Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.
Chapter 2: Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion
Traffic congestion is a daily reality in India’s urban centers. Slow speeds and idling vehicles produce, per trip, 4 to 8 times more pollutants and consume more carbon footprint fuels than free-flowing traffic. This 2008 image shows traffic congestion in Delhi. change to https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delhi_air_pollution_2019.jpg . Winter air pollution levels in Delhi can rise to more than 100 times the World Health Organization “healthy” levels, due to a combination of lower winds, high traffic and industrial emissions, burning of crops, dust, and even cultural practices involving burning and fireworks. Air pollution is considered the 5th largest cause of mortality in the city. Approximately 7-8% of deaths in India are attributed to particulate air pollution.
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, you should:
Know the air pollutants of greatest concern in the US and globally
Understand health impacts of air pollutants and other impacts related to sustainability
Understand the link between air pollutants and climate change, and the economic sectors involved
Understand the contributions of climate change to increasing natural sources of air pollution
Chapter Outline
10.1 Atmospheric Pollution – Overview
10.2 Atmospheric Pollution Trends and Control
10.3 Interactions between air pollution and climate change
10.4 Expanding natural sources of air pollution – dust storms, wildfires
