Entry 11:Sources of Global Warming

I shall start an in-depth study of the burning question in my mind for so long, Who exactly is responsible for global warming and pollution? What do they do to the environment? Well actually, we humans are responsible for this mess we created. World wide emissions are increasingly rapidly due to the modernisation of society, and can accomodate power plants, transportation, oil refining, burning and depletion of Earth's resources and waste deposition. Waste deposition releases methane, which also enhances the greenhouse effect. Everyday emissions from factories and cars are some of the worse causes of pollution and ozone depletion. Fossil fuel combustion, particularly as it occurs in motor vehicles, has been identified as the largest contributor to air pollution in the world. Motor-driven vehicles do have a big impact on us and our environment, and most of us would probably not be able to live life so comfortably without efficient transportation. Not all pollution produced by cars is the same. In fact, there are two types of pollution discharged by petrol vehicles.

1. Exhaust emissions: including dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates.
2. Evaporative emissions: vapours of fuel which are released into the atmosphere, without being burnt.
   

Apart from being detrimental to the environment, cars severely affect our health too. Cars produce smoke, which is a by-product of incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion can significantly increase the quantity of certain toxic chemicals discharged by vehicles into the air.These chemicals can cause mild to severe irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. They can also be absorbed into the body and cause deterioration in general health. The extent of these detrimental effects on people's health is related to the length of time one is exposed to vehicle emissions, the concentration of fumes breathed and various other factors such as age and health. So know you should know about what contributes to global warming. However, there are natural sources too.They can be dust or by products of wildfire and volcanic activity. Before you start counting how many more years you have to live before Earth's becomes too unhealthy for mankind to live in, I would like to emphasise that there is still hope! By "going green", and making everyone aware of global warming, we CAN slow down or stop global warming! This shall be continued in my next post.

Information obtained from:
1)http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/cars.asp
2)Sec 2 "Project Work 2008" (Group Powerpoint slides)