Environmental Pollution Effects on Humans, Other Animals & Plants

General Environmental Pollution EffectsMiguel A. Santos notes that a very important aspect of the effect of pollution is its dose (or concentration) required to cause environmental damage. (10) He defines pollution response as “the change in the effect of a pollutant in response to a change in its concentration”. (11) In this respect, he identifies...

Sources of Environmental Pollution

Fossil Fuel Sources of Environmental Pollution Fossil Fuel Pollution Photo: Rachel Scopes In modern industrialized societies, fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) transcended virtually all imaginable barriers and firmly established themselves in our everyday lives. Not only do we use fossil fuels for our obvious everyday needs (such as filling...

Introduction to Environmental Pollution

Although pollution had been known to exist for a very long time (at least since people started using fire thousands of years ago), it had seen the growth of truly global proportions only since the onset of the industrial revolution during the 19th century. Environmental Pollution England, 19th Century Courtesy: Wikimedia.org The industrial...

Air Pollution

Air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, is a significant cause of health problems worldwide. Urban and rural outdoor environments contain infections, allergens, irritants and chemical toxins that can reduce the quality of life and cause disease. Inhaled air pollution is directed at the the nose, throat and lungs. The exposed airway allows hazardous...

Recent environmental disasters

  Environmental disasters that occurred after January 2000 November 2006 - At least 23 people are killed in a mine in the south of Poland, consequential to a methane explosion. Only three people survive the mining accident. November 2006 - At least eight people are killed by a series of tornadoes in North-Carolina, USA. Considerable damage is...

Environmental problems caused by human interference in matter cycles In the past decades humans have been the cause of extensive environmental pollution. Pollution is not a one-sided term; all kinds of matter has been applied by humans, resulting in a disturbance in natural processes. Disturbances of natural processes are clearly shown, when you...

Acid deposition

Acid deposition is a general name for a number of phenomena, namely acid rain, acid fog and acid mist. This means it can imply both wet and dry (gaseous) precipitation. Acid deposition is a rather well known environmental problem, for example acid fog killed several thousand people in London in 1952. Acid deposition is concerned with long-range...

7 Environmental Problems That Are Worse Than We Thought

With as much attention as the environment has been getting lately, you’d think that we’d be further along in our fight to preserve the world’s species, resources and the beautiful diversity of nature. Unfortunately, things aren’t nearly that rosy. In fact, many of the environmental problems that have received the most public attention...

“Mining” Groundwater in India Reaches New Lows

Water-intensive onions are grown as a cash crop.Photograph by Lynsey Addario, National GeographicMason Inman for National Geographic News This story is part of a special National Geographic News series on global water issues.Nearly a third of India is suffering from chronic water shortages, and making ...

Gulf Oil Spill Surprise: Methane Almost Gone

Jars of plankton taken from near the Gulf oil spill show how the water's oxygen—and thus sea life—decreased with time, a sign of increased bacteria.Photograph by David Liittschwager, National GeographicBrian Handwerkfor National Geographic News After months of speculation about what will happen to the Gulf oil spill, it...

In China’s Icy North, Outfitting Buildings to Save Energy

Harbin, in China's northeast, plays up its "Ice City" reputation with its annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, where ice sculptures were on display January 4. But in its real buildings, officials are making renovations that they predict will increase energy efficiency by 50 percent.Photograph...

Pictures: Mount Etna Erupts Overnight

 Etna AflamePhotograph by Antonio Parrinello, Reuters<>Streams of lava light up Mount Etna during a two-hour eruption on Tuesday night—the peak of the Italianvolcano's fiery week (Mount Etna map). Towering nearly 11,000 feet (3,350 meters) over the island of Sicily, Europe's tallest and most active volcano began trembling Tuesday afternoon,...

Scientists Make Dozens of Storms in the Abu Dhabi Desert?

Camels and trucks travel on a main desert road in Abu Dhabi while rain descends in the background.Photograph by James Davis Photography, Alamy Brian Handwerk for National Geographic NewsPublished January 18, 2011This story is part of a special National Geographic News series on global water issues. In arid...

Kenya Steps Ahead Into Solar Future

Photo courtesy of World Bank, IFC and Lighting Africa  For Africa’s poorest families, lighting is often the most expensive item in their budget, typically accounting for 10–15 percent of total household income. The energy poor in Africa spend about US$17 billion a year on fuel-based lighting sources.  To put the full energy sector...

Tough Road to Getting LED Lights on the Streets

Ann Arbor, Michigan has been a leader in converting streetlights to LEDs, but the city has had to work out some kinks along the way.Photograph by Tom DrewBy Josie Garthwaite For National Geographic NewsPublished January 20, 2011This story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For...