Maybe not all areas experience air pollution . In rural areas or remote areas, the air is still clean and fresh. However, it is undeniable that almost everyone feels the impact of air pollution.

Air pollution has become a familiar term in the ear. Vehicle fumes and industrial fumes pollute the air every day. Air pollution is one form of problem that will affect the lives of living things around the world.

How come? Every living thing breathes clean oxygen. If the air is polluted, the survival of humans, animals, and plants will be threatened with extinction.

Not only threatens survival, the impact of air pollution also makes the ozone layer thinner. As a result, global warming will be the biggest threat that must be overcome in order for humans to survive. Here we learn one by one what are the impacts of air pollution that need to be watched out for!

Impact of Air Pollution

Living things can grow and develop with nutrients such as oxygen, water, and food. Of course, if air pollution arises , this is very threatening to human health and the environment.

Below are some of the effects of air pollution:

1. Breathing and Heart Problems

The impact of air pollution is very alarming. If we breathe polluted air too often, we can experience respiratory and heart problems. For example, chronic bronchitis, asthma, coughs, to heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

Millions of people have died as a result of being directly or indirectly affected by air pollution.

2. Child Health Problems

Air pollution is detrimental to health if inhaled by children and the elderly. Exposure to high levels of air pollution during pregnancy is also at risk of affecting the fetus. For example, it causes miscarriage, premature birth, autism, asthma, and infant breathing disorders.

In addition, it can potentially impair brain development in children and cause pneumonia or respiratory infections.

3. Global Warming

The impact of air pollution that can be seen directly by the public is global warming. Because, the earth's temperature is increasing, making many glaciers and icebergs melt which makes sea levels rise.

As a result, many native animal habitats are lost and threaten the survival of humans, animals, and certain plant species.

4. Acid Rain

Harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. When it rains, the toxic gas will mix with water.

In turn, it will form acid in the air and then fall to the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain will change the structure of the soil and cause damage to death for humans, animals and plants.

5. Eutrophication

Eutrophication is a condition in which very high levels of nitrogen develop at the sea surface. Thus, turning the marine environment into algae that disturbs fish species, coral reefs, and other marine animals.

Green algae in lakes and ponds is generally caused by the presence of this chemical.

6. Effects on Wildlife

Just like humans, animals also face some of the effects of air pollution. Toxic chemicals in the air can force wildlife species to move to new places and change their habitats.

Toxic pollutants settle on the surface of the water and can affect the survival of marine animals.

7. Depletion of the Ozone Layer

Ozone that protects the earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays will be depleted as a result of air pollution. Earth's ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.

When the ozone layer is depleted, the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays will be emitted again to the earth. Thus, causing serious skin problems for living things.

Solutions to Overcome the Impact of Air Pollution

The impact of air pollution is very worrying and negative for humans, animals, and plants. Therefore, we need to find a solution to overcome it. Let's see the following list!

1. Use Public Transportation

People need to realize the importance of switching to public transportation modes to reduce the impact of air pollution. Use a car-sharing community with colleagues who are in the same direction as work. This will greatly save fuel energy and money.

2. Sustainable Homes

Use alternative fuels that are environmentally friendly. Avoid burning trash, dry leaves, or other materials in the yard. Instead of burning dry leaves, use it as compost or compost.

3. Energy Saving

Electrical energy efficiency with simple steps. For example, turn off the television, fan, or bathroom lights that are not in use. That way, electrical energy will be more efficient and reduce monthly bills.

4. Understand the Concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Avoid throwing away unused items. Instead, reuse it for other purposes. For example, you can use jam jars to store cooking spices.

5. Renewable Technology

The use of clean renewable technologies such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy greatly helps reduce the impact of air pollution. Various countries support the installation of solar panels for residential use. Undoubtedly, this greatly reduces the impact of air pollution.

6. Use Energy Saving Devices

LED and DFL lamps consume less electrical energy than other incandescent lamps. In addition to reducing electricity bills, of course it also supports reducing the impact of air pollution because it consumes less electricity.

Actually, there are many other efforts that we can apply to reduce the impact of air pollution. Although, currently the use of fossil fuels is still found, but in the next few years fossil fuels will soon run out. And, we need to find alternative energy fuels that are more environmentally friendly.

Air pollution is mankind's greatest challenge. Although challenging, we can all work together to overcome it. Let's support each other for cleaner, greener and environmentally friendly renewable energy to see a better tomorrow.