Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a and is used by plants during . It is produced during by plants, and by all animals, fungi and microorganisms that depend on living. It is, therefore, a major component of the . Carbon dioxide is generated as a by product of the combustion (burning) of fossil fuels, large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted from and other natural processes. On the right is a pie chart showing carbon dioxide emissions in the UK in 1998 and the percentages of the source.
“Holes” in the ozone
The Earth is wrapped in a blanket of air called the 'atmosphere', which is made up of several layers. About 19-30 kilometres above the Earth is a layer of gas called ozone, which is a form of oxygen. Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere. Ozone holes are another result of pollution. Chemicals released by our activities affect the stratosphere, one of the layers in the earth’s atmosphere. The ozone layer in the stratosphere is very important because it stops too many of the sun's 'ultra-violet rays' (UV rays) coming to Earth as the ozone layer absorbs approximately 90% of it. UV rays cause our skin to tan. Too much UV can cause skin cancer and will also harm all plants and animals. Life on Earth could not exist without the protective shield of the ozone layer. Many studies of plants and animals have shown the harmful effect of excessive exposure to UV radiation. Release of CFCs from aerosol cans, cooling systems and refrigerator equipment removes some of the ozone, causing "holes"; to open up in this layer and allowing the radiation to reach the earth. Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule containing three molecules of oxygen. It is created when ultraviolet radiation strikes the stratosphere splitting the oxygen molecules this is called ionizing. The oxygen atom becomes highly reactive and quickly combines with further oxygen molecules to form ozone. Scientists send balloons up in the sky to measure the ozone and see if it’s decreasing in a certain area like in Australia or the Antarctic. UV rays can go through water and end up killing small water animals or plants, called 'plankton' which form the base of the food chain in oceans and seas. Whales and other fishes have plankton as their main food, and if plankton die because of these UV rays, whales will start dying too, because they will not have anything to eat. Large amounts of UV rays could damage all green plants. If the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, there could be fewer and fewer plants on Earth, then there would be less food in the whole world.
Particulates
Particulates, also called particulate matter, are tiny particles of solid or liquid in a gas. Sources of particulate matter can be man made or natural. Some particulates occur naturally, from , and s. Human activities, such as the burning of in vehicles, and various other processes also generate significant amounts of particulates. Increased levels of fine particles in the air are linked to health hazards such as , altered lung function and . The biggest human sources of particulates are combustion (burning) sources, mainly the burning of fuels in in and . On the right is a pie chart showing the sources of particulates and the percentages of it there are.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon dioxide (CO) is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas produced by the incomplete burning of materials which contain carbon, including most transport fuels. CO is toxic, which reacts with haemoglobin in your blood and reduces its capacity for oxygen transport in the blood. On the right is a pie chart showing the sources of carbon monoxide and the percentages of it there are.
Cars
The car releases many types of including , (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and , (SO2). Emissions of these pollutants lead to poor air quality, causing . Individually, a vehicle engine is not a particularly important source of pollution. Overall however, they are a major source of air pollutants in most developed countries, including the UK.
Emissions from cars are greatest when an engine is cold. On a cold day a petrol car may take up to 10km to warm up and work at maximum efficiency; a diesel car may only take 5km. Consequently, diesel cars produce less unburned fuel during a cold start, which will result in lower emissions of carbon monoxide and . Diesel cars could make a significant impact on air quality in urban areas where most cold starts occur, especially when it is considered that a catalyst on a petrol car would take several minutes to reach its operating temperature. Overall, diesel cars produce fewer hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and lead pollution than petrol cars, but produce significantly more .
Inside the engine
Engines are a huge contributor to air pollution. Through emissions of , particulates and such as hydrocarbons, and other road vehicles are major contributors to . In all industrialised countries (MEDCs), the number of vehicles on the roads has been continually increasing since the 1970s. One of the chemicals formed inside the engine is nitrogen monoxide. It’s a new chemical because it was not there at the start. It must have formed from the atoms in the oxygen and nitrogen. They must have separated then these atoms combine to form nitrogen monoxide. In this change a new chemical is formed, so this is called a chemical change or chemical reaction.
The catalytic converter
The catalytic converter usually looks like a muffler and is located underneath the vehicle under the passenger seat in most cars although some cars have multiple converters. The purpose of a catalytic converter is to convert harmful hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides into harmless compounds. The catalysts inside the catalytic converter convert carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water, and nitrogen oxides back into nitrogen and oxygen. A catalyst is a chemical which speeds up inside of the catalytic converter are precious metals such as platinum. When exhaust contacts the catalysts a chemical reaction takes place converting the harmful exhaust gases into harmless compounds. The catalytic converter reduces 90% of gases to unharmful ones but has a limited life span of 10-15yrs.
What has/is the government doing about our air quality?
The government is committed to meeting people's right to clean air. It is essential for a good quality of life. People have a right to expect that the air they breathe will not harm them. We have come a long way since the smogs of the 1950s. Since the UK government established nationwide air quality measurements in the late 1970s we have achieved cleaner air through regulating industry and progressively tightening emissions standards for vehicles. Air quality in the UK is now generally very good. But there are still sometimes unacceptably high levels of pollution that can harm human health and the environment. The government even has made a law called The Clean Air Act in 1993 to control home and industrial smoke emissions. The UK government is now committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050 and is already working closely with its partners in the European Union to solve the problem.
The United Kingdom signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change. In January 1994 it published its first UK Programme on Climate Change to help tackle the problem of global warming. This therefore helps tackle the problem of air quality by reducing air pollution.
Action taken in the UK throughout the 1990s has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These include carbon tax on energy, the development of low-carbon technologies, an increase in electricity provided by renewable sources to 10% by 2010, energy efficiency improvements in homes e.g. energy efficient bulbs and a transport policy to cut congestion and reduce pollution, and an awareness-raising campaign called "Are You Doing Your Bit?" to improve the public's understanding of their actions on climate change.
In response to the in December 1952, the Government introduced its first Clean Air Act in 1956. This Act aimed to control domestic (home) sources of by introducing smokeless zones. In these areas, smokeless fuels had to be burnt. The Clean Air Act focused on reducing smoke pollution, but the introduction of cleaner coals and the increased usage of electricity and gas actually helped to reduce levels at the same time. In addition, were relocated to more rural areas. As a consequence, was dramatically reduced. The Act introduced the use of tall chimneys for burning coal, liquid or other fuels. At the time it was recognised that could be controlled, but that removal was going to be tough.
The UK government's policies for tackling formed the 1995 Environment Act, which provided the development of the government's , in 1997. The 1995 Environment Act makes local authorities review air quality and to check whether the air quality set out by the National Air Quality Strategy, are being completed.
Since January 1993, all new cars sold in the European Union have been fitted with a . As I have already mentioned most catalytic converters lead to a dramatic reduction in emissions of , as well as other harmful .
As a result of the smogs, the UK no longer experiences high levels of and pollution. The Environment Act of 1995 included a requirement for the development of a strategy to address areas of poor and declining , to reduce any significant risk to and to achieve the wider objectives of sustainable development in relation to air quality in the UK. The final version of the UK Air Quality Strategy was published in response to this Act in 1997. The Air Quality Strategy sets targets to improve air quality in the UK by 2005, based on information of the of the concerned and costs of emission reduction methods. The Strategy sets out and objectives for the 8 main health-threatening air pollutants in the UK: , , , and .
is a significant source of . Under the Environmental Protection Act lots of the most polluting things have been made to follow a regime called the Integrated Pollution Control, whilst a lot of other things have been made to follow a regime called the .
The table below shows how air pollution emissions have been decreasing in the UK since 1970 due to the governments actions.
Due to this decrease our air pollution is significantly lower than some other major cities such as Bombay, India.
As you can see that London’s pollution is significantly lower than Mexico City’s due to less population and a better government which has more wealth than Mexico’s as New York has quite a high population but a low pollution rating. This is more evidence that the UK government has helped us improve air quality in the UK. As many of the developing countries (LEDCs) are becoming more industrialised, emissions of air pollutants are likely to increase dramatically.
The UK government has also made a law in 1981 called The Motor Fuel (Lead content of Petrol) Regulation it limited the maximum amount of lead in petrol. Also in 1985 the introduction of unleaded petrol began. After that in 1988 the government limited the emissions of SO2 and NOx (nitrogen oxides) and particulates from power stations and other large combustion plants finally in 2000 The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was formed. It was the second National Air Quality Strategy was published with new air quality objectives for local authorities of the UK.
What could we as the public do to improve air quality?
Save energy
There's no better place to start reducing the size of your carbon footprint, and your domestic bills, than in the home. A few simple, cost effective changes will dramatically reduce the amount of energy you use heating your home and water. That means fewer carbon emissions and more money in your pocket. Simple actions reduce both fuel bills and CO2 emissions. Making your home as energy efficient as possible could save you loads of money. Read on to find out more about the changes you can make and the money you'll save by doing them.
Insulating your home
Most UK homes don't have the recommended amount of insulation. By properly insulating your home you could save a lot of money a year on your heating bills. What's more, cutting down the energy your home wastes will help tackle climate change at the same time which in the long run will help air quality. That's because home energy use is responsible for over a quarter of all emissions of CO2.
Insulate your loft
Around half the heat lost in a typical home escapes through the walls and the roof.
Insulating your loft is simple to do and you can even install the insulation yourself. Even if you already have loft insulation, check its thickness. Adding another layer to bring it up to the recommended 270mm will save both energy and money being wasted.
Fill your wall cavities
Around a third of the heat lost in a house without insulation is through the walls. You could save loads on your energy bills each year by insulating your wall cavities. Installation can take just a couple of hours for a typical three-bedroom house and can be done from the outside. If everyone in the UK filled their wall cavities, it would save around £670 million of energy a year how amazing is that!
Energy saving light bulbs
An energy efficient bulb produces less CO2 and can save up to £60 in electricity over its lifetime. Energy saving bulbs work in standard fittings and lamps, and are widely available at low prices (including in supermarkets). You can buy ones that look similar to old-style bulbs and give out the same coloured light, and some are even available for use with dimmer switches.
Energy saving bulbs still use energy, so remember to keep them switched off when not in use.
Don't leave it on standby
If everyone in the UK switched off unused appliances it would save £800 million a year. Leaving appliances plugged in and switched on at the socket means they're still using energy – so turn TVs, games consoles and mobile phone chargers off at the mains to save yourself money.
Turn off the lights
£140 million a year is wasted through leaving lights on in unused rooms, so always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Take control of your heating
You can avoid heating an empty house by using the timer so your central heating is switched off when nobody's home. If you have radiator valves, you can also turn off radiators in rooms that aren't being used. And if you'd like to cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent, just turn your central heating down by one degree.
Save water
Water companies use energy to treat mains water before and after use, and to supply it to homes. You also use energy when you heat water for baths, showers and washing up – and using energy means that CO2 is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
The good news is that, when it comes to saving water, small changes can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint without making a huge difference to your lifestyle. What's more, many of these top tips can even save you money.
Turn off the tap
You can save up to six litres of water per minute by remembering to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, shave, wash your hands or wash up.
Fix any dripping taps
Replacing worn washers is quick and cheap, and you'll be preventing a dripping tap wasting up to 15 litres of water a day, or almost 5,500 litres per year. If you're on a water meter, that could save you over £18 a year.
Wash full loads of clothes or dishes
Wait until you have a full load before switching on your dishwasher or your washing machine; two half loads use more water than one full load. If you're in the market for a new machine, make sure you buy an energy and water efficient one.
Don't overfill kettles and saucepans
Use the minimum amount of water required when boiling water in saucepans and kettles; you'll save energy as well as water.
Flush away less water
Reduce the water used to flush toilets by fitting a water saving device such as a ‘hippo', which your water company can provide for free. If you're replacing your toilet, look out for low flush or dual flush models.
Don't wash food under a running tap
Wash your fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap. You can use the water you collect to water your house plants.
Insulate your water pipes
Put lagging around water pipes and external taps to prevent bursts in cold weather. Find out where your main stop valve, or stopcock, is so you know how to cut off the flow quickly if ever a pipe bursts.
Save water in the garden
Out in the garden, collect rainwater in water butts and use a watering can instead of a hose. If you need to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.
Don't use a hose to wash your car
Wash your car using a bucket and sponge and rinse with a watering can. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will use more water than the average family uses in a day.
Take showers instead of baths
Take a short shower instead of a bath – you will use about a third of the water of a bath. But remember that many power showers can use more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes, so keep an eye on the time.
Buying your car
Transport contributes to climate change because engines burn fuel and therefore produce carbon dioxide (CO2) every time you travel. You can easily reduce these emissions and save money by following the simple tips you'll find in the ‘On the move' section. Motorists who hope to reduce their CO2 emissions have no need to compromise when buying a new car. Simply choose a more fuel efficient version of a car that fits your needs and you'll be well on your way to reducing your carbon footprint. The more fuel efficient the car, the less fuel it burns, so the less CO2 it produces. If everyone buying a brand new car chose the most fuel efficient car in its class, CO2 emissions from new cars could be reduced by up to 24 per cent and save up to three months worth of fuel per year.
Consider the car you want
In very general terms, smaller cars tend to be more fuel efficient and emit less CO2, so ask yourself questions about what you want the car for. Do you really need six seats for a family of four? Could you make do with a smaller boot if you only use the car for shopping?
The engine
Once you've decided on the type of car, check out the different makes, models and engine options. Most models offer a range of engines that vary in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
Diesel or petrol?
Petrol and diesel engines have different effects on the environment. Engines powered by diesel generally produce less CO2 but more air pollutants than their petrol counterparts. But which one should you choose? If most of the driving you do is long distance or motorway driving, then consider a diesel engine for fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. On the other hand, if you spend more time in town, where air quality is a greater consideration, then a petrol engine may be better suited.
Look for the label
Most new cars in a car showroom have a colour-coded fuel efficiency rating like fridges and washing machines (like the one shown, right). The coding is from band A to band G, with bands A and B representing cars that emit the least CO2, as well as having lower car tax. The lower the emission band, the lower the tax you'll pay. The label is also a guide to the running costs you can expect for that car over 12,000 miles, so you can compare how much different cars cost to run. This will help you exceptionally along with the other things.
Ask about fuel efficiency
Ask your car sales staff about the efficiency and environmental performance of your chosen car and the helpful extras available. For example, 'particulates' are emissions released when fuel is burned that are harmful to local air quality. But on some cars an optional extra called a DPF (diesel particulate filter) can be fitted to reduce these emissions from diesel engines. As petrol cars produce fewer particulates, filters are not generally needed for petrol engines.
Driving your car
Pump up to cut down
Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly and also before long journeys. This will also help to increase the life of your tyres.
Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe, so check your car manual for the correct tyre pressure. But, a car with a heavier load may need different air pressure in the tyres.
Less weight in your car means less CO2
Clutter in your boot is extra weight your engine has to carry around. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload. This will burn less fuel and cut your CO2 emissions, so unload any items you won't need for your journey before you set out.
Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2
Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds which may be driven in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver safety. It also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on your petrol costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9 per cent more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph.
Less stopping and starting means less CO2
Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.
Over revving accelerates emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs. If you drive a diesel car, try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car, change up at 2500rpm.
Appliances
Smarter shopping choices not only save you money, they also make a big impact on the environment. Whether you're in the supermarket, the DIY superstore or buying electricals, there are great ways to be green while shopping. An energy efficient fridge freezer uses nearly a third of the energy to do the same job as a 10-year-old model so why not pick the one that saves you the most money pus the one that is carbon friendly and helps us improve air quality. The average UK citizen will generate 3.3 tonnes of electronic waste in their lifetime. Manufacturing electronic goods like computers, televisions, fridges and washing machines requires large amounts of energy and raw materials, and this contributes to climate change.
Being careful about what you buy and how you use electronic goods and appliances will save you money, cut down on energy and cut your carbon footprint – all without any huge changes to your lifestyle.
Is it energy efficient?
Brand new products aren't necessarily more energy efficient just be cause they're new, so choose carefully. Using less energy means lower running costs, and that means lower bills for you. Over the lifetime of your appliance, you could end up with a substantial saving.
Does it have a label?
There are two key energy labels to look out for to save you money and cut your carbon footprint:
- Energy Saving Recommended logo
- EU energy label (this grades products from A (best) to G (worst) for energy use (above).
What size do I need?
Remember that, generally, smaller is better. Even if two products have exactly the same efficiency rating, the smaller one will use less energy and cost less to run – so try to buy the smallest you're comfortable with.
Is it battery operated?
Every year 600 million batteries are discarded. If you can, use rechargeable batteries with your new product. Think about buying wind-up or solar-powered gadgets like radios and torches that allow you to dispense with batteries altogether.
What do I do with the old one?
If your old item is still working or could be easily repaired, try and find a new home for it. The next best thing is to recycle: ask the shop where you buy your new equipment to take the old item from you, or take it to a recycling centre. Recycling materials like aluminium from computers saves raw materials and energy – so it cuts CO2 emissions.
Carbon friendly home improvements
When you're doing up your home, bear in mind that manufacturing items like furniture and flooring uses a surprising amount of energy and water. That leads to CO2 emissions which contribute to climate change, so choosing carefully when you're shopping can make a big difference to your carbon footprint. What's more, choosing energy efficient fittings can also make a big difference to the size of your energy bills.
Choose low-energy lighting options
An energy saving light bulb produces less CO2 and saves you money over its lifetime, as well as lasting up to 10 times longer than an ordinary bulb. Energy saving bulbs work in standard fittings and lamps, and are widely available at low prices (including in supermarkets). You can buy ones that look similar to old-style bulbs and give out the same coloured light, and some are even available for use with dimmer switches.
Choose sustainable wood
Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so if they are cut down and not replaced, there is an increase in CO2 which contributes to climate change. Choose wooden furniture or flooring products made from sustainable wood.
Buy recycled furniture and flooring
It takes a large amount of energy and water to manufacture furniture and flooring, so think about whether you need to buy brand new. You can save valuable resources and add style to your home by buying second-hand or vintage items, or by using reclaimed floorboards.
Buy to last
Because of the energy used in producing new goods, if you have a choice, it's often better to buy to last rather than replacing often. In the long run, this could end up saving you money.
Buy fittings that save water
When choosing new bathroom fittings, there are a number of ways you can save water and therefore energy. Look for water-efficient shower heads; low flush or dual-flush toilets; and aerator or spray fittings for taps in hand basins (these may not be appropriate for baths or sinks, as the water flow may be slow to fill them).
Think about hiring power tools
Manufacturing tools uses energy and resources, but the average drill is used for less than 15 minutes in its entire lifetime. Consider borrowing or hiring power tools instead of buying them.
And when you've finished... recycle
Instead of throwing away your old furniture, try donating it to a charity shop, recycling it or passing it. Most of the rubbish we throw away can be recycled, such as glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and waste paper. Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones. Composting fruit and vegetable waste reduces the amount of rubbish buried at rubbish dumps.
By Anwarul Haque
References
Very helpful on the government history and helped me a lot on how ozone is damaged.
Only useful for information about carbon dioxide.
Helped me on things we could do to improve our air quality and reduce carbon dioxide in the air a major greenhouse gas.
Useful on how air quality has improved over the years since the London smogs.
got a few pictures from here on recycle, taps, light bulbs etc…
This site told me about other sites which could help me
