Brian Barton
Mountains are fragile ecosystems that provide vital services to human life, including sequestering CO2, cleaning water and air, and regulating floods. However, human activities such as mining, livestock, energy production, and tourism have negatively impacted them. To save mountains from pollution, we must address the various types of pollution they face and make changes in our daily lives. This includes reducing plastic pollution, properly disposing of waste, participating in community cleanups, and choosing eco-responsible businesses for tourism. Additionally, when visiting mountains, it is important to stay on designated trails, avoid feeding wildlife, and respect their natural habitats. By taking these steps, we can help protect mountain ecosystems and preserve their beauty for future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Noise pollution, sudden movements, and lighting fires |
| Do not take | Dogs into unrestricted areas |
| Keep dogs | On a lead if there is a risk of them harming wildlife |
| Do not | Pick flowers, plants, or mushrooms |
| Pick | Only as many berries as you need, and only in allowed areas |
| Do not | Feed mountain animals, leave picnic scraps for them, or approach them |
| Do not feed | Fish species in mountain lakes |
| Avoid | Using veterinary and human insect repellents in the mountains |
| Stay on | Designated trails to protect vegetation and the surrounding environment |
| Reduce | Carbon footprint by seeking out eco-responsible businesses |
| Use | Refillable water bottles, cloth or reusable containers for sandwiches, and bar soap instead of bottled |
| Recycle | Paper and plastic |
| Do not use | Balloons |
| Do not litter | Properly dispose of trash in a landfill |
| Do not leave | Fishing nets or lines in the water |
| Avoid | Mining, livestock, energy production, and tourism |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid noise pollution and littering
To save mountains from pollution, it is important to avoid noise pollution and littering. Here are some ways to do that:
Avoid noise pollution
Noise pollution can have negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Constant exposure to loud noises can cause damage to eardrums and hearing loss. It can also lead to sleep disturbances, increased stress levels, and fatigue. To reduce noise pollution, individuals can:
- Use headphones or earplugs to protect their hearing and reduce exposure to loud noises.
- Turn off appliances and electronics when not in use.
- Limit noise creation, especially during nighttime hours. The recommended noise level during the day is below 65 dB, and for restful sleep, nighttime ambient noise levels should be kept below 30 dB.
- Avoid unnecessary honking or loud music in public spaces.
- Maintain and regularly service their vehicles and machinery to minimize noise emissions.
- When visiting mountainous areas, avoid sudden movements and loud noises that might frighten animals.
Avoid littering
Littering is a significant problem that endangers the environment, wildlife, and the economy. It leads to soil, water, and air pollution, and costs billions of dollars annually in cleanup efforts. To avoid contributing to this issue:
- Properly dispose of waste in designated trash cans or recycling bins. If you are in a natural area that lacks these facilities, take your litter with you and dispose of it responsibly when you return home.
- Set a positive example for others by never throwing litter on the ground and by picking up any litter you see, ensuring it ends up in a trash can or recycling bin.
- Remind others about the environmental consequences of littering. Explain how even a single piece of garbage can harm wildlife and pollute natural habitats.
- Ensure your trash cans at home have securely fitting lids to prevent accidental littering due to bins being knocked over.
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Stick to designated trails
Sticking to designated trails is an important way to protect mountain ecosystems from pollution and degradation. When hikers venture off-trail, they can cause soil compaction, increase water runoff, and contribute to erosion. Trampling protective vegetation and organic materials can have long-lasting impacts on the environment, as soil loss is one of the most significant consequences of off-trail hiking.
By staying on designated trails, hikers can help preserve the integrity of the surrounding environment. Vegetation plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and sticking to the main trail ensures that plants and wildlife can thrive. Designated trails are often created with hardened treads designed to sustain foot traffic, reducing the impact on the environment.
Additionally, staying on designated trails can help prevent hikers from getting lost. Well-marked paths guide visitors through protected natural areas, minimizing the potential for accidental damage to sensitive habitats. This also helps to preserve the tranquillity of wild animals, as venturing off-trail can disturb their natural habitats and cause stress.
To further minimize their impact, hikers should also be mindful of other best practices, such as not littering, avoiding noise pollution, and refraining from feeding wildlife. These simple actions can collectively make a significant difference in protecting mountain ecosystems and ensuring their longevity for future generations to enjoy.
By following designated trails and adopting environmentally conscious behaviors, hikers can play an active role in preserving the beauty and health of mountain environments. It is important to remember that even small actions can have a significant impact on these fragile ecosystems.
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Avoid feeding wildlife
While it may be tempting to feed wildlife, especially when they approach you, it is important to remember that this can have negative consequences for the animals, the environment, and even yourself. Firstly, human food is not healthy for wild animals. It can lead to health issues such as Angel Wing Syndrome in waterfowl that are fed excess bread. Human food can also cause digestive disorders, malnutrition, and other diseases in wildlife due to the lack of necessary enzymes and minerals in our food. For example, a condition called acidosis, which is often fatal, occurs when wild ruminants like deer and elk consume excessive amounts of high-carbohydrate food, leading to dangerous levels of acid in their stomachs.
Feeding wildlife can also cause behavioural changes in animals. They may lose their natural fear of humans, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict. Animals may become aggressive and beg, steal, or rip into backpacks or tents in search of food. This can result in safety issues and property damage, and even lead to the killing of the animal if it becomes too dangerous. Additionally, artificial feeding disrupts normal feeding behaviours. For example, deer may crowd together in small areas, making them more vulnerable to being chased by dogs or hit by cars.
Furthermore, feeding wildlife can contribute to the spread of diseases. Diseases like brucellosis, tuberculosis, and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) can be transmitted from wildlife to humans, livestock, and pets. The crowding caused by artificial feeding facilitates disease transmission and can also increase stress levels in animals.
Lastly, feeding wildlife can attract unwanted and potentially dangerous guests. For instance, feeding deer in your yard may also attract predators like mountain lions, and uncleaned bird feeders can attract bears. This can create unsafe situations for both humans and animals.
Therefore, it is essential to avoid feeding wildlife and to keep your food and trash securely stored. By doing so, you help maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem and ensure the well-being of both the animals and humans coexisting in these environments.
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Reduce plastic usage
Plastic pollution is a serious issue that requires an urgent response from all relevant stakeholders. While it may seem harmless, plastic pollution in the mountains is detrimental to both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The mountains are fragile ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to human activities such as mining, livestock, energy production, and tourism. To protect and preserve the pristine beauty of the mountains, it is essential to reduce plastic usage. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Opt for Reusable Water Bottles: Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a reusable water bottle. This simple switch will significantly reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills or as litter in natural environments. Carrying your own water bottle is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective and potentially healthier, as you can choose to fill it with safe tap water.
- Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, utensils, and packaging, contribute significantly to plastic waste. Whenever possible, choose reusable alternatives like cloth bags, metal straws, and containers. Support businesses that use eco-friendly packaging and avoid products with excessive plastic wrapping.
- Refuse Plastic Microbeads: Tiny plastic microbeads are commonly found in beauty products like facial scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes. These microplastics slip through water treatment plants and are often ingested by marine animals, causing harm to wildlife. Opt for natural exfoliants like oatmeal or salt, and be cautious when purchasing cosmetics to ensure they are microplastic-free.
- Borrow or Share Items: Instead of buying new plastic items that you will rarely use, consider borrowing or sharing them. This reduces your plastic consumption and saves you money. For example, if you need a specific tool for a one-time project, see if you can borrow it from a friend or a tool-sharing program rather than purchasing a new plastic item.
- Recycle and Reuse Plastics: Recycling is an important step in reducing plastic waste. Check the recycling guidelines in your area to understand what types of plastics can be recycled. Look for the recycling symbol and number on the bottom of containers to determine their recyclability. Additionally, reuse plastic items whenever possible instead of immediately discarding them. For example, wash and reuse plastic containers for storage or other purposes.
- Support Eco-Responsible Businesses: When planning a mountain vacation, choose eco-responsible accommodations and businesses. Look for establishments with environmental certifications or eco-labels, indicating their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. These businesses often use renewable energy sources, conserve water, and implement environmentally friendly practices, contributing to the preservation of mountain ecosystems.
By adopting these practices, we can collectively reduce our plastic usage and minimize the impact of plastic pollution on the delicate mountain environments. Remember, small changes in our daily habits can lead to significant positive outcomes for the health of our planet.
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Stay away from mountaintop removal mining
Mountain ecosystems are fragile sources of life that are under increasing human pressure through habitat degradation. One of the human activities that impact mountains is mining. Mountaintop removal mining (MTR), also known as mountaintop mining (MTM), is a form of surface mining that involves the topographical alteration or removal of a summit, hill, or ridge to access buried coal seams. MTR is an extremely destructive form of mining that has been devastating the Appalachian Mountains in the United States, with more than 500 mountains destroyed and over 2,000 miles of streams and headwaters providing drinking water for millions of Americans permanently buried and destroyed.
MTR is a highly mechanized process that uses explosives and large machinery to extract coal. While it greatly reduces the need for workers, it has been linked to various adverse health effects on mining communities, including cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and COPD. MTR also contaminates billions of gallons of water with cleaning chemicals, proprietary formulas, and non-combustible materials such as arsenic and mercury.
To protect mountains from the destructive impacts of MTR, it is crucial to advocate for stronger protections for affected communities and waterways. This includes supporting initiatives like the Clean Water Act and working with lawmakers to address the public health threats posed by this mining practice. Additionally, seeking out and supporting eco-responsible businesses and resorts that carry the European Ecolabel or similar certifications can help reduce the environmental impact of tourism in mountain areas.
By taking these actions and staying away from MTR practices, we can help preserve the fragile heritage of mountain ecosystems and ensure the well-being of the communities that depend on them.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to reduce your environmental footprint and save the mountains from pollution:
- Stick to the main trail when hiking to ensure vegetation stays healthy and protect the surrounding environment.
- Avoid littering and pick up any litter you see, disposing of it properly.
- Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not feed wild animals and avoid leaving food scraps for them.
- Avoid making loud noises to prevent noise pollution.
- Seek out eco-responsible businesses and resorts with an eco-tourism label.
Mountains are fragile sources of life that provide vital services to human life, such as sequestering CO2, cleaning water and air, and regulating floods. However, human activities such as mining, livestock, energy production, and tourism have impacted mountain ecosystems. Pollution, including plastic pollution, can harm mountain habitats and the animals that live there. Climate change also plays a role in the redistribution of chemical pollutants, enhancing their release from ice, soils, or sediments through flood events.
Here are some general ways to reduce pollution:
- Use a refillable water bottle instead of plastic water bottles.
- Use cloth or reusable containers for food instead of plastic or single-use containers.
- Participate in community clean-up events to help keep the environment clean.
- Recycle as much as possible and create a paper and plastic recycling program if one doesn't exist.
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