Maybe the saying should be “DUST till Dawn”…

                  Maybe the saying should be “DUST till Dawn”…

The picture shows the clouds of dust draping over the vegetation around the Trinidad Cement Limited in Claxton Bay.

It was very disheartening to see the tons of layers of dust sitting on the vegetation surrounding the Trinidad Cement Limited.  It was a mound of falling tiny particles which caused allergic reactions to manifest. This cement company tried to use a trapping mechanism by surrounding it with plants and trees to catch the dust. This mechanism however has been detrimental to the life of the vegetation and as seen in the picture, they have been mostly suffocated and they are no longer lush and green. Dust pollution is evident and has adverse effects on the environment. This urban setting is very harmful to any living creature. It was very alarming to see houses surrounding this company since there is so much pollution taking place and is being carried around from place to place by the wind. The smaller the dust particles, is the larger amount of harm done to the organism which breathes it in. These tiny particles are able to penetrate deeper into the mouth, lungs and throat which can cause disruptions in DNA sequences[1]. As a result, respiratory illnesses and interruptions in brain and nervous system activities can be experience. This is detrimental to babies and animals since higher concentrations are found on the ground level. It is very important therefore to stay away from dust pollution and greater importance for companies to try harder at keeping the dust at a minimal. A great way to reduce the effects of dust pollution is by wearing a respirator whenever in the vicinity of dust particles that are in abundance.

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[1] http://www.asienreisender.de/dustpollution.html

Soil pollution and Deforestation…What does this have to do with me?

Soil pollution and Deforestation…What does this have to do with me?

Just like many other forms of nature, soil also suffers from pollution. We depend on produce from the earth for sustenance and it all stems from the part which is rarely seen, the soil.  With the presence of man made elements, it is now very difficult to keep the planet’s soil healthy and beautiful. Natural waste from dead plants and animals help in maintaining balance in the ecosystem while man made waste is full of chemicals and cause soil pollution to occur. Soil pollution is caused mainly by the use of pesticides and various other chemicals which tend to mix with the natural materials and cause harm to the earth and in turn to living organisms. It is the farmers’ responsibility to make sure that harmless amounts of chemicals are being introduced in planting. Farmers use the setting of deliberate forest fires as a land clearing tool, which causes deforestation. This method eventually leads to soil degradation and in turn pollution. Particles become loose on the land and are easily carried away by wind or water. This is how the soil looses it important nutrients and structure. The effects of soil pollution can be very harsh to plants, animals and humans. This is our main source for food and it is our responsibility to save our fertile lands and not let it be destroyed. In urban areas especially, land is not taken care of properly and is treated without importance. This was seen as shown in the picture below where fires were being lit along the highway indiscriminately. This shows how much the land is important to the urban settings. The generation of today has to practice sustainable agriculture in order for food supply to continue in the future.

Further readings can be done on how you can achieve sustainable agriculture by utilizing proper techniques for farming on this website:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/building-fertile-soil-zmaz03jjzgoe.aspx

This photograph was taken by the Gasparillo bypass, on the North bound lane. The picture to the top shows indiscriminate lighting of fires very close to houses. While the bottom photograph shows how the soil is left after the fires are passed.

Excessive cars, traffic and smog….Our clean air is being contaminated!!!!

Excessive cars, traffic and smog….Our clean air is being contaminated!!!!

There are many types of pollution which can be evident everyday as we pass along our normal routes, but we are blind towards it due to the fact that it has become a part of the norm in society. On our everyday commutes, whether it may be from our homes to places of work or school, pollution is seen everywhere. As simple as the vehicles on the roads that we use, they cause much air pollution which we are blind sighted to due to the convenience they provide us with.  Air pollution caused by vehicles can be said to be primary pollutants being emitted, but they do however cause reactions with the natural air and become secondary pollutants. These can cause adverse effects on human health e.g. respiratory illnesses, as well as on the environment by acid rain[1]. Personally, changes were made in order to reduce air pollution through vehicular usage in the household by carpooling. This in fact makes a difference but in a very insignificant way. However, if many persons in society thought about carpooling with friends and family, this would reduce air pollution in a major way. The first and last photos in the collage below depict the traffic congestion situation which plagues the urban roadways in Trinidad. This can be reduced only if carpooling was enforced as a side effect of an educated population. The picture in the middle shows how dirty the emissions of some vehicles are and clean air is horribly contaminated. There are lots of ways in which air pollution can be reduced and it all starts with YOU!

Figure 1: Picture taken on the highway to Trincity mall, to show smog emitted from the vehicle causing air pollution, making it hard to breathe in fresh air. It also shows the amount of vehicles piling up, causing traffic.

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[1] http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php

Pollution

According to Chile, 1950 and Harvey, 1973, they theorized urbanization to be the generation of surplus products that sustain people in non-agricultural activities. This can be linked to the excessive amounts of waste products that are being continuously disposed of improperly. From the past to present day, the amount of garbage found in the waterways are almost ten times the amount. The litter that is displayed shows a variety of different plastic materials such as plastic bottles, wrappers and many more. This St Augustine area displays a depressing site as this is located directly outside the campus. It is seen that these students takes no pride in their environment and does not consider it a part of them.

The three R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle can be implemented and practiced for improvement in reducing pollution as seen in the photograph below. This drain can be a habitat for a breathing ground of mosquitoes and other disease born insects. Recent studies has shown that there is a breakout in the Zika virus which affects human beings and unborn babies. This is a serious situation which can be prevented by the elimination of mosquitoes and keeping surroundings clean.

This photograph shows in relation to the University of the West Indies, a landmark for Trinidad, how much this urban area is polluted and can cause serious threats to the lives of human beings by the diseases that can develop from this polluted drain.