II.26. Exercise 26 - Air Pollution

05/12/2019 - 08:00 pm - Air Pollution.



       Since the 1980s, our planet "the Earth" has been facing and suffering from a problem, which is becoming more serious each day, namely air pollution. This problem is due to the release into our air of chemical, biological or physical pollutants that can be very dangerous. The consequences are numerous, such as disorders of human health, living beings and the climate. According to the WHO, this pollution is more deadly than tobacco, and is estimated to cause more than 7 million deaths per year. What is terrible is that it is man himself who is contributing to the increase in this pollution. This is all the more dangerous because it cannot be seen with the naked eye. According to some scientists, within 20 years, future generations will have very young health problems. For example, asthma or infections, and it will be difficult for them to live as long as we do today. This problem must be controlled before it is too late. The recurrent and increasing problem of air pollution could be solved by setting up tree solutions, which are a huge reduction in current deforestation, a change in the functioning of mass production factories, and finally the establishment of quotas on the use of cars.

      The first solution to this dramatic problem of air pollution is a decrease of the deforestation, achieved through specific policies and engagements on tree cutting and the diffusion of prevention campaigns on the importance of the great forests. Indeed, governments around the world or environmental associations should agree to sign commitments that limit tree cutting. It is important to know that large forests, such as the Amazon, are the "lungs of the planet", because trees inspire bad CO2 and release the O2 that allows us to breathe. So if we limit the cutting of trees, there will be a better absorption of a type of polluting gas. Some associations have already launched policies to solve this problem, such as that of "one tree cut down, two replanted". Then, prevention campaigns could be organized, with the countries that practice deforestation the most or even to raise awareness among future generations. These campaigns could explain all the dangers that we risk if we continue to deforest, and therefore not to take into account air pollution. Whether through large-scale commitments, or through small or medium prevention, any method is possible to try to combat deforestation, which leads to greater air pollution.

      After that, we can imagine a reorganisation of the operation of factories that produce on a massive scale, with a control of the products used during chemical transformations, or half-yearly controls on their emission of polluting gases. First of all, these factories, which produce in huge quantities, also produce a lot of pollution, which goes directly into the air, so controls should be taxable. Once again, internationally engaged governments or associations should establish controls over raw materials and their processing processes. This would make it possible to detect products that pollute the air too much, with the aim of replacing or removing them from the market. For example, factories sometimes release thousands of harmful particles, to make only a few cheap T-shirts. To this idea, we can add a control per semester or quarter of this type of plants, in order to see if their polluting gas emissions are not too high. Designated experts and professionals would go to the site to assess the situation. If it is too high, then malus or penalties could be set to encourage manufacturers to reduce their bad emissions. This type of massively produced plants are a major source of air pollution, so controlling their production system or their gas emission rate every six months is a good solution.

        A last solution focuses on a better use of cars, this can be done through rewards for the use of electric cars or through campaigns promoting the use of public transport. Already, simply by offering financial assistance or a reward to people who will invest in the use of electric cars, it is certain that this would help to reduce the polluting use of gasoline or diesel cars. It may also be considered to add recharging points in cities to facilitate their use. Electric cars are a real future solution to limit air pollution, so people should be encouraged to do so as much as possible. Moreover, if compensation for making people want to use electric cars is not enough, it would be possible to carry out campaigns that would encourage them to use public transport. Indeed, buses, subways and trams, as soon as a transport serves many people, it avoids more cars in traffic and therefore causes less contamination. Campaigns could take place in schools, in the workplace, or in the form of posters in the street. We can even imagine active campaigns, with, for example, a reduction in prices in this type of transport. These two ways of encouraging "green" transports are very effective in reducing air pollution.

     The air pollution problem is severe, but may be declining thanks to solutions such as, a decrease of the deforestation, a modification on the functioning of mass production factories, and finally the creation of multiple quotas on the use of cars. We must mobilize on deforestation, with, for example, specific policies and engagements on tree cutting and the dissemination of prevention campaigns on the importance of major forests. That is not all, because another solution is to change the functioning of mass production plants, let us act for the establishment of control of the production chain and also by experts every six months. Finally, the solution of setting up quotas for car use is important, in particular with rewards for the use of electric cars and campaigns promoting public transport. The future of our planet is at risk, these three solutions are a first step to limit air pollution, so it's up to us!


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