Reducing Air Pollution: 10 Simple Ways To Breathe Easier

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of our planet and its inhabitants. While large-scale industrial and company activities contribute significantly to this problem, individuals can also take small but impactful steps to improve air quality. This is especially important as the World Health Organization has stated that there are no safe levels of particulate matter in the air we breathe. Here are ten ways to reduce air pollution and make a positive impact on the environment.

Reduce car use: walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transport

Walking, cycling, carpooling, and using public transport are all great ways to reduce air pollution. These methods of travel can lower emissions and improve air quality, especially in urban areas.

Walking

Walking is a fantastic way to reduce air pollution and improve your health. If your journey is 1 mile (1.6 km) or less, walking is a great option. It can save you time, as you don't have to factor in exercise at other times, and it can also save you money on gym fees.

Cycling

Cycling is another excellent way to cut down on air pollution. It can be a liberating and exhilarating skill to learn, giving you more opportunities to explore your neighbourhood or countryside at a slower pace. For journeys under 5 miles (8 km), cycling is often quicker than driving, especially in traffic-congested areas.

Carpooling

Carpooling is an easy way to significantly reduce the impact of your commute. Sharing a ride with just one other person can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 2,000 pounds (1 ton) of CO2e annually. It can also save you time and money, as you may be able to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lane.

Public Transport

Public transport is a fast, low-cost, and relatively low-emission option, especially in cities. It is a more sociable and meaningful way to travel, allowing you to focus on activities like reading a book. By using public transport, you support its development as a low-carbon option, encouraging authorities to invest in improving the service.

Combining Journeys

Combining multiple purposes into one trip is an effective way to reduce air pollution. For example, you can commute to work and do your shopping on the way home, reducing the total distance travelled by car. This can also save you time and money.

By choosing to walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transport, you can play a crucial role in improving air quality and reducing emissions. These choices not only benefit the environment but also have positive impacts on your health and well-being.

Maintain your vehicle: fix issues, check tyre pressure, service regularly

Maintaining your vehicle is an important step in reducing air pollution. Motor vehicles are a large source of air pollution, so keeping your car in good condition is key to keeping emissions low.

Firstly, fix any issues with your vehicle as soon as possible. A check engine light on your dashboard means your vehicle is not operating as designed and needs repairs or maintenance. Take your vehicle to a qualified automotive technician to get this checked out. It is especially important to fix exhaust and oxygen sensor problems as soon as they arise, as these can contribute to air pollution.

Secondly, check your tyre pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage, causing you to burn more fuel and emit more air pollutants. You can find the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle in your owner's manual.

Finally, service your vehicle regularly. Follow your owner's manual and schedule regular oil changes and other maintenance. Newer vehicles have complex emission controls to keep them running as cleanly as possible, so it's important to make sure these are functioning as designed.

Turn off your engine when idling

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

There are several reasons to avoid idling and turn off your engine instead. Firstly, it reduces hazardous air pollution in your community. Idling tailpipes emit the same harmful pollutants as moving cars, including those linked to serious illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. Secondly, turning off your engine helps the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, a significant contributor to global warming. According to an EDF report, idling cars and trucks in New York City alone produce 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. To offset this, a massive area the size of Manhattan would need to be planted with trees each year.

Additionally, turning off your engine when idling can save you money and fuel. An idling car burns a significant amount of fuel, wasting up to $3 an hour on average. Restarting your car after 10 seconds of idling wastes less gas than letting it idle, and frequent restarts do not cause significant engine wear. In fact, idling increases overall engine wear by keeping the car running longer than necessary.

To be idle-free, turn off your ignition if you're waiting for more than 10 seconds. Instead of idling to warm up your engine or car cabin, ease into your drive, as modern engines and heating systems warm up faster this way. Not only will you reduce pollution and fuel consumption, but you'll also avoid breathing in unhealthy exhaust that leaks into the car cabin when idling.

Parents and teachers can also play a role in reducing idling by helping schools and daycares develop and implement no-idling policies. This can significantly reduce air pollution around these areas and improve the air quality for children.

Don't burn trash or use a fire pit for waste

Burning trash in your backyard fire pit or a campfire ring is a big no-no. It may seem like a convenient way to dispose of your waste, but it has severe negative impacts on human, animal, and plant health.

Today's household trash contains a variety of plastics and paper products treated with chemicals, coatings, and inks. These items, when burned, release toxic chemicals, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic organic matter (POMs), heavy metals, and cancer-causing agents like benzene, styrene, toluene, and furan. These toxins are released into the air and can be inhaled by those nearby or absorbed through the skin and even ingested if food is being cooked over the fire.

The smoke and soot from burning trash can travel long distances, causing eye and nose irritation, difficulty breathing, coughing, and headaches. People with heart disease, asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory diseases are especially vulnerable to these air pollutants. The residue from burning trash can contaminate the soil and groundwater, impacting plants in the area and potentially entering the human food chain through crops and livestock.

Additionally, partially burnt trash left in fire pits can attract animals, leading to negative interactions with humans. The ash from burning single-use plastics and packaging can contain lead, which is toxic to both humans and animals.

So, instead of burning your trash, make sure to dispose of it properly. Contact your local authorities to arrange for trash hauling services or recycling programs. By not burning your trash, you can help protect your health, the environment, and the well-being of the animals around you.

Plant and care for trees to absorb CO2

Planting and caring for trees is an excellent way to help reduce air pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen into the atmosphere through photosynthesis, a process that converts CO2 and water into chemical compounds, such as sugars, that feed the tree. This process also produces oxygen as a by-product, which is then released by the tree. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a mature tree can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a year.

Trees also store carbon dioxide in their fibres, helping to clean the air and reduce the negative effects of CO2 on the environment. They also provide shade, which helps to cool homes and reduce energy usage.

When planting trees, it's important to consider the species and the growing conditions. Trees growing in favourable conditions can grow rapidly, while those in suboptimal environments may grow slowly or struggle to survive. It's also worth noting that the type and age of the tree matter; young, growing trees absorb more carbon than mature trees, which have reached an equilibrium where trees are dying and being replaced at the same rate. Additionally, some tree species store more carbon per hectare than others.

Caring for existing trees is also crucial. Trees don't last forever, and when they die or are burned, they release all the CO2 they've stored. Protecting trees and preserving existing forests is just as important as planting new ones. This includes protecting trees from wildfires and ensuring they have the necessary nutrients from the soil, like nitrogen and phosphorus, to grow and balance their diets as CO2 concentrations increase.

By planting and caring for trees, we can help reduce air pollution, improve air quality, and contribute to the fight against climate change.

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