Premium Essay

Pollution Affecting The United States Economy

Submitted By
Words 686
Pages 3
Over many years, there have been debates about whether the economy is affected by pollution. There are many different sides of the debate, but two compelling sides that turn different ways could answer the question. Some stating that the economy is directly affected by these gasses while others say that by emitting gases, the economy would improve. This essay will evaluate the outcomes of pollution and determine to what extent does pollution affect the United States economy?
Pollution is a huge problem in America and is said to have a negative effect on human health as well as the economy. According to the Washington-based think tank, they state that if America used their resources wisely, and wiped out the greenhouse gases, our economy would …show more content…
Air pollution is scene almost everywhere especially in well infrastructured areas with large populations. Air pollution can come from vehicles, industrial plants, and factories. The effects of different types of pollution vary but all together, it can cost millions for medical supplies and with more and more people coming into hospitals, the higher need for medical supplies in America grows; which is one sign that pollution could be affecting America's economy. Water pollution is not only affecting human and wildlife health, it can also cost billions of dollars to clean, especially oil spills. Not only do oil spills cause the economy to drop, but algae blooms can cause fish and shellfish industries to lose annually, tens of millions of dollars because they are killing fish and contaminating shellfish. Not only is pollution killing off animals and harming human health, it is decreasing the amount of resources that we produce. A Lesser known pollution, called noise pollution, causes completely different side effects on humans than air or water pollution and is a direct cause of lack of worker productivity. Noise pollution is usually seen in very populous cities where you can find urbanization and can interfere with sleep, concentration, and communication. Increasing the risk of people not working with full concentration which could affect the economy because of the lack of production …show more content…
Injecting new pollutants into the stratosphere while we continue to clean up our emissions is one of the theories they have that could possibly help cool our planet, and overall extinguish global warming. Over the past 20 years studies have shown that air pollution has decreased drastically. What sound like good news could actually be a bad sign. According to Eli Kintisch, a science writer, cleaner air might actually intensifying global warming. Not only does this information shed light into possible information about pollution, but it also means that by paying millions of dollars to clean the earth, we are bringing in another problem; global warming. Kintsch also explained that there is a science behind his theory, by keeping emitting certain pollutants, we would be able to prevent global warming. Greenhouse gases and aerosol pollutants work in two different ways affecting the earth differently. Kintisch explains. “greenhouse gases warm the planet when emitted, the aerosols, though, do the opposite. They actually cool the planet. The problem is that we're cutting the cooling pollution as we make our air cleaner," he

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Sdjfb

...exercise because of the unusually high levels of air pollution.” (http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/BL-JRTB-15369) Individuals and other countries were astonished to receive the news and government officials have increased in anguish. Drastic steps and procedures are beginning to take place along with eco-friendly tools to help eliminate some releases of harsh chemicals. With this being said, we are living in a current atmospheric issue that has its potential of spreading and a possible controversy across the nation. Not only are we faced with air pollution but other concerns such as, water pollution, climate change, and global warming. Air pollution becoming an increasing complication, has taken a toll and jeopardized many individuals lives. Air pollution, which is caused by transportation burning oil and manufacturing synthetics, is consumed into an average person about 3,000 gallons daily. Being that these chemicals linger into the air for lengthy periods it still has the potential to harm an individual on a regular basis. Prolonged illnesses can also occur such as, cancer infections in the immune system. Actions and a mitigation plan is needed to be put in force to liquidate illnesses, eroding of the economy, and the potential spread of air pollution to other nations that can produce permanent risks on the environment and indivudlas. To begin with, there are many current factors that are participating in the increase of air pollution, these things being living, nonliving and human...

Words: 1788 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Microeonomics Project Art 1

...GE273 Microeconomics Project: Part 1 In the following paragraphs I am going to try and give a brief overview of the United States economy and what role the federal government plays in the economy. I will talk about what a mixed economy is and the federal government’s involvement in the local economy. I hope that you get a better understanding of how our economy works and how the government impacts our economy. Probably the two most important roles the federal government plays in our economy are stabilization and growth. “Perhaps most importantly, the federal government guides the overall pace of economic activity, attempting to maintain steady growth, high levels of employment, and price stability. By adjusting spending and tax rates (fiscal policy) or managing the money supply and controlling the use of credit (monetary policy), it can slow down or speed up the economy's rate of growth -- in the process, affecting the level of prices and employment.” (Beggs, 2012) In the United States we have a mixed market system. A mixed economy is an economic system in which both the state and private sector direct the economy. Most mixed economies can be described as market economies with strong regulatory oversight and a variety of government aspects. Americans believe that supply and demand is what drives the cost of products and services. The cost of products tells companies what to manufacture; therefore, the price of products rise because there is an increasing demand for...

Words: 451 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Hihi

...and Coastal Pollution CONTENTS CHAPTER 2 ▪ BACKGROUND ▪ General ▪ The Problems ▪ Declining water quality ▪ Loss of marine and coastal habitats ▪ Lack of strategic planning and management practices ▪ Lack of marine science policy CHAPTER 2 BACKGROUND General As an island continent with a long coastline Australia has many different marine and estuarine environments. These span a wide range of coastal types, climates and geological and biological regions, which house a rich store of biological diversity. Many are far away from major population centres and are little affected by human activities. Large stretches of the coastline are among the least polluted places on earth.Australia's marine environment spans almost 60 degrees in latitude, from Torres Strait to Heard and Macquarie Islands, and 75 degrees longitude, from Cocos Island to Norfolk Island. In November 1994 the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) came into effect, and with it Australia's declaration of its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ covers over 11 million square kilometres, one of the largest in the world.UNCLOS provides the rights to exploit the natural resources of the EEZ but also obliges Australia, under Article 192, to protect and preserve the marine environment of the EEZ. The Convention requires Australia to prevent land based and ship sourced marine pollution and to work internationally...

Words: 2356 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

China's Ecological Environment

...China’s Ecological Environment People, businesses and governments are starting to understand the reality of globalisation, and how it is affecting their environment. The implications from industrialisations which results in over exhausting natural resources, has caused environmental degradation, and most of this is done by human activity especially international business activities. This essay will look at the impact of economic globalisation on China while focusing on China’s ecological environment. To start off, the essay will look at the definitions of globalisation and economy, followed by China’s change from being an agriculturally farming intensive country towards rapid industrialisation. Because of this activity pollution, emissions as well as environmental degradation resulted in serious ecological problems. International bodies such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme, have stressed the importance or reducing pollution and emissions in developing countries in order to maintain sustainability. Cancer villages are becoming a major concern in China and that was enough to make the Chinese political party to take responsibility and change their views on the ecological environment. The question here is can China implement these changes to maintain sustainability for future generations, and if so what methods are they using to achieved this by? According to Morrison (2011), globalisation...

Words: 1840 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Ice Caps Are The Main Causes Of Climate Change

...beginning to put regulations and precautions. Like the United Nations other countries should look into trying to use cleaner fuels and stop pollution as much as possible. Some of the main causes of climate change are greenhouse gasses and the effect of the sun’s energy and sun reflection. Greenhouse gasses are on of the main reason for climate change. Greenhouse gasses are any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, which...

Words: 1195 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

World Cultures

...6, 2013 Advances in natural energy have provided ways to create the energy that we need with little to no pollution. The United States of America however, is very slow with getting on board with the rest of the countries across the world who has embraced the methods of using natural energy. China and Russia have begun to fuel most of their energy using solar power and water, yet the United States continues to stick to the older ways of coal, oil and nuclear plants to power our part of the world. There have been studies and research done on how the toxic pollution from these dirty forms of energy is causing major damage to the environment. There are even more problems with the people who have to live near these energy plants or breathe in the harmful air which can cause heart problems, cancer and sometimes even death. America has always been the master cranium when it came to making innovative ideas that the world would soon follow. Now, it may be time for America to learn a few facts from other countries on how to incorporate a better way to power up this nation. What are we waiting on, this is America. Natural Power is an independent renewable energy that uses the power from the sun, wind, water or anything in nature to produce power and energy. The research to begin using this natural form of energy was originally created over concerns of how years of pollution was leading to an environmental decline. In the 1800’s, Charles Fritz and Lester Pelton were the first scientists...

Words: 2325 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Vivek

...Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts will range from affecting agriculture - further endangering food security - to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones, increasing intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. [1] This issue is of immense importance for every global citizen. That is why it requires an initiative against it globally. Fortunately, a few of the global initiatives to prevent climate change are started by various sectors. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action through World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5th June. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is " Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy". Recognizing that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies, and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them. The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation, and eco-friendly consumption. [2] In 2007, The World Environment Day slogan selected was " Melting Ice - a...

Words: 866 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

North Carolina Climate Change

...North Carolina Climate Change The intensity of the debate about environmental and economic impacts of global climate change has increased over the past few years. Many state governments are encouraged to develop policies that address climate-related issues. Most of the policies are focusing on the mitigation and reduction of greenhouse gases through state-level climate action plans. “In North Carolina, the “clean smokestacks” legislation passed in 2002 states that a commission is to be established to study policy options for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In 2005, the General Assembly passed the North Carolina Global Warming Act. This act established a Global Warming Commission that evaluates potential impacts on the state from rising temperatures, creates goals on reducing global warming pollutant, and prepares the economy to enhance economic markets associated with global warming” (“Cordato”). After passing this act, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to meaningfully step forward in the fight against global warming. North Carolina is one of the most vulnerable states to the impacts of global warming, but it can position itself to take advantage of opportunities that come along from the development of new technologies. The decisions we make today can affect the impacts of global warming on North Carolina, the opportunities for North Carolina to address the issues on global warming, and the recommendations that are established to fight against...

Words: 1636 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

The Great Lakes

...Lakes measures up against these competitors. For the conclusion it will describe the main capabilities of Great Lakes. Great Lakes: Great Decision Perform an analysis of the social/demographic, technological, economic, environmental/geographic, and political/legal/governmental segments to understand the general environment facing Great Lakes. Describe how Great Lakes will be affected by each of these external factors. Social/Demographic Social/Demographic: Great decisions are constantly being debated for the Great Lakes as to what factors tend to affect the Social and Demographic segment. Socially our society determines the affects that is make on the Great Lakes. Recently a study of the people migrating in and out of these states indicated a decrease in population for the lakes. Migration can be a key source of population information. It can provide information for determining economic growth for housing, and market opportunities. The market for such a large region has its advantages and a...

Words: 1486 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Policy Ananysis Process

...Without clean air and water cities and towns will not be livable. Everyday human activities cause air and water pollution but at the same time industries causing pollution support economies providing livelihoods. This creates a paradox. We need industries to create jobs, but we cannot sustain the long term effects for extensive air and water pollution to live on earth. Environmental policy is a broad issue, mostly because of the socio-political dimensions of the issue. This paper presents an environmental policy analysis with the focus on clean water and air issues. It discusses existing environmental policy and problems and contradictions related to them. It also discusses the main stakeholders and the need of stakeholders and public to participate in environmental policy making and assessment. Finally this paper provides some recommendations on environmental policy implication. Definition of the Problem It is not an easy task to define environmental problem. The issue is too complex and broad to summarize it in several sentences. Some people believe that environmental policy refers only to human relationships to nature; they understand that much environmental policy deals with human health concerns (Kraft & Furlong, 2009, p.341). Putting environmental policy even at a broader context, it can be defined as government actions that affect environmental quality and the use of natural resources (Kraft & Furlong, 2009, p.342). There is no doubt that environmental issues are...

Words: 1675 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Development over Environment: a Pledge to Converse This Trend

...Development over Environment: A Pledge to Converse this Trend Introduction The second a child comes on this earth, since that moment he starts developing. For a better and positive development of that child, we proudly implicate for a better and hygienic environment. But in the present scenario, things are a bit different from that of past as yesterday was greener than today. Both development and environment are necessary elements for the survival of a society or a habitat but with the growing or developing economy, at some point of time one has to compromise with the environmental development. Developing nations like India, China, Brazil etc, which are developing economies are ranked in the list of top 10 Green House Gases (GHGs) emitters. It is, by this example, clear that the developing countries in the scale of economy are bigger polluters than the under-developed countries. The trend of development at the expense of environment is being strictly checked by the judiciary, municipal laws and international treaties and customs. Recently, the honourable Supreme Court of India has quoted that development is a trait of progressive society but shall not be made at the cost of environment. It does not take an environmental expert to realize that the world is changing. The global average surface temperature is rising and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. Many species are experiencing changes in their patterns of growth and migration due to...

Words: 3902 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Germany Demographics and Environmental Timeline

...Germany Demographics and Environmental Timeline Orlando Duffy SCI 201 Argosy University Demographic and Environmental Timeline Demographic Transition is a model that describes population change over time. Most nations have already been through this transition including England, Canada and the US. The transition to an industrialized society can be harmful to the environment since industrialized societies create pollutants and consume natural resources from forests to fossil fuels. When compared to non-industrialized countries industrialized nations have a much larger carbon footprint. In industrialized nations there tends to be fewer children born and more control in population growth. The following is the demographic and environmental timeline of Germany between 1800 to date. |STAGE |YEAR |SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY | |Stage 1 |1800 |Historical Changes: Germany is in conflict with France. The Prussian Reform Movement undertakes | | | |Educational and military reforms. | | | |Population Changes: The population decreased as a result of the war during this period. Napoleon | | | |threatens Germany as he attempts conquer the world. ...

Words: 839 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Globalization

...• 1. GLOBAL INTEGRATION: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Globalization is the process by which different societies, cultures, and regional economies integrate through a worldwide network of political ideas through transportation, communication, and trade. Generally, globalization has affected many nations in various ways; economically, politically, and socially. It is a term that refers to the fast integration and interdependence of various nations, which shapes the world affairs on a global level. Globalization has affected the products people consume, the environment, culture, security, and idea exchange between different countries. There are many factors that lead to the speedy globalization trends. This acceleration inglobalization can be attributed to an increase in free-trade activities, emergingtechnologies, or the worldwide acceptance of markets. Globalization has affected cultures and economies on matters dealing withenvironmental destruction and availability of the already limited resources.Globalization has had diverse implications for environmental issues such as,pollution, deforestation, water resources climate change, and biodiversity loss. Therampant environmental problems have become the subject of international effortsbecause the effects are felt globally. The negative impacts of globalization focus onthe destruction on the environment that is export-oriented. On the other hand, thepositive impacts are the multinational companies research into technology that iseco-friendly...

Words: 1395 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

China Facing the 21st Century

...China: Facing the 21st Century China has rebuilt itself from having an unstable economy, a collapsed government followed by a few turbulent years of corruption and political instability to having the world’s largest population, state-of-the-art technological advances, an incredibly growing economy and several influential leaders. The country has been credited for many inventions indispensable today such as paper, the compass, mechanical clocks, and gunpowder among others and always thought to be ahead of its time technologically. The Chinese government continues to place emphasis on innovation by allowing its people to do research on various subjects such as stem-cell research and gene therapy; these are widely controversial in other parts of the world but not as regulated in China¹; however, the country wasn’t always thriving. Development took place during the Dynastic era. Confucius first led the country to order and the Qin Shi Huang was credited for unifying the country as well as adapting the Chinese currency, weights and measure, as well as the Chinese language. This laid the foundation for China to become the country it is today. Without these key players, China would not have the economy or the intellect it currently has. In addition, there were various changes in the governmental sector. There was a lot of chaos before the Maoist takeover, including conflict between the Guomindang (GMD) nationalist party and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which culminated in CCP...

Words: 1757 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Michael Pollan

...politics and some of these food safety scandals, the environment and health problem problems, the appearance of obesity in America, and fast and junk food compared to local food. I agree with Pollan that health is the most important thing all the time. However, people in our modern economy need convenient and cheap food at the present, although sometimes the quality and health cannot be ensured. As far as I am concerned, what we can do is to try our best to make healthy food with the environment in mind. Producing food for a reasonable price, health, safety, and low pollution should be the best choice for modern society. Cheap food accompanied with the reform of food production is required because of the modern economy and society. As Pollan states, “Cheap food has become an indispensable pillar of the modern economy. But it is no longer an invisible or uncontested one” (2). As we know, the most important thing for people to survive is eating. Most people in the world are not wealthy and full of ability. The recession affecting unemployment has swept across the whole world in recent years. It has influenced how much family’s income is spent on food. The decline of family income makes the United State family want to buy cheap food. The author writes, “companies like Wal-Mart and McDonald’s pay their workers so poorly that they can afford only the cheap, low-quality food these companies sell, creating a kind of nonvirtuous circle driving down both wages and the quality of food” (2)...

Words: 1235 - Pages: 5