The debate regarding the matter of pollution in the world environment is one that has raged for decades, and as with any debate, there are two sides to the matter. There are those who argue that pollution is a major threat to the current global state, while others argue that pollution is not the concern that it once was and people need to recognize that fact, concentrating their efforts in areas of greater concern. Pollution is defined as the introduction of either harmful substances or harmful products into the general environment (Dictionary.com, 2014).
The WWF (World Wildlife Federation) is one of the major proponents of the idea that pollution is still a serious concern in the world today, reducing ecosystems, habitats, and causing decreases in species populations (WWF, 2014). On the other hand, the NCPA (National Center for Policy Analysis) cites the numbers, arguing that pollution levels in certain areas of the globe are down lower than they have ever been, resulting in a need to concentrate on other more serious issues (NCPA, 2014). The WWF argues its position primarily through the use of propaganda photos designed to show the worst parts of the polluted world, citing these as the reasons for a needed change, while the NCPA looks at clear statistical data, showing exactly what past pollution numbers were and what they are today, indicating that there has been a definite change for the better in many previously polluted areas (WWF, 2014; NCPA, 2014). Each side has its own policy agenda, with the WWF concerned with the extinction of various species as opposed to the reduction of pollution and with the NCPA concerned with pushing policy issues that can immediately affect greater change now that the numbers are within what may be considered reasonable ranges (WWF, 2014; NCPA, 2014).
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"The Pollution in the World".
After reviewing both sides of the debate, I am now able to agree with both, that pollution is still a serious issue, but it is not as serious as it once was. I feel as though that while we still need to, as a species, work to reduce overall pollution, there are areas that need more attention. I have changed my views as a result of this research, previously siding solely on the side of the WWF as a result of the statistics presented by the NCPA. It is my opinion that the industries that are most affected by this are those that are directly related to animals, including farming, fishing, and other such means of food production.
- Dictionary.com. (2014). the definition of pollution. Retrieved 23 October 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pollution
- NCPA. (2014). Facts Not Fear on Air Pollution. Retrieved 23 October 2014, from http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st294/
- WWF. (2014). Pollution | Threats. Retrieved 23 October 2014, from http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/pollution
