Sci 256 - Environmental Polution

Environmental Pollution

SCI/256

Environmental Pollution

         In such a chaotic world, there are many contributors to the environment’s pollution. Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the United States. According to, ucsusa.org,  In 2013, transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into our air. This type of air pollution carries significant risks for human health and the environment.  Fortunately, advanced fuel technologies can drastically change the reduction in air pollution.  With the creation of hybrid and electrical cars, the reduction of air pollution can be cut in half within the next twenty years by the decline of use in U.S. oil (ucsusa.org).

 Many people do not understand the effect that air quality has on the climate. Just as air pollution can have adverse effects on human health and ecosystems; it can also impact the Earth’s climate. When energy from the sun reaches the Earth, the planet absorbs some of this energy and radiates the rest back to space as heat. The Earth’s surface temperature depends on this balance between incoming and outgoing energy. Atmospheric greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane can trap this energy and prevent the heat from escaping.  Automobiles play a vital role in our daily lives by providing us a convenient way to travel to and from work, school, etc. Although we rely heavily on automobiles, it makes no sense to sacrifice our clean air supply just for the sake of transportation (weatherexplained.com).

We make choices every day that can help reduce air pollution. With a little bit of effort, we can reduce the amount of pollution that our vehicles are releasing into the atmosphere by planning our trips and keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Also in the summertime, you should try to your fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly. We each can do our share by getting regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks and use energy-conserving grade motor oil. When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. You could also join a carpool or vanpool to get to work or ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting. The use of hybrid and electrical cars has been the new alternative for the reduction in air pollution so one thinks. If a vehicle is operating solely on batteries, it will require longer designed plug in times and less gasoline uses, however, the more electricity it needs to recharge the larger batteries (ucsusa.org).  

The use of hybrid and electrical cars has been the new alternative for the reduction in air pollution so one thinks. If a vehicle is operating solely on batteries, it will require longer designed plug in times and less gasoline uses, however, the more electricity it needs to recharge the larger batteries. Coal is still burned in large quantities to produce electricity or to refine metals, but these processes are frequently undertaken outside cities. Within urban areas, fuel use has shifted toward liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons (petroleum and natural gas). These fuels typically have a lower concentration of sulfur, so the presence of sulfur dioxide has declined in many urban areas. However, the widespread use of liquid fuels in automobiles has meant increased production of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (ucsusa.org).