Air pollution is a huge problem in the United States. It is currently one of the world's largest environmental issues that continues to plague and disrupt the health and general well-being of human beings.
Approximately 7 million people died as a result of air pollution in 2015. The World Health Organization has reported that 1 in 8 deaths are caused by air pollution exposure.
There is no doubt that the transportation sector has made a negative impact on the environment. Every day, vehicles and other modes of transport emit serious pollutants such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), MOx (mono nitrogen oxides) and CO (carbon monoxide). The emission of these pollutants affect air quality.
Modes of road transport such as cars have a greater effect on air quality than non-road transport. This essentially means that vehicles on the road contribute more to air pollution than your average powerplant. Cars may get you from point A to point B much faster than a clean transport mode such as a bike, but at a significant cost of course: Your health and the health of others!
Countries Helping to Ease Pollution
Air pollution is a culprit that can be blamed for poor urban air quality and for the onset of adverse conditions such as lung cancer, lower respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Various countries around the world are beginning to realize the harmful effects of road transport and are quickly developing standards to counteract the effects of cars and vehicles on air pollution.
The Chinese government has made plans to remove more than 5.3 million cars that do not meet fuel standards in a bid to improve air quality. The detailed plan that China recently released will be enforced and will benefit the pollution plagued capital city, Beijing. The government is even offering subsidies ranging between 2,500 to 14,500 Yuan to drivers who turn in their cars. This policy is a part of a five year plan to cut carbon emissions by 17 percent.
China has also enacted another initiative to lessen air pollution by restricting the number of license plates. In 2011, China issued 240,000 plates in a calendar year. That number will fall to 150,000 this year. On the contrary, the new initiative has plans to increase the number of plates that are issued for clean energy and electric vehicles. Though many don't agree with certain policies that China forces upon its citizens, environmentalists and tree-hugging citizens must admit that they are one step ahead in the fight against air pollution.
Fight For Your Right...to Good Air Quality!
Conscious-minded citizens, whom some may refer to as tree huggers, must not relent in the fight against air pollution. The Beijing Municipal Heavy Air Pollution Response program was introduced in October of 2013. The United States could take a few pointers from our dear and deviant neighbors in China.
As citizens of this great planet, we each hold a responsibility and can play a significant role in combatting pollution. Contact your local senator and ask them this single question: "What steps are we currently taking to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions?"
And just in case you're wondering about that friend of yours who refuses to drive, just accept that they just might be a forward thinking, pollution-fighting activist. You can do a great deal for the earth by limiting the use of your car or by simply, not driving altogether, especially in congested, smog-infested urban environments. We here at Green News Guide will leave you to ponder on this very cool quote:
"True Hipsters don't emit CO2 into the environment with cars. True hipsters don't drive. They're anti-car tree huggers who not only shun vehicle ownership, but shirk driving altogether." ~Unknown
Photo 1 Author: Threephin, used under CC License Agreement
Photo 2 Author: Ian Burt, used under CC License Agreement
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