Air Quality Impacts

Air Quality Impacts

One of the most profound effects of climate changes has been the deterioration of air quality in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that pollution levels in the country exceed national air quality standards for all common pollutants (EPA, 2019). Higher temperatures from global warming have increased allergens and air pollutants. In turn, the increase in air pollutants has made the air we breathe increasingly dangerous for our health, and is associated with acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (Crimmins et al., 2016). Changes to weather patterns due to climate change have further contributed to an increase and redistribution of outdoor air pollutants, including delicate particulate matter, ozone, and carbon dioxide (Crimmins et al., 2016). The quality of indoor air has also been impacted as outdoor air pollutants and allergens find their way into residential and commercial buildings (Crimmins et al., 2016).

Human activity has contributed significantly to air pollution and global warming through the production of greenhouse gases and other harmful chemicals. Despite a person’s age, race, or social class, we all breathe in the same air, which is why necessary actions must be taken to protect and improve the quality of air. Federal, state and local government and non-government organizations can play their part through policies that focus on cutting back on the production and emission of climate pollutants. Regulations and strict limits on the release of pollutants into the air must be enacted to rein in major sources of pollution. Taxing industries, organizations, and individuals for producing pollution can function as an incentive for people to be more efficient in their activities, while also raising revenue that governments can use to fund other pollution-reduction programs.

Similarly, subsidies can be provided to entities that use alternative energy sources to encourage the switch to less harmful sources, such as solar power. Governments and non-governmental organizations must further work on changing consumer behavior and encouraging people to be more conscious of how their actions impact the environment. All American residents should be encouraged to paly their part in reducing pollution through simple actions such as reducing the number of trips taken in a car, avoiding the use of fireplaces and wood stoves, using environmentally safe paints and cleaning products, and conserving energy (EPA, 2018). Such actions can help reduce air pollution in homes and communities. The government must also be willing to support these behavioral changes through actions such as demarcating clear bicycle lanes on all roads.

Reducing the health risks from toxic air and pollutants must be a priority. The United Nations Environment Programme notes that immediate changes to air pollution also have immediate effects (UNEP, 2019). Prompt action can, therefore, be taken to address short-lived air pollutants, such as methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone (UNEP, 2019). Strict regulations that ban the use of certain harmful gas and chemical pollutants should be put in place to protect the environment from these hazards in the future. The widespread adoption of safe alternative energy sources can support long-term changes. Finally, measures that reduce individual pollution footprint, such as limiting the use of vehicles, can also help keep our air cleaner and healthier in the future.