Negative Consequences of Air Pollution - Outline Example

A discussion of the negative consequences of air pollution and an evaluation of two solutions implemented in Beijing in response to these issues : Institution: Subject: Date of Submission: 1. Identify the problem. State why you have chosen to focus on this issue? Air pollution is an issue that has plagued urban areas, especially during these present times of increased industry activity. I will focus on air pollution because it is a global issue that has unfavorable health and environmental effects. 2. State the area or region you have chosen to focus on and give the reasons for your decision. I will focus on Beijing, the Capital of China. This is because air pollution has overtime become an ever increasing issue among environmentalist and residents in Beijing. Notably, air pollution is a major disaster in China due to the nation`s rapid pace of industrialization, explosive growth in car ownership, and coal power. 3. Identify up to three issues related to this problem, and provide Harvard references for the texts you have found which discuss each issue (you may have one source which discusses multiple issues). Problem 1: Health problems such as heart and respiratory diseases. Source: Cohen (2006, p.56). Problem 2: Global warming Source: Cohen (2006, p. 58-9). Problem 3: Acid rain. Source: Gurjar et al. (2010, p. 143). 4. Identify two solutions which have been implemented in your chosen region in response to your identified problem, and provide Harvard references for the texts you have found which discuss each solution (you may have one source which discusses multiple solutions). Note: the emphasis of the plan for this essay should focus on the effectiveness of the solutions- not just describing the problems. Solution 1: Getting old cars off the road and promoting clean energy vehicles Beijing commenced restricting car ownership in 2006 and the government has seen positive results from this intervention. The government also introduced electricity in local neighbourhoods within Beijing to switch from the air polluting coal stoves to electric heaters. A good example of the government’s commitment to reduction of air pollution was seen in 2008 Beijing Olympics where it availed more than 400 electric buses to ferry spectators to the venue (Saikwa et al., 2011, p. 9476). According to Schreifels et al. (2012, p. 783), the air pollution in Beijing reduced by 10% after the government restricted ownership of old cars and promoted the use of clean energy. This shows that this solution has been effective; though it will take a while before air pollution is completely dealt with in Beijing. Source: Saikawa et al. (2011, p. 9472-9482); Schreifels et al. (2012, p. 783), Solution 2: Coal use ban The government of China banned the use of coal in plants. This saw the closure of a number of the old and filthy coal powered industries within Beijing. The government had attributed almost 25% of the gas emissions to the industries. This has contributed to the increase in high-tech companies within Beijing that emit less or no smoke to the atmosphere. This move saw the relocation of some of the industries that were using coal as their primary source of energy. This intervention has seen the reduction of air pollution in Beijing by 10% between 2006 and 2013. Source: McKibben (2011) ___________________________________________________________________________ Thesis statement for the essay: This essay will argue that the solutions implemented in Beijing in response to problems caused by air pollution have been largely effective. Reflection on Sources Report Source 1: Cohen, B. (2006), Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability, Technol. Soc., 28: 63–80. How does the text relate to your essay title? This article discusses some of the problems that cities in Africa and Asia face and offers an analysis of some of the problems that arise from urbanization. It is also useful as it explores some of the primary causes of air pollution, effects of air pollution and interventions to reduce air pollution The text is reliable because: This article is reliable because it is a peer reviewed article. Source 2 Gurjar, B. R., Molina, L. T., & Ojha, C. S. (2010). Air pollution: Health and environmental impacts. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. How does the text relate to your essay title? This book explores numerous adverse air pollution instances that have rocked the world. It also explores both environmental and health effects of air pollution. This book will also assist in identifying some of the methods and techniques that have been employed to control air pollution and how its effects can be mitigated. The text is reliable because: It talks of some of the air pollution cases and how governments have tackled them. It is certified and also references some government sources. Source 3 McKibben, B. (2011, June). Can China Go Green? - National Geographic Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2015, from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/green-china/mckibben-text How does the text relate to your essay title? This article offers an analysis of China’s efforts towards reduction of air pollution. This article is useful as it offers an analysis of some of the interventions that China has adopted to reduce air pollution in its cities. It also shows the country’s progress towards its air pollution reduction goals by 2015. The text is reliable because: National Geographic is a reputable organization that publishes real-time and reliable articles and documentaries. Source 4 Saikawa, E., Jun-ichi K., Masayuki T., Jens B., Denise L. M., Larry W. H., Toshimasa, O. (2011), “The impact of China’s vehicle emissions on regional air quality in 2000 and 2020: a scenario analysis” Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11: 9465-9484. How does the text relate to your essay title? This article gives a comparative analysis of air pollution through motor vehicle emissions before and after the adoption of clean energy vehicles and getting old cars off the road in Beijing. The text is reliable because: It shows how motor vehicles contributed and contributes to air pollution between the two periods by referencing data from UNEP and the Chinese Government. It offers empirical data of the success of the intervention. Source 5 Schreifels, J. J., Yale F., and Elizabeth J. W. (2012), “Sulfur dioxide control in China: policy evolution during the 10th and 11th Five-year Plans and lessons for the future.” Energy Policy, 48: 779-789. How does the text relate to your essay title? This article is useful because it evaluates China’s commitment in reducing air pollution through controlling sulphur dioxide emission. It highlights some of the areas that the Government has performed and others that need improvement. The text is reliable because: It is a peer review article. Read More