3. Every morning when I wake up I turn on the lights, which requires
electricity. The electricity at my house comes from a coal burning
power plant. The burning of coal can release sulfur, which leads to an
increase in sulfur dioxide. Trace metals such as mercury and lead can
be released into the atmosphere when coal is burned, which can cause
damage to the central nervous system. Particulate matter released
through the combustion of coal is damaging to the respiratory
system. To reduce the amount of electricity I use, I can open my
windows and use natural light, instead of wasting electricity and
turning on the lights.
4. I take a long hot shower every morning. A water heater powered
by natural gas is needed to heat up the water for my shower. The
burning of natural gas releases carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere. Methane from unburned natural gas can also enter
the environment. Methane is a very harmful pollutant because
compared to carbon dioxide, methane is 25% more efficient at
absorbing infrared energy. To reduce this pollution, I can take
shorter showers using cold water.
5. Everyday I drive my Chevy Trailblazer to school, which releases carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxides into the
environment. These pollutants contribute to smog, damage plant tissue, and
damage the human respiratory system. I can reduce pollution from my car by
making a carpool. By creating a carpool I can reduce the number of cars on the
road, reducing the amount of pollution from cars.
6.
7. Everyday for lunch I drink a bottle of Ozarka water.
Petroleum is used to make the plastic bottle. Petroleum can
release carbon dioxide, sulfur, lead, mercury, and arsenic into
the environment. Instead of drinking a new bottle of water
everyday, I could re-use the same water. This would reduce
the amount of plastic I use, thus reducing the amount of
pollution created through the burning of petroleum.
8. For most of my classes I use a Dell laptop to take notes. I have to charge my
laptop everyday after lunch, which requires electricity generated from the burning
of coal. The combustion of coal can contribute to gray smog by releasing sulfur
dioxide. The combustion of coal can also release particulate matter that can
absorb and scatter sunlight, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the
Earth’s surface, which can reduce photosynthesis in plants. To reduce this type of
pollution I can begin taking notes by hand, eliminating the need for me to charge
my Dell laptop on a daily basis.
9.
10. Everyday I drive my Chevy Trailblazer home from soccer practice, which
releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen
dioxides into the environment. These pollutants contribute to smog, damage
plant tissue, and damage the human respiratory system. I can reduce pollution
from my car by making a carpool. By creating a carpool I can reduce the
number of cars on the road, reducing the amount of pollution from cars. I also
drive to the gym every evening soon after I get home from soccer. I can begin
walking to the gym (it is only a mile from my house) in order to further reduce
pollution from my car.
11. Every night I do laundry, which requires using a Whirlpool
dryer. My dryer is gas powered, so it releases carbon dioxide
and nitrogen oxides into the environment. My dyer also
releases volatile organic compounds, which leads to ozone
formation. The formation of ozone in the troposphere is a
dangerous pollutant. To help reduce this pollution I could
use a clothesline outside to dry my clothes instead of using a
dryer.
12. Because electricity from my house is provided by a coal burning
power plant, leaving appliances plugged in uses electricity. Using
this electricity causes air pollution from chemicals released into the
atmosphere from the burning of coal such as sulfur
dioxide, lead, mercury, and particulate matter. To reduce this
pollution, I can unplug appliances before I go to sleep such as my Dell
computer, Samsung television, and Cannon printer in order to
prevent adding pollution into the environment by using unnecessary
electricity.
