The best way to combat air pollution It is not creating more and doing the maximum possible to reduce it. Getting to this point requires solutions that make it possible, a field in which technology and innovative approaches have a lot to say. In this article we are going to give a brief review of the problems posed by air pollution in the face of environmental degradation, the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the relationship with public health.
So how do you avoid air pollution? At Ecologista Verde we want to tell you which are the possible solutions for air pollution, showing you some measures and tips for it, as well as talking about the consequences of not reducing it.
Air Pollution Solutions - Summary
As a summary, we can indicate that the solutions for air pollution go through:
- Improve environmental policies.
- Take care of the forests and other vegetation.
- Reduce our harmful emissions or carbon footprint.
- Reduce our ecological footprint.
Here we talk a little more about these points and give some ideas and measures to reduce air pollution.
Solutions for environmental pollution: the policies
Policies aimed at reduction of air pollution they are a solution or, to be more exact, a tool that allows progress in it. However, there are many obstacles that make it difficult to achieve this goal. Among other aspects, it is a cross-cutting problem, which is why it affects very different social aspects, so making a policy favorable to greater environmental quality is complex. However, there is no doubt that without institutional commitment at the global, regional, national and local levels, little can be done about it.
Currently, the scenario is favorable in this regard. Not only for him Paris Agreement (Learn about this with this other post by Green Ecologist about the Paris Agreement: what it consists of, countries and objectives), whose historical achievement makes us believe in a cleaner, balanced and breathable world, but because there is increasing awareness. Thanks to the action of international organizations of an activist nature, warning about the need to protect the environment, such as the ONU and countless NGOs, the world has been opening its eyes. His alerts, on the other hand, have paralleled scientific advances that shed light on how harmful air pollution is to the health of people and the planet.
Thanks to these and other things, the need for combat climate change and, therefore, also of reduce CO2 from the atmosphere, among other greenhouse gases. A framework that is part of the solution, without a doubt, but that only materializes in results when it is accompanied by actions aimed at reducing CO2, still timid but growing.
From regulations that control emissions (transport, industries, etc.) to experimentation with new technologies that help reduce environmental pollution, either in general, as with renewable energies, or in specific areas. This is the case, for example, of the Smog Free Tower, a tower that was installed in Rotterdam to absorb smog. These and other measures are adding up, helping to solve the double problem of climate change and environmental unhealthiness, although we are still far from achieving it. Even so, seeing the half-full bottle, we can conclude that, in many cases, these are initiatives that are having a positive impact in order to improve the healthiness of the air we breathe, especially in urban and industrial areas.
Learn more about policies to reduce air pollution and other environmental problems with this other post by Green Ecologist on Environmental Protocols: what they are and examples.
Caring for forests: a solution to air pollution
So, apart from improving environmental policies,how to prevent or avoid air pollution? Both to reduce the pollution that exists and to prevent it from increasing globally, a key aspect is to take care of the vegetation throughout the planet. Thus, to avoid or reduce pollution, it is necessary to taking care of forests, natural parks, gardens and green spaces in cities, as well as algae and aquatic plants.
Indeed, enhance and protect natural spaces it is an important part of the solution we seek. From the lungs of the planet, such as the Amazon or green roofs in general, to urban green areas or, without going any further, the plants that adorn an office or have at home. We suggest you read this other article on How we can help take care of trees.
Not only because trees renew the air, but because they are also effective carbon or CO2 sinks. In the same way, the oceans are great carbon sinks, so they are also a complementary form of clean the air. Therefore, let us not forget that the seas and oceans also need protection. Learn more about the carbon sinks of water in this other post by Green Ecologist on What is blue carbon or blue carbon.
Solutions for air pollution: carbon and ecological footprint
Not only do industries pollute, but we, the users, also contribute to polluting atmospheric emissions. While action must be taken on a large scale through policies at the state, global and corporate levels, the citizenship You can also do your bit to protect the environment and your health. These are some ideas of solutions for air or atmospheric pollution that we can carry out who wonder how to avoid air pollution at the individual level. You will see that, in short, these are gestures related to reducing the carbon and ecological footprint.
Ventilate the house and clean the air
There are many ways in which to contribute. Technology is also a great ally to improve indoor environmental pollution. In addition to ventilating daily for at least ten or fifteen minutes to renew the indoor air, generally more polluted than the outside, on the market we will find highly efficient extractors, vacuum cleaners and purifying devices.
Plants to purify the air
Many of these devices that we discussed earlier combine different technologies to achieve better results. In the same way, the plants in our garden, balcony or indoor will help us, as well as natural air purifiers, based on charcoal, whose absorption power is enormous. We suggest this other post to discover more about the Plants that purify the air.
Produce less smoke at home
As for good habits, of great importance to find solutions that end the indoor air pollutionIt is about quitting tobacco, keeping chimneys, stoves and heating in good condition to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Using eco-friendly cleaning products
It is also recommended to use conventional cleaning products with an artificial chemical base with caution and, above all, not to mix them. It would be ideal to replace them with ecological cleaners and do without artificial air fresheners, as well as insecticide products. In any case, it is essential to respect the manufacturer's instructions.
Use more the bicycle and public transport
Using sustainable means of transportation is another of the best ways to contribute to cleaner air. Since opting for the bicycle for short trips until choosing the train before the car and, above all, before the plane. Likewise, it already makes a big difference to reduce its use or practice driving and maintenance of the eco-responsible car. In the same way, when it comes to minimizing the use of the car, we can share it or, if possible, work at home. In all these cases there will be reasons outside of ecology that help us make green decisions or, as so often happens, that these are the ones that lead us not to do so.
In short, it is about making thoughtful decisions, taking into account the ecological factor as one of the many aspects to consider. It does not have to be the only one, but the mere fact of considering it and putting it into practice as much as possible, within our current reality, is already an eco-friendly gesture that represents a great step forward in the long term. That is, in the end it counts that the balance sheet is positive. Of course, whenever possible choose public transport Before the private one with consumption of fossil fuels (car, motorcycle, etc.), it will be much better.
Reuse and recycle at home
Another solution for air pollution is learning to control the waste we produce somewhat better. The 3Rs of ecology, based on reduce, reuse and recycle, have always been the basis for it. Therefore, try to consume only what is necessary, use everything you have as many times as possible and, finally, recycle waste. In this way, fewer products will be manufactured and there will be less waste of all kinds in nature, which will reduce environmental pollution, including that of the air. If you already master the famous 3Rs and want to advance further in the Zero Waste field, we suggest you discover the 7Rs of ecology with Green Ecologist.
To finish, we want to inform you as much as possible about what you can do to contribute your bit in the solutions for air pollution and, for this, we advise you to read these other articles on our environmental website.
- How to reduce CO2 emissions at home.
- How to reduce my carbon footprint.
- How to reduce the ecological footprint.
Consequences of atmospheric or air pollution
Now that we've covered some of the measures to avoid environmental, atmospheric or air pollution, we want to indicate in a summarized way, what are the consequences of air pollutionIt is very important to influence the severity of letting it accumulate and not reduce it.
- Respiratory diseases.
- Dermatological diseases.
- Erosion of building materials.
- Pollution or smog berets in large cities.
- Climate change due to greenhouse gases that accumulate in the atmosphere.
- Depletion of the ozone layer.
- Acid rain.
Now that you know all this about how to avoid air pollution and reduce what already existsYou can expand this information by consulting this link to another article by Green Ecologist on Air Pollution: causes, consequences and solutions.
If you want to read more articles similar to Solutions for air pollution, we recommend that you enter our Pollution category.
