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 nasty side effect of our modern society, more specifically, the by product of vehicles and factories that release various types of gases and chemicals into the atmosphere. Perhaps surprisingly, the main cause of this pollution is vehicles.
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: this terms refers to the gradual increase of the temperature of our planet, the Earth. Unfortunately for our modern society, its by products, namely air pollution, are the major cause of global warming. It is already affecting our planet (by destroying ecosystems and melting polar ice caps), but unless it is stopped, it will raise sea levels that will cause coastal cities across the world such as London and New York to be flooded.
3. Ozone layer: air pollution causes the ozone layer to shrink, thus, reducing its ability to shield us from ultraviolet radiation. This not only causes skin cancer, but 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: hybrid vehicles produce only about a fourth of the pollution of an average vehicle. Consequently, if everyone started driving hybrid vehicles, you can imagine the effect this would have on air pollution (particularly considering vehicles are the number one cause of air pollution, as mentioned).
2. Using green energy, such as wind power, solar power, hydro electricity, geothermal power and biomass energy, rather than using fossil fuels for energy, would also have a large impact on air pollution.
Since air pollution only seems to be getting worse, the doomsday scenario where we reach a point in which we have damaged our environment irrevocably appears to be more and more likely. This is why it is crucial that all of us try and change our lifestyles in any way possible that is known to decrease air pollution. This is not just "the environment's" problem, but our problem and our descendants problem's as well.
Perhaps the only way this can be achieved is through education: although most people are familiar with air pollution and how it occurs, and are generally aware of its effects, many would rather turn their heads the other way rather than deal with this ever growing problem. The only way to truly overcome this problem is to start with the young: if we, collectively, can get our descendants to permanently change their ways by learning from our mistakes, then perhaps there is still 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 nasty side effect of our modern society, more specifically, the by product of vehicles and factories that release various types of gases and chemicals into the atmosphere. Perhaps surprisingly, the main cause of this pollution is vehicles.
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: this terms refers to the gradual increase of the temperature of our planet, the Earth. Unfortunately for our modern society, its by products, namely air pollution, are the major cause of global warming. It is already affecting our planet (by destroying ecosystems and melting polar ice caps), but unless it is stopped, it will raise sea levels that will cause coastal cities across the world such as London and New York to be flooded.
3. Ozone layer: air pollution causes the ozone layer to shrink, thus, reducing its ability to shield us from ultraviolet radiation. This not only causes skin cancer, but 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: hybrid vehicles produce only about a fourth of the pollution of an average vehicle. Consequently, if everyone started driving hybrid vehicles, you can imagine the effect this would have on air pollution (particularly considering vehicles are the number one cause of air pollution, as mentioned).
2. Using green energy, such as wind power, solar power, hydro electricity, geothermal power and biomass energy, rather than using fossil fuels for energy, would also have a large impact on air pollution.
Since air pollution only seems to be getting worse, the doomsday scenario where we reach a point in which we have damaged our environment irrevocably appears to be more and more likely. This is why it is crucial that all of us try and change our lifestyles in any way possible that is known to decrease air pollution. This is not just "the environment's" problem, but our problem and our descendants problem's as well.
Perhaps the only way this can be achieved is through education: although most people are familiar with air pollution and how it occurs, and are generally aware of its effects, many would rather turn their heads the other way rather than deal with this ever growing problem. The only way to truly overcome this problem is to start with the young: if we, collectively, can get our descendants to permanently change their ways by learning from our mistakes, then perhaps there is still hope for our planet - and ourselves.
About the Author:
Tyler Hodger has been studying and practicing the utilization of green energy sources for many years. In this article he elaborated on the effects of air pollution on our environment and its dangers. To read more of his articles that describe green and environmentally friendly issues, visit his website: Green Planet and Me.
