Environment - Air Pollution
The human population relies solely on fossil fuels to power their modern lifestyles. As the global population increases, oil, gas, coal and other commodities obtained below the Earth’s crust are in higher demand. Hence, as the world’s population increases, the health of the surrounding environment has deteriorated. The use of burning fossil fuels has had an alarming impact on global carbon dioxide emission levels and has resulted in adverse environmental effects. People use more nonrenewable resources and create more waste by-products rather than trying to conserve the environment.
Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions is a key contributor to global warming which is predicted to produce increasing temperatures, generate more wild climate patterns, help the spread of diseases and place more stress on the environment. Usage of fossil fuels has contributed to air and water pollution and incorrect sewerage disposal. Great cities house an increasing population which means more vehicles will be used. Contaminants from vehicle exhausts and industrial factories release photo chemical smog (a form of air pollution) which can negatively affect the publics’ health. Air pollution from more reliance of coal use and fumes from private vehicles can also lead to acid rain. Acid rain has the potential to destroy natural elements such as forests, lakes and streams. |
Air pollution in China:
China has a booming economy as well as a population of 1.357 billion as of 2013. Coal-fired power plants have been built at fast rates to supply over 60 percent of China’s electricity along with being a mammoth contributor to air pollution as photochemical smog is released. Even though vehicles also contribute to air pollution, it is practically impossible to improve and manage their air quality without removing their coal-powered industrial plants. China’s air pollution has affected the health and welfare of its citizens by bringing on illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory sicknesses and brining about asthma in children, affecting their quality of life. Even premature death has arose due to millions of people inhaling lethal chemicals each day. The World Health Organisation has reported contamination of PM2.5 particles (lethal dust particles that can be inhaled due all types of combustion) in china’s air and their air quality does not meet the standards of the World Health Organisation air quality guidelines. Air Pollution In China
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How to mange Air Pollution
There are many ways to tackle and reduce air pollution, but the most essential measures that are used on an industrial/global scale include proposing new technological innovations, implementing environmental laws and restrictions and educating the public about air pollution.
Environment – implementing laws and regulations
It is easy to criticise industrial power plants, factories and vehicles which contribute to air pollution, yet citizens of the world rely on these items for everyday living. Therefore consumers and local governments must pressure these manufacturing companies into reducing pollution and decline the production of polluting goods. Regulations may include a tax plan which would make polluting industries to pay a fixed price for their contributing pollutants (this money can later be used for research in eradicating air pollution), capping chimneys of factories which would reduce some emissions, prescribing maximum pollution release and proposing waste reduction methods. Governments must implement laws and restrictions to eradicate industrial overuse of contaminants and provide encouragements to research and propose ways of more efficient and eco-friendly techniques when producing goods. The exact air pollution guidelines must be sought as different pollutants have different effects.
For instance, there was a smog catastrophe in England that killed thousands of residents in London in 1952. The aftermath included the government establishing the Clean Air Act in 1956 which regulated the location and method of how coal would be burned and where furnaces could be constructed which assisted in allowing residents to breathe better quality air.
Economy
Business use polluting methods to produce goods as it is easier to manufacture and costs less money than to develop systems that use renewable energy sources. For instance, many car factories produce cars with gasoline engines then to develop electric/hybrid cars, or vehicles which are driven by fuel cells which are cars that produce less pollution. Thus awareness and money allocated by the government can go towards research projects that look at new ways to produce goods without pollutants as a by-product. These technologies will one day help reduce their ecological footprint while still leading the same lives.
Social - raising awareness
By raising awareness, the public becomes educated about how air pollution is damaging the air quality, contributing to global warming and other aspects that are affecting modern society. Citizens can help reduce air pollution by changing their way of life. For example, use products that do no pollute the air when being manufactured or if so, urge those companies to reduce air pollution, use public transport or cycle/walk to destinations which will reduce the amount of carbon emissions being erected and conserve the non-renewable resources like coal, purchasing energy efficient items like hybrid cars or quitting smoking which can affect local air pollution and deteriorate one’s health.
If air pollution became a major problem in Metropolis, the above measures must be implemented to ensure the future growth and sustainability of the city. Endeavours to reduce air pollution must happen in the short term future and continue to happen over the lifespan of Metropolis. Reducing air pollution should always be a priority as not only does it conserve the environment and reduce global warming, but also assists in the public’s health by reducing respiratory illnesses and stopping premature deaths. For future generations to thrive in the Metropolis, air pollution must be mitigated.
Environment – implementing laws and regulations
It is easy to criticise industrial power plants, factories and vehicles which contribute to air pollution, yet citizens of the world rely on these items for everyday living. Therefore consumers and local governments must pressure these manufacturing companies into reducing pollution and decline the production of polluting goods. Regulations may include a tax plan which would make polluting industries to pay a fixed price for their contributing pollutants (this money can later be used for research in eradicating air pollution), capping chimneys of factories which would reduce some emissions, prescribing maximum pollution release and proposing waste reduction methods. Governments must implement laws and restrictions to eradicate industrial overuse of contaminants and provide encouragements to research and propose ways of more efficient and eco-friendly techniques when producing goods. The exact air pollution guidelines must be sought as different pollutants have different effects.
For instance, there was a smog catastrophe in England that killed thousands of residents in London in 1952. The aftermath included the government establishing the Clean Air Act in 1956 which regulated the location and method of how coal would be burned and where furnaces could be constructed which assisted in allowing residents to breathe better quality air.
Economy
Business use polluting methods to produce goods as it is easier to manufacture and costs less money than to develop systems that use renewable energy sources. For instance, many car factories produce cars with gasoline engines then to develop electric/hybrid cars, or vehicles which are driven by fuel cells which are cars that produce less pollution. Thus awareness and money allocated by the government can go towards research projects that look at new ways to produce goods without pollutants as a by-product. These technologies will one day help reduce their ecological footprint while still leading the same lives.
Social - raising awareness
By raising awareness, the public becomes educated about how air pollution is damaging the air quality, contributing to global warming and other aspects that are affecting modern society. Citizens can help reduce air pollution by changing their way of life. For example, use products that do no pollute the air when being manufactured or if so, urge those companies to reduce air pollution, use public transport or cycle/walk to destinations which will reduce the amount of carbon emissions being erected and conserve the non-renewable resources like coal, purchasing energy efficient items like hybrid cars or quitting smoking which can affect local air pollution and deteriorate one’s health.
If air pollution became a major problem in Metropolis, the above measures must be implemented to ensure the future growth and sustainability of the city. Endeavours to reduce air pollution must happen in the short term future and continue to happen over the lifespan of Metropolis. Reducing air pollution should always be a priority as not only does it conserve the environment and reduce global warming, but also assists in the public’s health by reducing respiratory illnesses and stopping premature deaths. For future generations to thrive in the Metropolis, air pollution must be mitigated.
Air pollution in China:
China hopes to reduce their PM2.5 pollutant particles in the air by:
China hopes to reduce their PM2.5 pollutant particles in the air by:
- Reducing emissions from automobiles and coal powered industries;
- Promoting cleaner and more effective usage of coal;
- Supporting renewable resources like wind and solar power and;
- Implementing control measures to manage air pollution.