Summary:
When most people think of innocent people being killed, they think of murders or terrorism. However, toxic pollution has become a huge problem in our country and around the world, and is claiming many lives. According to the Clean Air Task Force and Harvard University, every year in the US, between 13,000 and 34,000 lives are lost due to the toxic chemicals released into the environment by coal plants. These harmful emissions also cause other health effects such as asthma attacks,heart attacks, respitory diseases, birth deffects, and many more. This results in Taxpayers dishing out nearly 500 billion dollars per year to pay for the damaging effects of this extremely harmful pollution. Chicago is home to two very old coal plants that release high levels of toxins into the air to to their ancient technology. The death toll from these toxins in the city of Chicago alone is about 40 people per year. Even worse, these power plants are generating power for places in the east coast and California. These plants are sicken
ing the people of Chicago and helping them in no way. Chicago is suffering the destructive effects of these dirty energy sources, and not recieveing any of the profit.Picture:
Crawford coal fired plant, which is one of the power plants mentioned in the article. Due to its old age, it is extremely dirty and the cause of much of the pollution in Chicago.
Reflection:
I knew that pollution could make people sick, butt i didn't know that it actually did! I do not understand how this is legal. If these toxic pollutants are causing such widespread sickness and even death, why are they still being released into the environment? It kind of makes me angry that the government lets these companies get away with murder...literally. This reminds me of the topic we've been discussing almost everyday in class lately, the Donora smog. The companies in Donora that were releasing so many chemicals from the zinc smelting plants and got away with it. It’s outrageous that these companies can get away with this. The government needs to step up and do something about it?
I knew that pollution could make people sick, butt i didn't know that it actually did! I do not understand how this is legal. If these toxic pollutants are causing such widespread sickness and even death, why are they still being released into the environment? It kind of makes me angry that the government lets these companies get away with murder...literally. This reminds me of the topic we've been discussing almost everyday in class lately, the Donora smog. The companies in Donora that were releasing so many chemicals from the zinc smelting plants and got away with it. It’s outrageous that these companies can get away with this. The government needs to step up and do something about it?
Questions:
- Does this article change your views and opinions about air pollution? How?
- Were you aware of these devastating health affects?
- Why do you think the government doesn't take more action against air pollution?
- How do you think your opinion about air pollution would be different if you were living in Chicago and suffering because of these coal plants?
- What are some ways to fix the health issues caused by this pollution?
Source:
- Title- In Chicago, Coal Is The Real Crime
- Author- Phil Radford
- Date- May 24th, 2011
- URL- http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/in-chicago-coal-is-the-real-crime/blog/34899
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