– Lakshmi Priya (8B)

Huge industries releasing toxic gases that can, one day, ruin our earth completely. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment which can cause adverse change. Over the past few years, a major type of pollution - Air Pollution - has become a very serious problem.

CAUSES
● Combustion of fossil fuels: Combustion of fuels such as coal for electricity and the burning of petrol and diesel for road transport contribute to pollution.
● Emissions from factories and industries: Industries and factories often release very harmful chemicals into the air, such as sulphides and nitrogen oxides.
● Agricultural activities: The use of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals.
● Mining operations: Huge amounts of dust and chemicals are released into the air, causing massive air pollution.

EFFECTS
● These activities cause global warming and acid rain, which are harmful for the environment.
● Depletion of the ozone layer: This allows ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth’s surface, which can cause problems such as cancer.
● Devastating effects on wildlife: They cause animals and plants to have to move to new places and change their habitats, or may cause their death. Also, the accumulation of these pollutants on the surfaces of water bodies affect aquatic life.
● Effects on human health: Air pollution can cause allergies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung damage or even death.

SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION METHODS
● Renewable fuel and clean energy production: Moving away from fossil fuels and switching to renewable resources such as solar power, wind and water energy and geothermal energy.
● Energy conservation and efficiency: Clean energy production is crucial, but it is equally important to reduce our consumption of energy by adopting responsible habits and using efficient devices. For example, switching off fans and lights when they are not needed. Huge amounts of fossil fuels are burnt for electricity. Reducing the amount of electricity we use in turn reduces the number of fossil fuels burnt.
● Eco friendly transportation: Switching to electric vehicles and hydrogen powered vehicles and promoting shared mobility.[ carpooling and public transport ]
● Reduce, reuse and recycle: Helping to cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. This conserves natural resources, landfill space and energy.

AIR POLLUTION IS A GRAVE ISSUE WHICH CONCERNS THE ENTIRE WORLD. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL BEGIN TO AIM TOWARDS STOPPING AND PREVENTING IT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
GO GREEN!!!