In the Dictionary of Physical geography air pollution is defined as;
‘If people had never evolved on this planet, the composition of the earth’s atmosphere would be different from what it is today. Therefore air pollution can be defined as the presence in the atmosphere of natural or human caused contaminates in a given quantity’.
With this definition, is the implication therefore that it is somewhat our faults as humans that the air pollution, especially that present in China, is such an environmental problem?
When looking at the main pollutants in china; car emissions, dust and dirt, energy consumption and industrial emissions, are the main contributors. All of these have one thing in common which is humans. If it wasn’t for humans, cars wouldn’t be used, energy wouldn’t be requires and goods would not need to be produced so industrial activities would not be occurring. So it is just since the industrial revolution that air pollution has been a problem resulting from humans?
From looking at a global ancient timeline of environmental problems at www.runet.edu, it can be seen that globally air pollution was present in ancient civilisations in large towns long before the industrial revolution. The air pollution here was caused by dust, wood smoke, tanneries and animal manure. Although this occurred a long time ago the same major contributor is present, which is humans.
Despite this, natural factors contributing to air pollution include; volcanic eruptions and dust storms (www.lenntech.com). These natural factors would occur even if humans were not present, but the impacts on air pollution are not as significant, long term or harmful as the impacts us as humans are causing.
Therefore air pollution would still be present even if we did not populate the earth, but the air pollution would not be anywhere near the extent it is today, especially the extent it is in China. So in mine, and most probably numerous other peoples opinion, it is our fault air pollution is the way it is, which means it is our responsibility, and China's, to reduce the air pollution.
References:
www.lenntech.com What causes air pollution www.lenntech.com/FAQ-air-pollution.htm. Viewed 26th March 2008
www.runet.edu. Environmental history timeline. BC to 1200AD. www.runet.edu/~wkovarik/envhist/ Viewed 26th March 2008
Thomas. D. G., and Goudie. A. (2004) The dictionary of physical geography. 3rd edition. Blackwell publishing.
