Go Green
Global Perspective
It is no secret that the last decade has been the hottest since the beginning of the measurements and recent estimates indicate that we are expected to cross the threshold of rising temperatures from which it will be difficult to return between 2027 and 2042. This is no longer an invisible future that we bequeath to our children or grandchildren, but a future that is just around the corner that we can envision with our own eyes.
In light of these alarming figures, many governments around the world alongside giant corporations and private companies have decided to take up the gauntlet. Governments discuss the contribution and course of action they will take to achieve the “net zero” goal – neutralizing carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the global warming rate. At the same time, hundreds of cities and private companies have already taken on this task without waiting for action from world governments and are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their area.
Water Pollution
Despite everything we know about the consequences of water source pollution we are witnessing significant and ongoing pollution – streams, lakes, rivers, seas, oceans and groundwater – in all of which damage can be identified.
What is water pollution and what is it caused by? Pollution of water sources is the flow of various substances into them to the point where these substances impair the functioning of the ecosystem. There are several causes of infection:
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Domestic sewage – is a major source of infections and pathogens.
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Toxic waste – flow of hazardous substances (chemical compounds, carcinogens, toxins, etc.) originating from various industries or pesticides from agricultural fields.
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Thermal pollution – Releasing cooling water from power plants to water reservoirs (sea, lake, river, etc.) creates an increase in water temperature. Higher water temperature creates a decrease in the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water and thus harms the population of fish and marine animals which are unable to survive in water with low oxygen levels.
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Petroleum (oil) pollution – The source of the pollution is surface oil runoff from roads and parking lots that pollute the water levels consistently and continuously or as a result of accidental oil spills.
Oil Pollution
One of the greatest ecological disaster’s mankind has ever known is an oil leak of over half a million cubic meters of crude oil that occurred at sea. As a result of the leak, severe damage was caused to the natural marine habitat affecting thousands and possibly, by various estimates, millions of squares kilometers.
While the rig operators where the leak occurred can and should be blamed for the disaster and of course their responsibility should not be underestimated, it is important to remember that oil spills or petroleum leaks (such as gasoline or diesel) have occurred and continue to and
therefore are an unavoidable phenomenon, a disaster waiting to happen at any time. Whether it is a leak in the leading pipeline, a damaged tanker, or a rig where a malfunction occurred – all of which will lead to the same result – massive environmental destruction and damage to the ecosystems in the most severe way.
As long as pollutants are byproducts of our current activities and oil and its derivatives are used for the various needs of mankind, the current systems and continuation of oil exploration, drilling and transportation, ongoing polluting and future leaks and potential disasters cannot be avoided completely. Only a full transition to renewable energies will lead to the elimination of the phenomenon.
Taking action
17 GOALS FOR A BETTER SUSTAINABLE WORLD
BETTER EDUCATION = BETTER FUTURE = MORE EQUALITY
