What ? How Tradeing Is Happens?

There are two main air pollutants; one is natural causes e.g. windblown dust, pollen, fog etc. and the other is that which we call people pollution. This is the most serious form of air pollution. One of the worst air pollutants which is affecting our environment today is Carbon Monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas caused by the incomplete burning of gasoline, oil, and wood. Low concentrations can cause dizziness, fatigue and headaches, while high concentrations can be fatal. Other pollutants such as Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen and Lead have contributed to the deteriorating environment. We are all guilty of the overuse of same and, consequently, we all contribute to the pollution levels from which we suffer.

When people say "I'm going out for a breath of fresh air" this is no longer possible in most cities. The air they inhale is a lungful of chemicals and toxins which are harmful to the human body and which may cause people to be more susceptible to respiratory problems, lung infections, cancer and even death in the long term. Air pollution is also the cause of global warming which is rapidly changing the world's climate due to a thinning in the ozone layer which protects the earth from dangerous ultra violet rays. But what can we do about this increasing problem? Well, first and foremost, we have to step up to the plate and agree that this is a major issue in the world and that something needs to be done about it....now! Not in twenty or thirty years time when it will be too late to change. Secondly, we have to let the entire population of the earth know about the affects of air pollution on the planet, and what they can do to help both themselves and their planet.

We need to put restrictions in place on the use of certain chemicals and toxins which are causing untold harm to our environment. We need to make sacrifices to make this work but we will experience the benefits both in long and in the short term.

As Winston Churchill once said "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction". As individuals we also need to make changes in our domestic environment in order to reduce air pollution. We need to reduce, reuse and recycle, we need to judicious in the use of fossil fuels, and, we need to make drastic changes in our transport policies.

For all of the above to succeed, we need education, co-operation, research and the proper funding in order to initiate policies which will lead to real change in our habits.

Thank You.