for upper-intermediate learners
Pollution is an environmental concern
for people throughout the world. One university study suggests that pollutants in
the water, air, and soil cause up to 40 percent of the premature deaths in the
world's population. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries.
Water in many third
world countries is contaminated with toxic chemicals,
also known as toxins. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.1
billion people have little or no access to clean water. In many of these
regions the water that is used for drinking, cooking, and washing is the same
water that is used for dumping sewage and hazardous
waste. Most developing countries cannot afford water treatment facilities.
Approximately 80% of infectious diseases in the world are caused by
contaminated water.
Air pollution is a growing problem throughout the world. Indoor air
pollution is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Families in developing
countries use open stoves for cooking and heating their homes. These homes do
not have proper ventilation. The smoke, which is full of chemicals
and carcinogens, gets trapped inside where families eat and sleep.
Outdoor pollution also causes disease and illness, especially in industrial cities
such as Beijing, China, where cancer is the leading cause of death. China
relies heavily on coal, which is considered the dirtiest source of energy.
According to the European Union, only 1% of urban dwellers in China breathe
clean air on an average day. Neighbouring countries including Japan and Korea
receive much of China's pollution in the form of acid rain. This
pollution results mainly from the coal powered factories, which produce
inexpensive goods for North American and European consumers. Outdoor air
pollution is also a concern in many wealthy countries. Those who live and work
in urban centres such as Los Angeles or Toronto experience many warm days
beneath a layer of smog.
As more people move
to urban centres, premature deaths caused by pollution are expected to increase
worldwide. Today, the developed nations who achieved their wealth at the
expense of the environment will be held accountable for protecting the earth's
resources for future generations.