[April Theme Report] Air Pollution - Carbon capture versus Policyby Fiona Brown | 14-04-2023 23:54 |
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Ever since the widespread introduction of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) as a source of energy during the Industrial Revolution (1733-1913), global air quality has been tainted by pollution. Fossil fuel emissions cause smog, chemicals, and other particulate matter to be trapped within our atmosphere, raising temperatures and changing weather patterns in a process known as the greenhouse effect, a main driver of climate change. However, it has only been during the last 50 years that the vital issue of protecting the air we breathe has come into prevalence, with the realization that air pollution is threatening air quality to a dangerous level, with an international study by Health Canada revealing that almost 9 million people per year die prematurely due to inadequate air quality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, 99% of the world's population was living in places where the WHO air quality guideline levels were not met. From these statistics, it is clear that immediate action is necessary. Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy efficient homes, power generation, and sustainable industry are needed to combat air pollution, not only to meet the needs of humans, but also of animals, for the effects of air pollution also extend to wildlife, damaging the plants, soil, and water supply that make up their habitats and food, causing major disruptions within the food chain and other natural cycles, often with disastrous results. However, since the state of global air quality has begun to garner significant attention, new technology has been emerging to address air pollution, among them the ground-breaking process of capturing CO2 particles from the air and storing them underground, or recycling them for sustainable uses, using Direct Air Capture (DAC). A DAC captures and separates CO2 particles from the air passing through a filtration centre. Unfortunately, this process is expensive, and though effective, is not a sufficient long-term solution if operated on smaller scales by the private sector. Additions to government policy is necessary to address air pollution issues, for example the Clean Air Act of 1970 of the United States of America has not had major revisions since 1990. Updated policies that account for current climate action needs - including the ultimate elimination of fossil fuels as a main energy source - are required to achieve the fundamental right of clean air for all. |
