Air Pollution: Is It Really a Big Deal?

Question

Air Pollution: The Context

In late 2018, the European Environment Agency issued a warning that said close to 500,000 premature deaths are caused by air pollution. In this instance, they warned against polluted air particles too small to smell or see that could cause or worsen the symptoms of asthma, lung cancer and heart disease.

The main air pollutants across Europe are:

• fuel-consuming transport vehicles;

• The production and distribution of energy;

• industry and agriculture;

• commercial buildings and homes;

• waste management.

What do you think? Is air pollution a big deal?

What Do You Think?Who do you agree

with? Why?

What Do You Think?Who do you agree with? Why?

”Air pollution is an incredibly serious matter that people don’t take seriously enough – it’s easy to take issue with plastic pollution and non renewable plastics because we see the effects of it every day and the news and TV shows document it regularly. However, air pollution is an invisible killer and it’s killing thousands of people invisibly every single year.”

”Of all the things to worry about, particles in the air that we can’t see are the least of our worries. We have plastics that don’t biodegrade ruining the natural world, growing levels of homelessness and growing political tension across the world. If I can’t see something, I’ll avoid worrying about it.”

Research ActivityUsing your phone or the Internet, research 4

countries that have high levels of air pollution. Write down the name of the country, the amount

of particulates in the air (measured as PM2.5), the reasons for pollution levels and whether or

not the country is trying to improve this.

Personal ResponseWith cities in the UK and across Europe exceeding safe levels of air particulates, consider whether or not you consider air pollution to be a big deal when compared with other present issues.

Do you think we should take more immediate action to combat air pollution or solve other problems first?

The Big Question: Air Pollution: Is ItReally a Big Deal?

Prepare a speech or presentation to tackle the question above. (Considering the pros and cons)