Effects and the Strategies of Air Pollution - Literature review Example

Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Secondary research 2 Purpose and design of survey 3 Results 3 Discussion 9 Conclusion 10 References: 11 Introduction The issue of air pollution cannot be underestimated. Review of secondary literature suggests that its effects are increasingly being felt with increased global warming and climate change other harmful effects have been cited to include health related matters (Zuckerman, 2011). Air pollution has mostly been blamed on emissions from motor vehicles as well as factory exhausts. This survey on air pollution is aimed at unearthing causes of increased air pollution, its effects and the strategies that could be used to minimize it. Secondary research Wayne (2014) states that air pollution is on the increase and thus calls for intervention to save the world from its devastating effects especially as far as global warming and climate change is concerned. He cites some of the major contributors of air pollution to include emissions from industries and manufacturing activities, burning fossil fuels as well as household and farming chemicals. On the other hand, Goldstein (2009) has classified rapid industrialization, fast urbanization, rapid growth in population, growth in the vehicles on the road and other human beings activities as being the contributing factors to the increasing levels of air pollution. Duflo (2008) classifies air pollutants into primary and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants include car exhausts, particulate materials and toxic materials. On the other hand, secondary pollutants include chemicals released into air that become hazardous on being released for instance photochemical oxidants. Zuckerman (2011) cites some of the harmful effects of air pollution to include global warming resulting to climate change as well as health related effects such as lung diseases such as asthma as well as certain types of cancer. To counter the effects of air pollution, Michelle (2008) states that we ought to make it our responsibility to conserve the environment. On the other hand, Andersen (2008) suggests such measures as stringent laws as well as carbon accounting as some of the measures to counter air pollution. Purpose and design of survey The purpose of this survey was twofold. First, it aimed at establishing the foundation students’ attitude to air pollution. Secondly, it aimed at establishing whether foundation students know any solution to solve the air pollution issue. In conducting this research, we used Survey monkey which is an online survey instrument in gathering data related to the above issues. The survey made use of ten questions in gathering the data with Inserach foundation students being the respondents. The survey mainly required the Inserach foundation students to give their views on air pollution and the factors contributing to air pollution, the current air quality in their local cities, effects of air pollution, the role they play in lessening air pollution, their agreement or disagreement on various initiatives that should be applied in minimizing air pollution, to find out the extent to which they are aware of air pollution and their suggestions on how air pollution ought to be tackled. The results of the survey are attached in the appendix below. On reflection, it would have been desirable to include a question regarding the role of carbon accounting and carbon credits in tackling the effects of air pollution in the contemporary world. It is worth noting that the survey link was sent to insearch foundation students where we managed to obtain responses from all the 38 respondents. Results It is worth noting that we got response from 38 respondents who had comprehensively answered all the questions as per survey requirements though in some instances, a respondent had skipped a question or two. In this regard, this report analyzes data from all the 10 questions asked as they are considered significant for the purpose of this report. Question 1 and 3 required respondents required respondents to identify causes of as well as factors leading to air pollution. These questions obtained differing results though half of respondents pointed to population growth while 42% thought manufacturing facilities to be the major contributors of air pollution. Causes % of students choosing the cause Construction 26.32% Population growth 50.00% Manufacturing facilities 42.11% High utilization of air conditioner 15.79% Automobiles 18.42% Household heating as well as cooking 10.53% Cigarette smoking 15.79% Power plants 15.79% Waste disposal 31.58% Table 1: Causes of air pollution Question 2 required respondents to rate the current air quality in their cities in comparison to the past with a majority of respondents indicating that the air quality was either much or a bit better than in the past. Graph 1: on air quality Question 4 regarded the effects of air pollution. Majority of respondents did not know other effects of air pollution other than health related effects. 30% of the respondents knew other effects to include safety issues, global warming and climate change. Response % of students Yes 30.56% No 44.44% Don’t know 25.00% Table 2: Effects of pollution Question 5 requested the respondents to identify any change to materials that in their view were as a result of air pollution. Majority were not aware of any but 37% indicated air pollution as resulting from burning of more coal and resulting to recycling waste. Response % of students Yes 37.84% No 56.76% If yes indicate below 5.41% Table 3: Changes in materials Question 6 related to personal efforts towards lessening air pollution. Majority viewed utilizing bicycle rather than vehicles and taking part in green campaigns as personal efforts that could lessen air pollution. Graph 2: Personal efforts to reduce air pollution Question 7 related to the respondents agreement or disagreement with certain strategies that could be used in curbing air pollution. It is surprising to note that majority of the respondents think that air pollution as it is cannot be managed. Graph 3: Strategies for reducing air pollution In question 8, the respondents were required to identify how air pollution had affected them. The chart above shows the varying responses obtained. Graph 4: Effects of air pollution Question 9 sought to establish the extent to which the respondents know about air pollution. In this case, majority of the respondents (51.35%) indicated having knowledge on air pollution. Responses % of students A lot 51.35% Less 48.65% Nothing 0.00% Table 4: Knowledge about air pollution Finally, question 10 addressed the strategies that could be used in curbing air pollution in which case majority of the respondents supported the idea of removal of O-Zone depleting substances. Graph 5: Techniques of curbing air pollution Discussion The respondents in the survey seem to be well informed about air pollution as far as its causes, its effects and the strategies to be used in curbing it is concerned. Majority of the respondents agree that rapid increase in population, mobile and factory emissions are to blame for the rising levels of air pollution (Goldstein, 2009). Major cities nowadays are characterized by congestion in the roads as well as numerous factories. These emit fumes and smokes that at times form a black cloud over the city thus interfering with the air quality in the cities. The increased population also implies that more air polluting activities are carried out. Many respondents have indicated that air quality in their cities is much or slightly better than previous years. This can be attributed to increased advocacy (green movement) and government action through environmental management agencies aimed at lessening air pollution (Zuckerman, 2011). Majority of the respondents are not well informed about other effects of air pollution other than the harmful effects it has on their health. Such effects include greenhouse effect, particulate contamination, acid rain, increased UV radiation among others which calls for increased advocacy to inform the people the value of lessening air pollution (Michelle, 2008). The results also show that respondents are willing to make various personal contributions towards minimization of air pollution. This is in line with their agreement that everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment and hence minimizing air pollution (Duflo, 2008). The survey results also show the increasing recognition of the role that corporates ought to play towards minimizing air pollution with 24% of respondents agreeing that companies responsible for air pollution ought to be closed and fined. However, it is surprising to note that the majority of respondents have resigned and think that air pollution as it is cannot be managed. This calls for responsible authorities to intensify their campaigns towards management of air pollution (Wayne, 2014). The government also ought to play a great role in minimizing air pollution with a significant number of the respondents agreeing that banning cars from the cities is a good strategy. Majority of the respondents seem to have been affected by air pollution in various ways including their health being affected by incidences of asthma. Probably the experiences with air pollution has caused them to learn much about air pollution with majority stating that they know a lot about air pollution. Conclusion Available literature suggests that air pollution has been on the rise. This has been blamed on increased industrialization and motor vehicle use. Air pollution has also been blamed for global warming, climate change and health related problems (Goldstein, 2009). From the results of this research, it is clear that much needs to be done in a bid to lessen the effects of air pollution. One of the best strategies towards this end is punishing those who destroy the environment and taking personal precautions to protect the environment. Such initiatives could include such simple things as choosing to ride instead of driving. References: Wayne, T2014, Air quality, London, Rutledge. Goldstein, D2009, Air pollution, Sydney, Prentice Hall. Duflo, R2008, Introduction to air pollution science, New York, John Willey & Sons. Andersen, M2008, Global warming, London, Rutledge. Zuckerman, D2011, Air pollution and global warming, Western Australia, Cengage Learning. Michelle, M2008, Industrial air pollution, London, Rutledge. Read More