Environmental Science: Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Policy Strategies

outcomes from montreal protocall

highly successful; ozone recovery started

effects of smog

Irritates lungs, eyes, harms crops and forests

sources of particulate matter

Fires, industry, vehicles

sources of NOX

Vehicle exhaust, power plants

effects from NOx

Forms smog & acid rain, lung irritation

main sources of vocs

Paint, fuels, cleaners

effects of lead

Brain/nervous system damage

effects of SO2

Causes acid rain, respiratory issues

sources of SO2

Burning coal/oil, volcanoes

main sources of lead

Mining, old paint, fossil fuels

effects of vocs

headaches, cancer risk, forms smog

sources of carbon dioxide 

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation

effects of carbon dioxide

Climate change, ocean acidification

human impact on carbon cycle

Burning fossil fuels & deforestation add excess CO₂ → enhances greenhouse effect.

Carbon Offsets

Investments in reforestation or clean energy to balance emissions

Air Pollution

Chemicals in the air that have bad health effects.

outcome from the paris accord

countries set national targets and its still ongoing

main sources of CO (carbon monoxide)

Incomplete fuel combustion

effects of CO

Reduces oxygen in blood

sources of smog

Cars, factories, warm climates

Primary Air Pollutants

Emitted directly (CO, NOx, SO₂, PM, VOCs, Pb)

VOC

Volatile organic compounds- evaporate easily

CO (carbon monoxide)

Odorless, colorless gas

NOx

Gas compounds of nitrogen and oxygen

SO2( sulfur dioxide)

Colorless gas with strong odor

Effects of particulate Matter

Lung/heart damage, reduced visibility

Secondary Air Pollutants

Formed from primary pollutants and air, including Nitric Acid (HNO3), Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), and Ozone (O3)

Nitric Acid

HNO3, a secondary air pollutant.

Sulfuric Acid

H2SO4, can cause acid rain.

Ozone

O3, causes smog.

Clean Air Act

Regulate pollutants; reduce smog and acid rain

Point Source Pollution

Direct sources like the factory and smokestack

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Multiple sources and diffuse like runoff and vehicle emissions

Smog

Mix of smoke and fog; photochemical smog forms from sunlight, NOx, and VOCs

Particulate Matter

Tiny solid/liquid particles suspended in air

CO2 (Carbon dioxide)

Natural greenhouse gas

Lead (Pb)

A heavy metal pollutant

Volatile Organic Compounds

Organic chemicals that can affect air quality and human health.

Carbon Cycle

CO2 is absorbed by plants- released by animals- stored in soil, oceans, rocks- returned by combustion/ decay

Human Activity and Climate Change

The influence of human activity on the warming of the climate system has evolved from theory to established fact.

Greenhouse Effect

1. Sunlight (shortwave) passes through the atmosphere.

2. Earth’s surface absorbs and re-emits heat (infrared).

3. Greenhouse gases trap this IR, keeping Earth warm.

Visible Light

Light that comes straight through ozone and is absorbed by Earth, turned into heat.

Greenhouse Gases

fossil fuels, methane- livestock, landfills, fertilizers, vapor, and tropospheric ozone

Importance of Greenhouse Gases

Earth wouldn't be warm enough to sustain life if it weren't for greenhouse gases trapping infrared radiation.

Link Between Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

Increase in greenhouse gases causes heat to be held closer to the planet, leading to a general increase in temperatures.

Global Warming vs Climate Change

Climate change encompasses more than just global warming; it includes rising sea levels and melting ice.

Renewable resources

Resources that don't produce greenhouse gases.

Kyoto Protocol

An international treaty that required industrial nations to cut GHGs

Montreal Protocol

Treaty to ban CFS to protect the ozone layer

Paris Accord

An international treaty to keep warming below 2 degrees Celsius.

Ambient air pollution

Pollution present in the open air.

Source specific air pollution

Pollution traced to identifiable sources like factories or automobiles.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Emissions of this gas are dramatically reduced to improve public health.

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

Emissions of this gas are dramatically reduced to improve public health.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Substances that were safer than previous refrigerants but destroy the ozone layer.

Temperature increase prevention

Protect human life by phasing out ODS which prevents up to an additional 2.5°C temperature increase by the end of this century.

INDCs

Intended nationally determined contributions

Carbon Footprint

total greenhouse gas emissions from human activities 

Contributors to Carbon Footprint

Using fossil fuels & Cutting down trees, driving a car, heating, food, clothes. 

Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Use renewable resources like wind or solar, more natural heating and cooling, different transportation, less meat, energy-efficient appliances, supporting renewable energy,

Carbon Offset

Voucher to make up a difference between carbon reduction goal and their current emissions. Money spent on offsets can be used on ways to reduce their emissions.

Climate Mitigation

Seeks to reduce amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Adaptation

Seeks to address impacts of climate change on cities (ex: global warming changes local climate and drives sea-level rise, which may impact cities).

Climate Action Plan

Strategic planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a community. Specifically address the issue of climate change. Adjust to effects 

Steps of Developing a Climate Action Plan

Measure emissions, identify main sources, set emission reduction targets, implement strategies, monitor, and update regularly.

effects from clean air act

improved air quality; limits So2 and NOx

effects from kyoto protocol

Weak participation and the US withdrew