WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 - EARTH WEEK - AIR

 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 - EARTH WEEK - AIR

This week I’m looking forward to Earth Day on Saturday, April 22nd.  Monday I wrote about water conservation, yesterday about land stewardship, and today air pollution and control.

The air quality seems to have gotten better.  If you remember stories of London with fog and smoke; Los Angeles with smog and other similar stories, you probably are older!!

AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical, or biological change in the air. It is the contamination of air by harmful gasses, dust, and smoke that affects plants, animals, and humans drastically.

There is a certain percentage of gasses present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the composition of these gasses is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has resulted in an increase in the earth’s temperature, which is known as global warming.

The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulfur dioxide emitted from factories is a primary pollutant. The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog is a secondary pollutant, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog.

CAUSES

There are causes (or sources) of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

Automobiles

Agricultural Activities

Factories and Industries

Mining Activities

Domestic Sources

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Effects of Air Pollution

Diseases

Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die yearly due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming

Due to the emission of greenhouse gasses, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in the earth’s temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged underwater.

Acid Rain

The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides into the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid rain which damages human, animal, and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the major cause of the depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.

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SO WHAT CAN I / WE DO

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind, and geothermal energies reduces air pollution at a larger level. Various countries, including India, have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner environment.

Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can be controlled or treated at the source to reduce their effects.

3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of the world, traditional fuels are replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fueled vehicles. 

4. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimized.

5. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.

6. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

Alternate energies (“clean” energies) are emerging. Vehicles are required to have high pollution controls.

Solar Power is promising - except that (a) you need an area where you get substantial sunlight; (b) solar panels can be costly and the process to make social panels does need energy

Wind Turbines are also generating power.  The cost of a wind turbine device can be expensive.  Wind turbines can kill birds.

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So, plant trees - cut down on energy use - use clean and renewable energy resources. 

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © APRIL 19, 2023