Environmental Degradation and Pollution: Research Paper

Introduction

Since the industrial revolution of the 19^th century, human industrial activities have increased drastically and spread virtually to every part of the world. Through these activities, humans have been able to achieve advancements in every aspect of life, which have improved the quality of life and capacity to survive. However, human activities have also had a negative impact on the long-term wellbeing of humans and other species that inhabit the planet. These activities have contributed to the pollution and degradation of the environment, alteration of earth’s climate,and elimination of natural habitats for animals and plants, which have reduced the planet’s capacity to provide clean water and air, maintain a conducive climate, conserve and regenerate fertile soil, and preserve all forms of biological life. According to recent studies, environmental factors are increasingly becoming of significant influence on human health (). The fact that environmental pollution has become a factor in the health and general wellbeing of humans explains why it has been declared to be an issue of global concern. Urban populations are the most affected by pollution, where it is seen to cause the most damage, especially because of the dense populations that characterize most cities and towns (). In poor countries, pollution has caused even worse damage because of their less sophisticated systems of management. For instance, research has shown that most of the water used in third world countries for irrigation is contaminated with compounds and chemicals (). These chemicals end up creating long-term problems in the form of development of lifelong health problems, disorders, and healthcare burdens in areas that already lack standard medical care and capacity to deal with these effects. This is just one of the numerous problems that have been created by environmental pollution.

In the wake of increased global awareness and varied reactions from different regions, it is important to understand the many facets of this issue. This paper seeks to identify various forms of pollution, the factors that influence environmental pollution, and the impacts of this phenomenon. Besides, this paper will examine some of the themes and topics that have come up as a result of environmental pollution, including but not limited to inequities among nations, varying levels of commitment, and the influence of transnational corporations. At the end of this paper, the author hopes to have provided comprehensive coverage of the issue, while identifying what needs to be done in the fight against environmental pollution and its subsequent impacts.

Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation is defined as the process through which the environment deteriorates over time as a result of its resources such as soil, air, water, and ecosystems getting destroyed. Degradation is said to have occurred when the environment becomes damaged to the extent where it cannot maintain its capacity to sustain life and a stable ecosystem. Human activities are the main factor behind environmental degradation in the 21^st century. However, degradation can occur naturally as a result of natural events such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions. The most concerning aspects of degradation are the depletion of the ozone layer, destruction of marine ecosystems, smog, and air pollution, and loss of rain forests..

Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is a phenomenon that takes place when harmful substances are released to the environment. The primary cause of infection is human activities, which contribute to most of the infection across the world. However, the infection can also be attributed to natural causes. Infection can be classified into several categories based on the type of agent and the part of the environment it is directed to. In this regard, there are about three main types of pollution, i.e., noise pollution, air pollution, and water pollution.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is defined as the contamination of air through the release of particulate matter, smoke, gas, and other substances. Air pollution can also occur as a result of waste that is left in the air during manufacturing and other production processes that generate heat and energy.

Intellectual property has been, for long, considered as a national security problem to the United States (Halbert 2016). The capital of intellect is a huge problem for the security of a nation when the fake goods are sold to the united state. When used, they do not perform the task accordingly, thus causing chaos throughout government communication. When using the software that has been pirated, it can allow the hacking into the computers belonging to the state, thus acquiring much of the data considered to be a secret and even confidential classified data. When the state purchases counterfeit military machines, it will be hard for the militants to respond to terror cases and thus to put the public into risk. The internet can also be hacked and used to sell illegal weapons to the state. The state can handle this by ensuring that everything is kept in safe hands for the safety of the United States citizens. The government should also develop strategies for catching those using the internet to sell counterfeit products. Through this, there will be an assurance of national security.

Question ii

In the past, it was not considered a crime to enter the U.S without authority. Immigrants who had not gone through an entry point considered official could be deported by the authorities. The stepthat prompted the control of the border was the trafficking of gun and alcohol and keeping away the immigrants from Asia who might have tried to enter the state through Mexico. Immigrants from Asia were the first groups of people to be taken as illegal immigrants (Zhou & Bankston 2017). This contributed to the formation of an act that banned all the immigrants Asia from entering the state. However, people started moving into the U.S as immigrants from the east and south part of Europe, and this was not well welcomed by the state. However, immigrants from the north and west were considered more than those from the south and east part of the continent. Terror attacks were the main things that lead to the offensive control of the border as one tactic of handling terrorism.

The united state agriculture industry looked upon Mexicans to provide labor on her agriculture industry. Since this was of benefit to the state law was passed and stated that the immigrant who would not cross the border would be considered to be a criminal and would pay some fee and submit to the tests. Points of entry were far from each other, and because of many reasons, the immigrants continued to enter the border in a similar way that the united state and citizens from Mexico had done for many years. The biggest attack that the united state experienced the terrors had entered through her border, and this subjected the state to seek convenient ways of protecting its security. The entry fee was only high for the workers who came from Mexico. Since the immigrants from Mexico were believed to be carrying diseases on their bodies, they were entitled to bathing with kerosene. They were believed to contain diseases that would be transmitted to the whites, thus scaring their security in their own state.

Later, the law was passed, which was contained in the united state code that it would be a crime for some individuals to cross the border to the state. One who could cross the border as an immigrant would be charged fine or serve in prison. This law was applicable to all immigrants though the main aim was to stop immigration from Mexico where guns and alcohol could be transported from. After the law was established, the number of immigrants declined. The aim of the border offensive was to control terror attacks where terror entered the state in the form of immigrants. The immigrants could be considered as draining the state economy, too, since they could not be counted as the citizens of the state. This also prompted the border control offensive where they could pay to enter the state. President Trump has also worked in maintaining immigration procedures. This has contributed to the security and growth of the state through ensuring the laws are followed by those who wish to enter the united state as an immigrant. Those who fail to adhere to the laws are considered immigrants and handled as criminals though it’s difficult to provide security to the borders that are far away from the united state as ensured enough security at its entry points.

QUESTION iii

Smart borders refer to communication and information technology that allows the de-territorialized border controls. In the united state, they are cameras and sensors along the line between the united state and Mexican border. They usually consist of biometric, systems of information sharing, and database, which helps in security purposes in developed countries. A smart borders system was established by a commission from the European and gave a suggestion on the importance of having an entry and exit system and a registered traveler program. This was seen to be of help in improving the management of the borders from outside and to improve on the fight against the immigrants and also give information about those who have overstayed in the society. This helped in improving the security of the state since the attacks declined as the issue of immigrant entry was dealt with accordingly.

The United States and Canada have agreed to start similar standards for the biometric identifiers, which will enable to identify an individual through the information contained in the technical card. Issuing of permanent resident cards also to the immigrants was a way of ensuring that there was no moving in and out of the state. An advanced system of traveling where the passengers’ information could be contained in a given record, thus maintaining the security and privacy of an individual. Those who could enter the state from Mexico could only be allowed if they had all registered documents that could reflect on the records. Through this, the war came to an end since the immigrants could not have access to the entry point. The agreement between Canada and the united state ensured that there was the protection of the infrastructure, which was done critically.

Smart border ensured that there were systems of transportation that were intelligent. This means that the automatic identification of the system at the port which uses a global position system that helps in allowing effectiveness monitoring of ships. The smart border commission also agreed on finding of individuals believed to be terrors and hence freezing their assets. This would help in reducing war attacks since the weapons to be used in the attack will have been demolished. The main aim of the smart border was to establish a cooperative environment between the two countries. Recently Trump administration argued about the smart edges in that it would help in keeping away the drug dealers and the immigrants. They believed that immigration that is not authorized was a significant threat to the state security that had to be addressed through the administration of the smart borders. However, some opposed this saying that it was an expensive task, and it was not right to deny immigrants access to the united state so as to escape poverty from their own countries. However, the case being addressed was the issue of the attacks and drug trafficking.

Question IV

Security of the smart port relies on the task of the act of SAFE port so as to enable risk-based measures of security occurring overseas before the threat arrives at the shore of the port. They put much emphasis on the importance of strong collaboration conditions between the border protection and custom and also the coast U.S secure in helping the duties of security port and prepare the security of maritime work of the allies that are trusted. The secretary of the maritime would conduct an assessment of the type of vessels, and the state would establish the ones that are of high risk to be included in transportation security. Marine transportation was in charge of ensuring there is personnel for responding to the security incident. The act established criteria with procedures to be followed so as to ensure effective identification so as to avoid transportation security incidents. Smart port-security ensured that one was verified before having to enter the port, which enabled a big improvement of the security within the state. The commission ensured that all standards were met before involving in any port business.

The SAFE port act has helped in enhancing security at the U.S ports (Grillot& Cruise 2016). This is ensured through providing risk funds from the port security program, which helps in strengthening the United States port against terror attacks and also strengthening the capabilities to respond back to the attacks and continue with the operations. It also ensures that the employees’ portals that operate using radiation are secured from any harmful effect of using radiation detection items. The security of the employee is supposed to be maintained first since they are the ones to handle the security cases when they arise. SAFE also helps in avoiding threats from occurring in the united state. It has helped in protecting and tracking containers whose routes are to the united state. Being able to track containers ending to the united state carrying weapons or even explosives is a good way of protecting the American ports. This enables the handle of the containers before even nearing the maritime ports, thus keeping the state ports safe. The realization of containers carrying terror weapons and explosives from far will discourage other terror attacks with a similar idea since they will have the idea of tight security around the port.

The security strategy of the small vessels is made to control risks that are connected to be capable misuse of small vessels by terror attacks in America’s port. It’s known that the small vessels are commonly used by terrorists to carry weapons or explosive products aiming to destroy the U.S maritime ports. The united state homeland security department established the security strategy of small vessels so as to close security gaps and depreciate risks that are associated with exploitations that are potential of small maritime vessels. Terror attacks usually aim at blowing the assets found at the maritime belonging to the state, which is worth many dollars (Shemella 2016).  The act ensured that the owners of the small vessels within the state were unified in abolishing the terror attack within the maritime. Owners of small vessels within the state could maintain the rules of the port so as to ensure the smooth running of the port and assured them of collaborating in dealing with attacks. Small vessels would be used to transport waterborne improvised devices and weapons, which would lead to the mass destruction of the united state. The purpose of this strategy was to ensure that there was a developed partnership among the small vessel stakeholders so as to promote cooperation, communication between the private and public sectors and also among the partners from the outside. The marine transportation security act as ensured that tight security has been maintained within the maritime.

Question V

There was a big difference between the outside border of the united state and the new Europe. European concept enabled her workers to settle and move freely in any state that was related to Europe (Ruhs 2017). Mexico and the united state could not allow this move because of the criminal factor that is found in Mexico. However, when there were threats concerning security within Europe, they could use the same security measures to those of the United States to deal with the situation. The united state used the smart borders to deal away with the immigrants, and the European Union also employed the smart borders to deal with illegal migrants who were not from any European countries. To both, the issue of immigration is treated as a security problem of any given country. The United States has authority over the migration policies, which limits the number of immigrants while in Europe lacks political unity, which would help in forming such authorities. Another difference between the united states and Europe falls on the religion which the immigrants believed in. Immigrants who moved into the united state came from the southern border, which mainly consisted of Christians. On the other hand, those that were entering Europe were from the northern borders and mainly were Muslims. These differences brought about the rise of wars.

The similarity that applies both to the united state and Europe is that of smart borders (Sullivan 2019). This had a positive impact on border security since there were certain standards that were supposed to be met to enter the border. Rules of immigration were introduced, which enabled control of the immigrant troops to both Europe and the United States. This helped in promoting security since the terror attacks, which were experienced as a result of the immigrant invasion, came to an end—thus promoting a state with complete security, which contributes to the improvement of the state’s economy. Both the united state and Europe used the same tactics of handling attacks, which were more reliable. This made the states to defeat the terrors in their attacks and help in allowing the continuation of operations as usual. Having good security within the state assures its individuals of safety and thus ensuring economic growth.

However, the difference that had a negative impact on border security is the issue of cooperation. The united state had a more organized government that worked in unity compared to that of Europe. Working in unity helps in achieving the best results, but working in separation will not help in generating ideas about handling the problem. Europe could experience more attacks than Mexico since they had no political unity within their continent (Grygiel 2016). This affected border security negatively, thus forcing people to immigrate to occupy other places where they were safe. Political instability leads to the rise of insecurity with various borders and thus causing the draining of the economy. When the economy depreciates, it affects the living standards of people forcing them to move from hostile conditions. Any government should work in unity with its components so as to achieve a common goal. However, when differences arise within the government and the issue of security, it will lead to its deterioration, making the terrors win against the state. Political differences bring division within a state and thus allowing some associate with the terrors and help them in depreciating the borders security.