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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 33 No. 14. 1970

Pollution control:

Pollution control:

As New Zealand's industries increase pollution must become much more of a problem. The time to introduce legislation is Now while plant is being designed.

The problems are complex for attempts to curb one form of pollution often lead to another. Changes in car engines to reduce carbon monoxide output have increased nitrogen oxide emissions which react with sunlight to form the most toxic element in smog.

Massive research may overcome these problems. Unlike the problem of population, that of pollution may be solved by technology. Research could be financed through effluent charges by which industries pay by the pound for the pollutants they discharge. These charges could make it less expensive for companies to clean up than to continue polluting. Industries are profiting at your expense—by not meeting the costs of pollution.

We must press the implementation of these points through political, economic and educational means.

We must develop an ecological conscience that recognizes man is a member, not master of the living things sharing his environment.

The solution to the ecological crisis lies in development of understanding in all walks of life—from the politician to the industrialist to the level of the common man, the waste-maker, the litter-bug.

Education is the key to understanding, and the responsibility of the educated is to promote understanding at all levels.