To understand how air pollution works and the way it affects us, we'd have to go a couple of decades back in time, when people used to burn wood and coal to do their regular activities, supposedly, causing no damage at all,
With the 19th century came the industrial revolution that led to the widespread of creative innovations based on coal-powered machines which further polluted the air. After that, in the 20th century, the invention of the automobile and the increase in energy consumption, led to a sharp increase in air pollution and it became so common that we didn't realize how normal it was for us to deteriorate the planet at industrial levels each day.
Air quality is a crucial aspect of our environment, and as silly as it sounds, it wasn't since that long ago that we have been treating it as a priority. But, what exactly is air pollution?
Air pollution is understood as the presence of harmful or excessive quantities of substances in the air that can adversely affect human health, ecosystems, and the environment. One of the primary causes of air pollution is the combustion of fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Burning coal, oil, and natural gas releases pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, into the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute to smog formation, acid rain, affecting billions of lives.
But it's not all that easy, talking about the effects of air pollution, they are wide-ranging and detrimental, exposure to air pollutants can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. It can also exacerbate cardiovascular conditions and cause neurological disorders. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution.
For example, In countries such as India, the quality of the air is so bad that some researchers even say breathing Delhi’s air is like smoking 25-30 cigarettes a day. Health risks in such pollution are very real. Fine particulate particles, what scientists refer to as PM 2.5, are made up of specks of sulfate, nitrate, and black carbon that have been shown in some cases to clog lungs, impair cognitive and immune functions, and cause various diseases. These particles are one-thirteenth of the width of a human hair, and can make their way into the lungs and bloodstream. A study from the Air Quality Life Index by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, concluded that with current pollution levels, nearly 40% of India’s population will die 7.6 years earlier. (Wilson Center, 2024)
However, and looking into a more positive outlook, nowadays it has become such a noticeable problem that people around the world are finally starting to take action. To address this problem correctly, concerted efforts were needed at global levels, and fortunately, the care for our environment has grown, after noticing how much damage we had done and continued doing to it.
Starting with governments, setting the example by implementing various regulations to control emissions from factories and vehicles, which are the main factors affecting the quality of the air. Moreover, we're frequently choosing alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, and at the same time, people are encouraged to use public transport or bicycles instead of cars.
Just as the government played a very important role, we should not leave behind the importance of education and public awareness. Global campaigns such as BreathLife, have mobilized cities and individuals to take action on air pollution to protect our health and the planet. The Sustainable development goals, that set an example and a course of action, and the creation of spaces that conscientize the reality we're going through right now, like campaigns, for fostering behavior, also change and promote environmentally friendly practices.
Once you are informed about a topic, the decision to take action is only yours, and we hope that this was your step one into helping solve a problem that we once created. Remember, there is just one Earth, and it can survive without us, but we can't without it.
By: Gabriella De La Rosa
& Sarah Naranjo, Step 10.
