Whether we want to admit or even think about it, air pollution is a real problem, one that continues to affect our environment and our lives each and every day. Although people who live in rural areas can easily forget that such a problem exists (as they do not see smog and factories on a daily basis) or remember its causes (fewer cars on the roads), air pollution is a very real problem that affects everybody.
At times we simply cant ignore air pollution. For example, when driving past a factory pumping smoke clouds high into the sky, or when standing in a traffic jam smelling the exhaust of the car in front of us, it is hard not to imagine what damage it is doing to our body.
What is air pollution? Air pollution is a by product of our modern society, and comprises numerous types of gases and chemicals that are being ejected to the atmosphere. The main culprit of this undesirable pollution are vehicles. An additional cause is factories that release dangerous and toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
Why is air pollution dangerous?
1. Health reasons: it has been scientifically demonstrated that air pollution is associated with countless types of illnesses, including: strokes, breathing problems and heart issues.
2. Global warming: as everybody knows, air pollution is in fact one of the major causes of global warming. In case you are not familiar with the term, global warming refers to the slow increase of the temperature of Earth. Although this may not sound too bad, it is affecting entire ecosystems, melting polar ice caps, and unless stopped, will raise sea levels. Once that happens coastal cities such as New York and London will be flooded.
3. Ozone layer: the ozone layer shields us from ultraviolet radiation, and has been doing for millions of years. However, as a result of air pollution, it is shrinking: this causes an increase in the number of skin cancers and also damages wildlife and plants.
4. Acid rain: the combination of rain and air pollution (specifically, certain chemicals) can cause acid rain. Acid rain has a great impact on plants, animals and fish, and also gets absorbed into soil, making it toxic to numerous plants and animals.
How can we fight air pollution?
1. Hybrid vehicles: by using hybrid vehicles, we significantly reduce the air pollution which our vehicles cause, since this type of vehicle produces about a fourth of the pollution of an average vehicle. If everyone started using hybrid vehicles, this would have a great impact on global air pollution!
2. By using renewable energy sources, instead of fossil fuels which cause pollution, we could significantly reduce air pollution. Renewable energy sources can be wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and geothermal power.
Since this problem seems to only get worse in time, and we may reach the point where we damage the environment irrevocably, the only logical solution is that everybody embrace ways that reduce air pollution in the hope that it will eventually, some day, be eliminated.
Nonetheless, most people tend to ignore the problem of air pollution despite being away of - perhaps because its repercussions are so scary. Perhaps the only true way to rectify this problem is by starting with our children: if we, collectively, teach them to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, and learn from our mistakes, there may still be hope for our planet - and ourselves.
At times we simply cant ignore air pollution. For example, when driving past a factory pumping smoke clouds high into the sky, or when standing in a traffic jam smelling the exhaust of the car in front of us, it is hard not to imagine what damage it is doing to our body.
What is air pollution? Air pollution is a by product of our modern society, and comprises numerous types of gases and chemicals that are being ejected to the atmosphere. The main culprit of this undesirable pollution are vehicles. An additional cause is factories that release dangerous and toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
Why is air pollution dangerous?
1. Health reasons: it has been scientifically demonstrated that air pollution is associated with countless types of illnesses, including: strokes, breathing problems and heart issues.
2. Global warming: as everybody knows, air pollution is in fact one of the major causes of global warming. In case you are not familiar with the term, global warming refers to the slow increase of the temperature of Earth. Although this may not sound too bad, it is affecting entire ecosystems, melting polar ice caps, and unless stopped, will raise sea levels. Once that happens coastal cities such as New York and London will be flooded.
3. Ozone layer: the ozone layer shields us from ultraviolet radiation, and has been doing for millions of years. However, as a result of air pollution, it is shrinking: this causes an increase in the number of skin cancers and also damages wildlife and plants.
4. Acid rain: the combination of rain and air pollution (specifically, certain chemicals) can cause acid rain. Acid rain has a great impact on plants, animals and fish, and also gets absorbed into soil, making it toxic to numerous plants and animals.
How can we fight air pollution?
1. Hybrid vehicles: by using hybrid vehicles, we significantly reduce the air pollution which our vehicles cause, since this type of vehicle produces about a fourth of the pollution of an average vehicle. If everyone started using hybrid vehicles, this would have a great impact on global air pollution!
2. By using renewable energy sources, instead of fossil fuels which cause pollution, we could significantly reduce air pollution. Renewable energy sources can be wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and geothermal power.
Since this problem seems to only get worse in time, and we may reach the point where we damage the environment irrevocably, the only logical solution is that everybody embrace ways that reduce air pollution in the hope that it will eventually, some day, be eliminated.
Nonetheless, most people tend to ignore the problem of air pollution despite being away of - perhaps because its repercussions are so scary. Perhaps the only true way to rectify this problem is by starting with our children: if we, collectively, teach them to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, and learn from our mistakes, there may still be hope for our planet - and ourselves.
About the Author:
Tyler Hodger has been studying and practicing the utilization of renewable energy sources for years. In this article he elaborated on the effects of air pollution on our environment and its dangers. To see more of his articles that describe green and eco-friendly issues, visit his website: Green Planet and Me.
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