Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. Air pollution comes from many sources: Inefficient transport, coal-fired power plants, industrial activity, waste burning and other human activities. The effects of air pollution are witnessed by accelerated global warming, human respiratory and heart Concerns, wildlife endangerment, acid rain with devastating effects on our health and the environment

 

 

The report of World Health Organization says: nine out of ten people now breathe polluted air, which kills 7 million people every year. The health effects are serious with one third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to air pollution. 65% of the deaths in Asia are due to air pollution.

We can do a lot more to contribute to human happiness by following many little steps. Riding a cycle, using public transport, burning less coal are like small acts to create a healthy prosperous environment. Imagine our little acts can do so much like saving thousands of people who die due to cancer, heart attack or other air borne diseases. We can together create a safer and cleaner earth for us and our future generation with our small act. So let our action do some act of heroism and make this world a pollution- free, healthier safer world to live in.

Here is the list of activities at daily lives to reduce air pollution

1.   Ecofriendly Transportation

·      We can take a walk when the distance is short.

·      Cycling- Cycling is the ecofriendly way of transportation without pollution, also keeps our body fit and healthy.

·      Take a visit to park or garden rather than travelling many little trips over the course of a few days in car or vehicle.

 

2.  Energy Efficiency and Conservation- Be Mindful of Energy Consumption

·      Take a public transport avoiding using your personal vehicle to reduce carbon emissions

·      We can take rideshare and carpooling to make use of our vehicle less often.

·      Drive smartly and safely, do regular car check up to make sure your car doesn’t consume extra fuel and produce more pollutants. Keeping your car in good condition with safe driving can also help reduce carbon emissions with:

–      Refuel the car at the evening when it is cooler keep car tires properly inflated,

–      Check engine is in proper condition and tank is leak proof

–      Consider purchasing portable gasoline containers labelled spill proof

–      Avoid aerosol spray products

–      Applying gentle pressure to gas and accelerating slowly

–      Driving at or below the speed limit with steady speed

 

·      Minimize the Use of Fossil Fuel Powered Automobiles.

·      Keep engines turned off when not in use like when we stop on traffic lights.

 

 

3.  Renewable Fuel and Clean Energy Production

·      Fossil fuel plants are a major cause of air pollutants, and the less energy you need, the less we have to rely on those plants to generate electricity. The most basic solution for air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with alternative energies like Solar, Wind and Geothermal.

·      Minimize the Use of Fossil Fuel Powered Automobiles.

·      You can use energy efficient vehicles- shifting to electric vehicles as they are zero emission vehicles

·      Use Green Electricity: Generated from renewable energies i.e. Hydropower, wind and solar power

·      Use natural gas instead of charcoal

 

 

 

4.  Going Green

·      Plant a Tree: Trees also play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. They give Oxygen to breathe out.

·      You can create a garden around your house.

·      Plant the trees on the side of the highways and barren line.

·      Gift A Tree This Birthday- My Campaign where the trees are gifted on birthday. You can also plant a tree on your birthday.

·      Plant  Indoor plants like Money plant, Rubber plant, chamadora palm etc. which act as good air purifier.

 

5.  Save Energy

·      Turn off Electricity and appliances when not in use. When you’re leaving home, be sure to turn off the lights, TV, and any other electronic appliances. The more traditional powers that you are using, the more energy you’re wasting and more that you’re polluting the air.

·      We can use online copies and save paper and energy.

·      Use energy efficient light bulbs

 

6.   Reuse, recycle, reduce

·      Use recyclable products: If you have access to recyclable products, always use them, they take less power to make than other products

·      Choose Products with Minimal packaging and avoid Plastic bags

·      Use both sides of paper. Don’t waste papers.

 

7.  Change your habit

·      Quite Smoking. You are affecting your health and polluting the air with smoking.

·      Promote locally grown organic food that require less transportation.

·      You can build your own kitchen garden.

·      Avoid burning leaves, trash, waste and other material. Never burn trash, as this contributes directly to air pollution. You can make compost, reuse and recycle waste too

·      Use fan during heat, air dry clothes and blankets during cold instead of ac.

·      Check efficiency ratings for home heating systems and cookstoves to choose models that save money and protect health.

·      Don’t use pollutants during celebrations of festivals like Pataka, crackers and fireworks. Celebrate clean and green festival.

·      We can consume healthy diet that helps to reduce adverse effects of smog.

·      Always wear mask when we are outside home.

·      Reduce or eliminate your consumption of animal products as they too are huge contributors to pollution

 

 

8.  Join the environmental awareness group:

·      Become an Advocate for Clean Air. It is the change of awareness that creates an impact for long time. Tell people about what you know.

·      Find ways to promote and educate the public on clean energy alternatives. A small contribution goes a long way in the grand scheme of things.

·      Write an article, story, drawing to make people aware to take these steps in their daily life.

·      Protest local polluters who are causing more air pollution.

  Our small ripples of actions can bring a change to beat air pollution as small acts do have great impact. Lets all work together to beat air pollution.

I have also made a video on how our small acts can help us reduce air pollution. You can see the video at 

Youtube Link Awareness video on our actions to reduce air pollution by Kushal