Tips on how to write a pollution essay | Ace your applications

Introduction

Pollution is a term we are all acquainted with. It refers to the contamination of natural resources due to various hazards pollutants and the increasing amount of pollution is making our daily lives miserable. Pollution is mainly a result of human activities which harm the environment and in turn, prove to be dangerous for human health. Needless to say, there is an urgent need to address this situation and tackle the problem. However, while writing a pollution essay, you must first understand the types of pollution, the effects, and the ways to reduce it. Let’s take a look at the various sections you can include in your pollution essay.

Air pollution

Air pollution is caused due to the emission of harmful gases like sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide. These gases are by-products of burning toxic substances in factories and industries and are responsible for reducing the quantity of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. Moreover, they lead to several health problems such as breathing disorders, respiratory diseases, even cancers, etc. 

Water pollution

As more and more waste accumulates into water bodies, we humans are at an increased risk of experiencing water shortages. Sewage waste, industrial waste, etc. are being dumped into canals, rivers, and seas directly. This also affects marine life and the oxygen present in water bodies starts disappearing. People in many parts of the world are forced to drink polluted water and get diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, etc.

Soil pollution

A large population depends on agriculture in India for their food and living. Farmers use pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemical compounds for more production which contaminates the soil. The waste that is dumped on open grounds from industries or households, contributes to soil pollution. It becomes the breeding site of mosquitoes which spread diseases such as dengue. 

Noise pollution

Apart from contributing to air pollution, vehicles also cause noise pollution. People living in urban areas suffer from stress-related issues and anxiety due to increased noise pollution. Other sources of noise pollution are the bursting of crackers, factory machinery, music played on loudspeakers, etc. It can affect the functioning of the brain as well.  

Causes and impacts of pollution

In your pollution essay, you must talk about the causes and the impacts that different kinds of pollution have on our ecosystem. Below is a table detailing the various causes of pollution and how their hazardous effects –

Types of Pollution	Causes	Impact
Air pollution	Burning of fossil fuels, mining operations, exhaust gases released from industries and factories	Respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems, skin diseases, cancer, acid rain, ozone depletion, loss of wildlife
Water pollution	Dumping solid wastes in water bodies, disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies, human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff containing dangerous chemicals	Disruption of the ecosystem, loss of marine life, increased risk of water-borne diseases, eutrophication
Soil pollution	Improper industrial waste disposal, oil spills, mining activities, intensive farming, industrial accidents	Loss of soil nutrients impacts the natural flora and fauna, degrades vegetation, and toxic dust cause respiratory problems or even lung cancer
Noise pollution	Running of heavy machines, mills, factories, etc. transportation noises, construction noises, noise from social events, household appliances	Hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disorders, hypertension

Apart from these, some other types of pollution are light pollution, thermal pollution, and radioactive pollution. 

Pollution disrupts your quality of life. You may not be able to notice the immediate effects of pollution but in the long term, it may lead to serious health complications. For instance, you are not able to see the natural gases but you inhale them and may fall ill over time. Increased levels of carbon dioxide are the major factor leading to global warming.

How to reduce pollution?

A good conclusion to your pollution essay is to mention ways to help reduce pollution. For example, people should make certain lifestyle changes. It is better to take public transport to reduce vehicular smoke and emissions. 

To combat noise pollution a strict ban on firecrackers must be imposed everywhere, especially during festivals and celebrations. It can also bring down the level of air pollution to a great extent.

The key to dealing with environmental pollution is reducing plastic waste, adopting the habit of recycling, and choosing eco-friendly alternatives. All used plastic makes its way into the oceans and land, which causes excess pollution. Proper disposal of waste must be encouraged and everyone must take the initiative of planting more trees. To sum it up, all types of pollution are hazardous and have serious consequences. A step towards change must be taken by all and not one.

Things to remember while writing a good essay

Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when writing a pollution essay –

• Understand the topic well.
• Follow a pattern.
• Once you already see a structure emerging, provide data and talk about the effects of pollution.
• Support your essay with statistical data.
• Start with a compelling introduction, mention the challenges and conclude with how to overcome them.
• Talk about the future you imagine and how making changes now will help you achieve them in the future.
• Always keep your essay to the point. Avoid making it lengthy unnecessarily.
• Remember that your essay is a direct reflection of your English language skills. Use proper vocabulary, avoid making grammatical mistakes, and proofread the essay.
• Your essay must be unique and capable of keeping the reader engaged. 

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Key takeaways

• Pollution essays must thoroughly describe the numerous types of pollution and their serious consequences for health and the environment.
• Effective waste management and the implementation of sustainable practises are critical in decreasing water and soil pollution and protecting both human health and natural ecosystems.
• Chemical use in agriculture contributes to soil pollution, which in turn leads to broader environmental health issues, such as the proliferation of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
• Urban noise pollution endangers both mental and physical health by causing stress, anxiety, and cognitive disturbance.
• Pollution essays should conclude with practical remedies such as supporting public transit, enforcing noise rules, encouraging recycling, and planting trees to lessen overall pollution impact.

FAQs

Q1. What will happen if air pollution is not checked?

Answer – If air pollution is not controlled immediately, the air will continue to become poisonous and we may have to use oxygen kits to breathe. Rising air pollution causes premature aging and exposure to air toxins will increase the rate of mortality.

Q2. Is it possible to reduce pollution?

Answer – It is still possible to reduce pollution by taking individual steps to decompose waste mindfully and plant more trees. For a greener and better Earth, you must act today. 

Q3. What are the effects of water pollution?

Answer – Water pollution leads to the destruction of biodiversity, depletes aquatic ecosystems, and contaminates the food chain. Increased water pollution will make us face a lack of water for drinking, causing diseases.