The causes of environmental pollution

Human activity is the main cause of pollution. It is true that the development of technology has allowed enormous progress in the quality of human life, but on the other hand, it has also caused considerable damage to the environment. Human activity is the basis for the development of technology, deforestation, chemicals and pesticides, industrial and household waste, fossil fuels, waste production and accumulation; which constitute the main causes of environmental pollution.

1. The development of technology

Industrial development, excessive use of gasoline and diesel vehicles, gas emissions, production and indiscriminate use of plastic objects, significant production of non-biodegradable waste and the need to extract more natural resources for energy production and industry constitute the human activities responsible for environmental pollution. Energy production is one of the main causes of pollution, the most important being the production of petroleum products (oil and gas) whose main atmospheric pollutants are produced by combustion, in particular S0₂ and NO_X, responsible for acid rain and photochemical smog.

2. The diversification of chemical pollutants and the accumulation of waste

Since the end of the Second World War, science development, particularly that of organic chemistry, has enabled the increasing production of new synthetic molecules. Currently, hundreds of new chemicals are being produced and marketed around the world. Among these substances, we find detergents, insulating materials and plastics whose omnipresence and stability pollute the biosphere, once released into nature. These are mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated solvents, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides and dioxins.

3. Intensive agriculture and livestock farming

Intensive agriculture and livestock farming constitute the third major cause of biosphere pollution. The intensive use, in agriculture, of synthetic pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, mineral fertilizers by adding nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate and potash salts have made it possible to increase crop yields dramatically. However, these products, in addition to livestock excrement, pollute surface or coastal waters, as well as groundwater.

4. Deforestation

Deforestation or indiscriminate felling of trees has significantly reduced Earth's forests and jungles. It is also the cause of the disappearance of several of these natural spaces. Trees and other plants have the function of purifying the air; their absence therefore leads to air pollution and the appearance of various respiratory diseases, which can be fatal. Deforestation is due to the use of wood, the need to increase spaces intended for livestock activity or the need to build and expand urban spaces, industrial zones, and tourism.

5. Industrial and household waste

Industrial activities produce a large amount of environmentally toxic waste, such as gases, chemicals and solvents, etc. Many of these wastes are dumped directly and illegally into water or air, which pollutes them and causes serious damage to the environment. The same goes for a large quantity of household products such as detergents, solvents or oils, very polluting products, which after use end up in household waste. Currently, the rate of production of industrial and household waste is very high and most of it comes from the indiscriminate use of plastic, as well as other non-biodegradable products.

6. Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are a major source of pollution. From extraction methods to refining and use, fuels have a negative impact on the environment. Among the natural resources most exploited to produce fuels are oil, natural gas and coal, which are very polluting. Currently, several technologies have been developed to reduce the use of these fuels, particularly in the automotive sector, where electric and hybrid vehicles have already been introduced to the market.