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http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=5-steps-to-clean-up1. Clean up coal-fired power plants (Renewable Energy). Coal plants are one of the

largest contributors to atmospheric particulate matter and ozonewhich are linked to worsened

asthma and increased rates of heart attacks and premature deathas well as greenhouse gases

and toxic substances, including mercury. We need to immediately reduce these emissions once

and for all.2. Clean up oceangoing vessels. Cruise ships, container ships and tankers emit staggering

amounts of smog-forming nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, heat-trapping carbon dioxide and

particulates, among them black carbon (soot). New evidence shows that pollution from these

vessels reaches surprisingly far inland. The U.S. government has requested that the

International Maritime Organization (IMO) create an emissions-control area in American

waters, including off Alaska and Hawaii. Although the U.S. signed the International Convention

for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, it cannot enforce those requirements until the IMO

grants the right to create the control areas along its coastlines.3.Improve the pollution-monitoring network. Numerous sensors regularly collect data

about air quality that can be sent to an EPA database to determine if the air in a community

meets national standards. Yet the instruments are installed only in about 1,000 of the nations

3,141 counties, and budget cuts have forced states to reduce the number of sensors or staff who

maintain them and analyze the data. Emerging science indicates that some areas with no

monitoring face serious health risks, particularly poor neighborhoods adjacent to highways or

dirty industries. The EPA should work with scientists and state officials to lower monitoring

costs and expand the ability to track pollutants.4.Enforce the law.Since 1970 the Clean Air Act has driven the nations ability to curb air

pollution. But rules have eroded as political decisions have taken the place of scientific ones andas delay after delay in enforcing specific requirements have mounted until only costly lawsuits

prompt action. By restoring a commitment to science and law, the nation can make great strides. Effects of Clean Air act:http://www.nrdc.org/air/cleanairact/default.asp The EPA is responsible for implementing the Clean AirAct. The laws public health and

economic benefits are among the nations most powerful legislative success stories. Between 1970 and 1990, the Clean Air Act prevented 205,000 premature deaths, 21,000

cases of heart disease and 843,000 asthma attacks. Since 1980, we have reduced lead levels in the air by 92 percent, greatly reducing the

number of children with impaired intelligence. Since 1990, EPAs implementation of the Clean Air Act has reduced levels of the six most

common air pollutants by 41 percent, while gross domestic product has grown 64 percent. Independent analysis by the White House Office of Management and Budget concluded

that the CAA saved Americans between $121 billion to $193 billion, while costing just $23

billion to $27 billion, between 1992 and 2002, a financial return of 500 to 700%.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=5-steps-to-clean-uphttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=5-steps-to-clean-uphttp://www.nrdc.org/air/cleanairact/default.asphttp://www.nrdc.org/air/cleanairact/default.asphttp://www.nrdc.org/air/cleanairact/default.asphttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=5-steps-to-clean-up

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The environmental technology industryspurred by environmental regulations andparticularly the Clean Air Actcreated 1.3 million total jobs between 1977 and 1991.

Exports of environmental and pollution control technologies grew by 130 percent between

1993 and 2003, and were valued at $30 billion in 2004.

http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/campaigns/air-pollution/solutions/5. Improve urban planning to increase green spaces

Within cities, careful urban and transport planning, such as setting roads back from pavements,

improving accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, having dedicated truck routes and

congestion charging can make an immense difference.

6. Creating a more effective transporatation system that has less environmental

impactTransportation is a critical enabler of economic activity and beneficial social

interactions. Yet the transportation sector is also a major source of air pollution in the MCMA,

estimated to account for nearly all of carbon monoxide (CO), more than 80% of nitrogen oxides(NOx), 40% of volatile organic compounds (VOC), 20% of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 35% of

PM10 in 1998. The growing problems of congestion, accidents, and lack of security are also very

worrisome. The key question, therefore, is how to reduce the adverse environmental impacts

and other negative effects of transportation without giving up the benefits of mobility.

Introducing cleaner fuel standards and switching to electric vehicle and giving incentivesto companies selling electric vehicles like less tax on their product

Increase the use of high-capacity public transportation by extending the metro lines,introducing bus rapid transit, improving service quality and personal security and

facilitating inter-modal transfers. Using alternative fuel sources such as biodiesel, lpg, etc.

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