Strategies To Reduce Air Pollution

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. It is caused primarily by human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. To reduce air pollution, several measures can be implemented:

- Encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, and car-sharing to reduce vehicle emissions.

- Improve fuel efficiency and engine technology, including the development of electric vehicles.

- Reduce personal car usage by opting for walking, biking, or using energy-efficient modes of transport.

- Improve energy efficiency by conserving electricity, using energy-saving appliances, and switching to renewable energy sources.

- Recycle and reuse products to reduce the energy consumption and emissions associated with manufacturing new items.

- Avoid burning garbage and minimise the use of firecrackers, cigarettes, and wood-burning stoves, as these contribute to air pollution.

- Implement afforestation and urban greening initiatives to absorb pollutants and reduce the heat island effect in cities.

- Introduce regulations and economic incentives, such as carbon tax systems, to discourage polluting industries and encourage the adoption of cleaner technologies.

Drive less, carpool, walk, or use public transport

Driving less, carpooling, walking, and using public transportation are all effective ways to reduce air pollution. Firstly, driving less directly reduces emissions. This can be achieved by opting to walk or bike for shorter trips, especially those under 16 km, which account for 40% of carbon emissions from vehicles. Walking and cycling have the added benefit of improving health, with a 10% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk. They also contribute to a quieter neighborhood, reducing noise pollution.

Carpooling is another effective way to cut down on emissions. By sharing rides, fewer cars are on the road, and there is an overall reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. This is especially beneficial for longer trips or when commuting to work, as it reduces the number of vehicles in use.

Public transportation is a more sustainable option when compared to driving alone. It reduces CO2 emissions by 45% and saves an estimated 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in the US alone. Additionally, public transportation encourages more efficient land use and reduces the need for building more roads, which can contribute to ground and water pollution.

By driving less, carpooling, walking, or using public transportation, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution, improving air quality, and promoting healthier communities. These choices have a direct impact on lowering emissions, decreasing pollutants, and creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

Keep your car well-maintained and tires inflated

Keeping your car well-maintained and making sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure are important ways to reduce air pollution. Under-inflated tires require more energy to start moving and to maintain speed, which increases fuel consumption and, in turn, emissions.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, keeping tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average, and up to 3% in some cases. Conversely, under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1-psi drop in pressure across all tires. Properly inflated tires are also safer, as they reduce stopping distances and skidding on wet surfaces. They also wear more evenly and last longer.

You can find the correct tire pressure for your vehicle in the owner's manual, on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or glove box, or printed on the tire's sidewall. Mechanics advise checking your tire pressure monthly, and when the tires are cold, as internal pressure increases when the car has been driven and then drops when the tires cool.

In addition to keeping your tires inflated, it's important to keep your car well-maintained. Modern vehicles are so advanced that they may seem to drive normally even when a repair is needed, but a check engine light on your dashboard means your vehicle is not operating as designed and needs to be inspected by a qualified technician. Regular oil changes and other maintenance, as outlined in your owner's manual, will also help keep your car running as cleanly and efficiently as possible.

Turn off your engine when stationary

Turning off your engine when stationary is a highly effective way to reduce air pollution. Idling engines create hotspots of pollution, and when multiple cars are idling in the same location, they can significantly degrade local air quality. For example, studies have shown that idling is a major contributor to elevated pollution levels around schools, as parents and school buses often leave their engines running while waiting for children.

The Wycombe District Council in the UK has installed air quality signs in high-traffic locations, reminding motorists to "turn off your engine whilst stationary" to "reduce harmful emissions". This simple action can make a notable difference, as research suggests that turning off your engine when stationary improves a car's fuel economy by over eight per cent in heavy traffic.

For those without automatic engine shut-off systems, it is worth turning off the engine manually. The saving in terms of pollutants occurs within a second, and this will also translate into small but incremental reductions in fuel costs.

To summarise, turning off your engine when stationary is a simple yet impactful way to reduce air pollution and fuel costs, and it can also help to minimise engine wear and tear.

Don't burn trash or leaves

Burning trash or leaves releases toxic chemicals into the air, which can have severe health implications. These chemicals, such as benzene, styrene, and toluene, are known to be carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. They can be easily inhaled by those nearby and can also be absorbed through the skin. This is especially harmful to those with heart and lung conditions, and can trigger asthma attacks.

The smoke from burning trash can also contaminate the soil and groundwater, as well as plants and vegetables in the surrounding area. This can then enter the human food chain through crops and livestock. For example, arsenic can be released when burning CCA pressure-treated wood, which can remain in the ash or be released into the smoke.

Burning trash can also cause wildfires, which pose a serious threat to public safety, property, and natural resources. It is also against the law in many places, including Minnesota and New York.

Instead of burning trash or leaves, consider composting or mulching them, or look into trash hauling services provided by your county.

Plant and care for trees

Trees are an excellent way to reduce air pollution. They are often referred to as the "lungs" of an ecosystem as they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. They also act as the "liver" of an ecosystem, filtering atmospheric pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves.

Trees are particularly effective at removing particulate matter (PM) from the air. PM comes in the form of tiny particles of organic chemicals, acids, metals, and dust, emitted from fossil-fuel-burning vehicles and factories, as well as construction sites. Fine particulate matter can easily penetrate the human respiratory system, causing cardiovascular diseases or exacerbating respiratory illnesses.

When choosing which trees to plant, it is important to consider the local context. The most effective trees for reducing air pollution will have large canopies and large, waxy, hairy leaves. Conifers, like pines and cypresses, are good natural purifiers as their dense canopy of needle-like leaves is very effective at trapping pollutants. They are also evergreen, so they act as year-round filters. However, conifers can be sensitive to salt levels in the soil and their year-round canopy can block sunlight from melting snow and ice, which can lead to road traffic problems in cold cities.

Other effective tree species for reducing air pollution include silver birch, yew, elder, silver maple, honey locust, and London plane trees. It is also important to ensure biodiversity by not planting more than 5-10% of an urban forest with the same species or family.

In addition to the type of tree, the location of the trees is important. Trees should be planted close to sources of pollution and in a way that takes into account wind direction and landscape structure to ensure the effective dispersal of pollutants.

Caring for trees is also important. This includes regular maintenance, such as ensuring the trees have adequate water and nutrients, and removing any dead or diseased branches.

Frequently asked questions