[hal9999]

As long as mankind will use fossil energy the pollution problem will remain,
and we will stay trapped in the following scheme:

1. Pollution
2. Anti-pollution laws
3. Newer technologies
4. Repeat point nr. 1

Or with the words of Newton’s third law:
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (and vis versa).

Many call this progress. Me included. Although I don’t like to be patronized.
Now how these anti-pollution laws have to be applied is another question.

To the believe that pollution is a static or local problem, IMHO Chernobyl proved the contrary.