Air Pollution in Utah Essay Example

Since I was young, I have been an ardent lover of the natural world. In its pristine state, the natural world promises good health and long life. However, pollution of the environment is a negative factor that is threatening the very existence of humanity in this world.

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A few weeks ago, I visited a local library in the Salt Lake City to learn more about the extent of air pollution in Utah. I was lucky to find a wide collection of journals, books, magazines and other resources on the subject of air pollution in the state. Although some of these resources were very recent, most of them were a few decades old. Thus, I got a good historical perspective on the dynamics of air pollution in Utah.

One of the journals published by researchers from Brigham Young University suggested that increased air pollution in Utah might be killing the older adults in the state. The article indicated that even slight exposure to pollutants in the air caused a significant increase in the number of deaths among the senior citizens. It was shocking, especially because my grandparents fall into the vulnerable age group and are always exposed to Utah's polluted air.

I realized that the article by the Brigham Young researchers was the latest publication in a series of several research findings that have been heralded as proof that Utah and several other states need to act tough on air pollution.

I engaged one of the curators in the library, who I realized was an expert in environmental conservation. He took me through the various causes of air pollution in the state, the nature of the main pollutants involved, and the efforts being made by the government and other stakeholders to mitigate the problem. Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are the main cause of air pollution in Utah. These emissions come from vehicles, manufacturing industries, and power facilities.

My research showed that Utah has a large concentration of industries that emit huge quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each day. I visited one of the industrial zones in the city and was shocked at the amount of grey smoke billowing into the sky. Soot particles and tiny dust released into the air can blend to form potentially hazardous materials that can have negative effects on human health.

I engaged another expert who had this to say:

"There is no magic formula for resolving the problem of air pollution. It has turned into a mega-crisis, which will soon consume all of us unless swift remedial actions are taken. Everybody from the government, private sector organizations and individuals need to be involved in drafting and implementing long-term and sustainable solutions."

I sought to know if the current measures being taken by the government have been effective in minimizing air pollution. I found that although the government has been consistent in encouraging corporations and the public to limit the burning of fossil fuels, no significant gains have been achieved. More specifically, the levels of air pollution in some parts of Utah State have either remained constant or increased over the past two decades. It probably explains why older adults are dying of lung and heart-related complications.

Conclusion

As a resident of Utah, I feel that I am responsible for improving the quality of air I breathe. If I reduce the number of days I drive per week and encourage my friends to do so, we will surely create a clean air state. This is possible because change begins with an individual.