The current smog has darkened the skies in cities around the world. The air we breathe is increasingly contaminated with particles and carbon monoxide. These pollutants are harmful to human health and the environment. How can you personally help clean the air? There will be many ways for you to help. See Step 1 for actions you can take to help reduce pollution.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Rethinking Transportation
Step 1. Classic car problems
Manufacturing industry practices are the main reason for the earth's air pollution, but car pollution is the second biggest cause. The manufacture of cars and roads, the production of fuels, and the emissions resulting from the combustion of fuels contribute. This problem is difficult to overcome, because many cities are laid out in such a way as to make driving easier. No matter where you live, you can take action by finding creative ways to be less dependent on cars.
- It may not be practical to not use a car at all, but it can still reduce car use. For example, don't take the car to the grocery store every day, reduce it to once a week or a week and a half. Collect all the items you need at once.
- Riding a car with a neighbor or joining a car-sharing program are also great ways to reduce car use.
Step 2. Take the bus, subway or train
If you live in New York, you're probably used to taking mass transit everywhere you go, but it's not just the big cities that have public transport. Find out the bus or train routes in your city, and swap car trips for buses at least once a week. Use public transportation as often as possible, and only use a car if you don't know which vehicles are passing through your route.
Taking the bus or train to work, school or other activities has many advantages. In addition to reducing air pollution, you have extra time to read, knit, do crosswords, or see other people. Taking public transportation is also safer than driving, and will help reduce anxiety levels because you no longer have to worry about traffic jams during rush hour
Step 3. Walk or bike
Using your own energy is even better than taking public transportation. You can walk to locations that are within a five-minute drive of the house - and if you have more time, you can walk further. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with good bike routes, start cycling. In areas with heavy traffic, cycling can be the fastest way to get around.
Step 4. If you are driving yourself, make sure the car is in good condition
Frequently check the condition of the car and make sure it passes the city smog test. There are many other things you can do to save on your car usage, such as:
- Using oil for energy efficient motors.
- Fill the fuel tank in the morning or evening, when it's still cold outside. This helps prevent a lot of fuel from evaporating from the heat of the day.
- Be careful not to spill fuel when filling the tank.
- Don't use the car to queue at the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant or bank, park the car and walk inside.
- Adjust car tires to the recommended pressure. This will give the best performance for the car and reduce fuel usage.
Method 2 of 4: Changing Buying Habits
Step 1. Become a maker
Using raw materials to make things instead of buying them in stores is a great way to help reduce air pollution. The practice of mass production, packaging, and shipping goods until they are available to consumers is directly responsible for industrial emissions that pollute the air. Look around the house and notice things you can make rather than buy. Here are some of the ideas:
- Food, of course! If you tend to buy a lot of food items, now it's better to make your own. Changing the food menu and creating food with raw ingredients is healthier and better for the environment. For example, if you love spaghetti, make your own sauce with raw tomatoes and garlic instead of buying bottled sauce. You can also make your own pasta.
- Did you know that you can make household cleaners? Don't buy dish soap, detergent and bath cleaner. Make your own from non-toxic ingredients. Store your creations in glass jars.
- The same goes for shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and lip balm.
- Outfits may be more difficult to make yourself, but if you feel you can give it a try, start with basics like a t-shirt and shorts.
- If you are interested in becoming a full-time maker, read about the art of growing at home. You can start growing tomatoes and garlic to make a sauce at home.
Step 2. Buy local products
If you have to buy something that can't be made, buy things that are made and sold locally. Shopping at local stores contributes more to reducing air pollution than commercial stores which tend to sell merchandise from around the world. Here are some strategies for buying local produce:
- Buy in traditional market. This is the best way to shop for locally grown and sold food.
- Check for marks on clothes. Buy products that are manufactured close to where you live. Although it can be very expensive, buy products handmade by a tailor who lives close to you. If this can't be an alternative, buying used clothes is another good way to reduce consumption.
- Don't buy things over the internet. Buying books or clothes on the internet is very easy for you, but think about the boat, plane and truck transportation needed to get them to your home. Buy things on the internet as often as possible.
Step 3. Reduce packaging
The plastics, aluminum and cardboard used in packaging are manufactured in factories and have a negative impact on air quality. Whatever product you buy, choose a product that has less packaging. For example, instead of opting for a box of individually wrapped granola bars, make your own at home or buy from a pastry shop that doesn't wrap granola bars in aluminum. If this can't be an alternative, buy a product that has recycled packaging.
- Bring your own cloth shopping bag to the store instead of taking paper or plastic home.
- Shop at grocery stores instead of buying packaged items individually.
- Buy fresh produce, not canned or frozen.
- Buy extra-large containers for items you use frequently, so you don't have to buy a lot of smaller containers.
Step 4. Reusing, recycling, and composting
Managing household waste effectively is another great way to reduce air pollution. Reusing, recycling and composting have a big impact on waste, because less waste goes to landfills (a major source of air pollution).
- Buy products that come in glass containers so they can be reused. Plastics can also be reused, but don't reuse them too often to store food, as the chemicals from plastics can leach into food over time.
- Recycle plastic, paper, aluminum, and other materials according to your local guidelines.
- Create a compost heap in the yard, where you are likely to throw away vegetables and other food debris. After the compost has accumulated for a few months, you have created loose black compost that can be used to fertilize the garden.
Step 5. Use eco-friendly paints and cleaning products whenever possible
These paints and cleaning products emit less smoke-forming particles into the air, and are also better for your respiratory health.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for using and properly sealing cleaners, paints, and other chemicals. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure that the fume-forming chemicals do not evaporate
Method 3 of 4: Conserving Energy
Step 1. Do not use lamps and appliances frequently
You must have heard the advice many times: turn off the lights when you leave the room, and don't turn on the TV all day long! These small actions are more important than ever when it comes to reducing air pollution, as the electricity that powers lights and appliances is generated by emitting natural gas or coal plants. Here are some other ideas for reducing household energy use on a daily basis:
- Take advantage of natural light. Set your work or study space near a window that gets bright light throughout the day, so you don't have to turn on the lights.
- Organize one room in the house into a "light room" at night, rather than lighting up the whole house all the time. Instead of being alone, family members can gather in the bright room to read, study, or watch a movie before bed.
- Unplug equipment when not in use. This applies to both large and small appliances - TVs, computers, toasters, coffee makers, etc. Even a plugged-in charger can take energy all day long.
- Replace large, obsolete appliances with models designed to save energy.
- Purchase electricity from low- or zero-polluting facilities. Take a look at the electricity options available in your area.
Step 2. Change the habit of heating or cooling the room
Adjust your body to the changing seasons instead of using year-round heating and air conditioning to keep the temperature steady. Hot and cold showers drain energy, so grab a hand fan and a warm sweater so you can adjust to changing weather instead of relying on a thermostat.
When at work or away on a weekend trip, make sure the thermostat is set so it doesn't pump out cold or hot air all the time when you're not around
Step 3. Do not take a long hot shower by bathing or showering
Heating water takes a lot of energy, so it's important to be aware of how much hot water you're using. You can shower only briefly and not soak, because both require a lot of hot water.
- Turn the water heater on to 48 degrees Celsius, so the water is not hotter than that temperature.
- Use the cold setting in the washing machine.
Method 4 of 4: Get Involved
Step 1. Learn more about air pollution
Each region has a different air pollution problem. Maybe it's a local factory polluting the air in your town, or maybe your local landfill is the main culprit. To understand how you can take action to reduce air pollution in your area, do some research to find out the main sources of air pollution.
- Look on the internet, read newspapers, and ask a lot of questions for information. If you are on campus, the instructor there can give you an explanation of air pollution.
- Start discussing the problem of air pollution with others around you and don't hide the problem. Discussing the issue of air pollution can lead to brilliant ideas or courses of action that would not have been thought of alone.
Step 2. Plant a tree
Trees reduce air pollution, and planting trees is one of the most concrete and appropriate actions you can take to help the air quality in your area. Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide which will be converted into tree food. Find out what kind of tree is best to plant in your area, then plant it!
Many cities have tree planting programs, such as MillionTreesNYC in New York. Find out if there are similar programs in your area
Step 3. Join a working group to fight air pollution
Everyone can start reducing air pollution in their daily lives, but the ultimate solution must involve changing government policies on industrial emissions. If you are serious about taking action to reduce air pollution, join an organization that aims to do this. You'll learn more about the education and experience you need to help bring about long-term change, while reducing air pollution in the area where you live.
Tips
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Ozone is one of the main components of smog. Ground level ozone is formed when two types of pollutants react with the presence of sunlight. These pollutants are known as unstable organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants are found in emissions from:
- Vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, airplanes and locomotives
- Construction equipment
- Garden and garden tools
- Sources that burn fuel, such as large industries and utilities
- Small industries such as gas stations and print shops
- Consumer products, including some paint and cleaning brands
