The great street food, the colorful culture and traditions, the friendly people – these are all some of the first thoughts I associate with Bangkok. Then comes the poor air quality and widespread pollution, both issues that made me keen on studying abroad here for a semester so that I can learn more about them. The problem with pollution is that as it increases, the natural environment where you live decreases in quality. The natural temperature of the city increases, the water is no longer safe to drink and, in extreme cases, the air can become harmful to breathe.
Throughout my time here, I have become increasingly aware of the pollution problem within Bangkok and the way this impacts the community I will continue to be a part of for the next couple of months. It is necessary for communities to have low pollution because it allows them to be able to provide safe drinking tap water and clean air for its citizens. Having access to these clean resources then helps the people within these communities to live healthier, longer lives. Bangkok is struggling to keep a low level of pollution, so I have been learning more about the problem and how it can be reduced.
