Global warming and other air pollutants accumulate in the atmosphere and emit infrared radiation that then heats the oceans to a higher temperature, creating a blanket of greenhouse gas emissions. This process is called "greenhouse gas" gases or GHGs (greenhouse gas). The natural processes by which CO2 and other greenhouses are removed from the atmosphere by rain and snow are called the "physical process". However, the increasing amount of air pollution, the rapid growth of population and commercial use of coal-based energy generation for power, and even fossil fuel development have all been recognized as causes of global warming. There are some sources of greenhouse gas emissions which include:
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Burning coal,
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Using oil and other
fuels like natural gas,
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Manufacturing and
transporting goods and services,
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Transportation,
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The release of
smoke,
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Deforestation,
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Agriculture.
Burning Coal and Oil
As mentioned earlier, to keep a steady supply of energy,
humans need to burn crude oil, which can pollute the air very badly. People
need to burn it without thinking about the environment or how their lives would
be affected if they did not. It needs to be burned with lots of charcoal which
will generate toxic oxides like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide into the air.
These oxides are released into this air when burning crude oil which makes
these pollutants harmful. If these fumes were pumped out of these industries,
we might be able to clean up our environments without harming ourselves so
much. We also have to create more room for plants growing in those areas, but
it becomes too difficult so we have to destroy them by cutting trees down.
Deforestation/Tree Cutting
When there is deforestation of trees, the soil gets
contaminated and because of this, the land also gets polluted. Trees are also
used to make paper products which are important things when it comes to
papermaking but instead of using natural raw materials from the forest, people
just cut down trees to make paper products. They cut down trees everywhere,
which is not good for both worlds and animals. Also, due to industrial farming
of food crops, we are eating less healthy food and losing the earth to
chemicals. So for example, the livestock industry is highly damaging to the
planet because when farmers use fertilizers and pesticides on their farms they
are releasing nitrous oxide and particulates into the air and soil. This has
been known since the 80s, but now everyone is aware of it and many people want
to do something about it. And this is why many countries are trying to stop the
production of soybeans and also how to get rid of animal diseases like foot rot
which is very much prevalent in most parts of Asia.
Agriculture
Animals are one of the biggest contributors to air
pollution. For example, cows are responsible for 7% of global methane emissions
and if cows had to be kept separate, they would only grow 1kg per day. They are
constantly breathing in all these fumes which causes respiratory irritations
and the lungs will get infected due to breathing it all in. That’s called an
“aerosol”, these gases are produced through photosynthesis and they can be
damaging because they are high in sugar which means they affect our health.
Cattle are an enormous cause of air pollution as well. Because cattle are raised
indoors, animals eat a lot and therefore produce methane, a gas that is
responsible for almost 20% of atmospheric greenhouse gasses. The milk from cows
is contaminated by lactose which can make us weak. And they can also give birth
to human babies which can cause some problems as soon as they develop. Also,
cattle can easily get cancer-causing bacteria such as Salmonella. Other than
these animals, we also have big farm animals like sheep and goats who are also
one of the biggest contributors to air pollution due to their massive size. But
they cannot be sold indoors and they are kept outdoors which makes them an easy
target for animals like mosquitoes and other animals who can also contaminate
the air in large amounts. Lastly, livestock produces waste products that can
further harm the area and become a hazard to humans. Crops also release
nitrogen into the air and it is considered one of the biggest contributing
factors to climate change. What Kind of Food Do I Eat? Food is another source
of air pollution due to the huge demand. In times when everything is limited,
we have to find a way to make food with limited resources and in turn, it
produces a tremendous amount of methane and other gases which affect our
health. Thus we have to limit what kind of foods we have access to, but to a
lesser extent. How Am I Going To Stop Pollution Or Control It? There are many
ways to help.
First, when going shopping go to make sure you look at
the ingredients in every product and not only what it sells but what also impacts
your wellness and daily life. Also try to think what kind of impact it can have
on the environment, such as packaging, transportation, etc. You can also try
switching to low-impact activities. For instance, cycling or walking around the
room will make you less tired and stress-free at the end of the day. Instead of
buying fast food, have a salad instead. Even though McDonald’s, Subway, Burger
King, Starbucks, Starbucks coffee shops and plenty more coffee shops do this,
it is not sustainable. Second, start gardening with lots of fresh vegetables
and fruits to reduce the number of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, there are tons of apps available online which will help you
monitor how much fertilizer you use, monitor the water, etc etc. Try
composting, turning off lights, and avoiding excess water usage. Third, get
yourself a reusable bag for groceries. Not only will you recycle every empty
container but they can also save money on buying new ones. Then you can get out
your grocery bags and fill them with essential items to ensure no
contamination, and to prevent any spills along the way. Fourth, if you want to
make eco-friendly alternatives for clothing, try using recycled jeans and
t-shirts. Fifth, use biodegradable polyester fabric instead of cotton. Also,
switch to organic and ethical materials. Another thing you can do is make your
soap. It is a great alternative to plastic bottles.