Enviromental
DAMAGE AND
INDUSTRIALIZATION
Topic Sentence: The negative effects of industrialization on the environment are evident through
various historical and modern events including synthetic plastic creations, light bulb creations,
poor air quality caused by vehicle gas emissions, plastic waste and light pollution, leading to
severe impacts on both the environment and human health.
This picture of pieces of plastic thrown on the ground draws attention towards the global issue of plastic waste and its
effect on the environment. When this garbage is not disposed of properly, it pollutes the land, rivers, and oceans which
endangers the species living in these biomes. The effects of industrialization are worsened by the emission of harmful
chemicals and greenhouse gasses into the environment during the production of plastic. “Remember that when you’re
making plastic, there’s the greenhouse gas emissions, but these facilities also emit massive amounts of air toxins and
particulates” This statement made by Enck, a CNN news reporter reflects the poor effects of plastic towards the
environment. These facilities that create plastics that are then thrown on the ground are due to industrialization, and
finding easier ways to produce items such as plastic. Plastic is produced and disposed of as the result of the rise in single
-use plastic demand in both the industrial and consumer worlds, which reflects the damaging effects of plastic have not
yet been addressed by plastic recycling, a practice everyone should do. The rise in single use plastic demands could have
been an effect on the first synthetic plastic being created in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, which marked the beginning of
widespread plastic production use. Over the past century, the production and the use of plastic have increased
dramatically due to industrialization, contributing to the current global problem of plastic waste and its impact on the
environment. Despite the negative impacts plastic has had on the environment change has been made by the influential
phrases such as the “reduce, reuse and recycle” phrase created in 1980 influenced the people to be mindful on their
plastic waste production and reuse their items.
This picture shows an urban advanced city full of lights through an airplane window. Light pollution refers to excessive
artificial light, especially at night time. This excessive use of artificial light is a result of the invention of the light bulb, by
Thomas Edison in 1879, which will eventually cause light pollution throughout the world to drastically increase compared
to prior when the light bulb was invented. Artifical lights disturbs the balance between natural light and dark. Animals
are confused, migration patterns are changed, and sleep patterns for humans are also disturbed among other negative
effects on the wildlife and ecosystem. Artificial light as shown thoroughly in this picture wastes energy, contributing to
greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. “Light pollution also has energy waste and economic costs, as well
as effects on human health and safety.” This quote signifies the energy waste and the negative impacts on the
environment light pollution has, by affecting the safety of human and animal health. In essence, our very own existence is
decaying from its very own origin. Light pollution has increased dramatically as a result of industrialization. The amount
of artificial light on an environment has increased as a result of widespread usage of electrical lights and the growth of
cities. These lights use energy, which increases the harm done to an environment by greenhouse gas emissions as well as
climate change.
This picture shows a car exhausting gas into the atmosphere, a major factor for the cause of poor air quality leading to air
pollution. Due to the release of dangerous pollutants such as the gas exhausted in the picture above, vehicle emissions
play a key role in environmental issues. These contaminants, such as nitrogen oxids and particular matter, have a severe
impact on not only the environment but on human health. It also impacts climate change by increasing global
temperatures and releasing greenhouse gasses, mainly carbon dioxide. “Over the past 50 years, the average global
temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. And experts see the trend in accelerating.” This quote by
the Natural Resources Defense Council states similar to what has been said. This problem is global, not just in specific
populated regions as stated in the quote. Fossil fueled powered vehicles are a key contributor to environmental
degradation due to their widespread use and continuous operations in urban areas, which has significantly increased
emissions. Air pollution is a result of industrialization due to the fact that industrialization has led to an increase of
urbanization and urban transportation, significantly depending on cars which lead to poor air quality and atmospheric
pollution. These 2 signs of industrialization impact the environment. Historical events such as the Clean Air Act, enacted
in 1963 declared to set standards for vehicle emissions to provide more importance towards air pollution to improve the
air quality and the health of all the people. Despite the success of the Clean Air Act, air pollution still remains as the
biggest environmental issue globally by acts such as cars exhausting gas.
National Geographic Society. “Light Pollution | National Geographic Society.” Education.nationalgeographic.org, 16 July 2022, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-pollution.
Avellar, Justin. “Car Emissions Are a Major Source of Pollution - Justin Avellar.” Law.lclark.edu, 18 Dec. 2020, law.lclark.edu/live/blogs/156-car-emissions-are-a-major-source-of-pollution-.s
Congress.gov, https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/3030. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.
Ramirez, Rachel. “Single-Use Plastic Is Wreaking Havoc on the Planet. Here’s What You Can Do to Minimize Your Impact.” CNN, 16 Sept. 2022,
Sources