A modest proposal outline

A Modest Proposal Outline: Solution for Pollution

I. Introduction: The Problem

a. Air pollution, the introduction of substances such as chemicals into the atmosphere, has severe effects on the environment, the atmosphere, and living organisms.

i. Causes approximately 2 million premature deaths worldwide a year[1]

ii. Severe effects on health: high rates of pneumonia, lung cancer, asthma, etc.

iii. More random facts/statistics

b. The majority of the pollutants in the atmosphere come from anthropogenic sources (human activity)

i. CO/ CO₂ emissions, Particulate matter, Sulfur oxides: produced by combustion of fuel (burning fossil fuels), industrial processes, power plants, etc…

II. Solution:

a. Since we can only control the anthropogenic sources of air pollution, we should begin by focusing on the major sources of air pollution: factories

b. All factory chimney’s should be remodeled so that reach into the ground instead of into the air à pollutants don’t get released into the atmosphere

c. Underground hospitals should be built à all exhausts from the chimney would be released into said hospital rooms

d. Terminally ill people suffering from illnesses that were the result of pollution (lung cancer, pneumonia, etc) would be sent to those hospitals; they would be supplied with enough morphine to numb all the pain they experience

e. As a result, air pollution would be reduced drastically, meaning that death rates due to air pollution would also be reduced.

f. At the same time, it becomes a lot cheaper to treat the terminally ill, as they die off quickly instead of having to be on life support for a long time

g. The medical industry would not suffer, however, because there would be a much higher demand for morphine and other painkillers

III. Conclusion

a. Economic benefit

b. Decrease in air pollution

c. Decrease in deaths related to air pollution

Bibliography

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/index.html , 6.09.09

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[1] WHO Air quality and Health