Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions are now 7% LOWER than they were pre-pandemic, promising figures reveal

emissions

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the largest contributors to global warming. After the gas is released into the atmosphere, it stays there, making it difficult for heat to escape — warming the planet in the process.

It is released mainly from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, as well as cement production.

The average monthly concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere, as of April 2019, is 413 parts per million. Before the Industrial Revolution, the concentration was only 280 parts per million.

The concentration of carbon dioxide over the past 800,000 years has fluctuated between 180 and 280 parts per million, but has been greatly accelerated by pollution caused by humans.

Nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes from the burning of fossil fuels, automobile exhaust emissions, and the use of nitrogen fertilizers used in agriculture.

Although the atmosphere has much less carbon dioxide than carbon dioxide, it is 200 to 300 times more effective at trapping heat.

sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also comes primarily from burning fossil fuels, but can also be released from automobile exhaust.

Sulfur dioxide can react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to cause acid rain.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indirect greenhouse gas because it reacts with hydroxyl radicals and removes them. Hydroxyl radicals reduce the lifetime of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Particles

What are particles?

Particulate matter refers to small pieces of solid or liquid material found in the air.

Some are visible as dust, others cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Substances such as metals, microplastics, soil, and chemicals can be present in the particles.

Particulate matter (or PM) is described in micrometers. The two main types mentioned in reports and studies are PM10 (less than 10 micrometers) and PM2.5 (less than 2.5 micrometers).

Scientists measure the rate of particles in the air in cubic metres.

Particulate matter is sent into the air through a number of processes including burning fossil fuels, driving cars and making steel.

Why are particles dangerous?

Particles are dangerous because those smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter can travel deep into your lungs, or even travel into your bloodstream. Particulate matter is found in higher concentrations in urban areas, especially along major roads.

Health effect

What kind of health problems can pollution cause?

According to the World Health Organization, one-third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease can be linked to air pollution.

Some of the effects of air pollution on the body are not understood, but pollution may increase inflammation, which narrows the arteries and leads to heart attacks or strokes.

In addition, nearly one in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK are caused by air pollution.

The particles find their way into the lungs and settle there, causing inflammation and damage. In addition, some chemicals found in particles that make their way into the body can cause cancer.

Deaths due to pollution

About seven million people die prematurely from air pollution every year. Pollution can cause a number of problems including asthma attacks, strokes, various cancers and cardiovascular problems.

Asthma triggers

Air pollution can cause problems for asthma patients for several reasons. Pollutants in traffic fumes can irritate your airways, and particles can reach your lungs and throat and inflame these areas.

Pregnancy problems

A January 2018 study indicated that women exposed to air pollution before pregnancy are approximately 20% more likely to have children with birth defects.

A University of Cincinnati study found that living within 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of a highly polluted area one month before pregnancy makes women more likely to give birth to babies with defects such as cleft palates or cleft lips.

The research adds that every increase of 0.01 mg/m3 in fine air particles increases birth defects by 19%.

Previous research suggests that this causes birth defects as a result of women suffering from inflammation and “internal stress.”

What is being done to address air pollution?

Paris Agreement on climate change

The Paris Agreement, first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and reduce climate change.

It hopes to keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) “and pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).”

Carbon neutral by 2050

The UK government has announced plans to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.

They plan to do this by planting more trees and installing “carbon capture” technology at the source of the pollution.

Some critics worry that this first option will be used by the government to export carbon offsets to other countries.

International carbon credits allow countries to continue emitting carbon while paying for the costs of planting trees elsewhere, offsetting their emissions.

No new petrol or diesel cars by 2040

In 2017, the UK government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be banned by 2040.

However, MPs on the Climate Change Committee urged the government to bring the ban forward to 2030, because by then they would have a similar scope and price.

Norway supports electric cars

The rapid transition of the Norwegian car fleet to electricity is mainly due to generous government support. Electric cars are almost completely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on petrol and diesel cars, making them competitively priced.

A Volkswagen Golf with a standard combustion engine costs approximately 334,000 kroner (34,500 euros, $38,600), while its electric cousin the e-Golf costs 326,000 kroner thanks to a lower tax quotient.

Criticism of inaction on climate change

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has said there is a “shocking” lack of preparedness by the government to address the risks to the country from climate change.

The committee assessed 33 areas where climate change risks need to be addressed — from the ability of properties to withstand flooding to impacts on farmland and supply chains — and found no real progress in any of them.

The committee said the UK was not prepared for a 2°C rise in temperatures, the level at which countries have pledged to limit temperature rise, let alone a 4°C increase, which is possible if greenhouse gases are not reduced globally.

She added that cities need more green spaces to stop the “heat island” effect in urban areas, and to prevent flooding by absorbing heavy rain.