Pollution
From Envirowiki
Pollution is any substance in water, soil, or air that degrades the natural quality of the environment, offends the senses of sight, taste, or smell, or causes a health hazard[1]. In general, for something to be termed a pollutant it must be created or disseminated by human interference of interaction. There are many types of pollution including air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, thermal pollution, and visual pollution. In general, pollution is caused as a negative externality, and is harmful.
[edit] reducing pollution
Most people feel that pollution should be eliminated, but the practicality of such an ideal within current capitalist systems is questionable. However, there are possible optimum levels of pollution at which the negative effects can be minimized, while still making profit. These social/economic optimums can be achieved through Pigovian taxes or cap and trade systems. This is often the goal of weak sustainability.
Environmentalists usually argue that all pollution should be eliminated as a primary goal, with social good second most important, and economic interests (especially those of the wealthiest minority) last. That is, profit should not be considered more important than people or ecosystems.
