Why is Air Pollution a Danger to Our Environment?

Although it is easy for people to forget about this issue, air pollution is a very real problem that threatens the environment as well as ourselves, each and every day. However, this not a problem that will go away on its own. The smog, factories, and millions of cars we see on the road are a constant reminder.

At times we simply cant ignore air pollution. For example, when driving past a factory pumping smoke clouds high into the sky, or when standing in a traffic jam smelling the exhaust of the car in front of us, it is hard not to imagine what damage it is doing to our body.

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 demonstrated that air pollution is associated with countless types of illnesses, including: strokes, breathing problems and heart issues.

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 pollutants can cause rain to turn to acid rain. This has a great impact on animals, fish and plants that are soaked in it. Acid rain can also affect the ground, making the soil toxic to many animals and plants.

How can we fight air pollution?

1. Hybrid vehicles: by using hybrid vehicles, we significantly reduce the air pollution which our vehicles cause, since this type of vehicle produces about a fourth of the pollution of an average vehicle. If everyone started using hybrid vehicles, this would have a great impact on global air pollution!

2. Using green energy, such as wind power, solar power, hydro electricity, geothermal power and biomass energy, rather than using fossil fuels for energy, would also have a large 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.

Perhaps the only way this can be achieved is through education: although most people are familiar with air pollution and how it occurs, and are generally aware of its effects, many would rather turn their heads the other way rather than deal with this ever growing problem. The only way to truly overcome this problem is to start with the young: if we, collectively, can get our descendants to permanently change their ways by learning from our mistakes, then perhaps there is still hope for our planet - and ourselves.