reduction in sulfur, soot, and carbon dioxide emissions over the last thirty years.
  • Carpool lanes: Implemented on U.S. highways to reduce the number of vehicles and emissions.

Approaches in the United States

  • Two main approaches to reduce pollution:
    • Legislation: Laws regulating acceptable pollution levels.
      • Example: Mandated catalytic converters on vehicles to reduce emissions.
      • Clean Air Act of 1990: Required power plant smokestacks to install scrubbers.
      • Drawback: Increased costs for consumers (cars and energy).
    • Taxation: Making polluting activities more expensive through taxes.
      • Example: Gasoline tax.
      • Purpose: Balance environmental safety with economic growth.
      • Pollution permits for industries: Effective but could lead to business closures.

Solving Environmental Problems: A Pattern

  • Five steps often involved in solving environmental problems:

    1. Assessment:

      • Identify the problem.
      • Collect and analyze data.
      • Construct a scientific model of the ecosystem.
      • Purpose: Describe the current state and project the future.

    2. Risk Analysis:

      • Assess information and predict consequences of interventions.
      • Evaluate potential negative effects of interventions.

    3. Public Education:

      • Inform the public about the environmental problem.
      • Present available alternatives.
      • Educate on costs and results of different choices.

    4. Political Action:

      • Involve stakeholders, including the public and political leaders.
      • Individuals can influence by contacting elected officials (e.g., senators, council leaders).

    5. Follow Through:

      • Monitor and evaluate the intervention.
      • Establish whether objectives have been attained.

Success Stories

  • Local people play a critical role alongside politicians and scientists.
    • The Nashua River:
      • Problem: Pollution from mills in Massachusetts.
      • Solution: Marion Stoddart established the Nashua River Cleanup Committee in 1962.
      • Actions:
        • Advocacy campaigns to raise awareness among politicians and business leaders.
        • Sought financing for a waste treatment plant.
        • Cleanup campaign on the riverbanks.
      • Result: Massachusetts Clean Water Act of 1966 banned garbage dumping into the river.
    • Lake Washington:
      • Problem: Blue-green algae discovery by Professor W.T. Edmondson in 1954.
      • Cause: Discharge of treated outflow from 10 municipal sewage plants, containing phosphates and nitrates.
      • Solution: Cleanup led by Edmondson utilizing joint municipal taxes.
      • Result: Healthy and clean lake waters.

Your Contribution

  • Individuals can contribute to environmental sustainability.
  • Learn about ecology and the environment.
  • Conserve energy, reduce pollution and waste.
  • Methods:
    • Walk, bike, or use public transportation.
    • Recycle daily household products (newspapers, aluminum, glass, plastic).
  • Control what you can control.
  • Daily choices have a positive impact.