Strategies To Reduce Smog And Air Pollution

Smog and air pollution are caused by gases, chemicals, and particles released into the atmosphere, which can have a detrimental impact on the environment and human health. While some sources of air pollution are outside of our control, such as industrial emissions, there are still many things we can do to improve the air we breathe and reduce smog. This includes driving less and opting for walking, cycling, or public transport instead, as well as making sure our cars are well-maintained and not left idling. We can also reduce our energy consumption, switch to renewable energy suppliers, and avoid burning wood or trash, which is a major source of particle pollution.

Reduce car usage, opt for walking, cycling, carpooling or public transport

One of the most effective ways to reduce smog and air pollution is to reduce car usage and opt for walking, cycling, carpooling, or public transport.

Walking and cycling have been identified as great ways to reduce air pollution and improve health. According to the World Health Organization, walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days can reduce the mortality risk by at least 10%. Active commuting is associated with a 10% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk. Additionally, cancer-related mortality is 30% lower among those who commute by bike. By choosing to walk or cycle, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health, making it a win-win situation.

To encourage walking and cycling, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure in place. This includes safe pedestrian and bike paths, trip-end facilities such as changing rooms and secure bike parking, and the integration of walking and cycling into urban planning. For example, designing cities so that daily needs are within a safe distance that can be covered by walking or cycling. Schools and workplaces should be easily accessible by foot or bike, and children should be taught about the importance of regular exercise and the environmental impact of traffic.

Carpooling is another effective way to reduce car usage and air pollution. By sharing rides with friends or using ride-sharing services, individuals can reduce the number of cars on the road and, consequently, decrease emissions. This also applies to school and work commutes, where carpooling can significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Public transportation is also a key component of reducing car usage and air pollution. Taking public transportation instead of driving alone can reduce CO2 emissions by 45% and improve air quality. It is often more convenient and cheaper than driving and parking, and it helps reduce congestion on the roads. Additionally, public transportation helps those who cannot opt for walking or cycling due to longer distances or physical limitations.

By combining these strategies of walking, cycling, carpooling, and using public transport, individuals can significantly contribute to reducing smog and air pollution, improving their health, and making their cities more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Maintain your vehicle, keep tyres inflated and fix exhaust issues

Maintaining your vehicle is essential to reducing smog and air pollution. Here are some critical steps to take:

Keep your vehicle in good condition by performing regular tune-ups and adhering to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. This includes getting oil changes using the recommended motor oil. Also, promptly address any issues with the exhaust system and oxygen sensors, as these can significantly impact emissions.

Tyre maintenance is another crucial aspect. Ensure your tyres are always inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tires have been proven to lower gas mileage, especially at lower speeds. Additionally, consider investing in high-quality tyres. While it may be tempting to opt for budget tyres, they can contribute to increased tyre wear, a significant source of non-exhaust emissions, which are currently unregulated and can be up to 1,000 times worse than exhaust emissions.

Furthermore, if possible, consider reducing the weight of your vehicle. The growing popularity of SUVs and electric vehicles, which are heavier than standard cars, exacerbates the problem of tyre wear and non-exhaust emissions.

By diligently maintaining your vehicle, addressing exhaust issues, and ensuring proper tyre inflation and quality, you can play a significant role in reducing smog and air pollution caused by automobiles.

Turn off your engine when idling

Turning off your engine when idling is one of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution. Idling is when a driver leaves the engine running while the vehicle is parked. Every day, millions of cars and trucks idle needlessly, sometimes for hours, and an idling vehicle can release as much pollution as a moving car.

Idling creates a hotspot of pollution, and the emissions from idling vehicles are extremely harmful. They include hazardous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide, which is the primary contributor to global warming. These pollutants have been linked to serious illnesses, including asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. In fact, for every 10 minutes your engine is off, you prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

You may not be able to avoid keeping your engine running when stopped in traffic or at a traffic signal, but there are many situations where idling is unnecessary. For example, when warming up your car or waiting to pick someone up, simply turn off your ignition. Contrary to popular belief, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idling. In fact, idling for just 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine, and warming up your engine by driving will warm it twice as quickly.

Additionally, idling increases overall engine wear by causing the car to operate for longer than necessary, so frequent restarts are not hard on your engine and can actually protect it by reducing unnecessary wear and tear. Turning off your engine when idling will not only reduce air pollution and improve the health of your community but will also save you money on fuel.

Reduce energy consumption at home and work

Energy consumption at home and in the workplace makes up a significant portion of our energy usage, so reducing energy usage in these areas can have a large impact on smog and air pollution.

At Home

• Turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use. Even when not in use, devices like TVs, computers, and chargers consume standby power, known as "vampire energy". Unplugging these devices can save up to £80 per year on your electricity bill.
• Turn off the lights when leaving a room. This can save around £7 in Great Britain and £9 in Northern Ireland on your annual energy bills.
• Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. LED bulbs consume up to 90% less energy and last much longer.
• Avoid using tumble dryers for your clothes. Drying clothes on racks inside or outside can save you £50 in Great Britain and £60 in Northern Ireland per year.
• Only run your dishwasher when it is full. Reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you £12 in Great Britain and £15 in Northern Ireland.
• Insulate your home. Proper insulation in walls, attics, and crawl spaces can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 30%, resulting in significant savings on energy bills.

At Work

• Switch off appliances and equipment when not in use. Computers are a major energy zapper, so unplugging them over the weekend or setting monitors to turn off after 10 minutes of inactivity can reduce energy usage.
• Make use of natural lighting. Using daylight instead of artificial light can save energy.
• Turn down the heating by 1°C. Reducing heating temperatures can cut fuel consumption by 8%.
• Time your heating. Check that system operating hours match the times when areas are in use and consider a timer system to automatically turn off heating at the end of the day.
• Get better insulated. Loft and cavity wall insulation can help prevent heat loss.
• Use energy-efficient appliances. When choosing appliances, look for the Energy Rating label to ensure you are making an energy-efficient choice.

Plant and care for trees and plants

Trees and plants are a great natural way to reduce air pollution and smog. They help to clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants and releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe. They also provide shade, reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.

Planting

When planting trees, it is important to consider the species and its suitability for the local environment. Some trees are more effective at filtering pollutants than others. For example, conifers such as pines and cypresses are excellent natural air purifiers, but they may not be suitable for urban areas with high salt levels in the soil. Native species are often a good choice as they tend to emit fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than non-native species. It is also important to consider the size of the tree and its canopy—bigger canopies can trap more particles, but in narrow streets surrounded by tall buildings, tall trees can prevent pollution from dispersing.

Placement

Trees should be planted close to sources of pollution, such as busy roads. However, it is important to consider the direction of the wind and the landscape structure, as these can affect the movement of pollution. In some cases, hedges or green walls may be more effective than trees in certain areas.

Maintenance

Trees require maintenance, such as regular servicing to ensure they are healthy and functioning optimally. It is also important to consider the lifespan of the tree and how much attention it will need over its lifetime.

Biodiversity

When planting trees, it is important to maintain biodiversity. No more than 5-10% of an urban forest should be made up of the same species or family of trees.

Individual Actions

Individuals can support tree-planting initiatives in their local area or even start their own. They can also care for existing trees by ensuring they are healthy and well-maintained.

The Benefits of Trees and Plants

Direct Removal of Pollutants

Trees and plants act as the “lungs” and “liver” of an ecosystem, absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen, and filtering atmospheric pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves. They are particularly effective at removing particulate matter (PM), including tiny particles of organic chemicals, acids, metals, and dust emitted from vehicles, factories, and construction sites.

Indirect Benefits

Trees and plants can also improve air quality indirectly by shading surfaces and reducing temperatures. This reduces the need for conventional air conditioning and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases. Lower temperatures also decrease the risk of harmful pollutants like ground-level ozone, which commonly spike on hot days in urban areas.

The Impact of Trees and Plants

Trees can have a significant impact on air quality and human health. In the contiguous United States, urban trees remove an estimated 711,000 metric tons of air pollution annually. According to one study, trees in urban forests in the United States removed 17.4 million tons of air pollution in 2010, with health impacts valued at $6.8 billion. This included the avoidance of more than 850 incidences of human mortality and 670,000 incidences of acute respiratory symptoms.

Frequently asked questions