Air pollution levels have been consistently soaring for years, reaching particularly alarming heights. It’s been reported that often the world’s poorest countries are some of the worst effected when it comes to pollution; with Bangladesh, Somalia and Afghanistan all toping the lists of deaths linked to pollution. Many countries across the globe have come together to vow to tackle it. ‘The Paris Agreement’ was drawn in 2016, signed by 118 nations the document is a declaration of effort to act on climate change.
The Dangers Of Air Pollution
Pollution is not only bad news for the environment, but it can also be damaging to people’s health. Global warming activists are growing increasingly concerned about the emissions being released into the atmosphere. It’s well known that Carbon Dioxide is the biggest contributor to warming Earth, but Sulphur Dioxide is also a primary cause of acid rain, and a component of smog. It’s evident that there is more the government can be doing to prevent air pollution such as taxes on carbon emissions and sanctions on individuals.
Is It Safer Indoors?
Many people would consider it common sense that they would be better protected from pollution indoors. However, this isn’t the case. Indoor spaces and suburban areas are all effected by air pollution though many people may not believe it, hence why the government has been called on by activists to do something as the problem gets out of control.
It’s not just the government taking a stand, businesses have also been forced to act by installing stainless steel ducting to tackle indoors air pollution. Pollution can be rife in workplaces such as factories and warehouses. As a result of this, productivity can take a dive. Poor air quality can make workers feel sluggish and demotivated.
Solutions
Scientists and activists have been working together to come up with solutions to try and reduce air pollution in various ways:
- One of the biggest developments has been for factories and industrial parks. A previously mentioned, they’ve begun using machines to combat pollution such as industrial ducting. This will greatly help with the air quality inside the business.
- Hire services that are transporting similar cargo to reduce the levels of air pollution from half-empty fridge vans or other transport vehicles.
- Up and down the UK, city centres now feature eco-friendly ‘smart bins’. When they get full, they send a message back to the waste company that they need to be emptied. This reduces mess around the city while promoting recycling.
- Nowadays, air purification devices are common features in a household. These state of the art machines can purify the air inside the home, making it feel fresher and cleaner. In a few years’ time, it’s not inconceivable that every household will have an air purifier.
- Consider your waste management service currently in place can it be improved and executed in an environmentally friendly way.
Steps such as turning an engine off when it’s unnecessarily on, recycling more, and using public transport or cycling can contribute to lowering global warming more than people may realise. With the governments new commitments to tackling pollution, things are looking up.
