Question

Choose an activity that you, your family, or a friend engages in and which results in pollution. Discuss some of the ethical, economic/financial, and cultural/social issues that affect the decision to engage in this activity. What are the consequences of the pollution resulting from this activity? Would it be a simple matter to stop engaging in this activity, or are there considerations that would make it difficult to do so? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

An activity that me, my family or friends engage in that causes pollution is the use of vehicles that run on fossil fuels for transportation.

Explanation:

Fossil fuels contribute to pollution in a large way. Burning of fossil fuels release gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of sulphur, nitrogen etc which accelerate pollution. Petrol and diesel are the common fossil fuels used in vehicles.

Easy transportation is the necessity that makes people chose this alternative. There are other alternatives to fossil fuels. Vehicles can use cleaner fuels like CNG and LPG.  

The vehicles can also be powered by electricity. But switching to these alternatives has some limitations as well which makes people find it difficult some times. It would never be a simple matter to sop this activity considering how important fast transportation is in this era.

Answer 2

Answer: sample answer

(Answers may vary.)

My father drives a car to work every day. Driving the car causes air pollution. However, the issues that affect my father’s decision to drive the car to work include the following:

The car is a convenient, faster, and easier mode of transport than public transport.

Owning a car is a status symbol in society.

With a car, it is possible to drive to any location at one’s own convenience.

Air pollution from the car poses high risks to people’s health as well to plants, animals, and other living organisms in the environment. The major pollutants from cars and other vehicles and their effects are as follows:

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, cause climate change.

Particulate matter, which refers to particles of soot and metals, can penetrate our lungs and cause severe health problems.

Burning hydrocarbons creates pollutants, such as smog. At ground level, these pollutants affect the respiratory system adversely.

Nitrogen oxide leads to respiratory troubles.

Carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, is a dangerous gas. When inhaled, it blocks oxygen from going to the vital organs in the body, such as the heart and brain.

Sulfur dioxide forms fine particles in the atmosphere. These particles can cause acute asthma in young children.

Hazardous air pollutants or toxins include benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-Butadiene. These toxins cause birth defects, cancer, and other health risks.

It will not be easy for my father to stop driving a car, because it is a necessity to commute to work. However, with the larger interest of saving the environment and our health from air pollution in mind, it will be a wise decision to stop driving a car and use public transport. Buying a small electric car that emits considerably fewer air-polluting particles is an alternate solution.

Explanation: edmentum/plato