Emissions
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor to global warming. After the gas is released into the atmosphere, it remains there, making it difficult for heat to escape – and heating the planet in the process.
It is mainly released by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, as well as by producing cement.
The average monthly concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, in 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 largely accelerated by pollution from humans.
Nitrogen dioxide
Gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes from burning fossil fuels, exhaust emissions from automobiles 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 effective at retaining heat.
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also comes mainly from burning fossil fuels, but it can also be released by car exhaust.
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, as it reacts with hydroxyl radicals, removing them. Hydroxyl radicals shorten the life of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Particulars
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter 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 be in particles.
Particulate matter (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 burning fossil fuels, cars, cement manufacturing and agriculture
Scientists measure the rate of particles in the air per cubic meter.
Particulate matter is sent into the air by a number of processes, including 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. Particles are found in higher concentrations in urban areas, particularly along major roads.
Health impact
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 narrows arteries, leading to heart attacks or strokes.
In addition, almost one in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK is caused by air pollution.
The particles reach the lungs and lodge there, causing inflammation and damage. In addition, some particulate chemicals that enter the body can cause cancer.
Pollution deaths
About seven million people die prematurely from air pollution every year. Pollution can cause several problems, including asthma attacks, strokes, various types of cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Triggers asthma
Air pollution can cause problems for asthma sufferers for a number of reasons. Pollutants from traffic gases can irritate the airways and particles can enter the lungs and throat and inflame these areas.
Problems in pregnancy
Women exposed to air pollution before becoming pregnant are almost 20 percent more likely to have babies with birth defects, a survey suggested in January 2018.
Living less than three miles from a highly polluted area a month before becoming pregnant makes women more likely to give birth to babies with defects like cleft palate or lips, a study from the University of Cincinnati found.
For every 0.01 mg / m3 increase in fine air particles, birth defects increase 19 percent, the research adds.
Previous research suggests that this causes birth defects as a result of women who experience inflammation and “internal stress”.
What is being done to combat air pollution?
Paris agreement on climate change
The Paris Agreement, which was signed for the first time in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
He hopes to keep the global average temperature rise below 2 ° C (3.6 ° F) ‘and to continue efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 ° C (2.7 ° F)’.
Carbon neutral in 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 will be used by the government to export its carbon offset to other countries.
International carbon credits allow nations to continue emitting carbon while paying for trees to be planted elsewhere, balancing their emissions.
No new petrol or diesel vehicles until 2040
In 2017, the UK government announced that the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars would be banned until 2040.
However, parliamentarians on the climate change committee have urged the government to anticipate the ban by 2030 as they will have an equivalent range and price by then.
The Paris Agreement, which was signed for the first time in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. In the photo: air pollution in Paris in 2019.
Electric car subsidies from Norway
The rapid electrification of Norway’s automotive fleet is mainly attributed to generous state subsidies. Electric cars are almost entirely exempt from the heavy taxes levied on gasoline and diesel cars, which makes them competitively priced.
A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs about 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) said there was a ‘shocking’ lack of government preparedness for the country’s climate change risks.
The committee assessed 33 areas in which the risks of climate change had to be addressed – from property resilience to flooding to impacts on agricultural land and supply chains – and found no real progress in any of them.
The UK is not prepared for 2 ° C warming, the level at which countries have pledged to contain a rise in temperature, let alone a 4 ° C rise, which is possible if greenhouse gases are not cut globally , said the committee.
He added that cities need more green space to interrupt the effect of the urban ‘heat island’ and to prevent flooding by absorbing heavy rain.