Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Getafe

English - Students' Corner - Contributions

Back to Writing Assignments

Reflective Writing by Fernando Pérez García (Av2 Tues 2009-2010) - 300 words

Air Pollution

Besides water, air is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that there is on our planet. Air is so essential that life on Earth would not be possible without it. Yet human beings insist on polluting the air by emitting a lot of harmful substances which are irreversibly damaging the ozone layer and provoking a dramatic increase in greenhouse gases.

Despite the fact that in Spain emissions from factories are the main cause of air pollution, exhaust fumes from cars have become another important source of air pollution, especially in big cities, where most people commute by car. It is unimportant how long commuting takes you. It is unimportant how many traffics jams you have to bear on your way to work. It is unimportant how many times you use your car alone instead of sharing it with friends or fellow workers. As far as comfort is concerned, anything goes for Spanish people. And it is in this point where the government should begin to play a fundamental role in order to combat air pollution. Eco-friendly schemes and policies are necessary to put an end to global warming derived from the greenhouse effect. In fact, the government should work not only on physical measures such as the improvement of the public transport service, the creation of pedestrian areas in city centres or the reduction of the permitted gas emission levels, but also on educational measures such as consciousness raising campaigns, sensitivity regarding environmental protection through commercials in the media and courses in primary and secondary schools.

Summarizing, human beings are slowly but consistently harming the environment and leaving a damaged planet as inheritance. As I read somewhere, the best way to combat effectively any kind of pollution is that we figure out the problem, be aware of the consequences and become part of the solution.

Resources: Reflective Writing - a Basic Introduction (4 pages)