Our planet earth, the only reason we as humans exist at all. The one thing that connects us all together is this great planet. Some cultures believe that earth was created by a higher being. Others teach that earth is a being of its own. Either way, where is our future and the future of our children heading! Humans, in general, have become so complacent with our desire for comfort and fulfilling our wants that not one measure is going to be drastic enough to cure our on-going destruction to our home, the planet earth.
It is estimated that 2/3 of the planet is covered in saltwater. The remaining surface of the earth is a combination of land and freshwater sources. We have yet to accurately estimate the percentage of the land that is polluted or to the extent of the land that is.
Land pollution is solid non-biodegradable litter, semi-solid by-products of industry, non-solid hazardous waste residue from chemicals and depletion of natural resources. Land pollution not only contaminates the environment it displaces the natural order of every ecosystem and life source that comes in contact with it. It is caused mainly because of Urbanization, Industrialization and Mechanization.
Urbanization is when people leave the rural areas for the lure of opportunities that larger cities provide. It creates a higher demand for electricity, fuel and food. Urbanization produces larger quantities of sewage, litter and contamination.
Industrialization is transforming social and economic conditions with technology and industry. It changes societies philosophical perception and attitude of nature and the affect of industry on other biological forms.
Mechanization is automating mass production with machines. Every machine uses some sort of fuel that is depleting a natural resource. Every fuel that is consumed releases a toxin of some type.
Some of the worst pollutants that research is showing are herbicides (used to kill fungus and plant life), pesticides (used to control rodent populations) and insecticides (used to kill insects). These chemicals are believed to be safe for humans in very low concentrations. When improperly disposed of they can devastate an entire ecosystem in an extremely short period of time.
Burial sites are also an area with polluting effects. The decomposing bodies contaminate the ground with gases and disease. Mining, now a dying industry, has left its mark by leaching acids, and heavy metals into the surface water and by releasing under ground gases into the atmosphere. Construction too has a destructive effect on the land. Moving dirt changes the ecological systems above and below ground. The chemicals, paints and materials, designed for simplification and safety are largely non-biodegradable and toxic.
The only cure we have at this point is knowledge. We do however have the ability to teach our children and ourselves to reduce (the amount of litter and contaminates), reuse (what is not bio-degradable), and recycle (paper, plastic and glass).
