The Not-So-Incredible Age of Pollution

 Thanks to the great Industrial Age, we have an unlimited amount of stuff available to us. Along with this stuff comes pollution, and lots of it. Unfortunately, there is no way to go back in time to fix the damage industry has caused, so what are our other options? Often, policies can be implemented to curb the amount of pollution being produced, and that's exactly what many companies are beginning to face.


Take a paper cup factory, for example. Paper factories, with their pulping and bleaching processes, release chemicals not only into the air, but also the water. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, fine particulate matters, lead, chlorine, and carbon dioxide are just a few of the pollutants release during the paper making processes. These pollutants come with a plethora of implications for both human health, and the health of the environment. They cause acid rain, heart and lung problems, irritation of the respiratory system, impaired visibility, and damaged crops. This point source of pollution can, however, be controlled, with the implementation of a few basic policies. Bioremediation ponds are often used as a way of filtering the pollutants from the water before it returns to nearby water sources, therefore eliminating the dangers of water contamination. Although they are a bit on the expensive side, any self-respecting company would (hopefully) happily pay the price, especially if their continuing production depends on it. Implementing a policy for the requirement of bioremediation ponds would certainly assist in assuring water quality, but what about the air?

Many factories are subject to direct monitoring of emissions, which would also be a productive policy to implement, as well as being affordable and non-invasive. These factories, many of which use high-sulfur diesel fuel, could also switch to a ultra-low sulfur diesel, which emits much less sulfur into the air. Implementing a policy to enforce the usage of this fuel would be an option, as well as the option of using some sort of alternative energy, such as residual biomass. Some paper factories actually take leftover bark chips and burn them for energy. While this does produce some pollution, it is a much more environmentally friendly option. Another policy to enforce would be the use of pollution control equipment. Particulate control systems are available which reduce or eliminate airborne particulates. With any one or all of these policies in place, pollution coming from the factory would certainly decrease. Of course, it is up to the companies to pay for the adherence to these policies, and all we can do is hope that they are willing.

Even as a common citizen, we all pay for the pollution we create. Think about your car. When we buy a car, we are not only paying for the manufacturing, production, marketing, and the bonus for the guy selling us the car. We are also subject to paying taxes that will essentially cover the costs of our pollution. Ever had to pay for an emissions test? What about when you pay for tags and registration? A portion of all of these costs is paying for our right to pollute. Not only that, we pay for pollution when we are paying for fuel. Included in the cost of fuel is the extraction, refinement, distribution, transportation and marketing of the fuel, as well as taxes that go toward many things, one of which is the environment. While it's great that we are paying for our pollution, shouldn't we be paying more? It's so cheap and easy for anyone to drive these days, and I believe a policy should be put in place, requiring a fee for a certain amount of miles driven.

For example, I only drive about 3 miles round- trip to work, but my friend Chris drives over 60 miles round-trip. Shouldn't Chris have to pay more than I do for the amount of miles he drives? It is also important to consider the amount of pollution from a hybrid vehicle as compared to a diesel truck. While the drivers of hybrid vehicles are receiving a tax credit due to their environmentally-friendly vehicle, shouldn't they pay less taxes and fees than the guy driving the diesel truck? If policies were enforced that caused the diesel drivers to pay more taxes, perhaps they would reconsider their choice of vehicle. Either way, I look forward to a time when many of our vehicles are environmentally friendly, and I hope it happens in the near future, for the sake of our little ones.

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