One of the most notable glitches in African soil is how to devise tweaks to reduce air pollution. And according to a report released by the American Chemical Society, air pollution kills about 780,000 Africans yearly. This undoubtedly raises the alarm about why we ought to tighten our efforts in fighting contamination of air. Below are four ways we can utilize to reduce air toxics in Africa.
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Reduce the burning of trash, grass, and leaves
Most of the things Africans intend to trash or burn are either reusable or recyclable. Also, all the grass and leaves we collect in our lawns are effortlessly turnable into mulching material for our farms or flower gardens.
Check this; the grass can be converted into compost manure and used for farming. Doing this would not only reduce pollution but would also enrich the soil and prevent it from eroding.
In the same breath, Africans need to plant more trees to increase the absorption of hazardous gases in the air. Governments should nevertheless abolish the use of plastic bags and encourage citizens to opt for woven baskets. Ultimately, they should pick up the essence of recyclable paper and build recycling industries.
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Reduce air pollution by eliminating the usage of wood stoves
The utilization of renewable energy and clean energy are core aspects as far as reducing air pollution is of concern. Over 3 billion people globally cook with charcoal or wood, according to the Solar International Organization. This continues to bring about breathing problems that may eventually lead to death
Africans should move from over-dependence on fossil fuels, and put more focus on energies such as geothermal, wind, and solar. Achieving this would arguably reduce the poverty levels and boost the economy in Africa as solar energy is renewable and a freebie. Furthermore, they should also consider constructing green buildings. Such homes are resource-efficient and considerably reduce carbon emission.
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Shaving off over-dependence on petroleum
Petroleum is unsustainable, and its price keeps fluctuating. Nonetheless, the innovation of hybrid cars brings in significant progress in helping Africa and the world, in general, go green. The use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, in no doubt, reduces over-dependency on gasoline.
Netherland is one nation Africa ought to borrow tips about the adoption of alternative means of transport apart from vehicles. With a population of 17 billion people, Netherland has approximately 22.5 million bicycles. The Dutch nation praxis to embrace the use of bicycles as its government builds more bike-parking across the towns.
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Discourage excess idling in Automotive
Reducing the percentage of soot from cars is crucial. This boils down to conserving automotive energy used on a daily bases. Most motorists leave the engines of their vehicles running even in standstill traffic. Similarly, some people lawn their yards using blunt lawnmower swords. That habit ought to change for us to curb pollution. Blades should be sharpened often, and engines turned off whenever necessary.
Also, drivers should, at all times, ensure they inflate their car’s tires properly. Deflated wheels reduce a vehicle’s mileage and increase fuel consumption. In the same vein, motorists should always ensure they don’t carry excess weight as it decreases the overall gas mileage of a car.
Another nifty option is picking up the idea of using public transport. Individual driving can get expensive, especially in areas where gas is expensive. Using public means of transport would lower the number of personal vehicles on the roads, save money, and decrease air pollution.
When fueling, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends strategies to prevent gasoline from polluting the environment. They include:
- Following refueling guidelines at gas stations.
- Observing caution to avoid spillages.
- Tightly securing gas cups after refueling.
The above pointers, as well as many others, are ways we can pick up and ensure Africa is a pollution-free continent. And while we can measure the level of air pollution using laser-based technology, its results may not be accurate. Africans should take it upon themselves to conserve the continent and the world at large.
