Visual pollution
Encyclopedia
Visual pollution is the term given to unattractive and man-made visual elements of a vista, a landscape
, or any other thing that a person does not feel comfortable to look at. Visual pollution is an aesthetic issue, referring to the impacts of pollution that impair one's ability to enjoy a vista
or view. The term is used broadly to cover visibility, limits on the ability to view distant objects, as well as the more subjective
issue of visual clutter. In other words, pollution is contamination of the environment
as a result of human activities. The term pollution refers primarily to the fouling of air, water, and land by wastes (see air pollution
; water pollution
; solid waste). In recent years it has come to signify a wider range of disruptions to environmental quality. Thus litter
, billboards, and auto junkyard
s are said to constitute visual pollution; noise excessive enough to cause psychological or physical damage is considered noise pollution
; and waste heat that alters local climate or affects fish
populations in rivers is designated thermal pollution
. Its other reference is to "marketing advertisements".
Attempts to clear up Visual Pollution have taken place in cities such as Birmingham, by the removal of graffiti and chewing gum. These attempts involved the use of power washers to remove the graffiti or gum from the walls and streets, as oppose to the use of chemicals, due to the environmental effect they imposed.
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
, or any other thing that a person does not feel comfortable to look at. Visual pollution is an aesthetic issue, referring to the impacts of pollution that impair one's ability to enjoy a vista
Vista
Vista usually refers to a distant view.Vista may also refer to:-Software:*Windows Vista, the line of Microsoft Windows client operating systems released in 2006 and 2007...
or view. The term is used broadly to cover visibility, limits on the ability to view distant objects, as well as the more subjective
Subjective
Subjective may refer to:* Subjectivity, a subject's personal perspective, feelings, beliefs, desires or discovery, as opposed to those made from an independent, objective, point of view** Subjective experience, the subjective quality of conscious experience...
issue of visual clutter. In other words, pollution is contamination of the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
as a result of human activities. The term pollution refers primarily to the fouling of air, water, and land by wastes (see air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
; water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
; solid waste). In recent years it has come to signify a wider range of disruptions to environmental quality. Thus litter
Litter
Litter consists of waste products such as containers, papers, wrappers or faeces which have been disposed of without consent. Litter can also be used as a verb...
, billboards, and auto junkyard
Junkyard
The word junkyard may refer to:*A wreck yard, also known as a junkyard or scrapyard*Junkyard a hero. He is featured in Robot Chicken where he dies of theobromine poisoning.*Junkyard , a hard rock band based in Los Angeles...
s are said to constitute visual pollution; noise excessive enough to cause psychological or physical damage is considered noise pollution
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life...
; and waste heat that alters local climate or affects fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
populations in rivers is designated thermal pollution
Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature.A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers...
. Its other reference is to "marketing advertisements".
Attempts to clear up Visual Pollution have taken place in cities such as Birmingham, by the removal of graffiti and chewing gum. These attempts involved the use of power washers to remove the graffiti or gum from the walls and streets, as oppose to the use of chemicals, due to the environmental effect they imposed.
See also
- ClutterClutterClutter may refer to any of the following:*Excessive physical disorder** Clutter , a confusing or disorderly state or collection, and possible symptom of compulsive hoarding** A type of light pollution...
- EyesoreEyesoreAn eyesore is an unpleasant view. Its technical usage is as an alternative perspective to the notion of landmark. Common examples include dilapidated buildings, graffiti, litter, polluted areas and excessive commercial signage such as billboards. Some eyesores may be a matter of opinion such as...
- Light pollutionLight pollutionLight pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
- Noise pollutionNoise pollutionNoise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life...