essay in english on land pollution

Essay on Land Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on land pollution.

The various human activities and also natural factors are the various causes of land pollution. Besides, some of the causes of land pollution are the use of pesticides , agricultural and industrial waste , deforestation , growing urbanization , acid rains, and mining activities. Furthermore, these activities not only cause damage to the soil but also the reason for various human and animal infections and diseases.

Ways to Limit land Pollution

This harmful pollution is on the rise of its all-time maximum. The government and organizations are working at their level best to minimize this pollution. But it is necessary that we should also contribute to it. In addition, making some small changes in our daily life we can lower the amount of land pollution from the environment. Besides, here we are going to discuss some ways by which we can minimize land pollution .

Use biodegradable products instead of non-biodegradable, as they are easy to dispose of and are pretty much safe for the environment. Also, start-using food that is pesticides and fertilizers free as their usage increases the farmers will reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their fields.

Besides, if you have a garden or enough space in your home then start growing your own organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, avoid packing of things as most of these things are made from non-biodegradable materials that take hundreds of years to dispose of.

The government has banned the use of polybags but still, people are using them. Furthermore, these polybags are one of the major contributors to land pollution. It is also recommended that things made from plastic should be avoided. Researches have proved that using things made of plastic causes cancer in humans.

Instead of plastic use paper bags for shopping because they are reusable. But, cloth bags are more convenient as they can be washed and used many times.

Separate the wet and dry waste and for assuring this, the government has put green and blue dustbins all over the city. So, that waste can be easily treated according to their nature.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Causes for Land Pollution

Land pollution is the cause of many different factors that ultimately pollute the land. These factors include solid waste, deforestation, chemical, and agricultural activities. Many of these cause a bad affect on the environment. Solid waste mostly made up of products that are non-biodegradable and these are hard to dispose of. Deforestation causes the loss of the topmost fertile layer of soil that is essential for the growth of plants and trees. Chemicals are hard in nature and difficult to dispose of. Besides, the solid waste of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are either thrown in landfills or at other places. These wastes create another type of land pollution. In addition, agricultural activities use a high amount of chemical products that not only harm the food crop but also the land. Furthermore, these cause other pollution too.

In conclusion, land pollution can only be controlled if with the government we also contribute to it. And our contribution requires us to use fewer amounts of products that cause land pollution. Also, we should make it our duty to sort out the waste and avoid the usage of non-biodegradable products .

FAQs about Essay on Land Pollution

Q.1 Name some soil or land pollutants?

A.1 Some soil or land pollutants are chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers, mining activity, use of plastic, deforestation, growing urbanization, and industrial waste.

Q.2 How can we control land pollution?

A.2 We can control land pollution by various methods. These methods include avoiding plastic bags, separation of household waste, stopping the use of fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural produce, and many more.

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Essay on Land Pollution – 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay For Kids

Key Points To Remember When Writing An Essay On Land Pollution For Lower Primary Classes

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The inevitable cost of human negligence can be seen in land and ocean pollution. All the waste we generate has to go somewhere, and it often ends up mostly in the soil. This article will show you how to write an essay for classes 1, 2 and 3 on land pollution. Pollution comprises human litter and the chemical waste released into the ground through industrial activity and agriculture. As a topic, a land pollution essay in English is one of the most significant things children can write about. They must learn the facts and express them compellingly so that the narrative influences the readers.

Here are important tips to keep in mind before writing a land pollution essay:

• Essays about land pollution need to be informative; therefore, start by collecting important information about the problem.
• Split long-form essays into what land pollution is, the causes, effects and remedies in the respective order.
• Include a message about raising awareness and how individual responsibility matters.

Children in the lower grades are not asked to write more than a few lines on land pollution. One-line essays for classes 1 and 2 are ideal for such write-ups. Here is an example:

• Any contamination of the soil and ground caused by human activity is called land pollution.
• Various activities, such as waste disposal, industrial activity, mining, and agriculture, contribute to land pollution.
• Land pollution is harmful to the environment and ecosystems.
• Chemicals seeped into the soil through land pollution make their way into our food and cause diseases.
• The use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers in agriculture affects plants and animals.
• Land pollution in cities is mostly caused by dumping non-biodegradable waste.
• Pollutant gas, released by automobiles and industries, comes down as acid rain and pollutes the land.
• Deforestation and climate change also lead to accelerated land pollution.
• Strict laws need to be implemented to protect the earth from further pollution.
• More importantly, individuals need to take responsibility and pollute less.

A short paragraph needs to capture the idea of land pollution in only a few sentences. Here is an example:

Land pollution has been a growing concern for many decades. As the human population increases, so does human activity, resulting in waste contaminating the land. While land pollution is directly caused by dumping waste, agriculture, and mining, indirect means include air pollution, global warming, and climate change. Uncontrolled land pollution has detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Land pollution is already a cause of several human and animal diseases. More awareness and strict laws are essential to control it.

Children can write a short essay on land pollution once they are confident in writing a paragraph. Here is an example of a short land pollution essay:

Approximately 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, and only 29% is dry land, which houses the whole of the human civilisation, all of the forests, plants, and animals. Human activity such as industrialisation, transportation, agriculture, etc., releases tremendous amounts of waste materials to land. Because of inefficient management, most of the trash produced by people in the cities ends up in landfills while only some of it is recycled. The consequence of all of this is land pollution.

Land pollution encompasses both the litter and chemical waste produced by human activity, seeping into the soil and accumulating over time. The effect of land pollution is that the natural environment is contaminated, affecting plants and animals. Land pollution leads to diseases as polluting chemicals such as heavy metals get absorbed in food grown on degraded land. The overall consequence of land pollution is land degradation and disease for humans, plants and animals. Awareness regarding the dangers of land pollution needs to be raised so it can be controlled for the betterment of the future.

Long essays on this topic can dive deeper into the concepts of land pollution. Here is an example of a long essay on land pollution for class 3:

Environmentalists have raised alarms about pollution and its effects for decades. Human activity in every form generates waste that cannot be recycled completely. The consequence of it is that our surroundings are polluted. Land pollution is the deterioration of the land and soil on the earth’s crust which has a detrimental effect on nature, including humans.

Land pollution is caused by human activities starting from the generation of waste produced in cities. Every day thousands of tons of non-biodegradable waste in the form of plastic is produced in the cities. The plastic waste is often mixed with metal, wood, and organic matter. It is usually uneconomical to separate the constituents for recycling; hence large portions of the waste are dumped into landfills around the city. As land gets filled with trash, deforestation becomes the next option to acquire more land to fill up with trash. Eventually, harmful chemicals from these landfills seep into the groundwater and come back to people. Land pollution is also caused by other activities such as agriculture and mining.

Land pollution is hazardous to all kinds of life, including plants, animals, and humans. Chemical substances that leech into the soil accumulate in the food chain. Eventually, when humans consume these contaminated foods, the pollutants enter the human body and cause diseases. Land pollution also harms entire ecosystems, killing plants and animals.

Land pollution can be reduced by being more mindful of our daily habits as each person contributes to the bigger picture. Using less plastic and more biodegradable materials, buying organic food rather than industrial produce, and leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint can help reduce land pollution. Raising awareness in the community and educational institutions is also critical in creating a mass movement to reduce waste. Campaigning for stricter laws that reduce pollution and protect the environment is also essential to bring about a change. The biggest factor that can make a difference is taking up individual responsibility to live a life with less waste.

What Are The Causes Of Land Pollution?

There are three major sources of land pollution:

1. Solid Waste  

Solid waste is mostly the waste products generated as trash in the cities by people every day. It includes plastic waste such as covers and containers, electronic waste from discarded appliances, and other non-biodegradable waste products.

2. Industrial Chemicals  

Chemicals in industrial waste and sewage in the city carry harmful substances that settle in the soil, which are further spread by rain and water.

3. Agricultural Activities  

The use of pesticides, fertilisers, and equipment that generate a lot of chemical and solid waste is another reason for land pollution.

What Are The Effects of Land Pollution?

Here are the effects of land pollution:

• Toxic materials collect at different places around the cities and leech harmful chemicals into the soil.
• Non-biodegradable waste that is openly disposed contaminates soil and water.
• The physical breakdown of plastic creates microscopic plastic particles that enter the systems of plants, animals, and humans.
• Land pollution contaminates the food grown on farms and animal meat.
• Land pollution leads to the collapse of fragile ecosystems.

Ways To Reduce And Prevent Land Pollution

Here are some ways to reduce land pollution:

• Use biodegradable materials such as paper and cloth instead of plastic.
• Dispose of waste by segregating them into dry and wet waste.
• Dispose of plastic waste at collection centres for waste recycling.
• Reuse items such as carry bags and containers for different purposes.
• Avoid using one-time plastic priducts.
• Buy organically grown produce.

The essay on land pollution is an important topic for children as it teaches them to reflect upon the need of the hour and gives them essential knowledge about this crucial subject. They can craft their essays on the topic with the information presented above.

Land pollution is an alarming problem that is only growing by the day, and children must learn about it to act fast to reduce its effects. Essays on land pollution are a chance for children to familiarise themselves with the topic.

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Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, And Solutions For The Future

Land pollution is a serious problem that impacts humans, animals, and the earth. Without taking measures now to reduce pollution levels, permanent changes to the land can occur. The adverse changes to the environment due to land pollution are subtle, but the problem is much bigger than it appears.

Even though most people have a general understanding of pollution , they may not realize the significance of land pollution. Here is a look at land pollution, its causes, its impact, and solutions to the problem.

What Is Land Pollution?

The basic definition of land pollution is the destruction and contamination of the land through the direct and indirect actions of humans. The pollution results in changes to the land, such as soil erosion. Some of the changes are irreversible, while others are not.

The effects of land pollution do not necessarily appear overnight. It is the result of long-term destruction from human activities. For instance, the damage from chemicals from an oil spill can take months or even years to be fully realized.

Causes of Land Pollution

There are several known causes of land pollution. Of those, there are six factors that contribute more than others.

1. Deforestation and soil erosion

When forests are cleared for development and to meet the demand for wood supply, the soil is loosened in the process. Without the protection of the trees, the land becomes barren over time and starts to erode.

2. Agricultural chemicals

Part of the farming process often involves the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides to protect crops. However, the chemicals can cause the land to become barren. The once-fertile soil is then more susceptible to environmental elements, such as the wind.

3. Industrialization

The Industrial Revolution may have resulted in significant positive changes to the economy and society, but it also led to significant pollution of the land. Through unsafe disposal practices for chemicals used in manufacturing, poor regulation, and the overwhelming number of industries and factories that are polluting the land daily, industrialization has become one of the main contributors to the pollution problem.

The mining process can lead to the creation of large open spaces beneath the surface of the earth. This can result in the land caving in, which compromises the integrity of the land. Mining also results in harmful chemicals, such as uranium, being disturbed and released into the environment.

5. Landfills

The garbage found at landfills is filled with toxins that eventually seep into the earth. During rains, the toxins are washed into other areas and the pollution is spread. As the population grows, the amount of garbage filling landfills also grows.

6. Human sewage

Untreated human waste can produce toxic gases that can seep into the ground. As with air pollution, the soil quality is negatively impacted, and land nearby can be contaminated. In addition to this, the probability of human illnesses occurring increases.

Soil Pollution – Causes, Effects and What To Do About It?

Water Pollution Facts: What Are The Causes And Solutions?

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Land Pollution Essay

As the global population continues to grow, the pressure we're putting on our planet's finite resources also grows. With more people comes more development, which often leads to more pollution. Here are some sample essays on land pollution.

100 Words Essay On Land Pollution

Land pollution, also known as soil pollution, is the contamination of soil by solid or liquid waste. This occurs when the waste from industries, homes, farms, and other sources is not disposed of properly. It can cause a number of environmental problems, including water pollution and air pollution. Every little bit counts, so please do your part to help fight land pollution.

There are steps we can take to combat land pollution. Governments and organisations need to invest in renewable energy sources and green technology. Consumers need to be more mindful about their consumption habits. And everyone needs to do their part in raising awareness about this important issue.

200 Words Essay On Land Pollution

Land pollution is a huge environmental issue that requires global efforts to resolve.

Reducing Land Pollution

There are some simple things everyone can do to make a difference. Starting at home, you can make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of waste you produce. This means recycling and composting as much as possible, and choosing environmentally friendly products.

When it comes to land pollution, you have the power to take the right steps in curbing its effects. It starts with reducing the amount of waste you generate, and seeking out sustainable solutions. Reduce your consumption of non-degradable materials like plastics, Styrofoam, and glass. Try using more eco-friendly items such as bamboo straws or beeswax wraps instead. Not to mention, this will also reduce the number of trash items that end up in landfills each year.

The next time you look out your window and see a barren wasteland of brown soil, consider planting some vegetation – it will not only help reduce land pollution, but it will make the area more visually appealing too! You can get involved in your community by supporting campaigns to clean up local waterways and parks, and by pressuring your government to strengthen environmental laws.

500 Words Essay On Land Pollution

When you think about land pollution, what comes to mind? Plastic bags caught in trees? The vast open-pit mines that scar the earth? Factory smokestacks billowing pollutants into the sky? All of these images are correct, and they only begin to scratch the surface of the problem.

One type of pollution that is often overlooked is land pollution. This is the contamination of land by waste, chemicals, and other pollutants. The impact of land pollution can be devastating, and it's important to understand the different ways we can combat it.

Causes of Land Pollution

The main causes of land pollution are careless waste disposal, agricultural runoff, industrial accidents, and oil spills.

Careless waste disposal | Careless waste disposal is one of the causes of land pollution. When people don't dispose of their trash properly, it often winds up in our waterways and oceans. This garbage then decomposes and releases harmful toxins into the environment.

Agricultural runoff | Agricultural runoff is also a major cause of land pollution. Fertilisers and pesticides used in farming often end up in our soil and water supplies. These chemicals can contaminate our food and water, and can be toxic to both humans and animals.

Industrial accidents | Industrial accidents are another major contributor to land pollution. When factories and chemical plants dump their waste illegally, it can seep into our soil and water supplies. This hazardous material can be extremely damaging to the environment and can be toxic to both humans and animals.

Oil spills | Oil spills are perhaps the most well-known type of land pollution. When large quantities of oil are spilled into our waterways, it can contaminate the water, kill wildlife, and damage the local ecosystem.

The effects of land pollution are wide-ranging and can be devastating. Toxic runoff can contaminate waterways and soil, leading to serious health risks for people and animals. Deforestation can strip away crucial habitats, while mining and drilling can cause irreparable damage to the earth.

How to Reduce Land Pollution

If you’re looking to reduce land pollution, there are several steps you can take.

You can compost food scraps and leaves to help turn them into valuable soil nutrients that plants need to grow. Composting not only reduces the amount of plastic and other materials going into landfills—it also helps add nutrients back into the soil that was deprived from farming practices.

Shop local whenever you can. Visit a farmer’s market for fruits and vegetables rather than buying them from large grocery stores. This helps support local farmers who may be using less damaging farming practices than large industrial farms, and reduces the amount of packaging waste generated by long-distance transport of food products.

Sustainable Solutions for Land Pollution

Instead of throwing away electronic waste, donate them to organisations that shred and recycle them responsibly.

Switch to reusable bags when you're out shopping.

When it comes to gardening, opt for native plants and grasses that are suited for your area's climate—they require less water and maintenance than exotic plants.

Introducing vegetation helps to reduce soil erosion which can help to improve land fertility. Additionally, trees prevent soil erosion by stabilising soils with their roots, especially in areas susceptible to natural disasters like landslides or flooding. Do your bit to protect our lands so that we have a better future.

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Essay on Land Pollution for Students in English | 500 Words Essay

December 20, 2020 by Sandeep

Essay on Land pollution: The contamination of land due to continuous deposits of solid and liquid waste materials entering the soil and underground water resources is broadly defined as land pollution. It is caused by hazardous chemical substances, floods, hurricanes and dumping of garbage. To control land pollution, we should opt for reusing, recycling and reducing garbage substances.

Essay on Land Pollution 500 Words in English

Below we have provided Land Pollution Essay in English, suitable for class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. – Aldo Leopold

Human beings have always put their comfort in front of mother nature. We have been selfish and always tend to take care of our needs. In an aim to lead a carefree life on this planet, people are responsible for several pollution’s – Air, water, noise and the most fatal of them all; land. Land pollution is the deterioration of land resources as a result of various human activities. It is a giant danger to the environment and all life forms on earth. Land pollutants exist in all three forms; solid, liquid and gas.

Causes of Land Pollution

There are numerous factors that cause land pollution to arise. Due to the increasing population , urbanisation is on the rise and so are the number of households. These households are responsible for generating waste. Waste is of two types; biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable waste is the waste that is organic in nature and can be broken down by microorganisms into simpler molecules. It includes waste like leftover food, wood, paper, etc. On the other hand, non-biodegradable waste is waste that is not organic, and that cannot be broken down into simpler parts by bacteria.

Plastic cans and containers, electronic items, metals, etc. all come under this category. It is the non-biodegradable waste that is difficult to dispose off. This waste is simply dumped onto land. Areas where garbage and trash are dumped, are known as landfills. It is a site for discarding unwanted materials. When these landfills get full, the garbage in them is burned in order to create more space. This activity results not only in land pollution but further contributes to increasing air pollution as well. Forests, which are an exhaustible natural resource , are being cut at a rapid rate.

The trees hold essential soil in their roots. But when they are cleared, the quality of the soil, as well as the land, is degraded. Man clears these green stretches for his own purpose, including mining, construction, etc. The soil even further worsens because of the usage of artificial insecticides and pesticides used by farmers and agricultural workers. Industries also add to the damage by disposing off chemical waste onto barren lands. Mining is another commercial activity that involves digging deep into the soil, along with heavy machinery and equipment. Acid rain caused due to air pollutants further pollutes the land. When the contaminated rain falls on the earth, it damages the soil properties and even effects underground water.

Effects of Land Pollution

Land pollution can prove to be hazardous and fatal to life in more than one way. Areas that have garbage accumulated near them are a breeding ground for various rodents and illnesses. Humans living near these spaces are prone to respiratory diseases and cancers. The housing near these dumps are available at lower rates, but they make it next to impossible for humans to inhibit such surroundings. As a result of this, the resourcefulness of land is reduced.

Land pollution can further lead to skin allergies for people who come in contact with toxic materials or parts. The soil near these landfills gets extremely contaminated and also effects the vegetables and fruits growing in them. When people eat this harmful food, they become sick as a result of the land pollution caused. Increase in land pollution involving the clearing of forest areas has brought the ecosystem in an imbalance.

Prevention of Land Pollution

Adopting a few small habits can go a long way in curbing land pollution. There should be a reduction in the usage of chemical insecticides and pesticides. Use more of natural manure to grow the crops. Bio-fertilizers can also be made use of. Instead of using harmful chemicals to keep notorious rodents away, farmers can introduce the rodent’s enemy in that particular area to protect the harvest. Planting more trees or reforestation is another method that can be adopted. Trees help to bring back the vital nutrients required in soil and also prevent floods from happening.

It further increases biodiversity and protects from soil erosion. Thus, restoring land fertility. Industries, households and other institutions should make it a point to treat their waste before disposing it off. Reducing the chemical component and toxicity level of the waste content can be a fair start.  In some countries, there are strict procedures that need to be followed by factories in the treatment of waste disposal. If these laws are not followed, hefty fines and penalties are imposed on the faulting party. This helps to curb land pollution.

Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences Essay

Environmental pollution is the unwarranted discharge of mass or energy into the planet’s natural resource pools, such as land, air, or water, which detriments the environment’s ecological stability and the health of the living things that inhabit it. There is an intensified health risk and pollution in middle and low-income countries due to the increased use of pesticides, industrialization, the introduction of nitrogen-based fertilizers, forest fires, urbanization, and inadequate waste management (Appannagari, 2017). Air pollution, lead and chemicals exposure, hazardous waste exposure, and inappropriate e-waste disposal all result in unfavorable living conditions, fatal illnesses, and ecosystem destruction. The essay will provide an overview of pollution and proffer solutions to combating pollution for a sustainable environment and health.

In addition to hindering economic development and considerably accelerating climate change, pollution exacerbates poverty and inequality in urban and rural areas. The most pain is always experienced by the poor, who cannot afford to protect themselves against pollution’s harmful effects. The main environmental factor contributing to sickness and early mortality is pollution due to premature deaths resulting from pollution (Appannagari, 2017). Due to the unacceptably high cost to human capital and health, as well as the resulting GDP losses, pollution must be addressed. Through initiatives like reducing black carbon and methane emissions, which are responsible for air pollution and climate change, pollution management can also significantly contribute to climate change mitigation (Appannagari, 2017). Additionally, pollution control can promote competitiveness through, for instance, job growth, increased energy efficiency, better transportation, and sustainable urban and rural development. Below are the various approaches for solutions to health and pollution problems.

First, governments should evaluate pollution as a national and international priority and integrate it into the city and country planning process. Pollution affects the health and well-being of societies and, as such, cannot be solely viewed as an environmental issue (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). All levels of government should give pollution prevention a high priority, incorporate it into development planning, and tie it to commitments regarding climate change, SDGs, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Some options are both affordable and offer good returns on investment.

Secondly, governments should increase funding for pollution control and prioritize it by health impacts. There should be a significant increase in the financing for pollution management in low- and middle-income nations, both from national budgets and international development organizations (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). The most effective international support for pollution reduction is when it mobilizes additional actions and funding from others. Examples include helping towns and nations that are quickly industrializing concerning technical capacity building, regulatory and enforcement support, and support for direct actions to save lives. Monitoring financing initiatives are necessary to determine their cost-effectiveness and to raise accountability.

Thirdly, organizations should work to build multicultural partnerships for pollution control. Public-private partnerships and interagency cooperation can be powerful tools in creating clean technology and energy sources that will ultimately prevent pollution at its source (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). Collaborations between ministries that include the ministries of finance, energy, development, agriculture, and transport, as well as the ministries of health and the environment, are crucial in pollution control. Governments should promote monitoring systems that could identify and apportion pollution sources, measure pollution levels, guide enforcement, and assess progress toward goals. The use of new technology in pollution monitoring, such as data mining and satellite images, can boost effectiveness, broaden the monitoring area, and cut costs.

One of the main issues facing the world in the current period is pollution. Natural resources are depleting daily due to car emissions, new technologies, factories, and chemicals added to food. All of these factors seriously harm the world. However, the problems caused by pollution can be prevented by building multicultural partnerships, increasing funding for pollution control, integrating it into the country’s planning process, and adopting new technology for monitoring pollution. Preventing pollution lowers the cost to the environment and the economy.

Appannagari, R. R. (2017). Environmental pollution causes and consequences: A study . North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science and Humanities , 3 (8), 151-161. Web.

Excell High School. (2018). Environmental Science . Excel Education Systems, Inc. Web.

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. (2017). Pollution and health: Six problems and six solutions. Knowledge, Evidence, and Learning for Development.

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IvyPanda. (2023, December 18). Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/

"Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." IvyPanda , 18 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences'. 18 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

1. IvyPanda . "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants.

Biology, Ecology, Health, Earth Science, Geography

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Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment . These harmful materials are called pollutants . Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash . They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land. Many things that are useful to people produce pollution. Cars spew pollutants from their exhaust pipes. Burning coal to create electricity pollutes the air. Industries and homes generate garbage and sewage that can pollute the land and water. Pesticides —chemical poisons used to kill weeds and insects— seep into waterways and harm wildlife . All living things—from one-celled microbes to blue whales—depend on Earth ’s supply of air and water. When these resources are polluted, all forms of life are threatened. Pollution is a global problem. Although urban areas are usually more polluted than the countryside, pollution can spread to remote places where no people live. For example, pesticides and other chemicals have been found in the Antarctic ice sheet . In the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean, a huge collection of microscopic plastic particles forms what is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch . Air and water currents carry pollution. Ocean currents and migrating fish carry marine pollutants far and wide. Winds can pick up radioactive material accidentally released from a nuclear reactor and scatter it around the world. Smoke from a factory in one country drifts into another country. In the past, visitors to Big Bend National Park in the U.S. state of Texas could see 290 kilometers (180 miles) across the vast landscape . Now, coal-burning power plants in Texas and the neighboring state of Chihuahua, Mexico have spewed so much pollution into the air that visitors to Big Bend can sometimes see only 50 kilometers (30 miles). The three major types of pollution are air pollution , water pollution , and land pollution . Air Pollution Sometimes, air pollution is visible . A person can see dark smoke pour from the exhaust pipes of large trucks or factories, for example. More often, however, air pollution is invisible . Polluted air can be dangerous, even if the pollutants are invisible. It can make people’s eyes burn and make them have difficulty breathing. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer . Sometimes, air pollution kills quickly. In 1984, an accident at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, released a deadly gas into the air. At least 8,000 people died within days. Hundreds of thou sands more were permanently injured. Natural disasters can also cause air pollution to increase quickly. When volcanoes erupt , they eject volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere . Volcanic ash can discolor the sky for months. After the eruption of the Indonesian volcano of Krakatoa in 1883, ash darkened the sky around the world. The dimmer sky caused fewer crops to be harvested as far away as Europe and North America. For years, meteorologists tracked what was known as the “equatorial smoke stream .” In fact, this smoke stream was a jet stream , a wind high in Earth’s atmosphere that Krakatoa’s air pollution made visible. Volcanic gases , such as sulfur dioxide , can kill nearby residents and make the soil infertile for years. Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in Italy, famously erupted in 79, killing hundreds of residents of the nearby towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Most victims of Vesuvius were not killed by lava or landslides caused by the eruption. They were choked, or asphyxiated , by deadly volcanic gases. In 1986, a toxic cloud developed over Lake Nyos, Cameroon. Lake Nyos sits in the crater of a volcano. Though the volcano did not erupt, it did eject volcanic gases into the lake. The heated gases passed through the water of the lake and collected as a cloud that descended the slopes of the volcano and into nearby valleys . As the toxic cloud moved across the landscape, it killed birds and other organisms in their natural habitat . This air pollution also killed thousands of cattle and as many as 1,700 people. Most air pollution is not natural, however. It comes from burning fossil fuels —coal, oil , and natural gas . When gasoline is burned to power cars and trucks, it produces carbon monoxide , a colorless, odorless gas. The gas is harmful in high concentrations , or amounts. City traffic produces highly concentrated carbon monoxide. Cars and factories produce other common pollutants, including nitrogen oxide , sulfur dioxide, and hydrocarbons . These chemicals react with sunlight to produce smog , a thick fog or haze of air pollution. The smog is so thick in Linfen, China, that people can seldom see the sun. Smog can be brown or grayish blue, depending on which pollutants are in it. Smog makes breathing difficult, especially for children and older adults. Some cities that suffer from extreme smog issue air pollution warnings. The government of Hong Kong, for example, will warn people not to go outside or engage in strenuous physical activity (such as running or swimming) when smog is very thick.

When air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide mix with moisture, they change into acids . They then fall back to earth as acid rain . Wind often carries acid rain far from the pollution source. Pollutants produced by factories and power plants in Spain can fall as acid rain in Norway. Acid rain can kill all the trees in a forest . It can also devastate lakes, streams, and other waterways. When lakes become acidic, fish can’t survive . In Sweden, acid rain created thousands of “ dead lakes ,” where fish no longer live. Acid rain also wears away marble and other kinds of stone . It has erased the words on gravestones and damaged many historic buildings and monuments . The Taj Mahal , in Agra, India, was once gleaming white. Years of exposure to acid rain has left it pale. Governments have tried to prevent acid rain by limiting the amount of pollutants released into the air. In Europe and North America, they have had some success, but acid rain remains a major problem in the developing world , especially Asia. Greenhouse gases are another source of air pollution. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane occur naturally in the atmosphere. In fact, they are necessary for life on Earth. They absorb sunlight reflected from Earth, preventing it from escaping into space. By trapping heat in the atmosphere, they keep Earth warm enough for people to live. This is called the greenhouse effect . But human activities such as burning fossil fuels and destroying forests have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has increased the greenhouse effect, and average temperatures across the globe are rising. The decade that began in the year 2000 was the warmest on record. This increase in worldwide average temperatures, caused in part by human activity, is called global warming . Global warming is causing ice sheets and glaciers to melt. The melting ice is causing sea levels to rise at a rate of two millimeters (0.09 inches) per year. The rising seas will eventually flood low-lying coastal regions . Entire nations, such as the islands of Maldives, are threatened by this climate change . Global warming also contributes to the phenomenon of ocean acidification . Ocean acidification is the process of ocean waters absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Fewer organisms can survive in warmer, less salty waters. The ocean food web is threatened as plants and animals such as coral fail to adapt to more acidic oceans. Scientists have predicted that global warming will cause an increase in severe storms . It will also cause more droughts in some regions and more flooding in others. The change in average temperatures is already shrinking some habitats, the regions where plants and animals naturally live. Polar bears hunt seals from sea ice in the Arctic. The melting ice is forcing polar bears to travel farther to find food , and their numbers are shrinking. People and governments can respond quickly and effectively to reduce air pollution. Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a dangerous form of air pollution that governments worked to reduce in the 1980s and 1990s. CFCs are found in gases that cool refrigerators, in foam products, and in aerosol cans . CFCs damage the ozone layer , a region in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The ozone layer protects Earth by absorbing much of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation . When people are exposed to more ultraviolet radiation, they are more likely to develop skin cancer, eye diseases, and other illnesses. In the 1980s, scientists noticed that the ozone layer over Antarctica was thinning. This is often called the “ ozone hole .” No one lives permanently in Antarctica. But Australia, the home of more than 22 million people, lies at the edge of the hole. In the 1990s, the Australian government began an effort to warn people of the dangers of too much sun. Many countries, including the United States, now severely limit the production of CFCs. Water Pollution Some polluted water looks muddy, smells bad, and has garbage floating in it. Some polluted water looks clean, but is filled with harmful chemicals you can’t see or smell. Polluted water is unsafe for drinking and swimming. Some people who drink polluted water are exposed to hazardous chemicals that may make them sick years later. Others consume bacteria and other tiny aquatic organisms that cause disease. The United Nations estimates that 4,000 children die every day from drinking dirty water. Sometimes, polluted water harms people indirectly. They get sick because the fish that live in polluted water are unsafe to eat. They have too many pollutants in their flesh. There are some natural sources of water pollution. Oil and natural gas, for example, can leak into oceans and lakes from natural underground sources. These sites are called petroleum seeps . The world’s largest petroleum seep is the Coal Oil Point Seep, off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The Coal Oil Point Seep releases so much oil that tar balls wash up on nearby beaches . Tar balls are small, sticky pieces of pollution that eventually decompose in the ocean.

Human activity also contributes to water pollution. Chemicals and oils from factories are sometimes dumped or seep into waterways. These chemicals are called runoff. Chemicals in runoff can create a toxic environment for aquatic life. Runoff can also help create a fertile environment for cyanobacteria , also called blue-green algae . Cyanobacteria reproduce rapidly, creating a harmful algal bloom (HAB) . Harmful algal blooms prevent organisms such as plants and fish from living in the ocean. They are associated with “ dead zones ” in the world’s lakes and rivers, places where little life exists below surface water. Mining and drilling can also contribute to water pollution. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major contributor to pollution of rivers and streams near coal mines . Acid helps miners remove coal from the surrounding rocks . The acid is washed into streams and rivers, where it reacts with rocks and sand. It releases chemical sulfur from the rocks and sand, creating a river rich in sulfuric acid . Sulfuric acid is toxic to plants, fish, and other aquatic organisms. Sulfuric acid is also toxic to people, making rivers polluted by AMD dangerous sources of water for drinking and hygiene . Oil spills are another source of water pollution. In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, causing oil to gush from the ocean floor. In the following months, hundreds of millions of gallons of oil spewed into the gulf waters. The spill produced large plumes of oil under the sea and an oil slick on the surface as large as 24,000 square kilometers (9,100 square miles). The oil slick coated wetlands in the U.S. states of Louisiana and Mississippi, killing marsh plants and aquatic organisms such as crabs and fish. Birds, such as pelicans , became coated in oil and were unable to fly or access food. More than two million animals died as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Buried chemical waste can also pollute water supplies. For many years, people disposed of chemical wastes carelessly, not realizing its dangers. In the 1970s, people living in the Love Canal area in Niagara Falls, New York, suffered from extremely high rates of cancer and birth defects . It was discovered that a chemical waste dump had poisoned the area’s water. In 1978, 800 families living in Love Canal had to a bandon their homes. If not disposed of properly, radioactive waste from nuclear power plants can escape into the environment. Radioactive waste can harm living things and pollute the water. Sewage that has not been properly treated is a common source of water pollution. Many cities around the world have poor sewage systems and sewage treatment plants. Delhi, the capital of India, is home to more than 21 million people. More than half the sewage and other waste produced in the city are dumped into the Yamuna River. This pollution makes the river dangerous to use as a source of water for drinking or hygiene. It also reduces the river’s fishery , resulting in less food for the local community. A major source of water pollution is fertilizer used in agriculture . Fertilizer is material added to soil to make plants grow larger and faster. Fertilizers usually contain large amounts of the elements nitrogen and phosphorus , which help plants grow. Rainwater washes fertilizer into streams and lakes. There, the nitrogen and phosphorus cause cyanobacteria to form harmful algal blooms. Rain washes other pollutants into streams and lakes. It picks up animal waste from cattle ranches. Cars drip oil onto the street, and rain carries it into storm drains , which lead to waterways such as rivers and seas. Rain sometimes washes chemical pesticides off of plants and into streams. Pesticides can also seep into groundwater , the water beneath the surface of the Earth. Heat can pollute water. Power plants, for example, produce a huge amount of heat. Power plants are often located on rivers so they can use the water as a coolant . Cool water circulates through the plant, absorbing heat. The heated water is then returned to the river. Aquatic creatures are sensitive to changes in temperature. Some fish, for example, can only live in cold water. Warmer river temperatures prevent fish eggs from hatching. Warmer river water also contributes to harmful algal blooms. Another type of water pollution is simple garbage. The Citarum River in Indonesia, for example, has so much garbage floating in it that you cannot see the water. Floating trash makes the river difficult to fish in. Aquatic animals such as fish and turtles mistake trash, such as plastic bags, for food. Plastic bags and twine can kill many ocean creatures. Chemical pollutants in trash can also pollute the water, making it toxic for fish and people who use the river as a source of drinking water. The fish that are caught in a polluted river often have high levels of chemical toxins in their flesh. People absorb these toxins as they eat the fish. Garbage also fouls the ocean. Many plastic bottles and other pieces of trash are thrown overboard from boats. The wind blows trash out to sea. Ocean currents carry plastics and other floating trash to certain places on the globe, where it cannot escape. The largest of these areas, called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. According to some estimates, this garbage patch is the size of Texas. The trash is a threat to fish and seabirds, which mistake the plastic for food. Many of the plastics are covered with chemical pollutants. Land Pollution Many of the same pollutants that foul the water also harm the land. Mining sometimes leaves the soil contaminated with dangerous chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural fields are blown by the wind. They can harm plants, animals, and sometimes people. Some fruits and vegetables absorb the pesticides that help them grow. When people consume the fruits and vegetables, the pesticides enter their bodies. Some pesticides can cause cancer and other diseases. A pesticide called DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was once commonly used to kill insects, especially mosquitoes. In many parts of the world, mosquitoes carry a disease called malaria , which kills a million people every year. Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize for his understanding of how DDT can control insects and other pests. DDT is responsible for reducing malaria in places such as Taiwan and Sri Lanka. In 1962, American biologist Rachel Carson wrote a book called Silent Spring , which discussed the dangers of DDT. She argued that it could contribute to cancer in humans. She also explained how it was destroying bird eggs, which caused the number of bald eagles, brown pelicans, and ospreys to drop. In 1972, the United States banned the use of DDT. Many other countries also banned it. But DDT didn’t disappear entirely. Today, many governments support the use of DDT because it remains the most effective way to combat malaria. Trash is another form of land pollution. Around the world, paper, cans, glass jars, plastic products, and junked cars and appliances mar the landscape. Litter makes it difficult for plants and other producers in the food web to create nutrients . Animals can die if they mistakenly eat plastic. Garbage often contains dangerous pollutants such as oils, chemicals, and ink. These pollutants can leech into the soil and harm plants, animals, and people. Inefficient garbage collection systems contribute to land pollution. Often, the garbage is picked up and brought to a dump, or landfill . Garbage is buried in landfills. Sometimes, communities produce so much garbage that their landfills are filling up. They are running out of places to dump their trash. A massive landfill near Quezon City, Philippines, was the site of a land pollution tragedy in 2000. Hundreds of people lived on the slopes of the Quezon City landfill. These people made their living from recycling and selling items found in the landfill. However, the landfill was not secure. Heavy rains caused a trash landslide, killing 218 people. Sometimes, landfills are not completely sealed off from the land around them. Pollutants from the landfill leak into the earth in which they are buried. Plants that grow in the earth may be contaminated, and the herbivores that eat the plants also become contaminated. So do the predators that consume the herbivores. This process, where a chemical builds up in each level of the food web, is called bioaccumulation . Pollutants leaked from landfills also leak into local groundwater supplies. There, the aquatic food web (from microscopic algae to fish to predators such as sharks or eagles) can suffer from bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals. Some communities do not have adequate garbage collection systems, and trash lines the side of roads. In other places, garbage washes up on beaches. Kamilo Beach, in the U.S. state of Hawai'i, is littered with plastic bags and bottles carried in by the tide . The trash is dangerous to ocean life and reduces economic activity in the area. Tourism is Hawai'i’s largest industry . Polluted beaches discourage tourists from investing in the area’s hotels, restaurants, and recreational activities. Some cities incinerate , or burn, their garbage. Incinerating trash gets rid of it, but it can release dangerous heavy metals and chemicals into the air. So while trash incinerators can help with the problem of land pollution, they sometimes add to the problem of air pollution. Reducing Pollution Around the world, people and governments are making efforts to combat pollution. Recycling, for instance, is becoming more common. In recycling, trash is processed so its useful materials can be used again. Glass, aluminum cans, and many types of plastic can be melted and reused . Paper can be broken down and turned into new paper. Recycling reduces the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, incinerators, and waterways. Austria and Switzerland have the highest recycling rates. These nations recycle between 50 and 60 percent of their garbage. The United States recycles about 30 percent of its garbage. Governments can combat pollution by passing laws that limit the amount and types of chemicals factories and agribusinesses are allowed to use. The smoke from coal-burning power plants can be filtered. People and businesses that illegally dump pollutants into the land, water, and air can be fined for millions of dollars. Some government programs, such as the Superfund program in the United States, can force polluters to clean up the sites they polluted. International agreements can also reduce pollution. The Kyoto Protocol , a United Nations agreement to limit the emission of greenhouse gases, has been signed by 191 countries. The United States, the world’s second-largest producer of greenhouse gases, did not sign the agreement. Other countries, such as China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, have not met their goals. Still, many gains have been made. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River, in the U.S. state of Ohio, was so clogged with oil and trash that it caught on fire. The fire helped spur the Clean Water Act of 1972. This law limited what pollutants could be released into water and set standards for how clean water should be. Today, the Cuyahoga River is much cleaner. Fish have returned to regions of the river where they once could not survive. But even as some rivers are becoming cleaner, others are becoming more polluted. As countries around the world become wealthier, some forms of pollution increase. Countries with growing economies usually need more power plants, which produce more pollutants. Reducing pollution requires environmental, political, and economic leadership. Developed nations must work to reduce and recycle their materials, while developing nations must work to strengthen their economies without destroying the environment. Developed and developing countries must work together toward the common goal of protecting the environment for future use.

How Long Does It Last? Different materials decompose at different rates. How long does it take for these common types of trash to break down?

• Paper: 2-4 weeks
• Orange peel: 6 months
• Milk carton: 5 years
• Plastic bag: 15 years
• Tin can: 100 years
• Plastic bottle: 450 years
• Glass bottle: 500 years
• Styrofoam: Never

Indoor Air Pollution The air inside your house can be polluted. Air and carpet cleaners, insect sprays, and cigarettes are all sources of indoor air pollution.

Light Pollution Light pollution is the excess amount of light in the night sky. Light pollution, also called photopollution, is almost always found in urban areas. Light pollution can disrupt ecosystems by confusing the distinction between night and day. Nocturnal animals, those that are active at night, may venture out during the day, while diurnal animals, which are active during daylight hours, may remain active well into the night. Feeding and sleep patterns may be confused. Light pollution also indicates an excess use of energy. The dark-sky movement is a campaign by people to reduce light pollution. This would reduce energy use, allow ecosystems to function more normally, and allow scientists and stargazers to observe the atmosphere.

Noise Pollution Noise pollution is the constant presence of loud, disruptive noises in an area. Usually, noise pollution is caused by construction or nearby transportation facilities, such as airports. Noise pollution is unpleasant, and can be dangerous. Some songbirds, such as robins, are unable to communicate or find food in the presence of heavy noise pollution. The sound waves produced by some noise pollutants can disrupt the sonar used by marine animals to communicate or locate food.

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Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Land Pollution : Causes, Effects & Solutions

February 2, 2021 by Study Mentor 2 Comments

We are very familiar with various types of pollution . We know a lot about air pollution , water pollution , noise pollution etc.

This is because these are the types of pollution that we face on a daily basis. We see the effects of these types of pollution in front of us. It is basic human tendency to believe what we see.

But there are other types of pollution that we ought to be aware of. One of this has to be land pollution. It is less heard of and people aren’t exactly aware of its existence.

What is land Pollution, what are the causes, what are the effects, what can we do about it, are just some of the questions that we have to ponder over when we think of it.

Table of Contents

What is Land pollution?

In simpler terms, land pollution could be broadly defined as the contamination and deterioration of land quality by various factors.

The top layer of soil is the only layer capable of sustaining vegetation and plant life. Due to various natural and man-made factors, this top layer of the soil gets corroded and polluted.

What makes the top layer capable of sustaining plant life is the nutrients present in the layer. These nutrients compliment and support plant life.

So when the top most layer of our lands corrode, plants are left malnourished and they wither away very easily. Land pollution is as old as others forms of pollution, or we may say they are even older.

Since the time man began to use land for cultivation in an agrarian economy, the lands began to be exploited in uneven ways.

At earlier times, exploitation was not large scale and even if it was, sustainability was not an issue.

In today’s world of unlimited progress and steady development, manhandling and destruction of lands is limitless and causes one think of when there would be a full stop to it, or would there ever be one.

Unregulated and unprecedented use of irrigation techniques are one of the main reasons of land pollution. It is quite evident that the degree of land pollution greatly increased after the Industrial Revolution.

On one hand, rampant industrialization throws open many opportunities and helps overcome unemployment.

At the same time the economic sphere of the country is bound to run on fast wheels due to industrialization. But the side effects of urbanization, a result of rapid industrialization cannot be overlooked either.

Causes of land pollution

Just like many other forms of pollution, land pollution can also be attributed to pollutants, substances and contaminants that harm the environment.

Effluents from factories, industries and residential areas, when not properly segregated and managed, find their ways into the soil, depositing tonnes of chemical waste into the earth.

These substances pollute the top layer, depriving it of essential nutrients required by vegetation to sustain.

Deforestation is a major issue in today’s world. Forests are being cut down mercilessly as we see many concrete structures replacing these woods.

This is done to accommodate large factories and residential blocks that humans build for commercial purposes. Deforestation completely alters the land structure.

The forest areas that once filled the green cover are now messed up in dry and fragile lands, receiving very less or scanty rainfall and turning to arid zones.

Once the fertile lands are converted to barren landscapes for the purpose of constructing buildings, it is totally an irreversible process wherein the occupied land can never be made fertile and nutrient rich again.

Nuclear plants are used to generate electricity, and it is a non-conventional source of energy . Though it does help reduce the exhaustion of conventional fuels, it has its own share of disadvantages.

Since nuclear plants work on nuclear reactors generating large amounts of energy, they tend to produce waste in huge amounts.

Effects of land pollution

The unchecked use of plastics does terrible destruction to the land. When we sip water in plastic bottles or dispose plastic cans after sipping juice or soft drinks from them, we don’t realize what damage we have caused to the land that we are part of.

Plastic is without doubt non-bio degradable. It takes many millions of years for plastic contents to settle inside the earth’s inner regions and well before that, it all lies strewn on the surface, unattended to and really of no good use.

Plastic bags in the form of carry bags and covers lie strewn on streets and in the midst of garbage piles. When the same plastic enters a cow’s intestine, it does good harm to the cow, literally choking its digestive tracts.

Not just that, the milk produced from such cows would also be expected to be kind of artificial milk that contains the toxicities of plastic and other such harmful substances. This is the worst scenario and outcome of land pollution.

Nuclear radioactive wastes are harmful, they contain radioactive material and they have to be dumped underground, away from humans.

This form of dumping takes away the radioactive dump away from human interaction but on the other hand pollutes the land from within.

Water pollution also affects the ground, since waste water containing harmful chemicals eventually seep into the earth. This again pollutes the top layer of soil.

Land pollution ruins the soil, on which crops could have been planted. Not just man made reasons, even nature can sometimes contribute to land pollution.

In the event of a flood, tonnes of silt are deposited by excess water turning fertile lands into saline areas. It is impossible to grow crops on saline lands.

Mining is one of the key reasons of land pollution.

Since humans dig humongous holes in the ground for mining, there is always a threat of a land slide or surrounding areas caving in with no proper support for the land to stay erect and strong.

This endangers human life on a large scale as entire villages could be victims of a landslide or soil loosening could bring down huge establishments of huts and not-so-strong village houses.

Some of the human activities completely change the land structure. This could spell trouble for the atmosphere as it can cause drastic climatic changes.

As more waste is produced, more lands are identified that could be converted into even beds for landfills. Landfills change the aesthetic properties of the region.

In short, they are converted into garbage dumping zones. As the land is deprived of its ability to produce crops, life is greatly affected as it could lead to famines and starvation on a wide scale.

Other Essays on Pollution

• Essay on Pollution
• Essay on Marine Pollution
• Essay on Land Pollution
• Essay on Soil Pollution
• Essay on Radioactive Pollution
• Essay on Water Pollution
• Essay on Anti Pollution
• Essay on Noise Pollution
• Essay on Air Pollution
• Essay on Environmental Pollution

Solutions to land pollution

One of the basic things that we can do to prevent further pollution of the land is to spread awareness about it.

We must try to convince people to use less plastic packaged items, which would ultimately end up in garbage landfills. We must promote the use of more biodegradable materials and thus, do our part in saving the planet.

These days, paper bags are encouraged in place of plastic carry bags. The reason is paper can be recycled, if not, it can be easily converted into its bio-degradable form.

Rather than let the earth rot and contaminate with non-bio degradable constituents, we can thus find alternatives to toxic elements on earth.

Plastics and plastic items should be totally banned from cities as they are of no good use.

There can be suggestive alternatives that could well be implemented on a large scale to initiate a change in the right direction.

Also, garbage segregation at collection points, at homes plays a good role in proper waste management and disposal methods.

If we are able to segregate wet and dry wastes, the collecting units would be easily helped in taking the right garbage out to the right place for dumping and disposal. Non- decomposable wastes or dry wastes could be treated separately.

We should be conscious about clean surroundings and take responsibility to act with care.

Throwing waste bits here and there, messing the streets with leftovers, etc. could only indicate a bad sign of our own ill-thinking and reflect our poor hygiene practices.

We should teach the next generations to care for a green earth by first setting up an example ourselves. We should always lead by example.

Land pollution is actually a composite of much pollution locked in one nutshell. It may be a combined outcome of water and soil pollution, soil and air pollution, or for that matter, land contamination alone too.

Polluting our surroundings with whatever seems unwanted to human life has been the norm since ages and now a threshold has been reached, wherein actions have to be taken to correct all our wrong doings.

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1 Minute Speech on Land Pollution In English

A very good morning to one and all present here. Today, I will be giving a small speech on the topic of Land Pollution.

Britannica defines land pollution to be “the deposition of solid or liquid waste materials on land or underground in a manner that can contaminate the soil and groundwater , threaten public health , and cause unsightly conditions and nuisances.” 

Simply put, land pollution or soil contamination is the degradation of Earth’s land surfaces, both above and below ground level. It is caused due to excessive waste, especially toxic ones, being dumped on land, which in turn affects the soil of the land adversely. Majorly, land pollution is caused by activities such as littering and waste washed ashore from boats, oil rigs, and sewage treatment plants.

Predominantly, land pollution can be categorized into 4 different types. They are land contaminated due to solid wastes, pesticides and fertilizers, chemicals, and also deforestation. 

Dire consequences of land pollution include loss of fertility of the soil and water contamination.

Thank you. 

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• Soil Pollution Essay

Essay on Soil Pollution

Soil is also called Earth, ground or dirt, which is formed by the accumulation of Organic and Inorganic matter as a bedrock through several years of physical weathering. And, Soil Pollution is the imbalance in the composition of this Organic matter which naturally decomposes and Inorganic matter which may be integrated with harmful chemicals that don’t decompose easily and degrade the quality of the Soil causing Soil Pollution. In this Soil Pollution essay, we will understand the cause and effects of Soil Pollution.

Soil is a thin layer that consists of both Organic and Inorganic components. These materials cover the Earth's rocky surfaces. Also included is the organic part, which is made up of decomposed animal and plant material. While rock bits make up the inorganic portion. This section was created through the chemical and physical weathering of bedrock over a thousand years. Soils that are productive are important for agriculture in order to meet the world's food needs. As a result, the essay on Soil Pollution focuses on the reasons that cause Soil contamination as well as the negative consequences of Soil Pollution.

Short Essay on Soil Pollution

Human-made chemicals are the leading cause of Soil Pollution as it alters the natural Soil Environment. And the ingestion of chemicals is at a big-time high due to industrialization and increase in population. This Soil Pollution essay in English will emphasize on the fact that there are millions of chemicals naturally present in the Soil. But when there is an increase in the concentration of a few harmful chemicals, it becomes a threat to living beings as it leads to serious health hazards. 

The main contributors to Soil Pollution are the frequent use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers with higher concentrations of chemicals then decrease the natural fertility of the Earth, uncontrolled disposal of sewage, careless industrial waste spillage like of oils and solid matter from concrete matter used in making buildings and medical waste from hospitals and pharmaceutical labs and poor waste management.

All of the aforementioned causes lead to serious health conditions at all levels of the ecosystem. The plant growth is stunted when grown on such harmful grounds,  the humans who are exposed to food yielded from such an environment can experience short term consequences like fatigue, weakness, headache, skin conditions or long term problems like depression, nervous system damage and animals including aquatic life suffers a great deal from this damage as they live on the polluted water seeped from the polluted Soil.

All of this can be resolved when people are consciously reducing the disposal of such harmful wastes into the natural bodies and a proper waste management system is followed.

Long Essay on Soil Pollution

Soil like all other forms of Pollution in nature is a growing sense of dread due to its deadly consequences in all living beings in the Ecosystem. Man-made materials are the leading cause of Soil Pollution. When any matter is present in quantities larger than the needed amount, then that becomes a potent threat. In trying to grow at a greater pace they are harming the Environment. The biggest threat to this problem is the irresponsibility displayed while disposing of any waste as the disposal of chemicals are not naturally present in the Soil so this causes contamination and as the levels increase leads to Pollution. In this essay on Soil Pollution, let’s understand the causes, effects and possible solutions.

What Causes Soil Pollution?

Soil Pollution is characterized as chemicals, salts, poisonous compounds, and radioactive contaminants that stay in the Soil and have negative impacts on animal health and plant growth. Pollution of Soils can occur in a variety of ways. These are the following:

Industrial garbage is dumped on the Earth's surface.

A landfill seeps water.

Underground storage tanks are bursting.

Contaminated water seeps into the ground.

Seepage of solid waste.

Heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, and insecticides are examples of chemicals.

Soil Pollution Causes

A Soil pollutant is a factor that causes Soil to deteriorate owing to a reduction in the texture, mineral, or quality content of the Soil. This also disrupts the biological equilibrium of Soil-dependent organisms. Furthermore, Soil Pollution has negative consequences for plant growth. Soil contamination is usually produced by man-made applications such as contaminated surface water percolation, pesticides, fuel dumping, oil dumping, and so on.

Other operations include the leaching of pollutants from landfills, the direct dumping of industrial wastes into the Soil, and so on. Solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, pesticides, and various heavy metals are among the most prevalent compounds implicated. As a result, the occurrence of the phenomenon is highly correlated with the intensities and industrialisation of chemical use.

The following are some of the most common sources of Soil Pollution:

Fertilizer usage is increasing.

Insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides are used indiscriminately.

Solid waste disposal

Deforestation

Effects of Soil Pollution

As we go about our lives, we disregard the devastating effects of Soil Pollution on the Ecosystem and inevitably our health.

When we consume the food grown on such polluted Soil the crop absorbs it and then is passed on to us and leads to fatal diseases overtime.

Soil loses its fertility and stunts the growth of the plants and when they are harvested the contaminated Soil becomes futile as it is no longer useful for further cultivation as such lands become incompetent to support life and are deserted leaving more space to dump such harmful waste this cyclical nature of cause and effect is deadly.

The food that is produced from such lands also lacks good nutrients and thus creates another generation of malnourished children which hinders their natural growth physically and mentally.

The underground Soil water when it meets the natural aquatic bodies, it does a great deal of damage to aquatic life, both plants that grow underwater and animals.

Soil Pollution's Consequences

Some radioactive pollutants from nuclear reactors, explosions, hospitals, science labs, and other sources penetrate deeply into the Soil, where they linger for a long time and pollute the Soil.

False agricultural practices involving advanced agro-technology entail the use of massive volumes of harmful fertilisers such as herbicides, weedicides, insecticides, and other chemicals, which improve Soil fertility while gradually reducing Soil physio-chemical and biological qualities. Other forms of Soil Pollution include municipal rubbish, food processing waste, mining practices, and many others.

Soil Pollution is extremely detrimental to one's health since poisonous substances enter the body through the food chain and disrupt the entire inner body system. Individuals, particularly industrialists, should adopt all effective control measures, including environmental protection regulations, in order to reduce and minimise Soil Pollution. People should encourage the recycling and reuse of solid waste, as well as the planting of as many trees as possible.

Ways to Curb Soil Pollution

The most important step in starting to solve this problem is by creating awareness and informing people about the dire consequences, and how their contribution can do good to the ecosystem and human nature. The possible solutions to these problems are-

No excess use of fertilizers, and other chemicals used. As these are useful only in required quantities and when overdone leads to the damage so one can avoid overuse of the harmful substances containing chemicals.

Encouraging afforestation i.e. the planting of trees as the more trees planted the Erosion of Soil will be less and this will help in retaining the useful chemicals in the Soil and hence increasing the fertility of the Soil as well.

Recycling and reusing of waste materials will help a great deal and lessen the harm to a greater degree.

As the saying goes Prevention is better than cure, it is better to take steps in creating a safer environment instead of regretting later. India being Agricultural Land, we can take steps to organize programs and educate the farmers and other locals to use natural manure, and make them aware of the problems caused by chemicals used.

FAQs on Soil Pollution Essay

1. How can we Control Soil Pollution?

On an individual level, we have to take it upon ourselves to reduce the amount of waste produced due to our regular activities on a daily basis. We should also plant more trees and encourage nearby ones to do the same. The effect is more impactful when individuals take accountability for their duty to give back to nature. Students can learn how to control Soil Pollution and educate their elders for the same.

2. What are the different types of Soil Pollution?

There are two types of Soil Pollution, the one caused by natural disasters like floods which also erodes the Soil, this can be in a specific region or can be widespread. The other one is man-made or called anthropogenic type which is the major cause of the problem. We cannot control the natural one but the man-made one. By taking to certain protocols and following the code of conduct, we will be able to control the Soil Pollution caused by the people. 

3. How to curb Soil Pollution?

There are three ways to curb Soil Pollution. One way is to not use excess fertilisers and chemicals on the ground. The fertilisers can cause degradation of the Soil and kill the organic microorganisms that help to promote Soil fertility. The second way is by recycling and reusing man-made products. We should ban plastic and opt for products that can be reused and recycled. Trees should be planted and deforestation should be in control. For every tree cut, there should be twice the plantation.

4. How can chemicals affect biodiversity?

The fertilisers used as chemicals in the Soil can affect crop growth. It kills the macronutrients that are essential and causes toxic effects to the crop. These when taken up by humans or animals can promote biomagnification and increase toxicity at every level in the food chain. Even when we water the crops, the water can contain toxic chemicals and affect aquatic marine life. Hence the chemicals can affect biodiversity to a broad level. 

5. Is an Essay on Soil Pollution for Students in English helpful?

Yes, the Essay on Soil Pollution for Students in English is very helpful. Firstly it helps the student to know about Soil Pollution and its prevention. Secondly, students will be able to write a well-composed essay on the topic of Soil Pollution. It is important to get environmental knowledge and write it properly in English medium. Regular practice and learning can help students to compose a good essay on diverse topics. Learn and read to get a better grip on essay writing.

• Environmental Chemistry

Land Pollution

What is land pollution.

The degradation of the earth’s land surfaces, both above and below ground level, is referred to as land pollution.

Land pollution occurs when trash, compost, and other toxins are dumped on the land, contaminating or polluting it. Land pollution is caused by human activities such as littering and waste washed ashore from boats, oil rigs, and sewage treatment plants.

The degradation of the earth’s land surfaces, both above and below ground level, is referred to as land pollution. The accumulation of solid and liquid waste products, which contaminate groundwater and soil, is the cause. The greater the permeability of the soil, the greater the risk of land contamination.

Table of Contents

• Recommended Video

Land Pollution Causes

• Land Pollution Efects

Solutions to Land Pollution

Frequently asked questions – faqs, recommended videos, pollution of the taj mahal.

Air and Water Pollution

Soil pollution is a form of land pollution in which the soil’s upper layer is harmed. Overuse of chemical fertilizers, soil degradation caused by running water, and other pest control measures contribute to the loss of agricultural land, forest cover, and grazing pastures, among other things.

Various Causes of Land Pollution are listed below.

• Agricultural Activities – As animal production grows, it becomes decoupled from crop production, causing normal nutrient cycles between plants, soil, and animals to be severely disrupted, resulting in the widespread use of synthetic herbicides, insecticides, bactericides, and fertilizers, all of which contribute to pollution.
• Mining Activities – Mining has the potential to pollute the air and water supply, damage biodiversity and ecosystems, and permanently alter natural landscapes. Mining harms the ecosystem by destroying habitats, causing soil erosion, and polluting surface water, groundwater, and soil.
• Urbanization – Intensive urbanization will exacerbate poverty by preventing local municipalities from providing services to all residents. Increased air pollution from concentrated energy usage has a direct effect on human health. Lead levels in urban air are elevated as a result of automobile emissions.
• Nuclear Waste – The soil is also contaminated by radioactive waste from nuclear research stations and nuclear power plants, as well as radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions. Since radioactive materials have a long half-life, they can survive in the soil for long periods of time.

Land Pollution Effects

Land pollution can harm the human body in a variety of ways. Toxic waste and contaminants can be ingested by people. Disposal of hazardous radioactive wastes also contributes to land contamination. Chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even brain damage are all long-term health consequences.

Various Effects of Land Pollution are listed below.

• Climate Change – Land contamination, such as that caused by mining, farming, and factories, may allow harmful chemicals to enter the soil and water. These chemicals have the potential to kill animals and plants, destroying the food chain. Landfills emit methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
• Acid Rain – Forests, especially those at higher elevations, are also harmed by acid rain and fog. Acid deposits deplete vital nutrients like calcium and allow aluminum to be released into the soil, making it difficult for trees to absorb water. Acids also damage the leaves and needles of trees.
• Deterioration of fields – A chain reaction occurs as a result of soil contamination. It alters soil biodiversity, decreases soil organic matter, and reduces soil’s filtering ability. It also contaminates water contained in the soil and groundwater, resulting in nutrient imbalances in the soil.
• Respiratory health problems – Air pollution can irritate your airways, causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, and chest pain. Lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and, in the worst-case scenario, premature death are all risks associated with air pollution exposure.

To reduce land emissions, reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is essential to practice reforestation and afforestation. Organic fertilizers, an integrated pest control method, and crop rotation can all be used by farmers. One of the most important ways to help minimize landfill waste, protect natural resources , preserve wildlife, reduce noise, reduce energy use, and slow global warming is to incorporate recycling habits into your everyday life.

Reforestation avoids river and lake silting by reducing surface erosion and preserving the fertile topsoil. It prevents the soil surface from sealing and cuts down on the amount of rainwater that runs off. When compared to petroleum-based plastics, biodegradable plastics produce significantly less waste. As biodegradable plastics degrade, they decompose into nontoxic, harmless components. Just 32% of the greenhouse gases released by petroleum-based plastics are produced by them.

What is the prevention of land pollution?

One can reuse products like fabric, plastic bags, and glass in your home rather than throwing them away to minimize solid waste emissions on soil. Recycling helps to minimize the amount of solid waste that ends up in landfills while also helping to save natural resources.

What are sources of land pollution?

Land contamination is caused by human activities such as littering and waste washed ashore from vessels, oil platforms, and sewage treatment plants. Land contamination occurs when trash, waste, and other pollutants are dumped on the land, contaminating or polluting it.

What are the effects of land pollution on animals?

Chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and ammonia, among others, can contaminate water and land-based flora. Animals and humans are poisoned by it. One of the major causes of lungs and respiratory disorders is air pollution caused by land pollution.

What are the effects of pollution?

Pollution can cause mudslides, poison soils and rivers, and even destroy plants and animals. Pollution causes damage to humans on a daily basis. Long-term air pollution exposure, for example, can cause chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, and other illnesses.

What is land pollution and its causes?

Soil pollution is a form of land pollution in which the soil’s upper layer is harmed. Overuse of chemical fertilizers, soil degradation caused by running water, and other pest control measures contribute to the loss of agricultural land, forest cover, and grazing pastures, among other things.

Related Topics

• Atmospheric pollution
• Soil Pollution
• Causes of soil pollution
• Effects of Land Pollution
• Environmental Pollution

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How 5 N.Y.C. Neighborhoods Are Struggling With Climate Change

New data projects are linking social issues with global warming. Here’s what that means for these New York communities.

By Hilary Howard

Photographs by Jade Doskow

Some of the effects of climate change on New York City neighborhoods are clear: extreme heat. Persistent flooding.

But as city leaders explore which neighborhoods are most vulnerable to a warming world, they are also focusing on less obvious factors like poverty, chronic health conditions and language barriers that can deepen the impact of climate change.

Several new data-gathering efforts are helping shed light on how socioeconomic issues can add to a community’s overall risk as droughts, floods and wildfires become more extreme and sea levels rise.

The findings indicate that in the city, the neighborhoods most unprepared for climate change have a lot in common: They are poor; have congestion and histories of redlining or industrial pollution; and for many of their residents, English is a second language.

“You find these same situations in all these locales: very little tree covering, heavily exposed pollutants and projects and industry that’s been zoned to be placed there,” said Mychal Johnson, a founding member of the nonprofit South Bronx Unite , which helped develop the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index , an expansive mapping project that compiled public data from across the country.

And in April, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice published a similar project and interactive map .

Using these tools and other similar indexes, here are some of the most vulnerable regions in the city.

‘A very vicious cycle’

Congestion in the south bronx.

The Cross-Bronx Expressway cuts off the South Bronx from the rest of the borough, with cars and trucks — over 187,000 daily — spewing pollution.

The construction of the thoroughfare in the middle of the last century displaced 60,000 residents and helped condemn much of the area around it to poverty, as well as elevated rates of asthma.

Disproportionate levels of health consistent with high levels of poverty make climate change harder on residents of the South Bronx, said Earle Chambers, an epidemiologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Extreme heat, a major issue in the South Bronx , is especially tough on those with chronic illnesses. And New Yorkers with asthma were in danger last summer when wildfires in Canada turned the skies red over New York. Those with financial hardships were further challenged, visiting emergency rooms — a guaranteed way to seek treatment regardless of income or insurance — in record numbers.

In the South Bronx, where 94 percent of residents are Black or Hispanic, the percentage of residents living below the poverty level is about twice the city average, as is the percentage of adults 25 and over who did not graduate from high school, according to a census analysis of neighborhoods in the South Bronx region, including Grand Concourse, Melrose, Mott Haven, Point Morris and Hunts Point, by Social Explorer , a demographic data firm.

Adult asthma rates in the South Bronx are significantly higher than the city average — 6 percent compared with 3.8 percent citywide — and over a third of residents are obese and considered to be at risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Living near a congested highway can produce a domino effect of challenges, said Arif Ullah, the executive director of South Bronx Unite.

“If a child has asthma, there are more absences from school, which means a risk of not graduating, which could affect job prospects,” Mr. Ullah said. “It’s just a very vicious cycle.”

Ritchie Torres, the Democratic congressman who represents the area, along with Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, secured $2 million for the city and state to study covering parts of the expressway with parks and other amenities.

Such a project would help “right the historical wrong” of the expressway being built in the South Bronx to begin with, Dr. Chambers said.

‘Trees as a high-leverage solution’

The lack of forest cover in red hook, brooklyn.

Red Hook, an isolated, low-lying waterfront neighborhood, still affected by an industrial history and by emissions from a nearby cruise ship terminal , also has a shortage of trees.

In 2012, hundreds of trees were felled or damaged by Hurricane Sandy, which flooded the area and knocked out the power and water at the Red Hook Houses, New York City’s second-largest public housing complex. In order to make repairs there , officials cut down about an additional 400 trees.

Trees serve as a buffer for storm water, filter the air, provide oxygen and store carbon dioxide. In addition to shading people, they also shade buildings, which helps reduce energy consumption.

But trees struggle to thrive in Red Hook. The water table is high, meaning the ground is often saturated, and most of the soil is red clay, which can be dense, making it difficult for trees to take root.

(NYC Parks, which is behind a citywide tree-planting and maintenance effort , has planted 565 trees in the neighborhood since 2015, and intends to plant 40 more this spring.)

Some residents have taken it upon themselves to nurture the street trees. Red Hook Conservancy , a nonprofit, organizes groups to clean out tree beds and nourish them with mulch or compost.

Students are doing their part, too. Six graders at nearby Harbor Middle School undertook a project to design and build guards to protect tree beds.

Lynn Shon, a teacher at the school, led the project. “Students looked at data and discovered that flooding, sea level rise and extreme heat were problems disproportionately impacting Red Hook, along with the urban heat island effect ” (when cities tend to be warmer than rural areas), she said. “They were able to identify trees as a high-leverage solution.”

A food desert, surrounded by water

Edgemere, queens, lacks fresh produce (but has plenty of flooding)..

Shantae Johnson moved to Edgemere five years ago because of the cheap rent, she said. Ms. Johnson, a single mother, was on a tight budget, which revolved around feeding her seven children.

She soon realized there were no grocery stores in the flood-prone neighborhood. In Edgemere, a beach community, a simple chore like food shopping is already a major operation. But as flooding becomes more commonplace, navigating the waterlogged areas makes the task even more onerous.

“We have the double whammy effect,” said Sonia Moise, president of the area’s civic association , referring to flooding from two directions: the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Jamaica Bay to the north.

Every week, Ms. Johnson would lug her shopping cart onto the subway and travel from the Rockaway Peninsula in southern Queens to Union Square in Manhattan (over an hourlong trip) to do her grocery shopping.

“It took a toll on me,” she said.

But two years ago, Ms. Johnson caught a break. She stumbled upon a community garden during a walk. Soon, she had her own patch of land and was growing spinach and basil. She harvested so much squash last summer that she filled her freezer and gave away the rest.

The garden changed her life, Ms. Johnson said. “I get friendship, community, food and an oasis,” she said.

The Garden by the Bay is a precious resource in amenity-poor Edgemere, where the closest grocery store is over a mile away, Ms. Moise said.

The food desert here is just one problem, said Jackie Rogers, the president of the 15,000-square-foot garden, which has five community plots and 23 for individual use. “We check all the boxes when it comes to deserts,” she said. “Food, transportation, education, recreation, lack of infrastructure.”

On the food front, there is some good news: This fall, a 20,000 square-foot grocery store is scheduled to open. It will be part of a mixed-use affordable housing complex with over 2,000 apartments.

Ms. Rogers would like to see more amenities and infrastructure upgrades — like more raised streets — first. “I’m sounding the alarm,” she said. “We need resiliency here.”

A need for English classes and information

In throgs neck, the bronx, big demands on a little library.

During extreme weather, staying informed is key to staying safe. But for New Yorkers who do not speak English or lack internet services, doing so can be a challenge.

Public libraries can help. And in the event of a storm or flood, many libraries go into disaster relief mode, becoming communications hubs and distribution centers for clothing, food and medicine.

“Librarians are always collaborating to connect people to resources, that’s what we do,” said Emily Drabinski, president of the American Library Association.

But in Throgs Neck, an isolated community with little public transit, there is just one library for tens of thousands of people. The Throgs Neck Library, housed in a squat one-story building in the poorest part of the neighborhood just off the Cross Bronx Expressway, offers limited services.

Yet the need is there, said Leida Velazquez, the branch manager. Over the past year, she has seen an increase in patrons using the computers, as well as requests for assistance in applying for identification cards, jobs and food stamps benefits. “I’ll print applications for them,” she said.

With the recent influx of migrants, there is also a strong demand for English classes at the branch. But the building is too small to offer them, Ms. Velazquez said, so she often refers people to the Bronx Library Center. Getting there requires two buses and takes over an hour.

The demand for library services and support in this area of Throgs Neck underscores its need. According to Social Explorer, nearly a third of residents in the census tract closest to the library are below poverty level. And about one out of four residents has no other computing device besides a smartphone. Nearly half of people 5 and older speak a language other than English at home.

Across the city, budget cuts have caused many branches to make do with skeletal staffs and outdated HVAC systems, which could hamper their ability to function as cooling centers , said Lauren Comito, the executive director of Urban Librarians Unite. And more cuts could be on the way .

“If we want libraries to prepare for climate disaster, we will need more funding and to train staff,” she said.

‘Volatile and Dangerous’

A legacy of toxins in east williamsburg and greenpoint, brooklyn.

In the late 19th century, more than 50 oil refineries sat on the banks of Newtown Creek, a 3.8 mile waterway between Brooklyn and Queens. Now, the Brooklyn side of the creek is home to one of the largest oil spills in American history, and of two of the city’s four Superfund Sites (areas so toxic they qualify for government intervention).

But for Willis Elkins, the executive director of Newtown Creek Alliance , an environmental nonprofit, the most urgent threat to the area is a 117-acre storage facility.

There, two large tanks store liquefied natural gas, which can be converted to fuel for heating during cold-weather emergencies. “Liquefied gas is incredibly volatile and dangerous to store and transport,” Mr. Elkins said.

“The liquid gas is not even 1,000 yards from where we live,” said Elisha W. Fye, the vice president of the resident council of Cooper Park Houses, a public housing complex that sits next to the site.

Area residents have concerns about groundwater flooding people’s homes with toxins. Remnants of coal tar , a substance that was used when the site was an oil refinery, still bubble up at low tide, said Mr. Elkins, who added that other chemicals have also been detected around the site, which sits in a flood zone.

Mr. Fye, 70, has been part of several successful community efforts to block upgrades to the site, which is owned by National Grid, a company that provides gas to 1.9 million customers in New York City and on Long Island.

Several activists and energy experts want the site to shut down. But National Grid maintains that the site provides energy reliability in the event of extreme weather, and that the Greenpoint facility “meets or exceeds all safety regulations,” Karen Young, a spokeswoman for the company, said.

National Grid is investing millions in a new fire suppression system for the site; its old one was flooded and destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. And it is seeking millions more in proposed rate hikes for other upgrades.

If approved, residents in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island could see their monthly heating bills increase by more than $65 by 2026, and local gas infrastructure would remain in place well into the 2080s, which is against the state’s climate goals, said Kim Fraczek, the director of the Sane Energy Project , a group that has helped shut down several of National Grid’s expansion efforts.

Ms. Young said that most of the revenue from increased rates would cover federal and state safety mandates .

But Ms. Fraczek would like to see a more specific accounting, she said. “It’s an economic issue, it’s an environmental justice issue.”

Hilary Howard is a Times reporter covering how the New York City region is adapting to climate change and other environmental challenges. More about Hilary Howard

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Nepal: Systemic descent-based discrimination against Dalits needs urgent action – NEW REPORT

• State of Nepal falls short to protect Dalits; distrust in the police and justice system  
• Inadequate and insufficient measures to address systemic caste-based discrimination
• Culture of impunity; Dalit women and girls at risk

Authorities in Nepal are failing to protect Dalits, particularly women and girls, from systemic and widespread caste-based discrimination, said Amnesty International in its new report published today.

The report, “No One Cares”: Descent-Based Discrimination against Dalits – documents the experience of systemic caste-based discrimination in Nepal and the challenges they face in accessing justice as the Nepali authorities’ existing legal and protective measures prove insufficient and fail to secure their human rights.

“The authorities in Nepal are not doing enough to counteract the culture of impunity for human rights violations related to descent-based discrimination in Nepal. Efforts made by the authorities are still inadequate and insufficient, and they seem to exist only on paper but do not translate into real changes in the lives and the human rights of Dalits, Dalit women and girls in particular,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Amnesty International’s Director for Gender and Racial Justice Programme.

Despite legal reforms to prohibit caste-based discrimination, Amnesty International has documented examples of how every aspect of everyday life in Nepali society is divided and operates based on the caste system, where discrimination and violence is pervasive for Dalits. They continue to face multiple barriers in access to justice and have no recourse to reparations due to institutional discrimination, including in the police.

Caste-based system perpetuates culture of impunity

Impunity is rampant for several reasons, including inadequate statute of limitations in the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability, (Offence and Punishment), (CBDU) Act, lack of representation of Dalits in the justice system and institutional discrimination in the police and justice system, lack of effective oversight mechanisms and accountability.

Dalits do not trust the police and the justice system in general, and the limited government level data and statistics available (Only 30-43 cases per year registered under CBDU Act in police records) confirm their distrust is well-founded, including for Dalit women confronting caste-based violence. The inactions or limited actions of Nepali authorities, including failing to hold public officers accountable, and closing the trust deficits, are reinforcing this culture of impunity and are sending a message to society that caste and gender-based discrimination and violence are “acceptable” and “natural”.

Intersectional cases of caste and gender-based violence often go unreported, further perpetuating a culture of invisibility, silence, and impunity. In many instances, the burden of shame and stigma is placed on the Dalit survivors, rather than on the non-Dalit perpetrators.

Amnesty International documents that in instances when the caste-based incidents are reported, police frequently refuse to register cases to initiate the criminal proceedings in law, including for crimes of untouchability and gender-based violence or rape cases involving Dalit women. Police often prefer to push for informal mediation out of the justice system rather than initiating criminal investigations and prosecutions which results in widespread impunity.

The case of Angira Pasi

In May 2020, the body of Angira Pasi, a 12-year-old Dalit girl was found hanging from a tree in Rupandehi District in Nepal. A 25-year-old non-Dalit man belonging to so-called “dominant caste” had been accused of raping her. Instead of lodging a police complaint, the locals including the Ward Chair decided that Angira Pasi should marry the accused who raped her, because she would otherwise be considered unsuitable for marriage in the future. The mother and aunt of the accused reportedly abused Angira Pasi saying she belonged to the “low caste” so she would not be allowed into their house. They also beat her up. Two days later, Angira Pasi was found hanging from a tree.

The police initially refused to register a complaint from the victim’s family. After pressure from civil society, a complaint was registered and the accused, his mother, and his aunt were detained as suspects in Angira Pasi’s case. On 12 September 2021, the Rupandehi District Court convicted the accused of murder and sentenced him to 18 years in prison. An appeal against the conviction is pending before the High Court.

Barriers in access to justice

Access to justice is hindered when police fail to register and effectively investigate cases under the CBDU Act. Rather, as reported by stakeholders, the police often registered such cases under other laws which has the effect of downplaying the discriminatory motive of the offence and dilute the severity of caste-based discrimination.

There have also been reported incidents in which police have failed to conduct thorough, impartial, fair, and timely investigations into the suspicious deaths of victims from the Dalit community.

The case of Ajit Dhakal Mizar

The corpse of Ajit Dhakal Mijar, an 18-year-old Dalit man, has been lying preserved in a morgue at a hospital in Maharajgunj, Nepal, for the last eight years as his father fights for justice.

On 14 July 2016, Ajit, who was in an inter-caste relationship with a non-Dalit “dominant caste” girl, was found dead in suspicious circumstances. Ajit’s death was immediately recorded as suicide by the police and his corpse declared as unidentified. He was quickly buried by the authorities without informing the family.

Ajit’s father found certain anomalies relating to the post-mortem report produced by the law enforcement agencies, which raised his suspicion. He requested to exhume his son’s body and refused to perform final rites for his son until he gets justice. 

Amnesty International interviewed Ajit’s father and his lawyer, who claimed that the police showed willful negligence in their failure to effectively investigate Ajit’s cause of death. Ajit’s father said the police showed allegiance to the non-Dalit suspects and covered up the actual cause of his son’s death. They both claimed that an autopsy or post-mortem of Ajit was not conducted, and a forged post-mortem report was produced as evidence. They also claimed that if the Supreme Court of Nepal directed a post-mortem it would reveal the facts as to whether Ajit hanged himself or was murdered. Ajit’s case, challenging both the lower courts’ verdicts which acquitted the three accused with involvement in his suspicious death, is still pending at the Apex Court.

“No one cares”

Anita Mahara, one of the Dalit women interviewed for Amnesty International’s report said that it seems like “no one cares”.

Allegations against the police regarding willful negligence of duty in handling caste-based discrimination prompted the Nepal’s Parliamentary Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights to require a Dalit cell in every police station since 2020. This resulted in the creation of 86 Dalit-specific police cells across the country, each tasked with reporting, investigating and coordinating with victims of caste-based discrimination and untouchability. Amnesty International’s researchers visited three district-level police stations in Madhesh Province and discovered that the Dalit desk was not functional, except for a placard labelled “Dalit desk”.

Despite some encouraging legal protections, the state is failing to fulfil its human rights duty to address caste-based discrimination. The specific legislation created for this, namely the CBDU Act, lacks effective implementation and falls short in effectively combating such an entrenched system of caste-based discrimination.

The Nepali authorities must create a holistic plan for a truly transformative response to uproot the entrenched caste and gender-based violence and discrimination in Nepal, based on human rights obligations and with an intersectional lens. There is an urgent need to take special measures to improve the situation of Dalit women and girls due to the inter-generational history of oppression and entrenched culture of caste-bias, patriarchy and discrimination.

“Nepal must fulfil its obligation to provide effective, timely and meaningful access to justice and reparations for survivors. It must move away from merely paying lip service to the ideals of achieving equality for all but take a concrete human-rights centric approach to relegating descent-based discrimination to the dustbins of history,” said Fernanda Doz Costa.

BACKGROUND:

In Nepal and many South Asian countries, descent-based discrimination manifests itself in the social hierarchy of the caste system that is rooted in Hinduism. The so-called lower castes are known as ‘Dalits’. The caste system perpetuates a form of segregation and oppression against the Dalits in Nepal, who make up approximately 13.8% of the population. Such discrimination severely limits every aspect of their lives, including their everyday experience in accessing land, education, livelihood, marriage, place of worship, security and health, and the right to citizenship. Descent-based discrimination covers caste and analogous systems of inherited status, and authorities have a legal obligation to address all forms of caste-based discrimination, including when committed by private individuals, in accordance with the international human rights law and standards.

The constitution of Nepal guarantees the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Additionally, in 2011, the CBDU Act was adopted to provide the Dalits in Nepal the right to equality, to live with human dignity, and prohibit untouchability and discrimination on the grounds of caste.