Pollution in its varied forms has become a matter of concern for this planet. We at the Tribhuvan College of Environment & Development Sciences, being one of the most trusted environmental science colleges in Delhi, have been consistently speaking about the impact that various forms of pollution can have on mankind as well as the overall environment at large. However, there’s one kind of pollution that has not been talked about much and often fails to grab the attention of the general masses. Yes, we are talking about thermal pollution, which we will discuss in this blog post today and will also highlight the economic costs associated with it.
What is Thermal Pollution?
Before we proceed to list the economic implications of thermal pollution, it is necessary that we first understand what thermal pollution means.
The basic definition suggests that when the temperature of the natural water bodies experiences a rapid change, it is the beginning of thermal pollution. The most common cause for change in these temperatures and, ultimately, thermal pollution is heated discharge being let out from industrial facilities or any other human activity into the natural water bodies.
Thermal pollution is responsible for stress, disease, and death, which is why countering it is crucial. Do you know that thermal pollution has already claimed 1.4 million lives so far while negatively affecting aquatic ecosystems? Loss of biodiversity due to the death of aquatic plants, insects, and fish and the bleaching of corals are some of the other primary side effects of thermal pollution.
At present, the United States of America, France, and China are seen as major contributors to thermal emissions.
Economic Costs Associated with Thermal Pollution: The Full Story
- Fisheries on the Fall:
India takes pride in being the third-largest fish-producing country and accounts for about 7.96% of global production. Whether or not our nation continues to hold on to this pride or not depends heavily on thermal pollution and its impact.
Thermal pollution is likely to push up the water temperatures, making the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms difficult. This, in turn, is likely to impact the fishing industry by making income generation difficult for fishermen and highly-priced sea products for consumers.
- No More Cooling:
We at the Tribhuvan College of Environment & Development Sciences would like to draw your attention to the fact that many industrial facilities rely on natural water for cooling purposes.
Now that thermal pollution is likely to result in water temperatures rising beyond measure, these industries can no longer depend on water for cooling. The result is that these industries are experiencing an increase in their energy consumption, and, of course, their operational costs are increasing.
These are huge expenses in itself, which makes it necessary for us to rethink our actions and work towards managing thermal pollution.
- Water Contamination and Allied Illnesses:
Thermal pollution is highly dangerous because, at most times, it goes unnoticed, leading to polluted water making its way into households. Once the water reaches the households, it is likely to be used for drinking and other routine activities.
Consumption of polluted water then leads to consumers suffering from deadly illnesses, making medical care an immediate priority. With medical care come healthcare expenses. This only goes to show how thermal pollution can lead to households suffering economically because of the pressing need to spend on healthcare.
- A Deadly Hit on Tourism:
We would like to point out another vital economic cost arising out of thermal pollution, which is nothing but the economic implications on tourism.
Tourism in most places is heavily dependent on activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing, which come under pressure because of thermal pollution. For these activities to proceed successfully, clean and cool water bodies are a must.
Now that thermal pollution rules out these activities, tourists and water enthusiasts will no longer want to visit these areas for tourism, leading to tourism-related revenue being severely hit. That is yet another economic implication right there.
- Heavy Compliance Costs:
If we, at an individual and industrial level, fail to bring thermal pollution under control, respective Governments and regulatory bodies will have to step in to redress the impact.
These authorities are likely to define compliance measures for meetings, for which the power plants and industrial facilities are required to invest in new-age technology that can assist them with cooling.
Purchase, installation, and maintenance of such equipment are likely to cost a huge sum to the industrial units, thus resulting in economic costs triggered by thermal pollution.
Conclusion
As we all know, any kind of economic cost that we incur is likely to make a huge hole in our pockets. We at the Tribhuvan College of Environment & Development Sciences, a well-known environmental science college in Delhi, would like to bring to your notice the fact that the story is no different for power plants and industrial facilities as well. However, the good news is that expenses of this kind are reversible. Are you wondering how? Well, it is simple. The need is just to shape industrial activities in such a manner that thermal pollution can be curbed. Not to forget, every effort laid in the direction of curbing thermal pollution will lead to doing greater good to the natural water bodies, too.