Nearly two million years ago, the first of our genus migrated through Africa under the species name of Homo erectus, a new organism that walked on two legs, with sloping foreheads and protruding jaws. Later evolving in the Homo sapiens, and then modern Homo sapiens sapiens, the human we know today quickly came into the world’s view as the top of the food chain and the predators of the period. Since their evolution in the Cenozoic era, the population of our species has grown quite literally exponentially, spreading into Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In the year 2017, our population has reached a whopping 7.5 billion - a sign of near reproductive and selective perfection. Impressive without a doubt, but the environmental impact of a predator …show more content…
In the middle ages, farmers came upon the issue of barren fields after their repeated use. By planting countless crops of corn in one area of land for decades, the soil became depleted of the nutrients necessary to grow the crop (The Editors of…”). Granted, the three field system became a popular method to combat this inconvenience, but throughout history, humans constantly need to solve the issues they created themselves. During the California Gold Rush, some 100,000 non-natives rushed to San Francisco and the surrounding area in the hopes of striking literal gold. However, commercial gold mining is the largest source of mercury release, a liquid metal that causes nervous system failure, kidney damage, and even death in humans and other organisms alike (“The Gold Rush of 1849”). Even disease contamination of surface-level water is caused by humans, whether by mistake or otherwise, affects not only those bathing and cooking with the water, but those living in the water - fish, aquatic plants, etc. Even by making valiant efforts to reduce our use of coal and oil by converting to nuclear and solar energy, the waste products cause more harm than good. The land that we use again and again is treated poorly and without much thought as agriculturalism becomes a larger part of survival throughout history. …show more content…
More often than not, the society worries and frets over the impending doom posed by pollution on our own species, but the millions of other organisms feel the impact almost more than the creators of the issues themselves. In the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010, 3.19 million barrels were released into the ocean after a break in an Exxon oil pipe, and is rightfully called the worst oil spill in history. Cleaning up spilled oil is difficult in itself, but when thousands of metric tons of it spreads across the Gulf of Mexico, the job is much more substantial. Methods to remove and avoid spread as much as possible exist, but are never completely effective, especially when chemical dispersants are nearly impossible to contain. The death rate of dolphins in the area tripled, large coral reefs showed sign of immediate tissue damage, and aquatic birds became slick and unable to fly, causing many to starve. The oil spill covered in total nearly 1000 miles of ocean, and this is only example of the many that have occurred in the past twenty years (Frost, Emily). Air pollution is now the most common type of pollution, as our constant use of automobiles seems never ending. A deluge of acid rain has decimated entire forest ecosystems, and in cities such as Beijing and Singapore, the smog is so thick, many must wear masks to breathe comfortably. Countless examples of our wrong-doings on the
The California Gold Rush was a spectacular time for California. It occurred from 1848-1855. Many, many people migrated to California to find the gold that was said to be there. This changed California from a dreary and unpopulated place to a thriving and happy place to be. Not everyone struck it rich, though, not even the person who discovered it, James W. Marshall. California’s motto, Eureka, is a reference to the Gold Rush. The California Gold Rush was a life-changing event for many people and is still thought of today.
When gold was exposed in 1848, people moved to California to get to the "golden mountains."At the elevation of the gold rush the atmosphere in the mining country was of intense frenzy and selfishness.The shock of the gold rush, however, hurt much father than the soil of the Sierra Mountains.Many forty-niners did became wealthy from the mining of gold, but many didn't get zoo lucky. Most people became wealthy through other power other than mining.
The earth is slowly dying do to the spread of harmful contaminants such as pesticides, garbage, and non biodegradable objects. They are present in the air, ocean, and ecosystem causing harm to both humans and animals. While most of the general population recognizes that pollution is an issue, no measures have/ are being taken to prevent it. Waste is continuously being poured into water sources and the ocean even though it kills animals and continues to poison humans. It is also being spread throughout the environment by ways of ignorance and laziness from humans. Because animals inhabit more of the world than humans do, they are the most impacted by pollution. Many animals have had to relocate, been killed, or have gone extinct due to the contagion
Pollution is, without doubt, a serious global issue that needs attention and resolutions. As human technologies improve, water, land, air, noise, and light pollutions are all inevitable. Five and a half million deaths each year is caused by air pollution. More than a million sea birds and mammals are killed each year by water pollution. Hundreds of dolphins and whales are killed each year by noise . These shocking facts all shows the significance of enforcing laws to ensure all people are taking care of our environment by decreasing the amount of pollution.
Although environmental pollution has existed for centuries, it has become a greater issue with the mass production of cars, plastic based products, and the burning of fossil fuels. With the use of hybrid or fuel efficient cars, proper disposal of garbage, and green energy sources people will be able to significantly decrease the amount of environmental pollution being unleashed on earth. The most damaging forms of environmental pollution today include air pollution and ocean pollution. Air pollution has become an increasingly large problem since the 1800’s particularly when inventions such as the car and the burning of fossil fuels for energy started to become more suitable for the tasks at hand. Ocean pollution has been just as hurtful towards the ecosystem as air pollution. Every day people dispose of their trash incorrectly and eventually finds its way into landfills and waterways. Environmental pollution as a whole has affected the planet's health and the organisms living on it greatly.
As any organization shows to the press or in the media(website, magazines, newspaper, etc) the good things their projects can do. Their goals always seem beneficial to people and nations, but we don't know exactly the bad effects of the projects they support and if those people were beneficiaries.
North America is not the only area that is affected by pollution. The greenhouse effect, pollution-related health issues, and several forms of pollution exist globally and harm nations worldwide. For example, ocean pollution impacts any region that has a coast. Every square mile of Earth 's oceans has been affected by human pollution, and roughly 40% of marine ecosystems, such as lagoons and coral reefs, have been damaged from human pollution. This type of ocean pollution can include over-fishing, poaching, and greenhouse gases.4 Informing the general population about the harmfulness and spread of ocean pollution is a vital step in the process of ending it.
In today’s society, environmental problems are a big problem that plague our world. These detrimental changes are creating astonishing problems for every living organism. Global warming is not a myth. Glaciers are rapidly melting, ecosystems are being destroyed, trees are being cut down for profit, and the globe is warming up and changing our normal climate. Everyone is a contributor to these changes, whether it is a big contribution or a small one. Big businesses and governments all around the world are contributing to the increase in pollution. Factories release chemical waste into our air, and oceans which over time causes holes in our ozone layer. This is not a small easily reversible problem. Chemical air pollution causes problems to not only our environment, but to all the species living on this earth.
A gold mine that has been inactive for almost 100 years spilled 3 million gallons of toxic mining waste into the Animas River in Colorado after contractors using heavy equipment accidentally sent it flowing into the waterway. The spill has spread from Colorado into New Mexico and now into Utah affecting over 100 river
Imagine waking up with a brown fog in the air and your unnatural tasting drinking water is the only water you have. If ocean pollution continues, also known as marine pollution, continues this could become an everyday reality. This form of pollution is caused by dumping waste in the ocean, toxic chemicals, oil spills and a variety of other ways. Marine pollution is deadly for various reasons and has many negative affects, including its effect on human’s food supply, hurting our marine animals, and ruining our oceans quality. Every human, plant, and all living creatures depend on these bodies of water for air, water, food and many more. “The oceans are an important part of the
Imagine strolling to the local grocery store, taking a morning run, or merely gathering the daily mail wearing a mask as a shield against gassy smog. Think about the terror that strikes some people when they turn on their faucets only to see a string of tainted, brown solution. Pollution affects thousands of human individuals, animals, forests, cities, and ecosystems. With shocking effects and staggering statistics, our water sources, the air we breathe, and the land upon which we live suffer from this plague. Unfortunately, the causes and effects of this universal dilemma deteriorate the health and well-being of all life forms on earth.
For instance, Rufe, who is a scientist, states that we have not developed an approach that can clean more than 3 to 5 percent of the spilled oil” (Mufson, 2012). Furthermore, In the Gulf of Mexico, although 205.8 million gallons of oil have been spilled, just 51.8 million gallons have been collected, which equals approximately 25 percent. Moreover, in order to clean the Gulf from the oil spills almost 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were used. Unfortunately, the toxic dispersants did not truly purify the spilled oil, but fractured them into tinier particles. As a consequence, that may make the oil more harmful for some ocean animals and plants ( A Center for Biological Diversity Report, 2008). However, with the increasing of offshore oil drilling accidents, and with no solution to solve the problem efficiently. The hazardous impact is not going to affect only on animals and plants. It might affect people who depend on the polluted area for food, ecological enrichment, and entertainment ( A Center for Biological Diversity Report,
In a world of continuous progress and evolution, climate change and pollution is a leading problem in the world. Both directly and indirectly, pollution happens on a global scale every single hour. The world’s oceans are among the most affected by constant dumping of chemicals. The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 released 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the largest spill in US-controlled waters.1
One way our oceans are polluted is because big companies like Princesses Cruises are caught “accidentally” dumping oil into the sea. In 2013 the Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship was caught illegally spilling 4,227 gallons of oily water off the coast of England and records say they have been doing this since 2005 (Department of Justice) In an oil spill the majority of the oil tends to float and clump at the surface. Which harms wildlife because mammals who hunt fish need the surface clear in order to catch their prey. In addition to that, if the oil were to enters the water column the fish and other creatures will be greatly affected. The oil will cause reproductive damage in adult fish and will decrease their growth drastically. Also, if the fish eggs and larvae come in contact with oil could cause death or lower their survival rate greatly. On top of that, the most damage to wildlife is done when the oil washes on the shores because of the damaging effects it has to birds that live on or by the shore. With birds the oil will destroy the water repealing and insulating ability that there feathers have. This leaves them to be fully exposed to the harsh substance causing them to die of hypothermia. The oil has such a harmful effect that National Geographic said “99 percent of rehabilitated birds will die anyway as a result of oil exposure”(National Geographic). Furthermore, the majority of the oil has been in the ocean since 2005. Usually with accidents like oil spills the government tries to clean them up as fast as possible by using dispersants and other cleaning methods. However with the oil sitting in the ocean for years there is no telling how many birds and animals were harmed. With the government not being aware there was no way to save
Gold in California was incidental discovered near an American stream that would change the young creating state. All finished America, youthful colleagues settled on the decision to go to California. People started from Europe, Asia, and South America searching for minute wealth. The new American dream was to get rich, and to make a fortune quickly. (Mill operator 151)