Happy July, the Second month of Summer. Let's celebrate the summer months with World Environmental.
Air. We all need air to breathe, but if that air gets polluted, it can cause serious health problems.
Air Pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can harm human health, other living organisms, and the environment.
These pollutants can be gases, such as ozone or nitrogen oxides, or small particles, like soot and dust.
Sources of Air Pollution:
- Natural sources: Wildfires, dust storms, volcanic eruptions.
- Human activities: Burning fossil fuels for electricity and transport, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture.
Effects of Air Pollution:
- Health impacts: Air pollution is linked to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer. It causes around 7 to 8 million deaths each year globally.
- Environmental impacts: Ozone affects crops, and forests are impacted by pollution that causes acid rain.
Solutions to Reduce Air Pollution:
- Technological approaches: Clean cookers, improved waste management, industrial scrubbers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy
- Legislative measures: National air quality laws, such as the Clean Air Act in the US, have been effective in reducing air pollution.
