Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
4
Comments
Thematic report |
|---|
|
by Roselyne Awiti | 01-12-2021 04:32
|
|
How animals adapt to air pollution
Air pollution is a common phenomenon mostly in third world countries like Kenya. With factory emissions taking the lead, use of firewood for cooking is also a major contributor. Over 80% of the rural population use firewood for cooking. This puts the plants, animals, humans and in extreme cases buildings to higher risks which are in most cases visible even to the naked eye. Notably, the magnitude of pollution, extent and duration of exposure to such kinds of pollution determine whether a population can survive in short-term, succumb or even evolve in long term. Fortunately or unfortunately, humans and animals have overtime learnt to adapt to the various forms of air pollution. After all it is something within their environment so they have to live with it. Studies show that some animals adapt through a change in their genes that is, adaptation through evolution. I know you have heard of the evolution of moths during the industrial revolution in 1800s when the heavily polluted regions in Britain had walls turn black with soot. The originally peppered moth through mutation turned black making it hard for predators to spot them hence surviving to breed more unlike the peppered moths. In lakes, the Killifish has also proved to survive extremely toxic water pollution (which can also result from air pollution) in the eastern rivers. However, despite such animals evolving to survive, it is worth noting that the organisms that survive through evolution brought about by any form of pollution whether anthropogenic or natural, are different from their ancestors who evolved without influence of pollution. Animals which evolve also pass their genes to their next generation hence ease in survival of such next generations. In conclusion, although animals are finding ways to adapt to polluted environments, we have an obligation to do away with the unnecessary air pollutants and also maintain the controllable air pollutants at bearable levels which would see the adverse effects in animals reduced. References https://lisbdnet.com/how-do-animals-adapt-to-air-pollution/ https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/cities-drive-animals-and-plants-evolve https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newscientist.com/article/2115635-fish-rapidly-adapt-to-pollution-thousands-of-times-lethal-levels/amp/ https://www.epa.gov/eco- research/ecosystems-and-air-quality |
|
|
|
|
Previous : An insight into Auroras [FREE ...
4 Comments
Thank you Hannah Mentor
Posted 08-12-2021 17:58
Hello Roselyn, this is your mentor Hannah. Sorry for the late comment.
Yes, although animals success to evolve to endure air pollution,
we can't feel easy because the genes are 'different' from the ones before the air pollution existed.
We should be aware to get rid of pollutants and the chance to evolve for air pollution.
Thank you for your great article and please keep up with your wonderful work :)
Sincerly,
Hannah
Posted 07-12-2021 23:39
Joon Mentor thank you!
Posted 02-12-2021 01:05
Hello Roselyne, this is your mentor Joon.
It is interesting to look at the power of DNA. Different mutations occur within few generation, and it is adopted to child generation. Isn't it amazing? I also agree with your point that even though living organisms get to adapt to new environment, it is hard for long living creatures, like human, to have quick change over a generation, We should always take care of our environment and always look for solutions.
Well read your article.
Best,
Joon
Posted 02-12-2021 00:19