_.png)
Captain Amazon
You are the Captain of Your Planet
Solutions
There are multiple solutions to air pollution. Here you can read about those that relate to industry, infrastructure, and government.
For tips on how to lower your own air pollution footprint, you can visit our Lifestyle Tips page!
​
When considering the solutions to air pollution it is important to remember that there are two types of this: outdoor and indoor pollution. There are different solutions to each of these that can and should be implemented.
Renewable Energy
Burning coal, oil, and gas produces air pollution. Thus, poor air quality levels can be lowered by switching to clean renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal power.
​
Recent research has found that the fossil fuel industry emits more pollutants than previously thought. Methane leaks from oil and gas companies have been extremely underestimated and these have a massive impact on air pollution and climate change. New statistics show that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for more than half of all methane emissions in the U.S. alone.
​
Governments and industries can, therefore, help lower air pollution by promoting, prioritizing and investing in clean renewable energy sources.
Green Transportation
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the transport sector is responsible for a substantial amount of urban air pollution. It contributes to 30% of all PM (particulate matter/particulate emissions) in European cities and 50% in OECD countries. Diesel traffic is responsible for the majority of this pollution.
​
To lower these percentages, governments can invest in and prioritize sustainable infrastructure projects such as transportation networks for cyclists and pedestrians or public transportation methods, including rail, metro, and bus. Governments could also adopt cleaner vehicular technologies and fuel alternatives such as electric cars or buses. Green infrastructure and architecture projects can also lower the need for private motor vehicles.
Emission and Efficiency Standards
Emission standards are a means to control air pollution from vehicles. The policy can include emission limits, reducing a vehicle's carbon footprint and test vehicles to ensure that they fulfil the criteria set out in the emission standards. By implementing such policies, vehicular emission levels can be reduced, but it can also inspire innovation. For instance, the implementation of emission standards in California generated multiple new projects within the automobile industry.
​
Efficiency standards help avoid unnecessary emissions by ensuring that vehicles are fuel-efficient. The International Council for Clean Transportation has reported that at least 60,000 lives can be saved by enforcing efficiency standards, as particle pollution would decrease.
Green Architecture and Infrastructure
Green architecture is 'an approach to building that minimizes the harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the environment'. Attempts are made to safeguard water, soil and air quality by choosing eco-friendly materials and practices such as implementing energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Other features include ventilation systems designed for efficient cooling and heating, reused materials obtained during the construction process and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
​
Green infrastructure (GI) is a step beyond green architecture and involves the integration of nature and natural processes into spatial planning and territorial development. The European Environment Agency defines the concept as 'a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services' in urban and rural areas.
​
Unlike grey (man-made and constructed) infrastructure, the purpose of GI is multifunctional. It fulfils the functions of grey infrastructure while simultaneously providing several ecosystem services. These include environmental, social and biodiversity-related functions, climate change adaptation and mitigation, clean air and water, flood prevention, pollination, recreation, food security, and resource generation. Examples of GI include green walls and roofs, beehives, multifunctional farming, wildlife corridors and overpasses, hedgerows and wildflower verges.
Agriculture
Agricultural emissions contribute most to particle pollution, particularly of ammonia (NH3). Ammonia derives from manure from livestock and mineral nitrogen fertilisers and has negative effects on biodiversity and drinking water.
​
Governments, industries, and small-holders can reduce emissions by banning the burning of agricultural residues, which will decrease particulate emissions. Another solution is to implement ammonia and nitrogen management systems. A nitrogen management system should include low emission application techniques and replacing chemical fertilisers with organic ones. Ammonia emissions can be reduced by extending grazing periods, using low emission housing and scrubbing of ventilation air, covering stored manure and using low emission application techniques of manure.
Landfills
Landfill gas is produced when waste decomposes. The gases that are released include methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and VOCs, including arsenic and lead released from electronic equipment as well as mercury that leaks from fluorescent light bulbs. Landfill gas has been linked to multiple health issues such as coughing, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea and irritation in the nose, eyes, and throat.
​
The best solution to landfills is to reduce the need for them. Governments, corporations, and organizations should transition to a circular economy, where everything is reused, repurposed or upcycled. This means that nothing goes to waste unless it is so broken or worn-out that it is absolutely impossible to use it. Improving the sustainability of products and eliminating overconsumption would also help reduce the need for landfills and in turn lower air pollution from landfills.