Summary of Polluting the Earth by Edger I. Baker

Polluting the Earth - Summary

The prose piece “Polluting the Earth” by Edger I. Baker illustrates the major pollution and its impact on the earth. He creates awareness about the four major pollutions that damage the world and presents the duty of humans to keep their environment clean. Through this essay, he rings an alarm to present the dangerous situation in which humans left the world.

Technological developments and growth in population lead to the increase of pollution in the world. The former secretary general of the U.N, U Thant warns humans that if the environment is not protected from contamination, the earth will be endangered. In the case of the sea, oil spills in the sea not only kill fish but also affect humans. Different types of pollution that damage our earth are derelict landscapes due to mines, effluent from industries, dumping of garbage, and poisonous gasses from factories. It poisons the air, food, and water and its impact are not only on humans but also on all living things. This essay concentrates on four different types of pollution in detail. The writer gives examples from his observations of different pollution in Europe.

Farmland Waste

Modern agriculture needs fertilizers and insecticides in order to feed the growing population. Though it feeds many, it damages the earth as well as the food products. Rain water carries the fertilizers used in the land to the river. Thus water becomes deoxygenated which affects fish and humans. Ironically the fertilizers from the chemical industries are costlier than those from the animals.

In the case of insecticides, they leave the soil toxin for several years. This poison will be preserved in food and animals and humans who eat will carry the poison in their bodies. Similarly, the poisoned fish due to fertilization and insecticides carry the poison in its body. The birds which eat those fish get poisoned too. Consequently, many animals are termed as endangered.  To avoid such danger America has banned such insecticides.

Industrial Waste

The industrialisation has led to lots of pollution in the world. The emission of toxic gas results in the pollution of air and water. Due to it acid rain becomes a common one in the modern world which affects the growth of trees. It also leads to the rise in temperature which results in the melting of ice and a rise in the water level of the ocean.

Wastes in Sea

Humans use the sea as a place to dump waste products. The Baltic Sea is the most polluted one which lacks oxygen at the bottom due to severe pollution. 7000 tons of arsenic are crumbled at the bottom of the Baltic Sea and no one knows the consequences if once the acid is released. Sea is dumped with industrial waste and atomic waste which will endanger the sea's lives.

Military Waste

Though the nuclear test treaty was signed by many countries in 1963 even the permitted underground testing leads to pollution. China and France did not sign the treaty and exploded nuclear bombs and increase radioactive particles in the air. It leads to the rise of leukaemia and bone cancer. Chemical and biological warfare will destroy lives on the earth. They penetrate into the soil and result in permanent hazards to humans.

Baker concludes the essay by requesting responsible behaviour from humans to preserve our earth. Steps like taking measures to control scientific waste by the scientists, IMCO (Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation) who take initiatives to keep the ocean unpolluted, and the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution are showing humans' interest to save the earth. If the public takes care of the earth and takes the necessary steps to protect it, humans can keep the earth clean for future generations.

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