The Environment Is Losing Against Politics
A Call to Action: Confronting Environmental Degradation and the Politics That Enable It
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat loss; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment that is perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. As indicated by the I = PAT equation, environmental impact (I), or degradation, is caused by the combination of an already large and growing human population (P), continually increasing economic growth or per capita affluence (A), and the application of resource-depleting and polluting technology (T).
Over the last 48 years, the environment we knew as children has changed dramatically. It began with subtle changes to water sources and then quickly escalated into landscapes marked by damaged wetlands, toxic skies, and unpredictable weather patterns. Protecting remaining resources is no longer the priority; instead, polluting companies are often favored, many of which continue reckless dumping practices that contribute to the depletion of natural resources. The result of this negligence has been nationwide tragedies, from dying trees to the complete loss of vital habitats.
Despite the rise of environmental organizations and advocates fighting for our precious water, air, and land, a massive barrier to meaningful progress remains: politics. Whenever there is a dispute between environmental advocates and major corporations such as big oil or large pharmaceutical companies, corporations often prevail. Mother Earth’s time is running out, and we must act to prevent further damage to our planet.
When I was a little girl, I woke to the sounds of nature filling my ears. I walked through forests and fields covered in colorful flowers and remarkable creatures, from majestic monarch butterflies to joyful hummingbirds. My hobbies included birdwatching and catching caterpillars, helping them transform into breathtaking works of art.
However, due to politically driven compliance policies implemented by agencies such as the EPA and FDA, there has been a continuous stream of oil and chemical spills, animal deformities, and alarmingly high cancer rates among children. The working class is slowly being harmed by tainted water and food supplies. The very agencies that claim their sole concern is environmental protection are often criticized for corruption, regulatory capture, and unethical practices. Policies intended to protect the environment frequently fall short of their goals. It is time to critically examine these institutions and ensure that regulation truly serves the public and the planet.
Water Degradation
Water degradation is caused by extreme pollution, diversion, and depletion by industries seeking increased profit and investment. These actions result in widespread drinking water contamination across the country. Contaminated sites expose millions of Americans to harmful chemical and pharmaceutical pollutants.
The Clean Water Act of 1972, implemented two years after the establishment of the EPA, grants authority to regulate pollution and set wastewater standards for industries. While this may sound promising, critics argue that enforcement has not always been consistent or sufficient. How many people have suffered — and in some cases died — before accountability was enforced? Environmental protections continue to face political and economic pressures, leaving communities to confront increasingly severe consequences with each passing year.
My question to all of you is this: What will we do when there is nothing left?
References
- Environmental Degradation
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation
- World Population Growth (Lin-Log Scale)
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_population_growth_(lin-log_scale).png
- Water Pollution in the Wairarapa, New Zealand
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_pollution_in_the_Wairarapa.JPG
- Acid Mine Drainage Stream, Anglesey
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AngleseyCopperStream.jpg
