Question

At an individual level, how can you help reduce air pollution?

Answer 1

Hint: To explain this answer we should know about air pollution. We should know that air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals from factories, suspended as particles and cause air pollution.

Step by step answer:
First we should know about air pollution. Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air. Air pollution in the form of carbon dioxide and methane raises the earth’s temperature. Another type of air pollution is then worsened by that increased heat: Smog forms when the weather is warmer and there’s more ultraviolet radiation.
We should know that there are many hazardous air pollutants that are either deadly or have severe health risks even in small amounts. Some of the most common are mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene. These are also most often emitted during gas or coal combustion, incinerating, or in the case of benzene, found in gasoline. By trapping the earth’s heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures and all the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels, more extreme weather, and heat-related deaths. We should know that carbon dioxide comes from combusting fossil fuels, and methane comes from natural and industrial sources, including the large amounts that are released during oil and gas drilling.
Now, let’s talk about some measures that we can do to help reduce air pollution. The less gasoline we burn, the better we’re doing to reduce air pollution and harmful effects of climate change. Make good choices about transportation. When you can, walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation. For driving, choose cars that get better kilometre per litre of gas or choose an electric car. We should look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment. We should note that the technologies for several sources of alternative energy, including solar and wind, are still in the developing stage. Solar and wind are still expensive relative to using fossil fuels. The technology needs to advance so that the price falls. Some areas get low amounts of sunlight and are not suited for solar. Others do not have much wind. It is important that regions develop what best suits them. While the desert Southwest will need to develop solar, the Great Plains can use wind energy as its energy source. Perhaps some locations will rely on nuclear power plants, although current nuclear power plants have major problems with safety and waste disposal.
We can reduce air pollution by breaking down pollutants before they are released into the atmosphere. Motor vehicles emit less pollution than they once did because of catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain a catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions and breaks down nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, and VOCs. Catalytic converters only work when they are hot, so a lot of exhaust escapes as the car is warming up. We can also reduce air pollution by making a vehicle more fuel efficient. Lighter more streamlined vehicles need less energy. Hybrid vehicles have an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. So, we now know about air pollution and steps to control it.

Note: If climate change becomes bad enough, we can attempt to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere after they are emitted. Carbon sequestration occurs naturally when carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by trees in a forest. One way to remove carbon would be to plant more trees, but unfortunately, more forest land is currently being lost than gained. Just as individuals, we can diminish air pollution; we can fight global warming by conserving energy. Also, we can become involved in local, regional, and national efforts to make sound choices on energy policy.