Introduction
Pollution is one of the most urgent problems humanity faces today. There are many natural and human-made contaminants that enter the water, soil, and atmosphere daily, substantially reducing their quality and adversely impacting the health and well-being of people living in the affected area. It is essential to institute policies aimed at the reduction of air pollution to combat the problem. In addition, every individual must take steps to lessen the number of contaminants released into the atmosphere due to their daily activities. This essay will discuss various policies and measures that can be implemented to facilitate a better quality of air for generations to come.
Main body
To improve air quality, the government must employ effective initiatives addressing industrial pollution. Many factories and plants worldwide operate on outdated production methods and technologies that emit a large amount of waste. Therefore, it is vital to employ and enforce guidelines that will help reduce industrial pollution. For example, the Clean Power Plan is a policy that determines the limits on carbon contamination from power plants operating in the United States (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2017). It was announced in 2015 as power plants were viewed as the leading source of pollutants entering the air, water, and soil in the country (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2017). The policy is expected to come into effect in 2022, giving major plants time to adjust to new carbon emission guidelines (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2017). Although the Clean Power Plan is a meaningful step towards cleaner air, it is limited to power companies. To continue reducing pollution and improving the air quality for future generations, it is vital to instate similar limits and policies for other plants and factories, for instance, various manufacturing facilities.
Although restricting industrial pollution is an important measure, it is also crucial to encourage every citizen to reduce daily contaminant emissions. It is widely known that the exploitation of vehicles with low fuel efficiency is one of the primary sources of air pollution. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels, the use of various aerosol sprays, and the utilization of gas-powered household appliances can substantially impact air quality. However, more guidelines for the reduction of personal pollution are required. For instance, The Clean Air Act regulates acceptable emissions from stationary and mobile sources, including vehicles (the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2019). All new vehicles must comply with the act and do not exceed the appointed standard for fuel emissions (the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2019). Thus, individuals should be encouraged to follow the Clean Air Act when selecting fuel-powered cars. Moreover, individuals should take small measures in their everyday life to ensure good quality of air. They include limiting the use of aerosols, opting for electric or hybrid cars, and reasonable use of electricity in one’s home. Overall, these small steps will help improve the quality of air.
Conclusion
In summary, air pollution remains a serious environmental issue that requires policies regulating different sources of contamination. Although there are many acts aimed at reducing dangerous emissions into the atmosphere, including the Clean Power Plan and Clean Air Act, there are still many measures that can be implemented to improve air quality. Thus, the work and pollutant emissions of various factories need to be addressed by the government. Meanwhile, individuals can decrease their impact on the environment by opting for electric vehicles, reducing the overall consumption of fossil fuels and unnecessary electricity use.
References
Natural Resources Defense Council. (2017). What is the clean power plan? Web.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2019). Summary of the Clean Air Act. Web.