Category: Environment

Points for and against noise pollution is a real threat

• Depends on living environment (busy road/noisy neighbours/apartment living/flight paths/night-time noise/dog barking)
• Noise pollution is a real threat as it can cause stress/depression
• Whether the noise is constant or intermittent
• Whether there are any enforceable laws
• Examples from your country
• It could be that air pollution is a greater threat, particularly in large cities (wearing protective masks)
• Some people might think noise enhances ‘quality of life’ (night-club/sporting events)
• Depends on personal tolerance

Points for/against importance of species’ preservation.

• Their edibility; good for the environment, improve animal welfare, reduces the risk of disease in humans
• Reduces the need to provide animal feed
• Insects produce more protein at a lower cost both to the environment and to our pocket
• To feed cattle we need grain, fertiliser, land, and water
• Insects can be fed with our own waste products
• Importance of species’ preservation can help to reduce greenhouse gases
• Insects do not require an abundance of water
• Improvement in animal welfare – killing insects humanely is easy
• We do not have so much in common with insects as other species – therefore reduced risk of disease – swine flu, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease etc.
• Danger of ingesting pesticides
• Dealing with the disgust factor
• Pollination
• Dealing with the mosquito
• Good for food security
• Antibacterial properties of honey
• The venom of a tarantula is more environmentally effective than conventional insecticides
• Centipede venom as an alternative to morphine

Points for environmental initiative that could be taken

• More can be done, particularly in developing countries, for example: animal hygiene (the cause of recent pandemics.)
• Pandemic preparedness has made good progress in recent years thanks to partnerships at regional and global levels which keep early warning communication channels open. Thus authorities in different parts of the world can heed warnings on possible causes for concern.
• Environmental initiative that could be taken are that Pharmaceutical companies are geared up to finding speedy answers to various viruses, albeit at a considerable cost which may not be affordable to developing countries.
• Efforts at the national level to meet health crises will vary because of awareness, organisation and financial clout and should be closely geared to international monitoring.

Is it true that Growing demand for air travel puts pressure on our environment

• Escalation of air travel over the last 30 years (airports have to expand to
keep up with demand)
• Budget airlines and flying incentive schemes
• Almost global coverage by air
• Emissions of carbon dioxide, heat and other particulates from aircraft
have increased in recent years
• Environmental pollution at ground level around airports is more
concentrated due to associated transport networks
• Contributes to enhanced global warming
• Latest aircraft are fitted with more environmentally friendly engines
• Major resistance to airport expansion
• Perhaps we should embrace the fact that the world is accessible to
everyone
• Allows tourism/economic development in low-income countries
• Airports are often built in remote areas
• Growing demand for air travel also leads to the creation of jobs
• Response to the statement should show balance but also make an
assessment of ‘how we should respond’, after weighing up all the
arguments.