Introduction
Every year, more Americans are exposed to polluted air due to air pollution. Particulate matter pollution is lethal because of gas-powered automobiles and industrial facilities (Jones). Nonetheless, in recent years, alarming rises in particulate matter measurements have resulted from wildfires burning faster and for more extended periods. Particle pollution spikes and high ozone days caused by wildfires and intense heat put millions of people in danger (Jones). Additionally, air pollution is a societal problem as well as a health concern. Racial minorities were nearly four times more likely than white people to reside in a region with poor air quality (Jones). As a result, I will tell you about air pollution as a community issue from several perspectives: particle pollution, wildfires, and economic inequality.
Particle Pollution
A particular group of contaminants has a wide range of effects on public health and the environment. In an interview with AirQualityNews, Helena Molin Valdés, an air pollution expert, emphasized that “black carbon, particulate matter, ozone, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons” are examples of short-lived environmental pollutants (Neill). They are responsible for about six million premature deaths yearly and have caused around forty-five percent of global warming (Neill). Pollutants in the air and greenhouse gases are frequently produced by the same sources, such as coal-fired power plants and diesel-powered automobiles (Awe). Moreover, diesel-fueled car emissions are among the most harmful to health than particles from most other sources of air pollution.
Considering that these sources are also significant contributors to climate change, minimizing air pollution also helps reduce climate change. During the pandemic, many more people purchased products from Amazon and had them delivered to their houses the next day (Neill). This service is cheap and handy, but it is only feasible because the ships and vans utilize cheap and extremely polluting fuels (Neill). Hence, individuals should consume more thoughtfully and be aware of how their spending and living habits affect the public’s health and the environment. It is critical to encourage the use of renewable fuels and greener industrial methods (Awe). People should switch from diesel to electric cars, and catalytic converters should be installed in automobiles to lessen the toxicity of pollutants. It is essential to note that, despite particle pollution, wildfire pollution has increased.
Wildfire Pollution
As the climate change issue causes drought and arid landscapes, wildfires distribute smoky air to millions of individuals, even those who reside far from the fires. In recent years, wildfire smoke has been responsible for up to fifty percent of all harmful particle air pollution in the western United States (Strayer). In an interview with The Guardian, Sam Heft-Neal, a wildfire expert, argued that wildfire pollution is intrinsically distinct from other forms of pollution (Strayer). For instance, when there is contamination from transportation, it is easy to try to reduce the pollution’s source by restricting car emissions and pricing fuel. Nevertheless, dealing with wildfires is challenging and the most effective strategy would be to supply vulnerable families, such as low-income households, with air purifiers (Strayer). Wildfire smoke is equally as dangerous as other types of pollution, and individuals should take precautions to protect their health. Nonetheless, air pollution is not only a health issue but a societal concern.
Air Pollution: Economic Inequality
Air pollution parallels the most significant societal divisions, including racial and economic disparities. In an interview with AirQualityNews, Beth Gardiner, an environment journalist, acknowledges that while polluted air affects everyone who breathes it, communities of color and the poor are disproportionately exposed and suffer more significant harm (Barrett). Those with fewer resources to spend on housing sometimes live near congested highways or polluted ports, factories, and power stations. Because of racism and the heritage of prejudice, polluting plants are generally easier to locate in minority neighborhoods (Barrett). In the United States, for instance, middle-class African-Americans earning up to $60,000 a year reside in more contaminated neighborhoods than white households earning less than $10,000 (Barrett). It is critical to remember that even little improvements in air quality translate directly and nearly instantly into lives saved, equality, and health benefits. Air pollution is a vital societal and health problem that needs urgent measures from every community member.
Conclusion
Everyone bears responsibility for improving living conditions and lowering air pollution. Unlike wildfire air pollution, which is challenging to regulate, particle air pollution may be minimized by using renewable fuels and transitioning from diesel to electric vehicles. To address the issue of air pollution, people should consume more mindfully and be conscious of how their purchasing and living behaviors influence the community’s health and the environment. The most major socioeconomic differences, such as racial and economic inequities, are paralleled by air pollution. It was also underlined that individuals with little housing means might live near overcrowded motorways or contaminated factories. I sincerely believe we should lobby for legislation and promote organizations that enhance living circumstances and use more environmentally friendly industrial processes. Hence, pollution control and environmental protection are in our hands, and we must take action to ensure that future generations have access to unpolluted air.
Works Cited
Awe, Yewande. “What You Need to Know About Climate Change and Air Pollution.” The World Bank. Web.
Barrett, Thomas. “Interview: Beth Gardiner on ‘the Age of Air Pollution.’” AirQualityNews. Web.
Jones, Dustin. “More than 137 Million Americans Live in Areas with Poor Air Quality Report Finds.” NPR. Web.
Neill, Pippa. “Interview: Helena Molin Valdés, Head of the United Nations Climate & Clean Air Coalition.” AirQualityNews. Web.
Strayer, Pam. “‘There are No Safe Levels of Pollution’: An Interview with Wildfire Researcher Sam Heft-Neal.” The Guardian. Web.