World Environment Day: Fighting air pollution

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5th. This year’s theme: Air pollution, now a major global problem.

Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that draws attention to a particularly pressing environmental concern. environmental concern. Chosen by China as the host of the Day’s celebrations for 2019, this year’s theme celebrations for 2019, this year’s theme invites us all to think about how we can change our daily how we can change our daily lives to reduce the air pollution we produce air pollution we produce (and breathe!) and thus counteract its contribution to its contribution to global warming and its effects on our health.

What causes air pollution?

It is essential to understand the different types of pollutants and their impact on health and pollutants and their impact on health and the environment in order to take the necessary to take the necessary steps to improve air quality. Nine out of ten people worldwide are exposed to levels of air pollutants that are above above the World Health Organization’s safe levels. We face a real crisis that requires swift and radical action.

So what are the main sources of air pollution?

First, agriculture: Agriculture has two main sources of air pollution sources of air pollution: livestock, which produces methane and ammonia, and the ammonia, and the burning of agricultural waste. About 24% of all greenhouse gases emitted worldwide come from agriculture, forestry and other land uses. forestry and other land uses.

Then the domestic activities: By using products, paints, household products, and even by cooking we all emit cooking we all emit air pollutants. In fact, the the main source of domestic air pollution is the indoor combustion of fossil fuels of fossil fuels, wood and other biomass fuels for cooking, heating and fuels to cook, heat and light homes. About 3.8 million premature deaths are caused by by indoor air pollution, the vast majority of them in developing countries. the vast majority of them in developing countries.

Industrial facilities: In many countries, energy production is one of the main sources of air major sources of air pollution. Coal-fired power plants are a major contributor. power plants are a major contributor, while diesel generators are a growing concern in concern in off-grid areas.

Transportation: The global transportation sector accounts for about a quarter of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions and this proportion is emissions and this proportion is increasing. Emissions from transportation emissions have been associated with nearly 400,000 premature deaths.

  Waste : The open burning of waste and organic waste in landfills releases dioxins, furans landfills release harmful dioxins, furans, methane and black carbon into the methane and black carbon. Globally, about 40% of waste is burned in open fires. burned in the open.

Other sources: Not all air pollution comes from human activity. Volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and other natural processes also pose problems. Sand and dust storms are of particular concern.

Source: United Nations