What do you mean by 'I want to fight air pollution?"

Many kind-hearted individuals express their desire to join the fight against air pollution, and as an asthmatic, I find this cause to be noble and close to my heart. I, too, yearn for cleaner air that is less polluted. Yet, as I delve into this topic and continue to learn more about air pollution (and yes, I've even written articles on it), a question lingers in my mind: "What do you mean when you say 'I want to fight air pollution?'"

Allow me to explain. As I delve deeper into the subject, I discover that air pollution comes in various forms. One of them is ozone, which is naturally occurring, making it challenging to control. Then there's particulate matter, tiny and invisible particles present in the air, easily inhaled and aerosolized. Some of this particulate matter is a result of human activities, such as emissions from factories and wildfires, while some are natural, stemming from fires and volcanic activities. 

Eliminating all air pollution entirely is a daunting task, as some natural sources of pollution will persist. However, we can work towards significantly reducing man-made pollution through various means, such as transitioning to cleaner energy sources, implementing stricter emissions standards for industries and vehicles, promoting sustainable practices, and raising awareness about the impact of pollution on our environment and health. Although complete eradication may be challenging, our collective efforts can make a substantial difference in improving air quality.

Even if all man-made pollution is eradicated, some air pollution will still remain. So, how do you suggest eliminating all air pollution? The answer is you can't. Ozone will persist. And, if people are still around, they will need a way of cooking and keeping warm in the winter. So, fires will still persist in homes. And this means there will be smoke and CO2 emissions into the air.

Speaking of fires, did you know that in the past, 100% of homes and businesses were heated using wood fires before modern heating advancements? It's fascinating, isn't it? So, when people suggest that eliminating factories and cars is the solution to air pollution, it's worth considering that in the past, every home and business relied on wood stoves and fireplaces for heating. This, too, released chemicals and particulate matter into the air.

If we were to remove our current sources of fuel, we might find ourselves reverting to those older ways of heating with wood stoves and fire places. It's something we would have to consider. So, as we seek solutions to combat air pollution, it becomes vital to explore multiple facets of the issue and carefully evaluate the impact of various actions on the environment and human well-being. A collective effort is essential in our journey toward a cleaner, healthier world.