Pollution Combat Day was August 14:
In researching a topic for the Congregational Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation web page for the month of August, I noticed that August 14 is recognized as Pollution Combat Day. It may seem late to be discussing this topic, however, I am convinced that it would be helpful if we recognized each day as a day to reduce pollution in our environment. Another disclosure: I would prefer another term to “combat;” that word sounds too much like warfare itself. I would suggest another term: Pollution Engagement Day -- indicating that one would concentrate on being engaged in reducing pollution in its many forms. Upon collecting data for this reflection, many forms of pollution were presented. I will attempt to give information, as well as some examples, by which one can make a difference in the pollution in our environment. What is Pollution? How Do We Control and Minimize Pollution?
Pollution control is a term used in environmental management. It means the control of emissions and effluents into air, water, or soil. Without pollution control, the waste products from consumption, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and other human activities -- whether they accumulate or disperse -- will degrade the environment. In the hierarchy of controls, pollution prevention and waste minimization are more desirable than pollution control. Major forms of pollution and major polluted areas
What can I do to reduce air pollution? *** *** *** *** Effects of pollution To protect the environment from the adverse effects of pollution, many nations worldwide have enacted legislation to regulate various types of pollution as well as to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution.
A UN environmental conference held in Bali December 3 – 14, 2007 with the participation from 180 countries aims to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which will end in 2012. There is much work to be done in order to reach the goals established. It behooves us to be mindful of the effects of the various types of pollution and do what we can, in our ‘small way’, to reduce pollution. Many individuals link the effects of pollution to climate change or global warming that we hear so much about. Karen J. Hartman, S.F.P. [Quotes in this article were taken from Wikipedia.] |
Sometimes the term pollution is extended to include any substance when it occurs at such unnaturally high concentration within a system that it endangers the stability of that system. For example, water is innocuous and essential for life, and yet at very high concentration, it could be considered a pollutant: if a person were to drink an excessive quantity of water, the physical system could be so overburdened that breakdown and even death could result. Another example is the potential of excessive noise to induce imbalance in a person’s mental state, resulting in malfunction and psychosis; this has been used as a weapon of torture. 
The Kyoto Protocol is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international treaty on global warming. It also reaffirms sections of the UNFCCC . Countries which ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. A total of 141 countries have ratified the agreement. Notable exceptions include the United States and Australia, who have signed but not ratified the agreement. The stated reason for the United States not ratifying is the exemption of large emitters of greenhouse gases.