Environmental Sociology Essay

Since ancient times, human beings hold back been persistent in modifying their environment finished changes in various natural resources. However, the commencement of Industrial Revolution paved way for much of human activity that has had a strong clash on the global landscape. It is without question that the activities of human affect the composition of the environmental balance. Nevertheless, the unprecedented move of humanity toward industrialization over the past several thousands of geezerhood has resulted in serious concerns on the energy balance of the entire planet.The dramatic changes in the environmental makeup are clearly within humans today, attested by various environmental pollutants and their impact throughout much of the globe (Mayewski). In mod England, the environmental pollution influenced by man has brought about extreme conditions preserve in history. Thus, this paper seeks to understand and identify three of the environmental issues in the New England are a that make uped within the past 10 years and still exist today that negatively affected the environment and the society.Extreme Climatic Event Due to Human Induced Causes The weather condition and climate in New England is considered to be the most varied in the globe because they include extremes of temperatures as well as heavy rainfalls, hurri apprizees, droughts, tornadoes, blizzards, and the likes. The said weather and climate variations in the state are influenced by many factors such as its geographical setting. Hence, the offices weather is identified as notorious, characterized by its capability to change in a matter of minutes.However, the said climate changes are not simply a result of the regions geographical location human-induced causes were in addition accounted for the dramatic changes in the states weather and climate. The continuous emission of billetborne pollutants coming from industrial landscapes, metropolitan areas, transportation corridors, and other p olluting human activities affect weather patterns on a regional landscape (Zielinski).As the people of New England incessantly engage in pollution-inducing activities, the past decade in New England history witnessed occasional(a) ozone events, one of which is the recent tornado that struck New Hampshire on July 24, 2008. The tornado traveled through 11 towns from 1130am to 1250pm, killing one person, negatively charged more than 200 homes and structures, and destructing thousands of trees. However, what is puzzling about the occurrence of the said calamity is the fact that tornadoes do not usually happen in New England, since 1950 only 9 tornadoes occurred in the said state.The cool temperature in the state stabilizes the atmosphere, suppressing the opportunity for the development of tornadoes (Forbes). However, with this recent activity and the increasing number of individuals contri yeting to the induction of pollution, it drop be assumed that the reason behind such catastroph e is associated with the climate and weather altering capabilities of the human-induced pollutions.Although there are interventions in recount to avoid human-induced pollutions that conduct to the series of climatic events in New England, the continuous support of individuals in the use of potentially hazardous environmental materials is still widespread. oxygenize Pollution tonal pattern pollution is also another environmental issue in New England. The major metropolitan centers and transportation areas in the region are pointed as the basal contributors for the release of hazardous chemicals in the air. The issue of air fiber in New England is notable during the season of summer in the said state.In a 2002 study, it was noted that every summer, the high temperature in New England raises ozone alerts and poor air quality. To quote Jim Meagher of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAAs) A retrospect of air pollution episodes in New England suggests that blobs of polluted air often lurk in the Gulf of Maine during the summer months, causing high pollution levels in coastal areas (qtd. in McGehan and Seif). Such claim was backed up by the American Lung Association of New England (ALANE) saying that the public is at risk for ozone drunkenness every summer in the New England region.Just last year, it was recorded that New England had 54 days of high levels of ground level-ozone caused by pollutants emitted by cars and the burn down of fossil fuels from power plants, refineries, industrial boilers, and other sources that chemically react with sunlight. According to the EPA, if the ozone level lasted for 98 days, the air quality in the said area could have been qualified as unhealthy. It was also found that due to such high levels of ozone in the region, New England was reported the highest asthma rates among the states in the USA.Studies also testify that if such pattern of high ozone levels will remain, not only will it be a danger to the individuals suffering from respiratory diseases, but it can also lead to premature death for children and destruction of natures balance through the depletion of ozone layer and the degradation of soil and weewee. While the people from New England fault the states from the west because of such pollution, ALANE stated that typical New England states like Connecticut creates 40% of air pollution through automobiles and other local sources (qtd in ALANE says Stronger Air).As a response to the ongoing issue of air pollution in New England, the region has adhered to the Clean Air Act, a federal rectitude regulating air emission from both stationary and mobile sources. As a result, the sulfur oxide emissions in the region have reduced. Likewise, most of the companies in the region are permitting air emissions in order to reduce excess smoke and pollution and multi-organization efforts are done in order to continuously test the air quality in New England. Water PollutionIn the recent N ew England study, it was found that the water quality in the said region has already improved right after the adoption of advanced treatment of municipal and industrial wastes. However, there are still areas in the state experiencing low quality ground and surface water (Foster). Just in 2008, a complaint was filed against Kaler Oil Company Inc. in North Bath, Maine and other oil storage and distribution company when they failed to prepare and fully implement the Spill and, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) which is required by the federal Clean Water Act.Without the instant response, the possibility of drinking contaminated water could have lead to poisoning. Kaler Company and the others that failed to comply faced a maximum penalty of $157, 500 (MTBE Staff). Another case was that of the lawsuit filed against the New Hampshires regional fuel suppliers who were responsible for contaminating surrounding areas ground water with the use of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). MTBE is a su bstance added to the gasoline supplies of the nation in order to cut down pollution emissions. However, despite the advantages posited by such substance, MTBE chemically binds with ground water.Unlike other form of pollutants that can be filtered, MTBE is resistant and can develop into a much harmful chemical overtime. Hence, aside from its risk for the human health, it is feared by the officials that high concentrations of MTBE can go undetected for many years and can be the reason for the deterioration of the regions bedrock aquifers. The filed lawsuit is said to be still away from the trial, but the citizens and local officials of New Hampshire are lobbying for the case to go on trial (Wacker). Based on the cases aforementioned, it is evident that water pollution is not only a human concern, but also a burden to the environment.Based on the above perspectives, what New England is experiencing and have experienced during the past years may not be in the same wavelength as that of the impact of Chernobyl incident in Ukraine, an incident that rooted from the desire of humans to amass nuclear power and further urbanization and industrialization, which terminate in a tragic way and is continuously affecting the lives of many citizens. However, just like the Chernobyl incident, there is a possibility that the stand for environmental issues impacting present generation can be carried out in the near future.Just like what Maryann De Leos Chernobyl Heart Documentary presented, the long term impact of present day activities could affect innocent children. Though it can be assumed that the local government in New England is seeking solutions for the ongoing environmental issues being experienced by the state, the continuous support of the citizens to activities that induce environmental pollution should not be disregarded, as it may result in the pith degradation of the environment and human health.The long-term effect of environmental balance destruction should al so be safeguarded, as the broad range of natures destructive capabilities is still unpredictable to date.Works CitedAmerican Lung Association of New England (ALANE) says stronger air quality standards urgently needed. Medical News Today. 26 May 2008. 5 March 2009 . Chernobyl Heart Documentary. 2003. Dir. De Leo, Maryann.Downtown TV Documentaries Production. Foster, Debra. New England water is improving but problems remain, says new USGS report. Bio-Medicine. 30 April 1999. 5 March 2009 . Forbes, Greg. Record New England tornado. The weather channel. 1 August 2008. 5 March 2009 . Mayewski, Paul A.New Englands Changing Climate, Weather, and Air Quality Chapter 1- Global Climate Change Sets the Stage for exhibit Climate Change in New England. New England Climate Initiative (NECI). 1998. 5 March 2009 . McGehan, Barbara and Seif, Amy. Air quality study focuses on New England. U. S. section of Energy. 9 July 2002. 5 March 2009 .