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Emissions
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biggest contributors to global warming. Once the gas is released into the atmosphere, it stays there, making it difficult to remove heat – and heat the planet in the process.
It is mainly released from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, as well as from the production of cement.
The average monthly CO2 concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere as of April 2019 was 413 parts per million (ppm). Before the Industrial Revolution, the concentration was only 280 ppm.
The concentration of CO2 has fluctuated over the past 800,000 years between 180 and 280 ppm, but has been greatly accelerated by human-made pollution.
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) comes from the combustion of fossil fuels, car 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 between 200 and 300 times more efficient at trapping heat.
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also comes mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, but can also be released through car exhausts.
SO2 can react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to cause acid rain.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indirect greenhouse gas because it reacts with hydroxyl radicals and eliminates them. Hydroxyl radicals reduce the lifespan of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Particles
What is particulate matter?
Particles refer to tiny parts of solids or liquids in the air.
Some are visible, such as dust, while others are not visible to the naked eye.
Materials such as metals, microplastics, soil, and chemicals can be particulate.
Particles (or PM) are described in micrometers. The two main elements 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 particles in the air per cubic meter.
Particles are released into the air by a number of processes, including the burning of fossil fuels, driving cars, and making steel.
Why are particles dangerous?
Particles are dangerous because particles less than 10 microns in diameter can penetrate deep into your lungs and even pass into your bloodstream. Particulate matter is found at higher concentrations in urban areas, especially along major roads.
Impact on health
What kinds of health problems can pollution cause?
According to the World Health Organization, a third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease can be linked to air pollution.
Some of the effects of air pollution on the body are not understood, but pollution can increase inflammation which constricts arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes.
What’s more, nearly one in 10 lung cancer cases in the UK is caused by air pollution.
The particles enter and lodge in the lungs, causing inflammation and damage. In addition, certain chemicals contained in the particles that enter the body can cause cancer.
Pollution deaths
About seven million people die prematurely from air pollution each year. Pollution can cause a number of problems, including asthma attacks, strokes, various cancers, and cardiovascular issues.
Asthma triggers
Air pollution can cause problems for asthmatics for several reasons. The pollutants in traffic fumes can irritate your airways, and the particles can enter your lungs and throat and cause these areas to become inflamed.
Problems during pregnancy
Women exposed to air pollution before becoming pregnant are nearly 20% more likely to have babies with birth defects, according to a January 2018 study.
Living within 3 miles of a heavily polluted area one month before conceiving makes women more likely to give birth to babies with abnormalities such as a cleft palate or lips, according to a University of Cincinnati study. .
For every 0.01 mg / m3 increase in fine air particles, birth defects increase by 19%, the research adds.
Previous research suggests that this causes birth defects as a result of women suffering from inflammation and “internal stress.”
What are we doing to fight air pollution?
Paris Agreement on Climate Change
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
He hopes to keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 ° C (3.6 ° F) “and continue his efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 ° C (2.7 ° F) “.
Carbon neutral by 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 fear that this first option will be used by the government to export its carbon offset to other countries.
International carbon credits allow nations to continue to emit carbon while paying for trees to be planted elsewhere, thus balancing their emissions.
No new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2040
In 2017, the UK government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be banned by 2040.
However, members of the climate change committee have urged the government to postpone the ban until 2030, because by then they will have an equivalent range and price.
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. Pictured: Air pollution over Paris in 2019.
Norwegian subsidies for electric cars
The rapid electrification of the Norwegian vehicle fleet is mainly due to generous state subsidies. Electric cars are almost entirely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on gasoline and diesel cars, making them competitively priced.
A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs almost 334,000 crowns (34,500 euros, 38,600 dollars), while its electric cousin, the e-Golf, costs 326,000 crowns thanks to a lower tax quotient.
Criticisms of inaction on climate change
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said there was a “shocking” lack of preparedness by the government for the risks to the country from climate change.
The committee assessed 33 areas where climate change risks needed to be addressed – from the resilience of properties to flooding to impacts on farmland and supply chains – and found no real progress in any of them. between them.
The UK is unprepared for a 2 ° C warming, the level at which countries have pledged to curb temperature increases, let alone a 4 ° C rise, which is possible if the gases greenhouse gases are not being reduced globally, the commission said.
He added that cities need more green space to stop the urban heat island effect and to prevent flooding by absorbing heavy rains.
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