Air pollution and environment
Whether we want to admit it or even think about it, air pollution is a real problem, one that continues to affect our environment and our lives every day. Although people living in rural areas can easily forget that such a problem exists (since they don’t see smog and factories on a daily basis) or remember its causes (fewer cars on the roads), it is a very real problem that it affects everyone. . Sometimes we just can’t ignore this contamination. For example, when we walk past a factory spewing clouds of smoke into the sky, or when we find ourselves in a traffic jam smelling the exhaust of the car in front of us, it’s hard not to imagine the damage it’s doing to our bodies. .
What is air pollution?
Air pollution consists of various types of chemicals and gases that pass into our atmosphere. The main cause of this unwanted pollution is vehicles. Second, there are the industrial factories that release dirty and dangerous fumes into the atmosphere.
Why is air pollution dangerous?
- Health reasons: Pollution has been linked to numerous types of illnesses, including strokes, heart problems, and respiratory problems.
- Global Warming: Air pollution is responsible for global warming. This phenomenon leads to a gradual but persistent increase in the temperature of our planet. It has already begun to affect entire ecosystems, and unless stopped, it will melt the polar ice caps, raising sea levels. This will cause flooding in coastal cities like New York and London.
- Ozone Layer: Air pollution causes the ozone layer to deplete, reducing its ability to protect us from ultraviolet radiation. This not only causes skin cancer, but also harms wildlife and plants.
- Acid Rain – Certain pollutants can cause rain to become acid rain. This has a great impact on the animals, fish and plants that dive into it. Acid rain can also affect the soil, making it toxic to many animals and plants.
How can we fight against air pollution?
- One way would be to use hybrid vehicles. These vehicles produce about a quarter of the pollution of an average vehicle. Just imagine the global effects if everyone started driving such vehicles.
- Using green energy such as wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity, geothermal power, and biomass power, instead of using fossil fuels as power, would also have a huge impact on air pollution.
Since this problem seems to get worse over time, and we may get to the point where we irrevocably damage the environment, the only logical solution is for everyone to embrace ways to reduce air pollution in the hope that eventually, some day, it is removed. . Perhaps the only way this can be achieved is through education: while most people are familiar with air pollution and how it occurs, and are generally aware of its effects, many would rather turn their heads to elsewhere rather than deal with this 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 habits by learning from our mistakes, then perhaps there is still hope for our planet, and for ourselves.
