Pollution occurs when land, water, air or other parts of the environment become dirty and unsafe or unsuitable for use.  Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. 

Air Pollution
With an estimated 2.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide released into the air every second, air pollution is at a record high and is a growing public health issue.  Much of the research on air quality and public health reveals that low-income people of color are most likely to live near hazardous emission sources, despite producing the “least amount of air pollutants” themselves.

Quality air is essential in maintaining and protecting the public’s health, however, sadly, environmental injustice prevails on both a national and global scale. As discussed, minorities, especially minority women and children, are particularly vulnerable to such injustices, as they are the most likely to be located in densely populated areas with a significant amount of transportation and smog. Additionally, these communities are often sought out by industries who “pay to pollute” these areas with toxic waste and fumes. In order to counteract the disparate effects of air pollution, it is essential that energy-efficient practices are encouraged, and that the administration and states work together to establish environmental policies that aim to achieve clean air for all. 

Water Pollution
Clean and plentiful water is the cornerstone of a prosperous community. But as we make our way through the twenty-first century, industrial and population demands are increasing as well as changing climate patterns draining rivers and aquifers. Pollution threatens the quality of what remains.

The progress or lack of progress toward just and affordable distribution of clean water for all starts with a principled acknowledgment of water as a human right. This right to water needs to be coupled with strong political accountability that adequately monitors the just implementation of the right to water. This requires political will from communities and governments.

The world uses approximately 70 percent of Its water for irrigation, 20 percent for industry, and 10 percent for domestic use. Roughly 75 percent of all industrial water usage is for energy production. It is estimated that by 2030, humanity’s demand for water could outstrip sustainable supply by as much as 40 percent due to rising energy needs and continued population growth.

Industrial practices pollute water sources through chemical and toxic leaks, drainage, dumping, and runoff into rivers, lakes, and aquifers, which then require more sophisticated water sanitation facilities. The result is the privatization of water sanitation and distribution, as well as higher water prices. Ultimately, water becomes inaccessible to those who are impoverished.

In addition, climate change is exacerbating drought and flooding. Flooding further pollutes water sources. When water availability and sanitation practices are compromised, community safety and security are threatened.

Many of the 840 million individuals who lack adequate food live in water-scarce regions. Diarrhea is the world’s leading form of death affecting 2.5 million persons; 88 percent of those deaths are due to poor water quality. Without clean water and adequate sanitation, hygiene is compromised and overall health is affected. When water and sanitation are threatened, community safety and security are threatened. Many countries are already experiencing violent conflict because of water shortage.

The world’s cumulative pollution of aquifers, rivers, lakes, and the oceans disturb the quality of life. Biodiversity of fresh water ecosystems has been more degraded than any other ecosystem.

Land Pollution
Land Pollution occurs when foreign and toxic substances are introduced to the land leading to undesirable changes to the environment and its inhabitants. The pollution is caused by agricultural practices heavily using chemicals, deforestation, and disposal of agricultural wastes. Industries discharge unfiltered chemical effluents into surrounding lands. Untreated human sewage runoff and dumping occurs in heavily populated urban areas. Mining, mineral and metal processing activities release harmful chemicals into the environment. Garbage dumps and landfills release toxins that accumulate and seep into the ground and run off during rains polluting areas far from the initial contamination site.

Not only is visible pollution ugly and destroys the beauty of our natural environments, it can kill animals and destroy their habitats. Invisible chemicals can cause animals and plants to die, disrupting the food chain. Even greater is the impact on human health. Some chemicals are carcinogenic, others cause congenital defects such as heart disease, and others cause birth defects, developmental issues, and impact intelligence. Dangerous chemicals can persist in the environment where they may harm people’s health for decades into the future.