Greta Jimenez
Pollution is not a new phenomenon and has been a problem since the emergence of our earliest ancestors. In the 19th century, cities like New York and London experienced episodes of smog (a combination of smoke and fog) that resulted in numerous fatalities. Similarly, in 1897, a report to the Royal Commission on River Pollution detailed the severe industrial contamination of the Tawe River in Wales. Since then, corporate pollution has evolved into a more complex issue, with large corporations being major contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. Despite growing public awareness and advocacy for change, corporations often prioritize profits over sustainability, and government regulations and fines have had limited success in curbing corporate pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Pollution has been a problem since the appearance of our earliest ancestors. |
| In the 19th century, episodes of "smog" (a combination of smoke and fog) in cities like New York and London resulted in many deaths. | |
| In 1897, a report to the Royal Commission on River Pollution detailed the gross industrial contamination of the Tawe River in Wales. | |
| In the 1800s, industrial chemicals and wastes contaminated waters in the US Northeast. | |
| In 1948, severe air pollution over Donora, Pennsylvania, led to the creation of the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955. | |
| In 1969, a fire on the Cuyahoga River in Ohio prompted the nation to take immediate action against water pollution. | |
| Since 1988, 100 companies have been responsible for 71% of global industrial emissions. |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial Revolution pollution
The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century, brought about a wave of technological advancements and economic growth. However, it also introduced pollution and environmental degradation on a massive scale. The shift from manual labour to machine-based production, powered by fossil fuels like coal, led to a sharp increase in carbon emissions and air pollution.
As the revolution progressed, cities across Europe and North America became heavily industrialised. London, for instance, experienced a dramatic rise in suspended particulate matter between 1760 and 1830. Manchester's air quality deteriorated to the extent that writer Hugh Miller described it as being shrouded in "lurid gloom".
The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, pumped vast quantities of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to what we now know as climate change. The Second Industrial Revolution, from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, further intensified this issue with the introduction of electricity, steel production, and the internal combustion engine. This phase drove mass production and the growth of heavy industries, leading to exponential increases in energy consumption and resource extraction.
The environmental impact of the Industrial Revolution extended beyond air pollution. Water pollution, caused by the production of metals and basic chemicals, as well as inadequate sanitation and waste management, led to water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The rapid urbanisation and migration of populations from rural areas to industrial cities also resulted in overcrowding and the spread of epidemics.
While the Industrial Revolution brought about significant advancements, it also set the stage for the large-scale carbon emissions and environmental issues that continue to challenge us today.
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Fossil fuel emissions
The history of corporate pollution can be traced back to the beginning of the industrial era around 1750, when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was approximately 278 parts per million. The United Kingdom, as the world's first industrialized nation, was also the first emitter of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2). In 1751, the UK's CO2 emissions were less than 10 million tonnes, which is minuscule compared to today's global emissions.
The rise in heat-trapping carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has led to soaring global temperatures. Fossil fuel emissions continued to rise in 2022 and 2023, with carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of oil, coal, and natural gas impeding progress in limiting global warming. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 420 parts per million in 2023, and the global surface temperature that year was 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than the average for NASA's baseline period of 1951-1980.
While emissions from land use change have slightly declined, overall emissions have stabilized over the past decade. This stabilization is due to the significant rise in emissions across Asia, particularly in China, which has reduced the dominance of Europe and the United States in global emissions. However, it is important to note that many countries in the world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, still have very low per capita CO2 emissions.
The responsibility for addressing climate change often falls on consumers, with individuals encouraged to make sustainable choices. However, corporations play a significant role, and their priority is often profits over the environment. For instance, multinational gas and oil company Exxon was aware of climate change for decades but blocked measures to reduce emissions. Political change and a shift towards affordable low-carbon technologies are essential to combat climate change and support rapid decarbonization.
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Water pollution
However, as cities became more populated and industrialised towards the end of the 19th century, a new kind of pollution emerged: waste from industries and factories. A report in 1897 detailed the severe industrial contamination of the Tawe River in Wales, polluted by "alkali works, copper works, sulfuric acid liquid, [and] sulfate of iron". Similar issues were seen in the United States, with industrial chemicals and wastes contaminating waters in the Northeast.
In the mid-1940s, water pollution control became a pressing issue due to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, degradation of fishing and recreational waters, rapid wartime industrial development, and population growth. California, in particular, recognised the need to protect its limited water resources and enacted the Dickey Water Pollution Act in 1949, creating a State Water Pollution Control Board.
Despite these efforts, water pollution continued to be a significant problem, with the Cuyahoga River in Ohio becoming so polluted that it caught fire several times between 1936 and 1969, the last of which occurred in 1969, symbolising years of environmental neglect and spurring grassroots activism and federal legislation for stronger action against water pollution.
Today, water pollution remains a widespread issue, with rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas contaminated by chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Agriculture, including agribusiness corporations, is a major contributor, with industrial practices such as intensive chemical use and livestock waste polluting waterways. Despite regulations and fines, some corporations continue to prioritise profit over proper waste disposal, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and accountability to protect our precious water resources.
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Air pollution
The industrial revolution, which began in Britain and then spread to the rest of Northern Europe and the United States, accelerated the magnitude of emissions of primary pollutants and the geographical spread of contributing countries. The burning of coal, in particular, was a major contributor to air pollution. By the 19th century, buildings around industrial plants started to blacken, and plants and trees in public parks began to wither. Smoke-induced fogs reduced the amount of sunlight, contributing to cases of rickets in children.
In the 1830s, anti-smoke groups emerged in Britain, followed by similar groups in the United States in the 1880s. However, legislation against pollution was weak due to conflicts with industrial interests. During the 1920s and 1930s, a shift from coal to gas and oil resulted in a temporary reduction in air pollution, but this trend reversed with the outbreak of World War II.
The mid-20th century saw several major incidents of air pollution, including the Donora smog disaster in 1948, which led to the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, and the Great Smog of London in 1952, which resulted in an estimated 12,000 deaths and the Clean Air Act of 1956. These incidents marked a turning point in public awareness and the regulatory response to air pollution.
In the latter half of the 20th century, transboundary issues such as acid rain, forest decline, and ground-level ozone became the main environmental and political concerns regarding air quality. The discovery of the hole in the ozone layer in 1975 and the growing awareness of climate change further propelled international cooperation and the implementation of pollution control measures.
Today, air pollution remains a significant challenge, with a small number of corporate and state-owned entities contributing substantially to global emissions. While there has been progress in reducing certain types of pollution, the rise of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from fossil fuels, continues to pose a threat to the environment and public health.
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Climate change
Since 1988, just 100 companies have been responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 25 corporate and state-owned entities contributing to over 50% of global industrial emissions. These emissions have severe environmental and health consequences, as evidenced by the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, which became so polluted by industrial waste that it caught fire in 1969.
Corporations often prioritize profits over environmental sustainability, as seen with Exxon, which blocked measures to reduce emissions despite being aware of climate change. The fashion industry is another significant contributor, being the second-biggest industrial polluter, responsible for 10% of global emissions.
However, there is a growing trend of large corporations supporting the transition to a carbon-free economy. Companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, and Ikea are leading the way by committing to obtaining 100% renewable energy. Additionally, international oil companies are being warned that they need to change their business models or face a "nasty, brutish, and short" end within the next 10 years.
While individual actions like recycling and driving electric cars are important, addressing corporate pollution is crucial to combating climate change effectively. This involves holding corporations accountable, increasing fines for pollution, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize environmental sustainability over short-term profitability.
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Frequently asked questions
Corporate pollution has been an issue since the emergence of our earliest ancestors. However, the Middle Ages saw the first major epidemics caused by human pollution. The bacterium Yersinia pestis, carried by rats and spread by fleas, caused the "Black Death", an outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1347.
In 1897, a report to the Royal Commission on River Pollution detailed the gross industrial contamination of the Tawe River in Wales. The river was polluted by "alkali works, copper works, sulfuric acid liquid, [and] sulfate of iron from tin-plate works". In the US, industrial chemicals and wastes contaminated waters in the Northeast, and the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio became so polluted that the water erupted into flames in 1969.
Corporate pollution has led to severe environmental degradation, including water and air pollution. It has also contributed significantly to climate change. Large-scale corporations often face small fines for polluting, which they can easily pay off and continue their harmful practices.
