Combating the Negative Effects of Land Pollution

Industrialization and economic development have presented humankind with tremendous challenges that were unknown in the past. Alongside the many opportunities that modern society brings, there are dangers too numerous to count. Every day we are obliged to address various fears stemming from our production methods and patterns of consumption, which go unchecked.

These dangers are often reflected in our environment. We are constantly discovering the extent to which our environment is deteriorating. Apparently, we cannot escape the by-products of industrialized society. If we wish to ensure the health and quality of life for ourselves and our children, we must alleviate the problems we, ourselves, have created and repair the damage.

One of the more serious consequences of industrialized society is contamination of the land, and the continuous damage to its quality. Land pollution is the result of modern man’s activities within his environment. In many places the land, which feeds mankind and animals and sustains them, must be saved. Throughout the world and in Israel there are places where the land is contaminated with poisonous materials, some of which are released into the air and seep into our water sources. Sometimes these processes make the land unusable — either for living or agriculture.

In Israel

Land pollution and its accompanying dangers are present in Israel as well. During the last decade there has been increased awareness by the government and the public regarding the threat of land pollution, and there is greater recognition of the need to cope with this phenomenon. When the author started her research with the intention of proposing policies for treating land pollution in Israel, the scope of the problem was not yet clear. To date, as the situation becomes more apparent and the magnitude of the problem is gradually reveled, there is a pressing need to begin implementing a coherent and comprehensive policy for addressing this issue.