Sick All The Time?

Sandy Rowley
9 min readJul 11, 2024

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Online Maps To See Air Quality and Major Polluters Near By

Pollution is everywhere now

Do you constantly feel under the weather, fatigued, or generally unwell? You’re not alone. The culprit may be closer than you think, lurking in the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. Industrial pollution is a silent but deadly force impacting our health and well-being on a global scale. Over 7 Million People a Year, Killed, from the largest Polluters in our Country.

28 Million People Lost Their Lives Prematurely since this doctors Ted Talk on Pollution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utiLrnvawQQ

AirNow.gov

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ProPublica

View Polluters Near You

Major Polluters in the USA and Worldwide

1. ExxonMobil (USA)
— One of the largest oil companies, ExxonMobil is notorious for its significant carbon emissions and oil spills, which contribute to air and water pollution.

2. Chevron (USA)
— Chevron’s operations, including oil extraction and refining, release large quantities of pollutants, affecting air quality and contaminating water sources.

3. Dow Chemical (USA)
— Known for producing chemicals and plastics, Dow Chemical’s facilities emit hazardous pollutants, impacting both air and water quality.

4. Duke Energy (USA)
— As one of the largest electricity providers, Duke Energy relies heavily on coal, contributing to air pollution and carbon emissions.

5. BP (Worldwide)
— British Petroleum (BP) has been involved in major environmental disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which severely affected marine and coastal ecosystems.

6. Royal Dutch Shell (Worldwide)
— Shell’s operations in oil extraction and refining contribute to significant air and water pollution, with a global footprint affecting numerous regions.

7. Sinopec (China)
— China’s largest petroleum and petrochemical enterprise, Sinopec, is a major contributor to industrial pollution, impacting air quality across China and beyond.

8. ArcelorMittal (Worldwide)
— The world’s largest steel manufacturing company, ArcelorMittal’s plants emit vast amounts of pollutants, contributing to toxic air and water.

9. Gazprom (Russia)
— Russia’s largest gas company, Gazprom’s operations result in significant methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

10. Glencore (Worldwide)
— A major player in mining and commodities, Glencore’s activities lead to extensive environmental degradation and pollution, affecting air, water, and soil.

The Consequences of Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution has far-reaching effects on human health. Exposure to toxic air, contaminated water, and polluted food can lead to a range of health issues, including:

- Respiratory Problems: Pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from industrial activities can cause asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension.
- Cancer: Certain industrial chemicals and heavy metals are known carcinogens, increasing the risk of various cancers.
- Neurological Disorders: Heavy metals like lead and mercury can impair brain function, leading to cognitive decline and developmental issues in children.
- Reproductive and Developmental Problems: Pollutants can affect reproductive health, causing infertility, birth defects, and developmental delays.

A Call to Action: Shift or Perish

The evidence is clear: our current way of living is unsustainable. We must shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle to protect our health and the planet.

View Air Quality Map

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Here’s what we can do:

1. Support Clean Energy:
— Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
— Advocate for policies that promote clean energy development and phase out coal and oil.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
— Minimize waste by adopting sustainable consumption practices.
— Support products and companies that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.

3. Push for Stronger Regulations:
— Lobby for stricter environmental regulations and robust enforcement to hold polluters accountable.
— Support politicians and policies that prioritize environmental protection.

4. Educate and Advocate:
— Raise awareness about the impacts of industrial pollution and the importance of sustainability.
— Engage in community initiatives and advocacy efforts to drive systemic change.

5. Adopt a Sustainable Lifestyle:
— Make environmentally conscious choices in your daily life, from the food you eat to the products you buy.
— Reduce your carbon footprint by using public transportation, biking, or walking.

Feeling sick all the time is not just a personal issue; it’s a symptom of a larger problem — industrial pollution. The major polluters, both in the USA and worldwide, are contributing to a massive buildup of toxic air, water, and food. To safeguard our health and the environment, we must radically shift how we live. The time for action is now. Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future.

By taking these steps, we can combat the root causes of industrial pollution and protect our health and the planet for generations to come.

Addressing industrial pollution indeed requires innovative and bold strategies beyond traditional approaches, which have shown limited success over the decades. Here are some radical and potentially transformative ideas:

Technological Innovations

1. Blockchain for Transparency:
— Use blockchain technology to create transparent, immutable records of environmental impacts by companies, making it easier to track and hold them accountable.
— Encourage the adoption of blockchain-based supply chain management to ensure sustainability at every step.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Big Data:
— Deploy AI and big data analytics to predict and mitigate environmental impacts.
— Use real-time data collection and analysis to monitor pollution levels and enforce regulations more effectively.

3. Geoengineering:
— Research and develop geoengineering solutions to remove pollutants from the environment.
— Consider large-scale projects like ocean fertilization or carbon capture and storage to mitigate the impacts of industrial pollution.

Economic and Market-Based Approaches

1. Green Taxes and Subsidies:
— Implement or increase taxes on pollution and provide substantial subsidies for green technologies and practices.
— Use the revenue from green taxes to fund environmental restoration projects and sustainable development initiatives.

2. Cap and Trade Systems:
— Expand and strengthen cap and trade systems to limit overall pollution while allowing companies to trade emission allowances.
— Ensure stringent caps and robust trading systems to incentivize significant reductions in pollution.

3. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Bonds:
— Develop financial instruments like CSR bonds that companies can invest in, with returns tied to their environmental performance.
— Encourage institutional investors to prioritize investments in companies with strong environmental credentials.

Political and Social Movements

1. Environmental Voting Blocs:
— Mobilize large-scale voting blocs focused exclusively on environmental issues to influence elections and policy decisions.
— Form alliances with other social movements to create a broader base of support.

2. Civil Disobedience and Direct Action:
— Organize non-violent protests, strikes, and direct actions to draw attention to environmental issues and demand change.
— Use tactics like blockades, sit-ins, and occupation of polluting sites to disrupt harmful activities.

3. Climate Litigation:
— Increase the use of strategic litigation to hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental damage.
— Support legal actions that seek to enforce existing environmental laws and create new legal precedents.

Community Empowerment and Local Solutions

1. Community Ownership of Resources:
— Promote community ownership and management of natural resources to ensure sustainable practices and local accountability.
— Support the development of cooperatives and community-based organizations focused on environmental stewardship.

2. Localized Renewable Energy Projects:
— Develop decentralized renewable energy projects to reduce reliance on polluting energy sources.
— Empower local communities to produce and manage their own energy, reducing the need for large-scale industrial infrastructure.

Radical Policy Proposals

1. Universal Basic Income (UBI) for Environmental Protection:
— Implement UBI funded by pollution taxes to provide financial security while encouraging sustainable living and consumption patterns.
— Link UBI to participation in environmental conservation and restoration projects.

2. Mandatory Corporate Environmental Service:
— Require companies to invest a certain percentage of their profits in environmental restoration projects.
— Enforce mandatory corporate service periods focused on sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

3. Global Environmental Court:
— Establish a global environmental court with the authority to enforce international environmental laws and treaties.
— Empower the court to impose sanctions on countries and corporations that violate environmental standards.

Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Systemic Change

1. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs):
— Create DAOs focused on environmental protection to decentralize decision-making and increase transparency.
— Use smart contracts to enforce environmental standards automatically and incentivize sustainable practices.

2. Crowdsourced Environmental Monitoring:
— Develop platforms for citizens to report and monitor pollution in real-time.
— Use crowdsourced data to hold polluters accountable and pressure governments to act.

International Alliances and Agreements

1. Environmental Trade Agreements:
— Negotiate trade agreements that prioritize environmental protection and sustainability.
— Use trade leverage to enforce environmental standards globally.

2. Global Environmental Funding Mechanism:
— Create a global fund dedicated to environmental protection, funded by contributions from wealthy nations and corporations.
— Use the fund to support sustainable development projects and enforce environmental regulations in developing countries.

These approaches require a significant shift in how we think about and address environmental issues, moving from incremental changes to transformative actions that can create systemic change.

Struggling to Make Ends Meet? How Can You Find Time for Environmental Action?

If you’re living paycheck to paycheck or working tirelessly just to make ends meet, the idea of taking on additional responsibilities to combat industrial pollution might seem impossible. It’s a valid concern: how can you prioritize environmental action when survival itself is a struggle?

The Dilemma

Balancing work, family, and personal well-being is already a challenge. Adding environmental activism to the mix can feel overwhelming. Here’s why it’s tough:

1. Limited Time:
— Long work hours leave little room for anything else.
— Essential tasks like cooking, cleaning, and caring for family members consume remaining free time.

2. Financial Constraints:
— Sustainable products and renewable energy options can be more expensive.
— Lack of disposable income makes it hard to invest in green alternatives.

3. Stress and Fatigue:
— Constant stress from financial insecurity drains energy and motivation.
— Physical and mental fatigue reduce capacity for additional activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVBeY1jSG9Y

Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference

While it might seem daunting, there are small, manageable steps you can take to contribute to environmental sustainability without overwhelming yourself:

1. Support Local Initiatives:
— Participate in local community clean-ups or environmental groups when you have free time.
— Support local businesses that prioritize sustainable practices.

2. Make Simple Changes at Home:
— Reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use.
— Practice water conservation by fixing leaks and taking shorter showers.

3. Educate and Advocate:
— Stay informed about environmental issues and share knowledge with friends and family.
— Use social media to support environmental causes and spread awareness.

4. Vote for Change:
— Support candidates and policies that prioritize environmental protection.
— Encourage others in your community to vote for eco-friendly policies.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
— Embrace the three R’s to minimize waste without extra cost.
— Repurpose items and recycle whenever possible to reduce environmental impact.

List of all Polliticians in Office in the USA

It’s not easy to juggle financial pressures and environmental concerns, but every small action counts. By integrating simple, sustainable practices into your daily life, you can contribute to the fight against industrial pollution without adding significant strain to your busy schedule. Remember, collective small actions can lead to significant change.

Federal Officials

1. President and Vice President:
— Contact the White House:
— Phone: 202–456–1111
— Email: Use the contact form at [whitehouse.gov/contact](https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)
— Address: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500

2. U.S. Senators:
— Each state has two senators. You can find your senators’ contact information at [senate.gov](https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm).

3. U.S. Representatives:
— Each state is divided into congressional districts, each with one representative. You can find your representative’s contact information at [house.gov](https://www.house.gov/representatives).

State Officials

1. Governor:
— Contact information for your state’s governor can be found at the National Governors Association website: [nga.org/governors](https://www.nga.org/governors/addresses/).

2. State Legislators:
— Each state has its own legislative body with senators and representatives. You can find your state legislators’ contact information through your state’s legislature website or [openstates.org](https://openstates.org/).

Local Officials

1. Mayor and City Council:
— Contact information for your city officials can typically be found on your city’s official website.

2. County Officials:
— Contact information for county officials can typically be found on your county’s official website.

How to Find Specific Contact Information

1. Use Official Government Websites:
— The official websites for the federal government, your state, and your local government will have directories for contacting elected officials.

2. Contact Information Aggregators:
— Websites like [Vote Smart](https://votesmart.org/) and [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/) offer comprehensive databases of politicians and their contact information.

3. Reach Out to Constituency Offices:
— Most politicians have constituency offices you can contact for more direct assistance.

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