Running Head: HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
How Environmental Pollution Affects the Livelihood
Los Angeles Cal State University
Markeisha Stallion
Soc 3910
Mary Kathleen Dingeman-Cerda
November 20, 2017
(Markeisha Stallion) can be reached at mstalli2@calstatela.edu. Markeisha Stallion would like
to express her appreciation for mentorship from Mary Kathleen Dingeman-Cerda
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HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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Introduction
Currently, water pollution is an issue that is developing. Does water pollution have effects? If so,
what are its implications? Are there measures to stop water pollution? I will analyze the subject
of water pollution, its environmental effects, and effective resolutions to prevent its worsening. A
vast amount of the human populace and infrastructure is located along one of humans’ highly
cherished resources, better distinguished as State beaches or the coastline. Water pollution is
now a wide-spread issue due in part to natural occurrences such as red tides, downpours, and
hurricanes. Unnatural causes that are witnessed near rivers, lagoon, beaches, and seas include but
are not limited to: sugar mills next to the coast, edible waste dumped into the sea by restaurant
operators, trash left behind from picnics, fish food, and seafood waste by fishermen cleaning
their catch along the shoreline.
To examine the environmental effects of water pollution on the livelihood, I conducted two
interviews, one in Sana Monica Beach, the other in Redondo Beach. The purpose of both
interviews was to garner information on how environmental pollution affects the livelihood with
the primary focus being water pollution. In both cases, water pollution affects individual wellbeing as it causes sicknesses that cause diseases. Furthermore, the contamination causes threats
to swimmers from harmful alga bloom, contaminated runoff, and incidents of disease, economic
impacts since polluted water put vocational revenue at risk and marine life which is the most
affected as they depend on nutrients in the water for survival.
HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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Literature Review
Pollution is classified as the introduction of hazardous pollutants that exist outside the norm for a
certain environment (Novotny, 1994). Common human-made contaminants that reach the ocean
consist of herbicides, sewage, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and plastics. Quandaries of these
contaminants accumulate at the sea’s depths and are ultimately ingested by marine organisms
and eventually introduced into the universal food chain. The first to experience the ill effects of
water pollution is the marine life, as they rely on the nutrients located in water for survival (Van
Dolah, 2000). Consequently, we are deprived of distinctive species of fish and striking sea
corals. Aside from tarnishing our marine heritage, the annihilation of marine life will affect the
livelihood of fishermen, not to mention our source of food.
This irresponsible act contaminates our drinking water and results in serious health problems and
sometimes can culminate in death (Wang, 1998). The outcome of this ignorance has a
devastating effect on marine life along with their habitat. Thereby, the intricate equilibrium
between marine creatures and their habitats can potentially modify our oceans forever (Van
Dolah, 2000). Our very subsistence is dependent on the ocean. For years upon years, humans
have been polluting our cosmic reserve of oceans, never thinking it will cause them harm.
Regrettably, they were mistaken. Our waterways and oceans are now a venomous playground for
sewage, garbage, and chemicals.
Without oceans, the Earth will be unbelievably hot, and consequently not enough breathable
air (Benson, 2000). The instantaneous significance to stop our oceans destruction is clear. Not
only are our oceans essential to our climate, but they also supply us with jobs, food, and
recreation. The consequences of man’s neglect are apparent, from the devastating oil spills that
cost billions yearly to clear out to the extermination of unique sea creatures like whales to
HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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garbage washing up on the shorelines (Benson, 2000). In various regions, the disregard is so
significant that total cleanup is unattainable.
Polluted beach water affects coastal economies in addition to making swimmers sick. Illnesses
linked to polluted beach water include skin rashes, respiratory infections, stomach flu, hepatitis
and meningitis (Heaney, 2009). Additionally, financial impacts are also experienced. Economists
have projected that a typical swimming day is valued at roughly $35 per visitor; therefore, the
daily economic loss on which the beach is under advisory or closed for water quality problems
can be rather significant (Austin, 2007). Polluted beach water is accompanied by health risks
caused by disease-causing known as pathogens (Cheung, 1990). Sensitive populations such as
the elderly, children, or those with weak immune systems are particularly at risk for long-term
effects.
Every year, Americans make nine-hundred trips and above to coastal areas. In fact, lakes,
beaches, and rivers constitute to top vocational destinations nationwide (Austin, 2007).
Vacationers spend about $44 billion yearly during these coastal trips. The nation’s shoreline
threw in an estimated $6 trillion towards the nation’s gross domestic product and created 47
million jobs (Austin, 2007). Polluted waters put these revenues at risk thus impacting the local
economies in the form of lost tourist dollars and the jobs they support.
Pollution matters since it harms the environment in which individuals depend. The
environment is not separate and secluded from our lives. It is not an attractive shoreline far from
our homes neither is it a wilderness landscape we only view on TV. The environment is all that
surrounds us and giving us health and life. Annihilating the environment eventually lowers the
quality of our existence, and that most inconsiderately, is why pollution should matter to each of
us.
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Methods
Population
The target population for this research consists of lifeguards
Sample
I selected my subjects using the purposive sampling method in which I used my judgment to
select subjects that I considered representatives of the populace. I interviewed four individuals
two from Redondo Beach (a lifeguard and the other a student) and two from Sana Monica Beach
(a lifeguard and a student lifeguard). In both cases, the interviews were face to face and each ran
for thirty minutes. The questions were the same in both interviews. I used qualitative research
method as it was efficient for my sample size which was small (four individuals), and data
collection involved an interview and observation.
Limitations
Although I prepared this research carefully, I am still aware of its shortcomings and limitations.
First, the experimental grouping is small. Only four individuals were selected which might not
represent a majority of the population. Second, since the interview was conducted by me, it is
unavoidable that in this study, certain degrees of subjectivity can be found.
HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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Findings
Beach pollution comes from solid wastes such as plastic bags, bottles, picnic plates, and cigarette
butts left behind by people. Additionally, stormwater runoff, accidental oil spills, polluted runoff
from farms, cities, and roads, and aging sewage treatment all contribute to water pollution. Water
in both beaches (Sana Monica Beach and Redondo Beach) is yellow and brown. The beach was
originally clean when some lifeguards started working, but as time progressed, they started
noticing excessive amounts of trash, drinks leaking into the sand, trash left behind by students
who party on the beach. From both cases, chemical waste, floating plastic bottles and bags are
factors adding on to the water pollution.
Additionally, humans are the leading contributors to water pollution as they consciously,
voluntarily and purposely leave trash behind. People’s activities at the beach cause localized
beach pollution. Even though local councils regularly collect debris and litter at beaches during
summer, it is beyond the resources of most councils to frequently clean up recreational beaches.
The water is unsafe for human consumption as well as for swimming. Toxic fumes from the food
shops also contribute to the pollution. Furthermore, the branches and leaves falling into the
water, the bike rides along the beach, oil spillage from boats, offshore drilling, ocean-going
tankers, and illegal dumping.
Most of the debris found in the ocean does not completely decompose thus remaining in the
ocean for years. It utilizes oxygen as it degrades. Like this, oxygen levels go down. When this
happens, the chances of survival for marine animals like dolphins, turtles, whales, and sharks go
down.
HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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Discussion and Conclusion
The causes of sea pollution are chemical pollution, oil spillage, and sewage. This, in turn, has
many effects namely marine pollution, water quality, and hypoxia. Furthermore, human health
and the country’s economy are also affected by sea pollution. Many governments implement
laws that help minimize water pollution. These laws are typically directed at hospitals, industries
and market areas on how to manage, dispose and treat sewage. As citizens, we must cooperate
with the government and take a narrative in refusing plastic whenever possible. Additionally, we
can minimize pollution by reducing our single use of single-use plastic, recycling, support a bag
tax or ban, and wean ourselves off disposable plastics.
HOW ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD
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References
Austin, J. C., Anderson, S. T., Courant, P. N., & Litan, R. E. (2007). Healthy waters, strong
economy: the benefits of restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem. Washington, DC:
Brookings Institution.
Benson, K., Kocagil, P., & Shortle, J. (2000). Climate change and health in the Mid-Atlantic
Region. Climate Research, 14(3), 245-253.
Benson, K., Kocagil, P., & Shortle, J. (2000). Climate change and health in the Mid-Atlantic
Region. Climate Research, 14(3), 245-253.
Cheung, W. H. S., Chang, K. C. K., Hung, R. P. S., & Kleevens, J. W. L. (1990). Health effects
of beach water pollution in Hong Kong. Epidemiology & Infection, 105(1), 139-162.
Heaney, C. D., Sams, E., Wing, S., Marshall, S., Brenner, K., Dufour, A. P., & Wade, T. J.
(2009). Contact with beach sand among beachgoers and risk of illness. American journal
of epidemiology, 170(2), 164-172.
Novotny, V. (1994). Water quality: prevention, identification, and management of diffuse
pollution. Van Nostrand-Reinhold Publishers.
Van Dolah, F. M. (2000). Marine algal toxins: origins, health effects, and their increased
occurrence. Environmental health perspectives, 108(Suppl 1), 133.
Wang, G. Y. (1998). An epidemiological study of possible adverse health effects of swimming in
Santa Monica Bay. In California and the World Ocean'97: Ocean Resources: An Agenda
for the Future(pp. 869-875). ASCE.
PRESENTATION
Congratulations, you are a burgeoning sociologist!
You are to prepare for an academic presentation of 5-7 minutes in length. You will compose a slideshow presentation
and offer a rehearsed oral report from at least one of your three projects. The presentation will be offered in a
roundtable format. Each table will be equipped with a laptop to offer your slideshow. A timekeeper will be assigned.
Each presentation & slideshow will include the following: 1) Introduction, 2) Lit Review, 3) Methods, 4) Findings,
and 5) Discussion/Conclusion. The presentation will conclude with a 3-minute Q & A session with your peers.
As with the scholarly community, you will be assessed through peer-review. Students of your assigned roundtable
will listen, take notes, and ask questions. They will each complete a copy of the rubric below and your default grade
will be the average of the scores. I will provide an additional level of review and reserve the right to alter your score
depending on my comprehensive assessment of: 1) peer reviews, 2) slideshow, and 3) a written rebuttal from you.
.
Rubric
*20 points possible; 10% of final grade*
Introduction - 3 points
Compelling hook & framing - 1 point
Research question - 1 point
Statement of key finding and/or argument - 1 point
Methods - 4 points
Sampling method - 1 point
Data collection methods - 1 point
Data analysis methods - 1 point
Statement of strengths & weaknesses - 1 point
Literature Review - 3 points
Discussion of literature is included - 1 point
Literature clearly relates to research question - 1 point
Review of literature successfully "makes space" for the study - 1 point
Findings - 4 points
Findings of at least one of the three projects are included - 1 point
Main findings are supported with empirical evidence from project (i.e. quotes) - 3 points
Discussion/Conclusion - 3 points
Summary of findings included - 1 point
Discussion of relationship of findings to broader research question - 1 point
Discussion of future research ideas and/or plans - 1 point
Presentation - 3 points
The slideshow included all necessary components - 1 point
The slideshow was visually appealing - 1 point
Student was prepared, composed, and articulate during presentation and Q & A-1 point
*A deduction may be assigned for presentations over or under 5-7 minutes. What was the length?
Qualitative Assessment:
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