ATIVIDADE 1.
Pág 102
Energy and air pollution
How are they linked?
Air pollution is the fourth greatest overall risk factor for human health worldwide,
after high blood pressure, dietary risks and smoking. Latest estimates attribute
6.5 million premature deaths to air pollution. Among the major air pollutants, fine
particulate matter is the most damaging to human health, and sulfur oxides,
nitrogen oxides and ozone are associated with a range of illnesses. In addition to
human health, air pollution poses risks to the environment, the economy and food
security.
Air pollutants arising from human activity overwhelmingly derive from energy
production and use, mainly the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. Three key
pollutants are examined in detail in this report. Almost all sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides emissions to the atmosphere are energy-related, as are some 85% of
emissions of particulate matter. Within the energy sector, power generation and
industry are the main sources of sulfur dioxide, mostly from coal use. Oil use in
vehicles and power generation are the leading emitters of nitrogen oxides.
Consumption of biomass, kerosene and coal in the buildings sector, along with
industrial use, are responsible for the bulk of the particulate matter reaching the
atmosphere.
The concentration of people, economic activity and energy demand in the world’s
growing cities means that poor air quality is often regarded as an urban problem.
Yet poor air quality also affects many rural communities, particularly where
households continue to rely on solid biomass for cooking and kerosene for lighting.
Moreover, the major pollutants – including secondary pollutants formed by chemical
reactions in the atmosphere – can be transported large distances from their sources.
As the predominant source of air pollution, the energy sector must be at the
forefront of action to improve air quality around the world. A range of proven
policies and technologies are available to do so. In the United States, European
Union and Japan, regulations have helped to achieve a major drop in emissions in
some sectors, although challenges remain. In developing Asia, less stringent
regulations relating to fuel quality, energy efficiency and post-combustion treatment
technologies generally mean that pollutant emissions have risen in line with very
rapid growth in energy demand seen in recent years, though improvements in air
quality are becoming an increasingly urgent policy priority in many Asian countries.
No jurisdiction can claim that the task of tackling air pollution is complete.
Write the main ideas from the text about
Human health Air pollutant from
human activity
Urban and rural
communities
Energy and air pollution,
how are they linked?
ATIVIDADE 2.
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https://rachacuca.com.br/
ATIVIDADE 3.
pag. 103
ACTIVITY 4
Look at the pictures with examples of energy-related air pollution sources, discuss and
answer in pairs or groups the following questions.
a) In your opinion, which is the most aggressive and the most harmless air pollutant?
b) What is the main air pollutant in your city? Why?
c) Do you know what actions in your city are meant to minimize this problem?
d) What can people do to reduce air pollution in the city?
