Emissions
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor to global warming. After the gas is released into the atmosphere, it stays there, making it difficult for heat to escape and heating the planet during the process.
It is mainly released from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, as well as from cement production.
The average monthly concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, in April 2019, is 413 parts per million (ppm). Before the Industrial Revolution, the concentration was only 280 ppm.
The concentration of CO2 has fluctuated over the last 800,000 years between 180 and 280 ppm, but has been greatly accelerated by human-caused pollution.
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas comes from the combustion of fossil fuels, vehicle exhaust emissions and the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers used in agriculture.
Although there is much less NO2 in the atmosphere than CO2, it is 200 to 300 times more effective at trapping heat.
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also comes mainly from the combustion of fossils, but can also be released from the exhaust gases of vehicles.
SO2 can react with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere and cause acid rain.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indirect greenhouse gas as it reacts with hydroxyl radicals, eliminating them. Hydroxyl radicals reduce the useful life of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Particles
What is the particle?
Particle refers to small parts of solids or liquid materials in the air.
Some are visible, like dust, while others cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Materials such as metals, microplastics, soil, and chemicals can contain particles.
The particle (or PM) is described in micrometers. The two main ones mentioned in reports and studies are PM10 (less than 10 micrometers) and PM2.5 (less than 2.5 micrometers).
Air pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels, cars, cement manufacturing and agriculture
Scientists measure the rate of airborne particles per cubic meter.
The particles are sent into the air through various processes, such as burning fossil fuels, driving cars and making steel.
Why are particles dangerous?
The particles are dangerous because those less than 10 micrometers in diameter can penetrate deep into the lungs or even pass into the bloodstream. The particles are found in higher concentrations in urban areas, especially on major roads.
Impact on health
What kind of health problems can pollution cause?
According to the World Health Organization, one-third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease may be related to air pollution.
Some of the effects of air pollution on the body are not understood, but pollution can increase inflammation which reduces the arteries and causes heart attacks or strokes.
In addition, almost one in ten cases of lung cancer in the UK is caused by air pollution.
The particles enter the lungs and lodge there, causing inflammation and damage. In addition to this, some chemicals in the particles that enter the body can cause cancer.
Deaths from pollution
About seven million people die prematurely due to air pollution each year. Pollution can cause a variety of problems, including asthma attacks, stroke, various cancers, and cardiovascular problems.
Triggering asthma
Air pollution can cause problems for people with asthma for a variety of reasons. Contaminants from traffic fumes can irritate the airways and particles can reach the lungs and throat and inflame these areas.
Problems in pregnancy
Women exposed to air pollution before becoming pregnant are nearly 20% more likely to have babies with birth defects, according to research suggested in January 2018.
A University of Cincinnati study found that living less than 5 miles from a highly polluted area a month before conceiving causes women to have defective parts such as a cleft palate or cleft lips.
The research adds that for every 0.01 mg / m3 increase in fine air particles, congenital defects increase by 19%.
Previous research suggests that this causes birth defects as a result of women suffering from inflammation and “internal stress”.
What is being done to combat air pollution?
Paris agreement on climate change
The Paris Agreement, first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
Expects to keep global average temperature rise below 2 ° C (3.6 ° F) “and continue efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5 ° C (2.7 ° F)” .
Carbon neutral for 2050
The UK government has announced plans to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.
They plan to do this by planting more trees and installing carbon capture technology at the source of the pollution.
Some critics are concerned that this first option should be used by the government to export its carbon offsets to other countries.
International carbon credits allow nations to continue to emit carbon while paying for planting trees elsewhere, balancing their emissions.
There will be no new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2040
In 2017, the UK government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles would be banned by 2040.
However, deputies from the climate change committee have urged the government to advance the ban until 2030, as by then they will have an equivalent rank and price.
The Paris Agreement, first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. In the picture: air pollution in Paris in 2019.
Subsidies in Norway for electric cars
The rapid electrification of Norway’s car fleet is mainly attributed to generous state subsidies. Electric cars are almost completely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on gasoline and diesel cars, which makes them competitive.
A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs almost 334,000 crowns (34,500 euros, $ 38,600), while its electric cousin, the e-Golf, costs 326,000 crowns thanks to a lower tax rate.
Criticisms of inaction on climate change
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has said there is a “shocking” lack of government readiness for climate change risks for the country.
The committee assessed 33 areas where the risks of climate change had to be addressed (from flood resistance to property to impacts on farmland and supply chains) and found no real progress in none of them.
The United Kingdom is not prepared for a warming of 2 ° C, the level at which countries have committed to curbing the rise in temperature, let alone a 4 ° C increase, which is possible if the gases of greenhouse effect will not be reduced globally, the committee said.
He added that cities need more green spaces to stop the urban “heat island” effect and to prevent floods by absorbing heavy rainfall.