Cover Page

CANDIDATE NAME: Cristina Farfan

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

CENTRE NAME:

CENTRE NUMBER:

YEAR OF EXAMINATION: 2024

TEACHER: Ms. Derrick

SUBJECT: English A

TOPIC: Pollution

TERITORY: Trinidad
 Table of Contents

Topic Page Number

Plan of Investigation 3

Artefact 1 4

Artefact 2 5

Artefact 3 11

Reflection #1 18

Reflection #2 19

Reflection #3 20

Written Report 21

Evidence 1 22

Evidence 2 23

Evidence 3 24

Oral Plan 25

Work Cited Page 28

 Plan-Of-Investigation

I chose the subtopic, Land Pollution, from my group's overarching theme of Pollution. I believe

that pollution is a serious topic and I would like to discover the causes of land pollution and how

it can be reduced. I intend to collect a poem, blog entry and an internet article via textbooks, the

internet and newspapers. I expect to improve my summary writing, and persuasive speaking

skills and also expand my vocabulary. My improved vocabulary and summary writing skills will

be used in my group's report and reflections respectively. My persuasive speaking skills will be

utilized in my oral presentation.

Article 1- A Poem – highlight the headlines in bold or all capital letters
Article 2- A Blog

August 03, 2022

Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

When many of us think of pollution, images of smoggy cities and litter-infested oceans come to

mind. In the 21st century, there isn’t a single surface or space on Earth that hasn’t in some way

been impacted by it. While littering and gasoline-fueled cars are a major contributor to pollution,

there are many other influences that are important to be aware of. To start, it’s helpful to

understand the basics of what pollution exactly is. Essentially, pollution occurs when substances

are introduced to the environment that have harmful effects, damaging the quality of land, water,

and air. In this post, we’ll be mainly focusing on land pollution specifically.

What is Land Pollution?

Land pollution refers to the deterioration of the earth’s land surfaces, at and below ground level.

The cause is the accumulation of solid and liquid waste materials that contaminate groundwater
and soil. These waste materials are often referred to as municipal solid waste (MSW), which

includes both hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

When waste is deposited onto an area of land, the permeability of the soil formations below the

waste can increase or reduce the risk of land pollution. The higher the permeability of the soil,

the more likely that land pollution will occur. That’s why the Texas Disposal Systems Landfill,

located just outside of Austin, Texas, was built in an ideal area. By utilizing the natural shale and

clay in the land, the risk of land pollution has been significantly decreased. The TDS Austin

landfill combines natural and manmade barriers to meet stringent environmental protection

regulations. The landfill structure features a performance-based liner system with a leachate

collection system and thick re-compacted clay sidewall liners. The liner system easily meets the

standards of the performance-based landfill liner system currently required by both the EPA and

the TCEQ.

Find out more about our services

It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that solid wastes were collected with the environment

in mind. Prior to that, waste was typically left on top of the ground in “open dumps,”

which resulted in rats, mosquitoes, and other disease infestations, as well as foul smells and

windblown debris. Yet, while there are now significantly safer practices for disposing of

waste, there are still many other factors contributing to and worsening the situation.

The Main Causes of Land Pollution

While there are many causes of land pollution, here are a few of the main contributors:
Litter

Littering, the improper disposal of waste products, is unfortunately common. According to a

study by Litter in America, litter cleanup costs the U.S. more than an estimated $11.5 billion

each year. Every cigarette butt tossed on the ground or food wrapper tossed out of a car window

is a small contribution to a monumental issue. According to Keep America Beautiful, 76% of

litter found on roadways is from pedestrians and motorists. Not all litter, however, is intentional.

A large volume of litter also comes from unsecured items that fall off the back of vehicles or out

of trash receptacles.

Illegal dumping also contributes to land pollution. Oftentimes people will dump waste illegally

in places such as forests, open fields, and ditches rather than in approved dumping areas.

Common types of illegally dumped waste include asbestos waste, cars, and waste that can be

recycled or reused.

All litter, whether intentional or not, causes pollution by releasing chemicals and microparticles

as it degrades. Check out our blog on littering to learn more about the effects of littering and how

to reduce it in your community.

Urbanization and Construction

While urbanization is not in itself littering, large quantities of people living, producing trash and

littering in a dense area does inevitably lead to land pollution. To accommodate this increased

population, construction activities also occur, which result in large waste materials, such as

metal, plastic, wood, and bricks. When these materials are not properly disposed of, it contributes

to the land pollution of that area.

To help reduce the environmental impact of construction sites, it’s important to work with

partners that offer comprehensive builder solutions to achieve cost-effective construction

recycling and waste disposal plans.

Mining

Mining is the extraction of minerals and other geological materials from the ground, which are

then used for a wide range of purposes, including but not limited to, producing gasoline for

automobiles, generating electricity, and selling materials such as gold and silver. This extraction

and the methods used, however, deplete the earth of its natural resources and cause damage and

pollution in its wake. That’s why finding alternatives for energy (think solar and wind power)

that aren’t mined from the earth’s surface are so vital in helping to reduce land pollution moving

forward.

Agriculture

Agriculture is foundational for both everyday life, as well as the economy as a whole. It also,

however, can have profound effects on the planet. Agricultural pollution occurs when

contamination created as a by-product of raising livestock and growing food crops is released

into the environment, and the contamination is vast.

Effects of Land Pollution

Land pollution touches essentially every area of the living world, including:

 Water that isn’t safe to drink

 Polluted soil, which leads to a loss of fertile land for agriculture

  Climate change, which causes an onslaught of disastrous problems, including flash floods

and irregular rainfalls

 The endangerment and extinction of species in wildlife

 Habitat shifting, where some animals are forced to flee where they live in order to survive

 An increase in wildfires, due to polluted areas often becoming very dry

 Increased air pollution, which burning waste contributes to

 Increased soil pollutants can enter the body through the food chain, and cause health

issues

How to Prevent Land Pollution

Given the disastrous effects of land pollution, taking preventive measures to reduce its impact

moving forward is crucial.

Using Fewer Pesticides and Chemicals in Agriculture

Given that the use of pesticides and chemicals in farming and agriculture greatly contribute to

land pollution, finding alternatives will help to reduce the environmental impact. Farmers, for

instance, can use natural ingredients by switching from bio-fertilizers to manure.

On the individual level, supporting environmentally-conscious, local farmers at your closest

farmer’s market or local grocery store can help to build up business for farmers with more

sustainable farming practices. Another option is to contribute to or volunteer in an urban garden

in your neighborhood.
Reforestation

Reforestation involves replanting an area with trees. This can be needed for areas that have

experienced wildfires, for instance, or where trees had been chopped down and milled. This

process helps to bind the soil, which helps to protect it from land pollution and prevents soil

erosion and flooding.

Solid Waste Treatments

When solid waste is not properly treated it can increase the level of toxicity and hazardous

substances in soil. Chemical treatment methods under a controlled environment can help reduce

land pollution. This solid waste treatment method includes neutralization. This treatment alters

the pH level of waste before it gets dumped into landfills.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

At the individual level, there are many things we can do to reduce our contribution to land

pollution. One of the simplest ways to do this is to reuse or recycle items so that you aren’t

creating waste out of a material or item that still has a purpose. With the growing awareness

around what can be recycled and an increase in recycling bins in many cities, it has never been

easier to recycle.

Composting

Another way to reduce land pollution is through composting. According to the United States

Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps, and yard waste together currently make up more

than 30% of what we throw away and could be composted instead. Reducing and reusing waste

products ensure that the environment won’t go to waste.

If you’re looking to make a difference on a community level, read our blog post on how to be an

environmental steward in your neighborhood.

Article 3- Internet Article

General land pollution facts

#1 - Over 75% of the land area on Earth is degraded1

According to this evidence-based assessment, land pollution is almost everywhere. This land

degradation assessment took more than 100 leading experts on land pollution from 45 countries

three years to complete.

Urban planning, green infrastructure development, replanting with native species, and

remediation of contaminated and sealed soils are a few proven approaches to reverse this

worrying development and help mitigate the impact of waste produced by humans.

#2- If the current land pollution trend persists, the percentage is estimated to rise to 95% by

20502

People and other species we share our planet with will have to migrate as these lands become

polluted or deforested. We can expect that more species will go extinct in the coming years as

their habitats become uninhabitable for them due to environmental land pollution. We can also

expect even more collapse in food production.

#3 - Some 3.2 billion people worldwide are negatively affected by contaminated land2
Land pollution has a direct effect on the well-being of people. These polluted lands may lose

their agricultural value, turn to desert, or become uninhabitable wastelands.

#4 - Globally, we’ve lost about 87% of wetlands to land degradation since 19002

The high consumption lifestyle of most developed countries has also contributed to land

degradation and soil erosion. This is most common in areas like the Congo region of Africa and

South Asia because of their oil palm plant plantations. Learning how to balance our lifestyle will

reduce our impacts on nature.

#5 - In 2018, Each person, on average, generated 5.2 tonnes of waste across the EU-273

While we may want to look at big corporations as the enemy of our environment, we all

contribute in small ways. Our high-consumption habits lead us to generate lots of waste each

day. Many of us can't even go through half of the day without throwing a few items in the trash.

This build-up eventually ends up in a landfill somewhere, or worse, the environment.

Romania, Finland, Sweden and Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein are member states of

the EU-27 with a high percentage share in waste production. Researchers claim to see a

significant change among the EU-27 Member States that adopted sustainable practices.

#6 - Of the total waste generated in the U.S. in 2018, food waste was the fourth largest category,

at about 63.1 million tonnes4

Food made up about 21.6 percent of the total U.S. waste generation in 2018. Food waste

continues to be a significant concern for local and state governments. In the U.S., this prompted

the creation of the EPA's food measurement methodology that fully accounts for all the ways

they manage wasted food.

The food management systems include landfilling practices that meet current standards or newly

emerging waste conversion technologies and environmentally sound dirt management through

combustion with energy recovery and conversion. Other food management includes donations,

animal waste and feed, wastewater treatment, and lots more.

Land waste disposal facts

#7- Half of the world's population does not have access to proper waste disposal systems5

Low-income countries often dispose of a large portion of their generated trash improperly in

open dumpsites. This often leads to land pollution and also air pollution. Whether these landfills

are close to or far away from residential areas, waste materials eventually affect the environment

and its people.

#8- 60 million people live less than 10 kilometers away from the world's largest dumping

sites5

Land pollution facts like this highlight the risks many people face living close to such areas,

resulting in potential illnesses or diseases. Land pollution and air pollution are also common in

such places where improper disposal of household and industrial waste can lead to worsening

impacts. While there are regulations in place, reducing the amount of waste we put into our lands

is the best way to combat land pollution.

#9- Of the 50 largest dumping sites globally, 20 contain both solid municipal waste and

hazardous waste products 5

#10- One of the largest dumping sites in the world is called the Estrutural landfill. It is in

Brasilia, Brazil, and covers about 136 hectares of land 5

#11 - The Estrutural landfill in Brazil has been active for over 50 years5

#12 - The Estrutural landfill in Brazil alone has collected an estimated 30 million metric tonnes

of waste over time, with a daily average estimate of 2 million metric tonnes. Beyond the horrible

state of the land, this site has seen many accidents and death reports.

#13 - Results from San Francisco prove we can divert up to 80% of urban waste from landfills[ref]

Much of urban waste ends up in the streets, on the shores, and in landfills worldwide. This is a

significant sign of land pollution. Meanwhile, residents can recycle much of this waste. This

includes paper waste, plastic waste, aluminum waste, electronic waste, and more. We can always

donate the computers or electronics we no longer need or send them off to the proper disposal

companies. Sustainable choices and recycling will help solve the problem of plastic and land

pollution.

Health implications of land pollution

#14 - Researchers found open landfills to be responsible for 91% of all methane emissions,

which poses serious health risks for those who live close to them 6

When we burn large, open piles of trash, they emit dangerous carbon dioxide levels. People and

waste companies around the world use this method of disposal. Unfortunately, they are ruining

the soil quality at their burn sites and producing greenhouse gas, which is heating our planet.

Open landfills and burning sites may seem helpful. But they are also significant contributors to

land pollution and air pollution. This poses large-scale risks to both the people living close to the

burning sites and our planet at large.

#15 - In China, 20.8% of soil poses a risk of cancer in children7

This study shows the land pollution levels on Chinese farmland soil and how they affect human

health risks on a national scale. From the data obtained during the research, we see that the

combined pollution ratio of Chinese farmland soil was 22.10%, with 1.23% at severe pollution

levels.

The total non-carcinogenic hazard quotients of farmland soil pollution were safe for adults but

had a slight non-carcinogenic risk for children. The total farmland area ratio to total carcinogenic

for adults was only 1.02%, but the ratio was as high as 20.75% for children.

#16 - About 700,000 deaths yearly are attributable to bacteria from soil pollution [ref]

#17- If not curbed by 2050, researchers estimate that soil pollution would kill more people than

cancer[ref]

Land Pollution in the US, the largest consumer market on Earth

#18 - In 2017, the U.S. produced 268 million tonnes of waste. By 2018, the number rose to 292.4

million

As the largest consumer market, the US is the end destination of many products from around the

world. These items eventually end up in landfills, and they can cause hazardous environmental

pollution. Many of these products contain toxic substances. Toxic pollution affects the air, land,

and water.

#19 - There are about 1270 landfills in the United States alone8

As the U.S. grapples with growing waste, they must dig up more landfills to manage the

problem. This means more land pollution and degradation. Unfortunately, this poses severe

health and environmental risks to people living 10 kilometers and more from the dumpsites.
Researchers link an increase in cancer risk, low birth weights, and diarrheal diseases to living

near landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates landfills in the U.S. to improve

protection from potential contaminants in the waste stream.

#20 - The U.S. landfilled about 50% of the municipal solid waste it generated in 20184

Fast consumption and throw-away habits are significant contributors to the problem of land

pollution. As we continue to choose cheap, easy-to-source products with short lifetime value, the

land will continue to suffer.

A look at any section of landfill waste globally will show items like paper boxes, bottles, tires,

computers, grass clippings, and so on. We can reuse many of these items and materials instead of

sending them off to fill the land with more trash.

Adopting personal waste management strategies like reducing purchases, reusing, composting,

recovery and treatment, and proper disposal of toxic materials will help reduce landfills.

Recycling in the U.S.

#21 - Of the 292.4 million tons of waste generated in 2018, the U.S. recycled 69 million tonnes

of municipal solid trash 4

#22 - The 69 million tons of recycled municipal solid waste in 2018 was a 2.2% increase from

the amount recycled in 20154

These land pollution facts show us that the management of MSW in the U.S. is changing

substantially. While the amount of waste the U.S. generates is still on the rise, their waste

management system seems to be getting better. Every country must take appropriate steps

towards adopting sustainable approaches to reduce land pollution.

#23 - In 2018, the rate of food and other MSW organics composting was 4.1 percent (2.6 million

tons)4

Composting doesn't only help to reduce organic waste generation. It's also useful to improve the

soil quality of your land or garden area. With your compost, you can enrich your soil and grow

native plants. Thereby doing your bit to promote your local biodiversity and land richness.

#24 - The U.S. composted 25 million tons of municipal solid waste in the U.S. in 20184

#25 - The combined rate of recycling and composting of waste in 2018 amounts to 32.1%4

#26 - The total recycling, composting, and energy recovery of waste in 2018 saved over 193

million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide 4

#27 - The combined recycling, composting, and energy recovery of waste in 2018 is equivalent

to reducing the cars on roads by 42 million4

#28 - 67% of the materials recycled in 2018 in the U.S. were paper and paperboard4

#29 - 13% of recycled materials in the U.S. in 2018 were metals4

#30 - Glass, wood, and plastic made up only 4-5% of recycled materials in the U.S. in 20184

#31 - Paper and paperboard recycling were responsible for the largest municipal solid waste

reduction in 2018. This equates to removing 33 million cars from roads

Reflection #1

Before starting this SBA, my opinion on land pollution was completely negative as people have

been terribly affected by it. Whilst researching these three articles, I have learned that littering is

harmful to the environment and contributes to land pollution.

The first article was a poem entitled, "Be Weather Smart" by Syrai Brown, which encourages the

reader to fight against land pollution. It inspired me to participate in activities that will benefit

the environment such as recycling.

The second article was a blog entitled, "Land Pollution " by Texas Disposal which speaks about

negative effects of land pollution and its preventatives. Careless human activities have

contributed the most destruction to our environment.

The third article, “General Land Pollution Facts” by Trvst world provides the reader with

statistical facts on land pollution. It educated me on the dangers of land pollution towards our

health and planet and its continuously increasing rates.

Reflection #2

The poem "Be Weather Smart" written by ‘Syrai Brown’ highlights the impact of land pollution

on our environment. The poet utilizes the expository writing technique, cause and effect, in lines

“do not litter, do not deplete the ozone layer.” which displays littering can lead to destruction of

the ozone layer.

The blog “Land Pollution” written by ‘Texas disposal’ informs the reader of the causes & effects

of land pollution and its preventatives. The writer utilizes descriptive words associated with scent

in the phrase ‘foul smells’ allowing the reader to imagine the scent of open dumps caused by

littering.

The internet article “General Land Pollution Facts” written by ‘Trvst World’ highlights the many

facts on land pollution. The writer utilizes statistical data when stating that, “Over 75% of the

land area on Earth is degraded”, which persuades the reader with factual information about land

pollution being destructive to the land.

Reflection #3

My topic “Land Pollution” educated me on how activities such as littering, can harm our

environment. As a result, I have become more aware of these issues and plan to participate in

activities that will help to reduce land pollution such as recycling and composting.

Working in a group had its challenging moments, as each member wanted to choose different

topics for the SBA. There were even problems when assigning each member to their topic. We,

however, managed to be more communicative, patient, and understanding so that we can work

together as a group.

Moreover, my skills as an English student improved especially in summary writing. My research,

improved my knowledge of the topic of Land pollution and also my vocabulary skills. The SBA

taught me that there are consequences to our actions and we should learn to be more patient,

understanding, and open-minded. Good work

Written Report

Our group's topic, "Pollution" can be defined as the contamination of the environment through

the introduction of harmful materials. Different forms of pollution such as air, light, water, land,

and noise pollution were investigated. Acquiring articles for our subtopics was simple as

pollution is a major problem worldwide. Our group had a total of fifteen articles from which we

selected a pamphlet, "Seattle has a Problem" by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1974), a

poem "Light Pollution" by Tamika Something (2012) as well as an advertisement “Effects of

Noise” by the Environmental Management Authority (2019).

The group met via Microsoft Teams after school, discussed our artefacts and voted on the three

best which highlighted the various forms of pollution that are not frequently discussed

throughout the Caribbean. Through extensive research from the entire group were able to gather

quality information on each subtopic. During the writing process, we communicated via

Instagram and within the classroom to make this report a success.

The pamphlet "Seattle has a Problem,” highlighted the main greenhouse gases in Seattle which

were caused by mostly vehicle emissions. We learned some of the health problems that can result

from those gases such as respiratory illness and stomach cancer. In the poem "Light Pollution”

the poet talks about how the stars are barely visible due to the result of light pollution. We

learned about the causes of light pollution such as industrialization and modernization along with

the excessive amount of artificial light. In the advertisement “Effects of Noise,” we learned the

harmful effects of noise pollution on one’s health. The source reiterated that noise pollution can

be linked to hypertension, heart disease and other health problems. All three artifacts highlighted

various forms of pollution, which assisted in our further understanding of the causes and effects

of pollution.
Evidence 1- Poem

Light Pollution

I look up to the sky.

Not many stars to see.

Warm night, wind is dry.

Gazing up from a tree.

Only a few stars visible tonight.

Eerie sounds create confusion.

Sky black with half moon, an ordinary sight.

Figuratively I remember the cause, light pollution.

Even though I despise the common environmentalist,

A century ago the sky was filled with moon and stars.

When it comes to agenda I'm not much of a fundamentalist,

But consideration must be made, for visible shall be Mars.

I look out to the city on this warm, delightful eve.

The buildings tall and glow, rise to the darkness spread.

Such feat is amazing, it is not to be deceive.

Saddens me that such wonder could affect my overhead.

By TamikaSomething
Evidence 2 – Pamphlet
Evidence 3: Advertisement
Oral Presentation

Topic: My subtopic is Land Pollution

Genre: My piece will be presented in the form of a poem

Language used: I chose to do my presentation in a poetic form as I felt it were an easier way to

express my opinion on my subtopic land pollution.

POEM #1: The Earth, Our home

Land pollution, a plague on earth,

Our planet's health, what is it worth?

Our careless ways, our human greed,

Destroying nature, without a heed.

Garbage and waste, litter the land,

Toxic chemicals, poisoning the sand.

Our soil, once rich, now desolate,

A barren wasteland, what is our fate?

The air we breathe, it's filled with smoke,

Our lungs are crying, choked in a cloak.

From factories and cars, it's suffocating,

A dire situation, there's no debating.

Plastic bags and bottles, tossed on the ground,

Strangling our wildlife, no longer found.

Our animals, they suffer,

from the pollution we cause,

Their habitats destroyed,

with no time to pause.

Toxic waste, it flows down the stream,

Killing our fish, a nightmare not a dream.

Our drinking water, now unsafe to drink,

A grave concern, it's on the brink.

What can we do, to make a change?

Reduce, reuse, and recycle, it not so strange.

Plant a tree, clean up your street,

Every little bit, helps to defeat.

Composting food waste, a great idea,

Turning it into soil, that's so much clearer.

Pick up litter, from the floor,

So that our earth will suffer no more.

It's time to act, to make a stand,

To save the earth, across every land.

Our future's at stake, our children's fate,

It's up to us, to eradicate.

The Earth was once a place of beauty,

With green fields and skies so blue,

A world so rich, with life and light,

But now, it’s filled with a poisoned blight.

The impact of land pollution, is so persistent and strong,

It lingers for years, like a haunting song,

A reminder of our greed, and the damage we’ve done,

To the land, the air, the water, and everyone.

Let's educate, let's spread the word,

To every corner, of this great big world.

To protect the earth, our only home,

And make a brighter, greener zone.

Together we can make a change,

To heal the earth, and rearrange.

Our careless ways, our human greed,

Can be reversed, with every good deed.

Let's take a stand, let's make a vow,

To save the earth, starting now.

For future generations, let's protect,

And never again, will we neglect.

Our land is precious, a gift from above,

Let's cherish it, and show our love.

For a brighter tomorrow, we'll pave the way,

Let's start today, without delay.

Work Cited Page

Brown, Syrai, Be Weather Smart. Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/TTMetService/photos/a.625297997586421/3878582848924570/.

[Accessed 9 February 2023]

Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Prevention.Texas Disposal

Systems.2023.https://www.texasdisposal.com/blog/land-pollution/.Accessed 10 February 2023]

Okafor, Jennifer, 31 Land Pollution Facts and Statistics. Trvst. 2021.

https://www.trvst.world/environment/land-pollution-facts-statistics/. [Accessed 12 February

2023]

Something, Tamika, Light Pollution. All Poetry. 2012. https://allpoetry.com/poem/10056531-

Light-Pollution-by-TamikaSomething . [Accessed 19 February 2023]

Seattle has a Problem. Environmental Project Agency. 1974.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/2590850874.[Accessed 18

February2023]

Effects Of Noise. Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceServiceTT/posts/2260390367312965/?

comment_id=2261505323868136 .[Accessed 20 February 2023]