Solving the Problem of Air Pollution with Technology

In cities such as London, Hong Kong and New York, air pollution has reached record heights. Alarmingly, by February this year, London had already surpassed the legally approved levels of toxicity in the city. Meaning that for the remaining 10 months, the air toxicity was illegal.

So, what’s being done to combat air pollution globally? Well, 118 nations have signed up to an agreement in 2016 dubbed ‘The Paris Agreement’, pledging to take immediate action. The focus is on larger cities who have a bigger impact on pollution levels as a whole.

Why Is Air Pollution So Dangerous?

Air pollution has reached such dangerous heights that it has been linked to a staggering 6 million deaths globally in 2016. In fact, this summer, the very first death that was directly cited as cause of death by air pollution was in London. Due to the fact the young girl lived in a notorious pollution “hotspot”. Not only is air pollution deathly, but it also has a negative impact on the environment – contributing to global warming.

Electric Cars

One of the biggest contributors to pollution are emissions from petrol or diesel cars. Innovative car manufactures are now taking it as a matter of urgency to develop electric cars. BMW and Tesla are among the few that are ahead of the curve. The main issue is the lack of charging points available. When more consumers start adopting driving electric cars as the norm (likely when they reduce in price), then there will predictably be more charging points. This will encourage the wider spectrum of people to ditch their petrol cars and start driving electric cars.

Ventilation Systems

Industrial businesses are known to exude significant amounts of harmful fumes into the air. This is because factories and construction sites often use large machinery which create smoke and release dangerous toxins into the atmosphere. A solution to this is to install state-of-the-art industrial ventilation systems. They help to clean the air inside the factory, improving the working conditions for employees as well as doing less harm to the environment. 

Renewable Energy

One of the more obvious ways of targeting air pollution is by utilising the developments in renewable energy technology. Wind turbines and solar panels are replacing fossil fuels in order to reduce the impact on the environment. China, for one, have invested greatly in solar power. By 2020, they aim to be generating 110 gigawatts of solar power – enough to power more than 30 million homes. In the future, it’s predicted that more countries will take on this method of generating power.

Air Purification

It’s not just big industrial companies that are benefitting from developments in ventilation systems purifying the air. Air purification devices are now being used in many homes worldwide. Not only do they clean the air inside the home, but it also helps people who suffer with allergies or asthma. This has perhaps been one of the biggest innovations in technology because it’s already made its way into people’s homes thanks to brands like Dyson and Vax. They will perhaps be a home staple in years to come.

The Future Looks Cleaner 

Considering the rapid developments in technology already changing the way we approach air pollution; the future certainly looks cleaner. With the Paris Agreement, the key global players who are the largest contributors are taking action more than ever before. Each country agreed to assess their areas that need improvement, with the final goal being to greatly decrease the earth’s temperature. Importantly, action must also be taken on a personal level, encouraging the public to take better care in their daily lives.