Did nature take revenge on the oxygen supply? Environmental concerns and need for oxygen
Author: Karthik. T
INTRODUCTION:
People all over the world are wondering if the new corona virus pandemic is nature's retaliation for humanity's rampant actions. This isn't a modern way of thinking. James Lovelock's book ‘The Revenge of Gaia’ was released in 2006. His core thesis is that Gaia, the digital, living world, could be punishing fossil-fuel-dependent, climate-changing humanity by making the planet uninhabitable for humans. Gaia may soon be forced into the red-hot mode, according to Lovelock, and she may be able to shake us off. His book contributed to the public's awareness of a looming global climate emergency, which has been in the news ever since. However, still valid in today's world? Right now, we're dealing with a different collection of issues: Unprecedented human numbers, combined with unprecedented resource demands, could have unleashed a self-created ecological tsunami.
GLOBAL WARMING WHICH RESULTS IN DECREASE OF OXYGEN IN THE ENVIRONMENT:
However, reckless living, especially since the industrial revolution, as a result of exploiting various natural resources such as water, forest, minerals, fossil fuels, and so on, has resulted in an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, the loss of most forest and wetlands, and severe contamination of land and waterways, resulting in the emergence of all forms of deadly diseases.
Global warming is reaching an unprecedented level in the atmosphere as a result of the release of greenhouse gases. Since the industrial revolution, the earth's temperature has risen significantly, causing glacier and sea ice melting, rising sea levels, weather fluctuations, and adverse effects on freshwater resources, among other things, resulting in various types of calamities for all living beings, especially humans. These are primarily caused by the combustion of large amounts of fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, as well as small particulate matter (PN2.5) from vehicle engines, thermal power plants, and other sources.
Forests are rapidly degrading, wetlands are being converted to residential, commercial, and agricultural uses, and untreated solid wastes and effluents are being released into the setting. Low birth weight, increased acute respiratory illness, asthma, lung cancer, stroke, and other diseases have all been linked to air pollution. Every year, air pollution, as well as land and water pollution, causes misery and accidental death for millions of people.
As stated above nature is taking revenge on us as there is a decline in the supply of oxygen. People die as a result of poor air quality. According to the World Health Organization, poor outdoor air caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016, with 90% of those deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
According to a recent report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences late last month, fossil fuel emissions are responsible for about 65 percent of those deaths, and reducing these emissions alone could avoid 3.6 million premature deaths.
Last year For the 3 billion people, who cook and heat their homes with wood, kerosene, and coal, indoor smoke is a constant health risk. Higher rates of cancer and heart disease have been attributed to air pollution.
Air pollution can cause short-term symptoms like sneezing and coughing, eye irritation, headaches, and dizziness, as well as long-term effects like those mentioned above. Particulate matter greater than 10 micrometers is more dangerous to one's health because it can enter the lungs and cross into the bloodstream.
CONCLUSION:
As a result, the world requires oxygen supply to live their life as that is very much an essential source of human being. The humans are the only reason for this condition which is prevailing in the environment. If humans are not selfish in those days then this type of deficiency will not be an issue now. The only thing the human can do now is that they have to rebuild the environment by planting more and more trees and using of liquefied petroleum gas instead of petrol and diesel and use of battery cars and bikes instead of petrol.
Controlling air pollution necessitates certain national, state, and foreign policies. Legislation and controls are often valuable tools for combating air pollution. Because of the institutionalization of anti-pollution policies, many cities and countries that were once highly polluted have largely achieved clean air. Another suggestion is to implement strong laws and policies to control environmental pollutions.
As in recent times in India, there is a lack of oxygen supply so that many of the patients are dying. This pandemic taught that how important oxygen to all human beings so from now onwards everyone should come forward to plant more trees so that not only their future will be saved, this upcoming generation will be safe if they don’t pollute and save tress so that the oxygen supply will be in a normal state.
REFERENCES:
1. The Conscious club, Oxygen and Pollution, https://www.theconsciouschallenge.org/ecologicalfootprintbibleoverview/oxygen-pollution
2. DW.Com, Murali Krishnan, COVID – Why is India facing an oxygen shortage? https://www.dw.com/en/india-covid-oxygen-shortage/a-57425951