AIR POLLUTION FUN FACTS AND TRIVIA

Where does most weather happen?

Weather happens mostly in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere

How many typhoons does the Philippines experience per year?

Around 20 typhoons per year

How heavy can a single cumulus cloud be?

A single cumulus cloud can weigh over 500,000 kg

Where does the word “meteorology” come from?

It comes from the Greek word "meteoros," meaning "high in the sky"

How small is particulate matter (PM2.5)?

PM2.5 is 30 times smaller than a human hair and can enter the lungs and bloodstream

How many deaths globally are caused by air pollution each year?

About 7 million deaths, more than smoking, HIV, and malaria combined

What is a major source of urban air pollution in the Philippines?

Vehicles

What was Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) known for?

It was one of the strongest landfalling tropical cyclones in world history

Which Southeast Asian country was first to enact a Clean Air Act?

The Philippines (RA 8749, 1999)

Why is New Year’s Eve in Metro Manila often bad for air quality?

Firecracker smoke

What is the coolest place in the Philippines?

Baguio City, which also experiences inversions that can trap air pollutants

What would happen to Earth’s surface temperature without the atmosphere?

It would drop to -18°C, too cold for life as we know it

Are typhoon, hurricane, and cyclone different phenomena?

No, they are the same weather phenomenon but named differently depending on location

What was the strongest tornado ever recorded?

Winds over 480 km/h in the USA

What does Amihan bring in the Philippines?

Cooler air (Northeast Monsoon)

What does Habagat bring in the Philippines?

Heavy rains (Southwest Monsoon)

What is cloud seeding?

A technique to induce rain using silver iodide or salt

How fast is the Arctic warming compared to the global average?

Four times faster

Why does the sky appear blue?

Due to Rayleigh scattering – blue light scatters more than other wavelengths

Why is photochemical smog worse on sunny days?

UV light triggers reactions between NOx and VOCs to produce ground-level ozone

Which is the most abundant greenhouse gas?

Water vapor, but CO₂ is the most influential due to human activities

How much methane can one cow produce per year?

Up to 120 kg

What protects life in the stratosphere?

The ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation

What does a halo around the moon indicate?

A storm is coming, caused by ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds

How much air do humans breathe per day?

About 11,000 liters

What does ozone (O₃) smell like?

A bit like chlorine, often noticed after lightning storms