Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change (they cause harm or discomfort to the ecosystem). It is the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. Pollution is one of the environmental issues in South Africa and other developing countries in the world. South Africa is affected by various pollution types which can also affect its future resources.
The types of pollution that we have in south Africa.
Water pollution
Water pollution happens when toxic or harmful substances enter water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, getting dissolved in them and lying suspended in the water. This degrade the quality of water. One of South Africa’s biggest issues is lack of clean water. Many places in South Africa does not have access to clean water due to water pollution. For example; most people in the rural outskirts of Johannesburg depend on Vaal dam for drinking water, but the sewage waste from the city pollutes the water in the dam making it poisonous and people around these rural communities end up not having access to clean water. Garbage or solid waste also contribute to water pollution because as it rains, the water from dumping sites may end up running off to the dams.
How water pollution is a threat to our future resources
According to researcher David Hemson writing in the SA Health Review 2016, the clean water supply that south Africa has is under threat from several pollutants. Water pollution is a threat to our future water resources because as people continue polluting water or dumping waste into the water, in future South Africa will experience the problem of water shortages.
How the problem of water pollution can be addressed
People should be encouraged to recycle because recycling is good for the environment and it can help improve water too. When people recycle they keep plastics and other chemical materials out of landfills. This reduces pollution in groundwater surrounding those landfills. People should also avoid directing sewage water into the dams.
Air pollution
It occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases and biological molecules are introduced into Earth’s atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies and death of humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. South Africa relies on coal for 97% of its primary energy and the smoke that comes from using coal causes air pollution which affect the environment and people’s health. The air pollution situation in South Africa is like that of other developing countries. The main sources of air pollution in South Africa are burning of coal, oil, natural gas in industrial processes, power generation and in vehicles (Oliver 2001).
How air pollution is a threat to our future resources
Air pollution is a threat to our future resources.
How the problem of air pollution can be addressed
In addressing the problem of pollution, South African citizens must be educated about the harmful effects of air pollution. To reduce the amount of air pollution, people must be encouraged to use public transport to limit the number of cars that produces bad smoke on the roads. Instead of burning waste, people should be encouraged to recycle the things that are recyclable (things such as plastic bags and bottles), because burning them produces smoke that is harmful to the environment. People should also be encouraged to use environmentally friendly chemicals.
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Solid waste pollution
Solid waste includes garbage, rubbish, ashes and construction waste. With the increase of population, and an increase in the number of people who are moving to urbanized areas, the number of solid waste produced is increasing.
How solid waste pollution is a threat to our future resources
Solid waste pollution is a threat to our future resources. In future, the country will have no space for the development of new residence because of the large amount of garbage or rubbish that is dumped on the land that is not used. The country will end up experiencing the problem of deforestation because the trees will be cut down to create dumping sites because of the large amount of garbage that we have in South Africa.
How the problem of solid waste pollution can be addressed
To reduce the problem of solid waste, people should be encouraged to recycle things such as plastic bags and bottles, to reduce the number of ashes that adds to solid waste. People should also be encouraged to use paper bags instead of using plastic bags .
Conclusion
References
1. Savides, Matthew (March 6, 2001) Water shortage loom for Durban
2. Oliver D.D. 2001. Diesel vehicle emission testing in the city of Cape Town. Proceedings of national Associations for Clean Air Conference
