E-Journal #4: Endless Destinations

            Everywhere we go, there are roads, signs, and street lights at every angle. All this is thanks to the invention of automobiles. The more cars there are, the more rules we have to keep in order to maintain safety on and off the road. It is really hard to imagine a world without transportation since it is deeply molded into the lifestyle of today’s generation. Nowadays, we have various types of transportation. The most significant inventions are the automobiles, the airplanes, and subway.

            Today, it is almost impossible to live without cars. Whether to meet up with friends, get to work, or go to the grocery store, one needs a car ride to get there because the distance is too long. That is why the invention of automobiles is so significant because it allows people to get from one place to another in a short amount of time compared to walking on foot. Therefore, Cars are convenient and saves more time. People can also get to their destinations more easily even in harsh weather conditions. Ever since the upcoming of the automobiles, people have been adapting to the more innovative lifestyle and has made the biggest impact on our society.

The very first airplane was invented in 1903 by the Wright brothers. This opened up huge opportunities in air travel. Unlike sea travel, which took months on a ship, travelling on an airplane was much faster and safer. Following the further developments of the airplane, people could travel to another continent in less than a day and did not have to face risking their lives travelling through the dangerous current of the sea. This phenomenon increased immigration, personal travel and trade. It also resulted in a more international and global society.

As cities became more populated, streets became flooded with automobiles. The invention of the subway was a huge breakthrough that relieved traffic congestion. Alfred Ely Beach invented the first subway system in New York, called the Beach Pneumatic Transit. By riding the subway, people could avoid traffic times and get to their destinations much faster. Subways also benefited people who could not or did not drive and people who could not afford their own personal vehicles. It was a new form of public transportation and is still one of the most popular type of transit to this day.

Clearly, without the invention of the automobile and airplane, the world would be a totally different place. People would not experience the convenience of cars, the speed of air travel and the accessibility of subways. Definitely, these inventions have been the first stepping stones to a more innovative world.

E-Journal #3: Demand for Better Environment

    The world we live in today is heavily influenced by consumerism and endless products. As consumerism grows, the market thrives and more people are eager than ever to get their hands on the newest goods. Little do they realize that behind these big corporations lie dark hidden secrets. Although demands are high for these companies' products, the process of making them destroy the planet one device at a time. So to ensure a sustainable future, these manufacturing companies must be closely regulated in terms of water pollution and air pollution and possibly we, as consumers, refrain from buying too much products.
    In order to produce the perfect product, companies will go great lengths to achieve that goal, even if it means destroying the planet. Unused and leftover chemicals from these factories are usually thrown away in near by bodies of water including rivers, lakes, oceans and so on. This harms the ecosystem by killing species in and out of water and becoming a hazardous zone for locals. It has been a serious problem recently in the past decade. The country that has been impacted the most by this pollution is China, more specifically the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia. The renown river suddenly turned red in 2012 due to secret illegal dumping from industrial factories. Many marine animals that inhabit this river are critically endangered, such as the Baiji Dolphin, the Finless Porpoise and the Yangtze Alligator. Reducing this act, or even better, banning the dumping of chemicals will definitely lead to a more sustainable future.
    Water pollution is not the only result of the manufacturing industries but also air pollution. They release large amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air that negatively impact the quality of the air. The effect of air pollution that can be directly seen is the combination of smoke and fog, also called smog. There are lots of factors that cause smog and industrial plants is one of many that play a huge role in causing the smog. Dirty air makes it difficult for people to breathe, therefore making it difficult to live. It is no news that there are no strict policies to control pollution from these companies. In fact, these companies work their way around the law to keep their businesses alive. More the reason why regulations of these disposals are needed.
    The reason why companies make endless of products is because of the high demand. It can be said that consumers are the reason why big name companies stay in business. To ensure a sustainable future, people can begin by buying less things, buying products that are only needed and reusing the various resources that are at hand. That way, the world will be a cleaner place to live, resulting in a healthier future.
    In conclusion, the manufacturing industry is in the way of maintaining a sustainable future. In order to achieve sustainability, big changes must be made by the companies so that they do not cause too much water and air pollution. Consumers can do their part by lowering their demand and buying less products.