Introduction
The climate and the environment are growing concerns, with our ecological situation becoming more and more dire each year. Extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and other types of problems are the most extreme consequences of human activity, but some are much more subdued. While an individual does not have the ability to meaningfully inflict changes on the global scare, they can change the circumstances of life around them. Littering is an emergent and ever-present problem, one that affects both the animal life and the environment. Personal responsibility and particular regulations are the only way to solve the problem for sure.
Problem
- Littering, as a human issue, occurs when a person or a group of people dispose of trash in an improper manner, choosing to throw it out on the street or bodies of water. Littering slowly accumulates as an issue and becomes more and more prominent in society.
- Polluting lakes, rivers, forests and other environmental terrains, it slowly destroys the environment people live in.
- Plastic trash often clogs up passages and waterways, being subsequently eaten by fish and turtles, the Sciencing website elaborates.
- Animals are unable to process or digest plastic, leading to them either being unable to stomach other food of suffocating. The website Home is Here empathizes that at least 7 billion ton of debris has entered the world’s oceans, making it virtually uninhabitable in some parts.
- The data provided by the Texas Disposal Systems further points out the danger littering has to the air we all breathe.
- More than 40% of all litter of burned, resulting in dangerous and toxic emissions that make it harder and more difficult to breathe in many regions. So in general, littering accompanies all facets of human life, bringing harm to both people are the general area they populate.
Transition: Now that we have examined problem of littering in more detail, the possible solutions and remedies need to be discussed.
Solution
To combat the issue, a variety of approaches have been attempted and used, including legislative and persuasive efforts.
- In many areas, littering is made to be against the law, resulting in a fine of up to 500$ and a time in jail, Juan from AirFilter.com mentions. With the introduction of such laws, people were less incentivized to act in an environmentally-harmful way, and penalized for doing so. While some people litter with intent, the issue can mostly be kept under control with proper support systems and methods of disincentivizing unwanted action.
- Signs and campaigns against littering are a common practice, and many people can expect to see some kind of precautions to make people not litter. This approach is effective in preventing littering, and making a public example out of this issue.
Objections: I A person might argue that the trash people throw out will just rot away and disappear, making the efforts of stopping littering pointless. However, many types of garbage are either non-recyclable or take a long time to do so, presenting a danger for the wildlife and flora. Some of you may think that the issue is to complex, and your contributions are insignificant. However, our society is made from individual people, whose actions and decision affect others and the world around them. By exuding influence over even a small area, one can have a domino-like effect on a much larger scale.
Visualization
Introducing more separated garbage bins to areas where littering is expected is another solution discussed by the PaperBlog, as a way of helping people to act in an environmentally-conscious way. An ability to have an accessible and comfortable alternative to littering incentivizes correct results from people, and reinforces better regulatory practices in the future. By promoting proper practice and punishing those that do not abide by regulation, we can create a world that is pleasant to live in for everyone, both animals and humans. This is a retroactive solution, the one that aids in continuously reducing the amount of litter in the streets.
Personal accountability and action are also a good way to combat littering. As discussed on the Texas Disposal Systems page, individuals can recycle trash and hold garbage cleanup days in an effort to support the cleanliness of the community. The work for a common good can be unifying for the community, bringing a sense of unity in a similar cause and activity.
Conclusion
- Action Steps: An individual can help a fair share by participating in such events, cleaning up trash after themselves and taking note of the issue around them. Everyone must take their actions, and the actions of their loved ones into account. The fight for keeping the environment clean is far from over, and only with continued collective efforts can we have the ability to live rich and fulfilling lives.
- Memorable Close: A careful and thought-out consideration can go a long way to ensure that the world we live in stays healthy and bountiful. Active involvement is much needed to live in the society of the future, where people are able to continuously prosper and develop in the company of each other. I hope that someday, littering will become a problem of the distant past and the majority can adopt the necessary attitude and practice to benefit our planet.
Works Cited
Causes, Problems and Solutions of Littering. Paperblog. (n.d.). Web.
Irving, C. (2019). The Effects of Littering on the Environment & Animals. Sciencing. Web.
Juan. (2015). How does Littering Affect the Environment? AirFilters. Web.
Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Prevention: TDS. Texas Disposal Systems. (2020). Web.
Littering Facts: How Littering Really Affects the Environment: TDS. Texas Disposal Systems. (2020). Web.
Reasons, Consequences and Possible Solutions of Littering. Caucasus Environmental Knowledge Portal. (n.d.). Web.