What is Air Pollution
Air pollution is when the air gets polluted by to much Carbon Dioxide, Methane or Water Vapour. As a result it makes it hard for us to breathe and it also makes the earth to become warmer and change our climate. By burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal for transport (cars, buses, airplanes and boats) and also for production of stuff in factories and electricity too much Carbon Dioxide and Methane is released into the air. Methane is also created by animals used for food (cows) and by the garbage decomposing in dumps and landfills. Temperature around the planet rises (because of air pollution) and the amount of water vapour also increases as we waste water. Water vapour is caused is caused when the amount of water evaporated is increased by using water besides from rain water to do everyday activities such as: watering plants, washing cars, etc...
How Can We Help?
Pretty much everything we do affects air pollution ,such as every time we get driven to school, use heaters or air conditioner and even clean our windows. There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution, many of them, listed below:
- Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
- Participate in your local utility’s energy conservation programs.
- Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking.
- Combine errands for fewer trips.
- Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.
- Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
- Use gasoline stations that have special vapor recovery nozzles.
- Use electric or hand-powered lawn care equipment.
- Be careful not to spill gasoline when filling up your car or gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment.
- Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full.
- Choose environmentally friendly cleaners.
- Use water-based or solvent free paints whenever possible and buy products that say "low VOC".
- Seal containers of household cleaners, workshop chemicals and solvents, and garden chemicals to prevent volatile organic compounds from evaporating into the air.
- Purchase and use low-polluting outboard marine engines and personal watercraft (4-stroke and direct fuel injection 2-stroke outboard marine engines).
- Advocate for emission reductions from power plants and more stringent national vehicle emission standards.\
- Remember to turn of lights and all electric appliances when you're not using them