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Air
Quality & Energy Conservation
Introduction - Why Is
This Topic Of Interest?
Where
Do These Issues Come From?
Air Quality and
Climate Change Indicators
Introduction
- Why Is This Topic Of Interest?
Poor air quality,
or smog, creates both short-term and
long-term health issues, leading to
increased hospital admissions, more
emergency room visits, higher rates
of absenteeism, and even premature mortality
for the elderly, and people with existing
respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Children, particularly those with asthma,
are also vulnerable. It also damages
crops and personal property.
With climate
change, atmospheric scientists predict
that the average temperature in London
will rise by 2-3 oC in the next 50 years.
Although this change may appear to be
small and over a long period of time,
the consequences locally and globally
could be severe. Winters in London could
become milder. Summers are expected
to be drier and heat waves to be more
common. Storms are expected to become
more frequent and violent, bring greater
risk of flood, high wind, and tornado
damage. Most importantly to many Londoners,
higher temperatures will also make smog
worse if our emissions remain unchanged.
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Where
Do These Issues Come From?
Over half
of the air pollution (ground-level ozone
and fine particulate matter) in London
comes from upwind sources (e.g., emissions
that reach London from industries and
cities located in the Ohio Valley).
The other half comes from us whether
from our cars, our homes, our places
of work, or the stores we shop at.
In London,
individuals are the greatest source
of greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicles
are the biggest contributors, followed
by home energy use (natural gas and
electricity).
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Air
Quality - Quick Facts
At least half of the air pollutants
in London's air comes from the
US, the rest comes from Londoners.
An old gas-powered lawnmower can
produce as much air pollution
as 40 new cars.
Hybrid gas-electric cars do not
have to be plugged in - the battery
is charged when you apply your
brakes.
43% of all gasoline sold in London
in 2009 was ethanol-blended gasoline.
A poorly maintained car engine
can use up to 50% more fuel than
a tuned-up engine.
Idling longer than 10 seconds
wastes gas and harms your engine.
Air leaks (drafts) represent between
25% and 40% of the heat loss from
an older home.
A twenty-year old fridge uses
about three times as much electricity
as a new fridge of the same size.
A low-flow showerhead can save
42,000 litres of hot water each
year - enough to fill a backyard
swimming pool.
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