Assignment 3: Environmental Issues And The Industrial 715743

Assignment 3: Environmental Issues and the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution, which began in the eighteenth century, has had an ongoing influence on society as well as the relationship between humans and their environment. With the onset of industrialization came the drastic increase in urbanization, setting up of factories in places which were once biomes, and the rapid development of land. All this occurred without assessing the long-term impact to the environment. Recognizing the importance of the Industrial Revolution era and the ongoing impact it has had on the environment is essential to learning how to help the environment and correct the damage of that era. Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, complete the following: Identify three of the most environmentally negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution and justify your choices. For example, the invention of the automobile revolutionized travel in a positive manner. However, this invention is causing some of the biggest environmental problems as a result of the extensive use of oil extracted from the earth. Examine how these three negative impacts changed the environment; list the mechanisms through which this happened. For example, factories caused an increase in pollution through the release of toxic waste, which led to diminished and lost fish populations in rivers. Explain the effect of the environmental movement on the process of industrialization in the United States during the 1970s. Identify the laws passed to help ameliorate the environmental issues in the U.S. or around the world related to these three impacts. Have any laws been passed since this movement in the 1970s? If there have been laws implemented, summarize the spirit of the law and comment on the effectiveness of the law. Based on your research, examine whether the state of the environment has become worse or has improved as a result of these laws. If you think conditions have not improved, suggest solutions or steps that must be done to improve the situation. Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references. Be sure to include an additional page for references. Write a 4–5-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M1_A3.doc. For example, if your name is John Smith, your document will be named SmithJ_M1_A3.doc. By Wednesday, January 29, 2014 , deliver your assignment to the M1: Assignment 3 Dropbox .

Paper For Above instruction

The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the eighteenth century, was a pivotal period that dramatically transformed societies worldwide. While it brought about technological advancements, economic growth, and improved living standards, it also resulted in significant environmental degradation. This paper examines three of the most environmentally negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution, explores the mechanisms through which they affected the environment, analyzes the influence of the environmental movement of the 1970s in the United States, reviews relevant laws enacted to address these issues, and assesses whether environmental conditions have improved or worsened since then.

Negative Impacts of the Industrial Revolution

The first major environmental impact is air pollution caused by the proliferation of factories. During the Industrial Revolution, factories burned coal as a primary energy source, releasing large quantities of smoke, soot, and toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. This contributed to severe smog episodes in urban centers like London, known as "The Great Smog of 1952," which resulted in thousands of deaths (Bell & Davis, 2001). The mechanisms involved included coal combustion processes that emitted pollutants directly into the air, leading to respiratory problems and environmental acidification.

The second impact centers on water pollution from industrial waste discharge. Factories often dumped untreated or poorly treated waste into rivers and streams, introducing toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. This led to the contamination of water bodies, which affected aquatic ecosystems and human health. An illustrative example is the pollution of the Thames River, which was severely contaminated during the 19th and early 20th centuries, creating ‘dead zones’ where aquatic life could not survive (Davies, 2016). Waste discharge mechanisms included direct dumping and inadequate sewage treatment systems.

The third significant environmental damage involved land degradation and deforestation due to land clearing for industrial purposes and resource extraction. The rapid expansion of industries necessitated extensive logging, mining, and land development, leading to habitat loss, erosion, and reduced biodiversity. For instance, deforestation in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe was accelerated during this era, disrupting ecosystems and altering natural landscapes (Bullock et al., 2017). Mechanisms for this included aggressive resource extraction and the conversion of land for industrial use.

Effects of the Environmental Movement and Legislation

The environmental movement of the 1970s in the United States emerged as a response to the growing awareness of environmental degradation, catalyzed by events such as the publication of Rachel Carson’s "Silent Spring" (Carson, 1962). The movement promoted public consciousness and advocacy for environmental protection, leading to significant policy changes. In 1970, the U.S. established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate efforts to regulate pollution (Gerrard, 2007).

Legislation enacted during and after this movement includes the Clean Air Act (1970), which set limits on emissions from stationary and mobile sources, and the Clean Water Act (1972), designed to eliminate pollutants in water bodies. These laws aimed to reduce the mechanisms of pollution identified earlier—air and water contamination—and have been effective in decreasing emissions and improving water quality (U.S. EPA, 2020). Recent amendments and new laws, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (1976), further expanded regulatory oversight.

Assessment of Environmental Conditions Post-Legislation

Since the inception of these laws, environmental conditions in the United States have shown signs of improvement. Air quality has significantly improved in many urban areas, with reductions in airborne pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter (Krewski et al., 2009). Water quality has improved due to stricter discharge standards and wastewater treatment facilities, though challenges remain in certain regions (Sowbel & Miller, 2006). However, despite progress, issues such as climate change, habitat destruction, and persistent pollution still threaten environmental health.

If conditions have not sufficiently improved, additional measures are needed. These include transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing enforcement of existing laws, and investing in sustainable urban planning and conservation efforts. International cooperation is also crucial, as environmental issues transcend borders.

Conclusion

The Industrial Revolution’s environmental legacy is complex, with severe impacts on air, water, and land. The environmental movement of the 1970s and subsequent legislation have been effective in curbing some damage, but ongoing environmental challenges necessitate continued efforts. Future policies should prioritize sustainability, technological innovation, and global cooperation to ensure the protection of our planet for future generations.

References

• Bell, M. L., & Davis, D. L. (2001). Reassessment of the lethal London smog of December 1952: New evidence on mortality rate. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(2), 173-177.
• Bullock, R., et al. (2017). The impact of industrialization on land degradation. Journal of Environmental Management, 197, 1-10.
• Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin.
• Davies, J. (2016). Industrial pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Water Research Center.
• Gerrard, J. (2007). The role of the EPA in environmental regulation. Environmental Politics, 16(4), 551-569.
• Krewski, D., et al. (2009). Reanalysis of the Harvard Six Cities Study and the American Cancer Society Study of Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality. Particulate Matter and Health. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 180(5), 453–459.
• Sowbel, L., & Miller, J. (2006). Water pollution policies in the United States. Environmental Policy Journal, 12(3), 223-237.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). Progress cleaning the air and water. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/