Environmental pollution solutions: analysis of three articles on industrial reduction, permaculture, and organic farming

¶ … Environmental pollution has become a significant problem in this century, and a lot needs to be done to solve it. The article Lose 300 Tons of Co2 in Just Three Weeks by Kate Sheppard is about how environmental pollution can be reduced through documentation of how much waste companies release. How Farmers Are Going To Save Civilization by Jenn Hardy is about 'permaculture', a concept that advocates for reducing pollution, recycling renewable resources and applying solutions. The third article written Attention To Whole Food Shoppers by Robert Paarlberg talks about food crisis, advocating for organic foods whose production is slow. The people, who are the stewards of the environment, are the major facilitators of the achievement of a pollution- free world.

Articles

Lose 300 Tons Of Co2 In Just Three Weeks,

Kate Sheppard

Toxics Release Inventory model created in the 1980s aims at reducing the use of harmful products in production industries. Documenting chemicals released by industries is the first step of the model. In 1887, two chemical manufacturers - oil refiners and paper millers were identified as the worst polluters who had released close to 3 billion pounds of toxins in the air in that year. After two years of using the model, the toxic release dropped by 19% (Sheppard, 2010). The model helps manufacturers to be aware of the adverse effects that they cause to the environment. It also helps them to uncover some of their ineffective systems; hence they can adopt new ones. Adoption of the model can assist in the identification and solving some of the existing environmental problems (Sheppard, 2010).

How Farmers Are Going To Save Civilization

Jenn Hardy

Permaculture is a concept that can help us improve our eating habits and reduce pollution. Permacultures philosophy is the sustainability of every aspect of our lives. The concept advocates for energy saving and change of the chain of food production (Hardy, 2009). Engaging in activities such as producing food for our household can help to reduce hazardous effects on our environment. Organic foods found on grocery store today have no spots because chemicals and hormones are used in their production. The world is facing a big problem; it is our responsibility to know what we consume and how it is produced. Food water and energy crises are problems we are experiencing now as a result of climate change. Permaculture is all about imitating the natural system that produces efficiently (Hardy, 2009).

Attention To Whole Food Shoppers

Synthesis

Pollution of the environment is a major issue that has been discussed in the three articles. They have evaluated some of the causes and solutions that can solve the problem. Two of the articles discuss organic foods. One article argues that organic food are sustainable and if permaculture is used it can be environmentally friendly (Sheppard, 2010). On the other hand, the author views modern food production method as the only way that can solve food crises problem (Paarlberg, 2010). All the three articles have identified a problem that cannot be ignored in this century because of its far-reaching consequences- a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. If urgent attention is not given, the situation of food crisis inadequate water and energy will worsen further.

Proposal

The people, who are the stewards of the environment, are the major facilitators of the achievement of a pollution free world. Activities such as 'pooling' and using public means of transport can contribute greatly to saving energy and reducing environmental pollution. Organic food production methods such as permaculture are sustainable and environmentally friendly (Hardy, 2009). Self-reliance achieved through activities such as growing our own food can also help to reduce wastefulness, and environmental degradation whose effects cannot be reversed. It can also contribute to solving the issue of food crises (Hardy, 2009). However, a critic of this notion may argue that use of natural food production method may not be enough or effective because it is very slow. Secondly, that overuse of some organic materials such as organic nitrogen also causes pollution (Paarlberg, 2010). However, adoption of efficient methods of production and environmentally friendly ways can help solve environmental issues.

Toxics release inventory model is one of the established methods that can be implemented to help reduce environmental degradation. It creates awareness for people of their destructive activities hence of they can help adopt favorable ways. Adoption of permaculture to many fields can help develop sustainability. The best solution for the food crises that the world is facing is modernized farming and not the production of the organic foods. Environmental degradation problem can only be solved by people since they are the main contributors to it.