10/09/2015
Pollution has its origin in prehistoric times when man created the first fire. Today we all know that it was the industrial revolution that gave birth to environmental pollution. The immense and unregulated industrialization has brought an infusion of deadly untreated chemicals and wastes into local streams that serve as our water supplies. About 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are generated each year. The once fertile soil has become infertile and unsuitable for plants turning the once green terrains into deserts. This will affect all organisms in the food chain including humans.
The emergence of great factories and consumption of immense quantities of coal has given rise to unprecedented air pollution and the large volume of industrial chemical discharges add to the growing load of untreated human waste.
Awareness of atmospheric pollution spread widely after World War II, with fears triggered by reports of radioactive fallout from nuclear warfare and testing. Even today the risk of a nuclear war hovers above human civilization.
The seamless nature of atmosphere and oceans has inevitably resulted in the implication of pollution on a planetary level with the issue of global warming. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. An estimated 500 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet. Over ten million people in India fell ill with waterborne illnesses in 2013, and 1,535 people died, most of them children. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause acid rain which adds acid to drinking water. Many animals and humans as well, die after drinking acidic water from local water supplies.
Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Smog and haze reduces the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out photosynthesis and leads to the production of ozone which is lethal to plant and animal life.
The uncontrolled emission of CO2 has already started affecting the Earth’s climate. Recent studies have investigated the potential for long-term rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide to cause critical increases in the acidity of ocean waters, and the possible effects of this on marine ecosystems.
Automobiles are one of the major contributing factors in increasing pollutant levels in air. The automobile industry has been evolving constantly since its inception. Committed to curb the amount of deadly smoke from vehicle exhausts, Toyota has already introduced the world with Hybrid Technology and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles.
Sharayu Toyota is on a mission to create awareness about living an “Eco-Friendly Life”.
Punekars are known for their wisdom and knowledge. We invite all Punekars to join this forum and help bringing awareness with your valuable ideas to spread “Eco Friendliness”.
