Human Efforts To Combat Land Pollution

Land pollution is a pressing issue that affects human health and the environment. It refers to the deterioration of the Earth's land surfaces and is caused by the accumulation of solid and liquid waste materials, such as trash, compost, toxins, and litter. These waste materials contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to water contamination, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem degradation. Human activities, such as littering, waste from boats and oil rigs, sewage treatment plants, and agricultural activities, are major contributors to land pollution. Recognizing the impact of land pollution, individuals and organizations are taking steps to prevent and mitigate it. This includes reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, adopting sustainable farming practices, and supporting environmentally sound construction. Addressing land pollution requires a multi-faceted approach, including changes in policies and regulations, and individual actions, to preserve the health of the planet for future generations.

How are humans helping to reduce land pollution?

Reducing, reusing, and recycling

Reducing waste production is the most effective way to combat land pollution. This can be achieved by adopting more sustainable practices in agriculture and construction, as well as by reducing, reusing, and recycling materials.

Reducing

The creation of new products requires a significant amount of energy and materials, as well as emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. By reducing the consumption of single-use products and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, individuals can play a significant role in preventing land pollution.

Reusing

Reusing items such as clothing, containers, and electronics is an effective way to prevent waste. Buying second-hand items also helps to reduce waste and emissions associated with producing new materials. Donating and selling unwanted items ensures they are reused and kept out of landfills.

Recycling

Recycling is a critical component of reducing land pollution. It diverts waste away from landfills, reducing the harmful effects of pollution and emissions. Recycling also conserves energy, as recycling 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for over 25 hours. Additionally, recycling supports the creation of jobs and generates tax revenue.

Using biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics are increasingly being viewed as a potential solution to the global plastic pollution crisis. Conventional plastics are petroleum-based and associated with many environmental problems, including greenhouse gas emissions, persistence in the environment, and pollution.

Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, are polymeric compounds that are functionally similar to synthetic plastics but largely environmentally sustainable. They are often made from biobased sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants, instead of fossil fuels. This means that, in theory, they produce less waste than petroleum-based plastics.

However, biodegradable plastics are not a perfect solution. For one, they are not always biodegradable. They are tested under controlled conditions in a lab, but nature does not have controlled conditions, so it is not certain that they will biodegrade in the natural world if littered. Additionally, some biodegradable plastics contribute to global warming, pollution, and drastic land use change. Furthermore, similar to petroleum-based plastics, some biodegradable plastics cannot be recycled, and many end up in landfills, producing methane gas as they decompose.

Despite these shortcomings, biodegradable plastics can play a helpful role in reducing waste in specific applications. For example, compostable takeout containers can be composted along with any remaining food residue.

Overall, while biodegradable plastics may not be a silver bullet solution, they can be part of a broader strategy to reduce waste and pollution when used in conjunction with proper waste management systems.

Reforestation and afforestation

Reforestation has significant ecological advantages. It promotes biodiversity, improves the general health of the ecosystem, and restores habitats for many plant and animal species. Reforested regions act as natural filters, reducing sedimentation and removing pollutants to enhance water quality. Additionally, reforestation helps avoid river and lake silting by preserving fertile topsoil, reducing surface erosion, and decreasing rainwater runoff.

Afforestation and reforestation initiatives led by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) contribute significantly to achieving global climate policy targets and assisting low-income countries in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These goals have direct and indirect relationships with other SDGs, such as Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Reduced Inequalities, and Responsible Consumption and Production.

Various countries have implemented afforestation and reforestation programs to address specific issues. For example, China's "Grain for Green" program has successfully converted large areas of marginal cropland into forests, thereby improving soil quality and preventing erosion. Similarly, Pakistan's "Billion Tree Tsunami" focuses on increasing tree cover and enhancing biodiversity through reforestation efforts. India's "Green India Mission" promotes afforestation for sustainable resource management and climate change mitigation.

To effectively utilize afforestation and reforestation strategies, it is essential to understand their differences and unique objectives. By manipulating the configuration of plantings (location, size, species mix, and tree density), environmental benefits can be maximized. For instance, planting a mixture of native trees and shrubs is optimal for biodiversity, while traditional plantation species, typically non-native, sequester carbon faster. Tree density manipulation can also be employed to accelerate structural maturity and manage water yields.

Sustainable farming practices

Rotating and Diversifying Crops

Crop rotation and diversification are key components of sustainable agriculture. By rotating crops and embracing diversity, farmers can improve soil health, enhance pest control, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides. For example, planting cover crops like clover or rye during off-seasons prevents soil erosion, replenishes nutrients, and suppresses weeds. Additionally, intercropping, or growing a mix of crops in the same area, can improve soil health and reduce the negative environmental impact of monoculture farming.

Reducing Soil Degradation

Minimising Chemical Usage

Conventional farming often relies heavily on chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides, which contribute to land pollution. Sustainable practices encourage the use of organic fertilisers, such as manure, and integrated pest control methods, reducing the environmental impact of chemical runoff into water sources and the surrounding soil.

Reforestation and Afforestation

Trees play a vital role in sustainable farming practices. Reforestation and afforestation help prevent river and lake silting by reducing surface erosion and preserving fertile topsoil. Additionally, trees act as windbreaks, provide habitat for wildlife, and contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change.

Policy Changes and Education

Transforming our food system into one that prioritises sustainability requires policy changes and education. Organisations like the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) advocate for policies that support sustainable agriculture and provide recommendations to farmers. Educating farmers about sustainable practices and providing resources can empower them to make environmentally conscious decisions.

By adopting these sustainable farming practices, humans are actively contributing to the preservation and restoration of critical habitats, the protection of watersheds, and the improvement of soil and water quality. These efforts are essential steps towards mitigating land pollution and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.

Sanitary landfills

Leachate is a highly contaminated liquid that is generated from the decomposition of garbage and precipitation that infiltrates and percolates downward through the volume of waste material. When leachate reaches and mixes with groundwater or seeps into nearby bodies of surface water, it poses risks to public health and environmental quality. Methane, a poisonous and explosive gas that is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of solid waste material, can also be controlled by sanitary landfills. The gas is safely vented to the atmosphere or recovered for use as fuel, known as biogas or landfill gas.

To address the challenges associated with sanitary landfills, there has been an increased interest in the concept of recovering energy and recyclable materials from municipal solid waste (MSW). The European Union (EU), for example, has set a goal to reduce landfilling by 65% of biodegradable MSW, prompting the construction and upgrading of waste-to-energy (WTE) plants. Additionally, individuals can play a role in reducing landfill waste by adopting recycling habits, reducing, reusing, and reforesting to minimise waste, protect natural resources, and slow global warming.

Frequently asked questions