Air pollution is slowly but surely destroying the Earth. Some of the things we need to live are in the air. We breathe in air, and then all of the carbon dioxide that we don’t use is put back in the air for plants. Plants “breathe in” carbon dioxide, absorb it for their needs, and then “breathe out” the oxygen. When contaminants enter the air, this delicate balance is disrupted.
Graphic By: Dante Ros (M)
The air today, mostly over cities, is a revolting mix of natural,
clean air combined with smoke from cars, power plants, dry cleaners, buses,
trucks, windblown dust, wildfires, factories, leaf blowers, and a multitude
of other sources. There are noxious gases like sulfur dioxide and oxides of
nitrogen. There are bits of coal dust and rubber. It is a truly disgusting thing
to think about. Our bodies can only deal with so much. When the load of pollution
is too great, we get diseases, we slow down, our heads ache, our chests tighten,
and our organs work with less efficiency. The impact is most severe on the young,
the senior citizens, and those with breathing problems.
Air pollution causes a huge amount of damage to crops, the ozone layer, and
buildings, and it also kills trees and obscures visibility. It is mainly caused
by four things: increasing traffic (this is the worst one), growing cities,
rapid economic development, and industrialization.
To control pollution, manufacturing plants are now using fewer fossil fuels,
which generate smog and poison the world.
You can make a difference too. Here are some suggestions:
- Instead of driving two or three cars somewhere, just drive one.
- Arrange a carpool for school or work.
- Avoid high speeds on the road and keep your tires properly inflated.
- Drive a newer vehicle; they usually pollute less.
- Drive smoothly and avoid idling. Don’t overfill your gas tank.
- Combine errands into one trip.
- Keep your car well maintained.
- Don’t allow your car’s air conditioning system to leak.
- Reduce fuel use as much as possible.
- Drive an alternatively-fueled vehicle, such as a hybrid.
- Reduce electricity consumption.
- Start charcoal with an electric or chimney type fire starter, instead of lighter fluid.
We hope you have found this passage educational and helpful. If we all pitch in, air pollution can be a thing of the past. But we need your help. So please, try some of our suggestions, and remember: Clean air is breathable air.
Bibliography:
"The Clean Air Act." 11 Aug. 1999. 12 Feb. 2006 <http://www.nsc.org/ech/mobile/aback.htm>.
"Air." EarthJustice. 1971.12Feb. 2006 <http://www.earthjustice.org/program/air>.
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