48: Some Solutions to Air Pollution

Question 1

What is aesthetic degradation/pollution?

Answer 1

undesirable changes in physical or chemical characteristics of atmosphere (noise, odors, light pollution)
- they don’t kill but they lower life quality

Question 2

What is the clean air act?

Answer 2

regulates emissions from stationary and mobile sources
- sets primary standards to protect health
- secondary standards to protect crops, climate, visibility, etc.

Question 3

What does the EPA do with the clean air act?

Answer 3

establishes and monitors natural ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and is constantly being litigated

Question 4

What are technical solutions?

Answer 4

since the 1990s, we burn cleaner gasoline:
- lead was phased out
- reduced sulfur content
- cars have catalytic convertors (reduce pollutant in the gases that exhaust)
- established emission standards for cars

Question 5

What are other technical innovations?

Answer 5

1. electrostatic precipitators in ducts
2. scrubbers in chimneys

Question 6

What is marketing pollution rights?

Answer 6

an industrial plant that emits less than its limit receives pollution credits and credits could be
- used in some other facility
- banked for future expansion
- sold to other utility or to environmental groups

Question 7

What are pollution rights?

Answer 7

allow the survival of older companies that can’t modernize

Question 8

What is the international approach to reduce pollution?

Answer 8

in May 2022, the C40 Clean Air Cities Declaration

Question 9

What is the C40 Clean Air Cities Declaration?

Answer 9

declaration of mayors for many different big cities that are making a commitment to reduce air pollution
- series of African towns joined this agreement
- committed to put some quality standards that meet the goals of the WHO

Question 10

What are the effects of air pollution?

Answer 10

1. air pollution has become the 2nd largest cause of death on the African continent
2. approximately 1.1 million deaths per year have been linked to air pollution across Africa, according to Global Burden of Disease study
3. within 2 years, signatories to the declaration will establish baseline levels and set ambitious reduction targets for air pollutants that meet or exceed national commitments