The Effect of Population Growth on Pollution Amy L The Effect of Population Growth on Pollution Amy L. Green NSCI280 / Ecology April 18, 2017 Kathleen Overmeyer

How has the increase in population in the last 50 years affected the amount of plastic waste? Population growth has increased the amount of plastic waste. A higher quantity of people means more people use plastic. Technology has advanced, therefore there is more plastic being produced. People use “convenience items” more now than they did fifty years ago. A few examples of these items are plastic water bottles, plastic eating utensils and plastic grocery bags.

This graph shows how I feel population has grown in comparison to plastic pollution in the last 50 Years.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 2014), this is a graph depicting the increase in pollution in comparison to population throughout the years from 1960 to 2012

Conclusion: My hypothesis is very similar to the facts. The EPA shows that pollution has increased as the population has increased. (EPA, 2014) The EPA also states that plastic pollution is one of the largest issues of pollution today. (EPA, 2014) Plastic pollution is expected to continue to grow because many items in todays society are made with plastic. Some examples are medical equipment such as syringes, as many medical items are made with plastic because it is disposable. (Thompson, et al, 2009) Another reason for plastic pollution is fast paced times. People use plastic bags, plastic utensils, water bottles and throw them away because of convenience.

How has the number of crimes against the environment changed in the last 5 years? Environmental crime rates have decreased in recent years because there have been new laws associated with the environment. Some of these new laws include, but are not limited to the Safe Air Act, and the Safe Water Act. Persons convicted of environmental crimes are often sued for punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to deter the public from committing these crimes because the penalty is so high.

I believe environmental crimes are lowering because of environmental laws that impose huge fines to offenders.

This graph from the EPA shows Environmental crime rates have dropped in the last 5 years.

Conclusion: My hypothesis is partially correct. The amount of environmental crimes have dropped, but not in the proportions I assumed. The EPA states the amount of environmental crimes have considerably lowered because of the laws that have been put into place and the fines and fees associated with committing these crimes are very costly. (EPA,2016) Some types of environmental crimes are poaching, pollution of the air and water, timber theft and use of harmful chemicals like pesticides used for farming. (EPA,2016)

Why is this topic important? This topic is important because the worlds environment is in poor condition. The conditions in our environment are caused by quickly growing population rates, pollution and crime against our environment. This is important because if our acts aren’t changed, someday we will have no natural resources left. There will be no clean water, poor air quality, endangered species, no forests, and those are only to name a few examples. It’s important to be aware of these issues because a change needs to be made. It’s a life or death matter in all reality.

How does it relate to my career? This topic relates to my career as a paralegal because I will be confronting issues of environmental crimes in my line of work. It’s important to know the various laws that help protect our environment, and even outcomes for the perpetrator who commits these crimes. When I am employed in the paralegal field, I will be able to help prosecute the individuals responsible for destroying our environment.

References Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2012 (EPA-530-F-14-001). (2014, February). Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency website: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/2012_msw_fs.pdf Thompson, R. C., Moore, C. J., vom Saal, F. S., & Swan, S. H. (2009). Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2153–2166. http://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2009.0053 Fiscal Year 2016 EPA Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results . (2016, December 19). Retrieved from Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/documents/fy16-enforcement-annual-results-data-graphs.pdf