It is undeniable that humans have changed the environment around them as they progressed through technological advancements, and have even changed Earth itself. As humans have made advancements in transportation, construction, energy and power, communication, manufacturing, etc, humanity has had to find more ways of obtaining Earth’s natural resources, such as fossil fuels to power their expedition into the unknown. Numerous actions that humans have taken such as fossil fuels, pollution, deforestation, and many more have all negatively affected Earth.
One of the most harmful activities that humans have participated in is pollution. Whether it be air pollution, water pollution, or land pollution, humans have harmed the earth by polluting the environments around them. By destroying the environments around them, humans have harmed and killed the animals and plants that live on Earth with them, and have even harmed themselves as a result of pollution. Through economic and technological developments throughout history, humans have created air pollution such as smog, acid precipitation, and ozone depletion. The same can be said for water and land pollution, with factors such as oil spills, beach pollution, and littering being the main causes of those types of pollution. The pollution caused by humans have not only destroyed environments and habitats but have killed numerous humans as well, as reported in document 4: “Annu Nagar is one of 22 communities [in India] where the groundwater has been known for nearly 20 years to contain toxic levels of chlorinated solvents. Six years ago, responding to relentless efforts from activists, the Indian Supreme Court ordered the city to install pipes that bring in clean water from the Narmada River. But the pipes coming into some houses run right through sewers, and on rainy days, filth and feces mingle with the clean water. In the meantime, each monsoon may be carrying this toxic plume farther. The most recent survey suggests there are 20 more communities where the water is contaminated. In March of this year, the Supreme Court ordered that the city ensure clean water to these areas, too—and that it undertake a project to lay down sewage and drainage networks for the entire city.” This document gives an example of how water pollution has caused humans living in Annu Nagar to drink polluted water. Â
Humans must strive to make advancements towards cleaner energy because the current situation on Earth is slowly killing the planet and its inhabitants. As humans have made advancements in transportation, construction, energy and power, communication, manufacturing, etc, humanity has had to find more ways of obtaining Earth’s natural resources, such as fossil fuels to power their expedition into the unknown. Whether it be air pollution, water pollution, or land pollution, we are killing plants, animals, and humans that live on Earth.
