| Air Pollution and the Environment |
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| Environment - Environment |
| Written by Tyler Hodger |
| Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:02 |
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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.
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. But air pollution is a problem that cannot be ignored forever, no matter how much we want to. Just smelling the exhaust of cars when standing next to a road, or seeing factories pump smoke into the sky, is a constant reminder that there is damage which is continuously being done to the environment by our modern society. 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 shown that on many occasions that illnesses such as strokes, heart issues, and breathing problems are associated with air pollution. 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: 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: certain chemical that are air pollution is made of can cause acid rain. This has an enormous impact on fish, animals and plants, and also affects the ground, making the soil toxic to countless plants and animals. How can we fight air pollution? 1. Hybrid vehicles: One way would be to use Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles produce about a fourth of the pollution of the average vehicle. Just imagine the global effects if everyone started driving such vehicles. 2. Using renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and geothermal power can significantly decrease air pollution. Unfortunately, our main source of energy, fossil fuels, has a very negative impact on air pollution. 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 researching 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 risks. To see more of his articles that describe green and environmentally friendly issues, visit his website: Green Planet and Me. |