Protection of the Environment

A clean and healthy environment is part and parcel of the wealth and quality of life that we desire for ourselves now and for our children in the future. People demand that the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat is free of pollution and contaminants; they want to live undisturbed by noise, and they want to enjoy the beauty of the countryside, unspoiled coastlines and mountain areas. They also want a world that is not threatened by climate change.
Healthy and balanced natural systems are essential for supporting life on this planet. Society relies on nature to provide us with the resources for our survival: air, water, food, fibers, medicines, and building materials. Children need to grow up aware of the nature around them. As human beings we have a responsibility to preserve the actual value of nature both for ourselves and for future generations.
In recent decades, there has been a growing realization that the quality of our air, water, soil, and food affect the quality of our health and of our lives. This ranges from increased allergies, respiratory disease, and cancers to the disorder of the body’s hormone and fertility systems, and premature death. The causes of our various environment-health pr

The scientific researches, conducted over centuries, show that the pollution of the atmosphere reached its top. The contaminants in the air have a negative impact on the health of children, as well as adults. Our respiratory organs, our vision, and our hearing are damaged because of the high amounts of contaminants in the air, water, and soil. A substantial number of people have conditions such as asthma, other respiratory problems or difficulties with additional organs of the body. The contaminants in the air have not only affected humans, but animals as well.

Stephenson, Jesse. “Texas A&M Scientists Working to Counter Human Effects to Gulf of Mexico.” U. Wire. March 5, 2002. . Apr. 16, 2002. para, 22.

From tundra to tropics, frogs have thrived for nearly 200 million years. Now they are vanishing. Scientists warn that climate change, pollution, and other factors may be acting together. Other studies done in the Australian Queensland’s Paluma Range National Forest area and the woods of Papua, New Guinea, reveal an alarmingly decline in different species of frogs. This decline has been happening around the world. Costa Rica’s golden toad has not been seen in the wild since 1989. Some people will say they don’t care, but scientists are alarmed because the frog symbolizes the link between the soil, the water, and the air. Much like humans, they enjoy an intimate contact with all three of these vital properties. “If something out there is affecting frogs, there’s a chance it’s affecting us, too” proclaims Mike Lannoo of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (Morell, 114).

The soil is a natural formation that holds a number of qualities necessary for a living creature. One of the most important qualities of the soil it is its fertility. As human beings, we don’t fully appreciate the value and the great importance of soil free of contaminants. Frequently, we encounter the remainders of construction sites such as: panels, blocks, bricks covered with ashes, and slag. Automobile parts often are cast out and leak fluids onto the soil. As a result, iron and other metals penetrate the soil. Thus, hazardous compounds of arsenic, mercury, and copper accrue into the soil. Therefore, the ever-increasing cycle of the amounts of contents of lead in the soil is never stopped. We can observe this especially on the sides of our roads and highways. Even such substances as mineral fertilizers, created to enhance the soil, can cause damage.

When houses are built on previously contaminated land, pesticides can easily be brought into the house from the soil, where they contaminate the home in the form of house dust. Pesticide exposure via house dust has been shown to cause higher serum levels of pesticides than what is incurred by eating contaminated foods. There is also the possibility of pesticide contamination by the growing of vegetables in the home garden (Crinnion, 432).